Category: Book Review

The book is about a quirky fifteen year old called Charlie and his first year of high school. Something traumatic occurs to Charlie and he becomes anxious about starting high school. When Charlie starts high school, he begins to write letters to a person he refers to as a friend. He thinks that the person will understand and listen to what he has to write. While writing the letters, he keeps people like his family anonymous so that the person can’t find Charlie. Charlie shares his thoughts, experiences and memories in the letters such as opinions on high school, his first high school party and Christmas with his family.

The novel takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during 1991 according to the evidence of Charlie’s brother was playing football for Penn State and the mention of fort pitt tunnel which is in that area. The first letter was dated August 25, 1991 and the rest followed onwards. Furthermore, the novel mentions technology such as cassette tapes, mix tapes, record vinyls and typewriters. During that decade, the technology (mentioned before) were quite popular with the teenagers.

In the novel, Charlie makes friends with two seniors at a football game and is invited to hang out with their friendship group. During his first high school party, Charlie meets the group which consists of Sam, Patrick, Mary Elizabeth, Bob and Alice. Sam and Patrick helps Charlie through his first year of high school and different experiences such as drugs, alcohol and love. Charlie is a shy and thoughtful person which doesn’t always work in his favour especially when it comes to love. In addition, he pays attention to how someone acts but at the same time is naive about situations. At the beginning of the novel, Charlie has a “Charlie-esque crush” on the Sam but she doesn’t reciprocate the same feelings. Charlie tries to move on but by the end of the novel, he still likes Sam.

Just like Charlie, Sam has experienced a situation that she shouldn’t have been faced with when she was younger which causes Sam to turn towards boys and booze. Eventually Sam recognizes that she has more value than what she thought she was. Later, in the novel, it’s mentioned that Sam is dating a college guy called Craig. However, Craig is more interested in a physical relationship than an emotional one. Charlie observes that Craig is a terrible listener and is more affectionate to himself rather than Sam. Sam has a

When Charlie first met Patrick, he was known as nothing because of him telling people, “Listen, you either call me Patrick, or you call me nothing.” After meeting them at the football game, Charlie finds out that Sam and Patrick are step siblings when he asks “how long they have been going out?” During Charlie’s first high school party, Charlie finds out that Patrick is actually in a private relationship with Brad who is the quarterback of the football team.

I would recommend this novel to anyone in high school because the book mentions themes of situations that occur in high school such as drugs, alcohol, friendship and love. Everyone in high school is going through a different experience and I think this novel would help teenagers understand what they are going through whether it’s depression, anxiety or love.

This essay will be comparing and contrasting the two sensational series that changed the world’s opinion on fantasy books: Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. Furthermore, Harry Potter is a book and film that targets children from mature adults. It is a series of fantasy novels written by a British author, J.K Rowling on 26 June 1997. The novel’s plot revolves around the three main characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermoine Granger. All three of them are wizarding students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that adventures and learns how to perform magic and comes face to face with their archnemesis, Lord Voldemort. Similarly, Percy Jackson is an American film series adapted by the novel written by Rick Riordan on June 28, 2005. This series describes the adventures of a demigod called Percy Jackson. As well as Harry Potter this series has three main characters, demigods, along with Percy Jackson. Annabeth Chase and Luke Castellan are Percy Jackson’s best friends that introduced Jackson to the Camp-half blood, a summer camp that demigods attend for materialistic assets they need.

These two series have millions of fans all around the world that has pointed out the similarities and differences they have spotted. The first one is the POV and writing style from the books. In Harry Potter, the author, Rowling, chooses third-person form in a very narrative style. In the story, the third person is Harry Potter’s point of view meanwhile, Percy Jackson is written in first person form and develops more character in the writing style. The reader can imagine lines in the book as Jackson’s thoughts rather than another narrate writing it.

Next, worldbuilding and settings in the two series is the second compare and contrast in both films and books. Both authors seem to have concentrated on building the set in where they were from along with a set target audience before their work went international. For example, Harry Potter’s setting is heavily reflected in British culture. From the characters to the food to the locations, the author revolves the story around British culture. In the movie and the book, the only city J.K Rowling mentioned was London and the characters happen to always be in London without any change in place. The architecture, the setting, the props; they all intimately connect with European history. This somewhat medieval setting provides a fantastical element to the overall feel of the story which Percy Jackson never had. Percy Jackson, on the other hand, is more recent and has mentioned more countries across America. In the movie, characters are seen eating burgers and typical fast food. In the Percy Jackson book, the places mentioned are the Empire State Building (which serves as Mount Olympus), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Long Island. All of them are definitely more modern places; A lot of people can confirm that the movie has a modern spin to Greek mythology. In my opinion, the modern spin on Greek mythology persuades the audience to relate to the movie more than Harry Potter.

In the Harry Potter series, J.K Rowling has created a whole new universe while Rick Riordon creates a new universe within our universe. In other words, Rick Riordon brings fantasy to our world while J.K Rowling brings us to her fantasy. To clarify, Rick Riordan creates fantasy within the movie with places and objects we have and can go to in real life. Whatsoever, places and items in Harry Potter do not exist in real life, it is a world and illusion created by the pen of J.K Rowling.

As another comparison, many fans have noticed the timeline within Harry Potter and Percy Jackson are different yet somewhat similar. In Harry Potter, every book starts at the same time; it starts as the summer for Harry Potter and then drags the audience throughout the following school year. The series demonstrates Harry Potter’s school years by each movie and book. This method makes the audience feel as if they were there with Harry Potter or the audience grows along year by year with him.

Alternatively, Percy Jackson’s timeline is briefer and starts during the summer as well. All books and films take place at half-blood summer camp and do not show the entire school year because unlike Hogwarts because it is a summer camp only. This means that the stories and plots in Percy Jackson are usually shorter than Harry Potter, assumably by a week or two.

In addition to this list, there are two very obvious points that show in both movies and books. Villans and directness in writing style. Many people have proven how the two different authors took different approaches to their story. In terms of villans, Rick Riordan has made them loathsome and despicable. Lord Voldemort’s goal throughout all the films was to have revenge on the Potter family. While the other villain, Ms. Umbridge (Dolores Umbridge) represents hatred because she is hated by all the students. In contrast, Rick Riordan contains more villains in his story that involves Greek mythical villains and human villains. The main villain would be Luke, son of Zeus. In the movie, Luke started out as ordinary and very likable. The antagonist becomes very mean and remorseful in the end but for good reasons unlike Lord Voldemort, who tries to kill the Potter family with no specific or relatable meaning.

Drawing on insights from Harry Potter essays, it’s intriguing to observe how the narrative complexity of the Harry Potter stands in contrast to Percy Jackson. In Harry Potter, I have personally noticed how the storyline has many meanings and different paths while Percy Jackson’s quests are very straight forward. Once the quest within the movie or the book is given, the characters in the movie start to help fix the mission or quest. Unlike Harry Potter, whereas he has to go through all sorts of mischief and situations to find one clue. In almost every movie Harry Potter finds out secrets and important clues by eavesdropping, not following the rules, etc. Although this creates more suspense from the audience, it sometimes overdoes it and ruins the mood.

In conclusion, I agree that both tales are very entertaining and are the inspiration fantasy stories and books we have today. Although there are many more similarities and comparisons these were the most common and personally the most obvious ones. Ever since Harry Potter and Percy Jackson was first internationally published, although I was young and scared to watch them, I have been fans of the two series ever since. They were a source of fantasy I could always run away to from the real world.

The Other Wes Moore is about two boys who are are similar, yet also extremely different. Both boys grew up in Baltimore just blocks from each other with the same name, Wes Moore. They were both raised by single mothers who tried to give them the best life they could for their children. Since they grew up with single mothers, neither had a father figure causing a very challenging, troubled childhood. Both grew up in similar yet different environments, that allowed their development to unwind differently from each other. This paper is going to discuss how resiliency and Bandura’s Theory apply to the development of both Wes Moores.

Throughout the novel Wes Moore showed resiliency when faced with obstacles growing up. Resilience is a broad term that can be defined as a positive adaption not matter the hardship. There is many interpretations in the term resilience. In relation to The Other Wes Moore, community resilience plays a big role in the shaping of the boys. Community resilience is the role that one’s culture and environment may play in acknowledging disturbance while managing change to overcome the disturbance(Fleming & Ledogar, 2008). Resilience is change, but positive change in one’s role. The development of resilience in both Wes Moores plays a role in why one was successful, and one ended up in jail.

Bandura’s theory discusses how the human mind develops, and what can potentially affect the development. He mainly focused on the behavior of an individual, and the environment and interaction with others. In the book, it states that the key components in Bandura’s theory in relation to the development of one’s self is the interaction between thoughts and influence of the environment (Ainbinder & Lehman, 2018). Bandura believes that the interaction with one’s thoughts and environment balance behavior and decision making. He also explains how goal setting and self efficacy, the confidence in one’s ability to perform certain tasks and achieve goals) is important to one’s development. For example, Wes grew up in a rough environment with fighting, and due to that he allowed a situation to escalate by his reaction instead on walking away from it. Bandura’s theory can elaborate on why both Wes’s took different paths in life.

The Other Wes Moore tells a story about two boys who had a similar lifestyle growing up, but took completely different paths as they developed. Wes Moore had a family that was caring, and were willing to do anything fro Wes to have a successful life. Wes was irritated at the thought of attending military school, but later realizes in was a good decision as Wes stated “I actually started to enjoy military school” (Moore, 2011). Also, Wes was accelerating in sports allowing him to receive athletic scholarships, which helped his family financially; this was also an act of resilience. Wes took a situation that was not going his way, and made it into something great for himself and his family. The other Wes was not able to achieve such great things. The other Wes began to disperse drugs, and was involved in a shooting landing him in prison. After discovering the mother of his child is on drugs, he opens his eye to change in his life. Although at this point in the book it seems like he is going to turn a negative lifestyle into a positive one, the stress of life pushes him back to drugs. He was overwhelmed, and allowed the obstacles in his life to defeat him.

We can see the major difference of resilience in each Wes’s life. The was that was successful in life suffered form many obstacles such as the death of his father, a bad living environment, the uprooting from where he grew up, but never let those obstacles defeat him or determine his life in a negative way. Although some of the incidents he was faced with he causes himself, he always found a way to turn them into a positive thing. He came from a low income family, a bad environment, and no father figure and was able to make such a bad lifestyle in a great one. On the other hand, resilience is not very noticeable in the other Wes’s life. As I stated before, he came from the same bad environment as Wes, but was not able to veer one them and make the best of his life which is why he ended up in prison. He allowed himself to take an easy route by letting the bad environment define who he was as a person and define his life as he developed.

Bandura’s work is also very clear throughout the novel. The environment that both Wes’s evolved from affected their behavior and their view on life. Wes was able to realize his self efficacy and was ale to push through the obstacles that he was faced with. Wes is the ideal example of resilience, because he was faced with so many problems throughout his childhood yet overcame them. The other Wes was not so much an ideal example. Both boys were handed the same lifestyle, but only one was able to make something out of it and push them to grow into a better person.

Overall, resilience and Bandura’s theory stood out in the novel. As stated before, both had a very rough childhood due to all the factors thrown at them. Although one of the boys was faced with a terrible environment, he was able to go down the right oath instead of giving in like the other Wes did.

The dystopian scientific novel written by Kazuo Ishiguro serves as a testament to the power of memory. Throughout the novel, the protagonist Kathy confronts her life’s losses by preserving her memories of her life at Hailsham and friends Tommy and Ruth after their death. Through the use of the first person from the perspective of Kathy whose life takes place over three parts, Hailsham, The Cottage and Norfolk are the three significant locations where she experiences different forms of loss from a personal perspective.The Characters growth plants the themes of Loss, Perils of Friendship and Identity. During the clones’ young life they are bound to Hailsham, their home and exclusive boarding school. From a young age each clone has a prevailing fear of life beyond the fences as their “guardians” and peers imbue an undying dread to prevent anyone from leaving the property of Hailsham.

Throughout the novel, the characters experience different forms of loss. One of the most intense forms of loss is control. All the characters are forced to grasp the concept that their life is determined by the likes of another person and there is no exception. There is a somberful acception of the loss of control of one’s own life in the novel. When Kathy sees Tommy to his “completion”, only then she comes to terms with her life’s path. The deaths of prominent characters in the novel depict how loss is a part of each clones consciousness. The euphemism in the word “complete” used by Kathy is to aid the attempt to disguise themselves from their foreseeable future. The emotional turmoil experienced by the clones presents an ethical dilemma, because we are able to understand that clones experience emotions, making them almost identical to humans. By presenting clones with emotion, Ishiguro questions human choices and the dispute of ethical choices of creating clones to eventually kill

In the novel, Ishiguro portrays how the loss of the clones control and choices regarding their body by italicizing the loss of organs which is the reality of the clones everyday lives. In chapter eighteen Kathy expresses the difficulty of being a carer and the emotional torment she goes through. Ruth, and Tommy experience. Each clone experiences loss in every form of their lives on the earth from certain attachments towards Hailsham, the Cottages and Norfolk. The clones attachments towards their past lives depict how they are unable to establish their legitimate connections due to their predetermined futures having already been chosen. During Kathy’s course of reminiscing about her past, her sense of longing often dates back to Hailsham, “ I can remember us back in the Juniors, pleading with guardians to hold the lesson in the pavilion instead of the usual room.” Kathy’s memories of Hailsham are only fond, because it reminds her of the time when her life was somewhat consistent, and when all her friends had not left her yet.

Ishiguro begins to use the protagonist Kathy, being a carer as a way to depict her losses on many different fronts. In chapter 23 Kathy is aware of her losses, when she admits to her memory fading. However she refused and stated “I was talking to one of my donors a few days ago who was complaining about how memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don’t go along with that. The memories I value most, I don’t see them fading. I lost Ruth, then I lost Tommy, but I won’t lose my memories of them” In Ishiguro’s attempt to humanise Kathy he proves that the clones are capable of emotion. Their consistent loss in friends, relationships and locations is a loss which they experience and recognize. After her recognition of her experiences of life changing all she can attempt to do is comfort herself.

In the novel Ishiguro uses settings as a way to explore the changes of loss. When the clones were living in Hailsham, their life was consistent. During this novel Kathy grapples with the loss of Ruth and Tommy reflecting on her compound relationships. Her memories become the only link to her past, Hailsham. This is why her memories are so dear to her. During Kathy’s confrontation of her past in Hailsham, Ishiguro sets a somber tone during her reflection of the past. After the clones leave Hailsham, they are only able to be fond of the school. However haunting the guardians and other students made it to be, they cherished their “home”. When the clones move to the Cottages they meet the “veterans” the older carers. During this time, they spend their time discussing literature, philosophy but their life becomes less urgent. Ishiguro uses the “veterans” in the Cottages to mimic how couples behave in television shows. Unintentionally, Kathy begins adopting the same characteristics.

Kathy appears to be young and in her prime to the reader. However, she is almost at the end of the night, and has lost every part of her past, and the only thing she has left is her memories. Ishiguro uses the whole novel as a way to depict a person’s losses through the use of memory. Each character in the book uses their memories as a way to deflect their losses in their life before their inevitable death. Through humanizing clones, Ishiguro attempts to make the reader empathize with the characters as they desire referrals from their donors as a temporary fix for their life to last longer. The characters in the novel also experience a loss on an emotional level. Kathy describes “sex at the Cottages seems a bit functional”. The use of the word functional leads us to believe that the lack of emotion associated with physical connection, especially an act such as sex which humans experience for pleasure, love, lust and admiration which the clones aren’t able of grasping. They lack the emotional connection that humans are able to have, because all clones are infertile Ishiguro plays on how they are unable to access affection. They lack the emotional connection that one would be able to have if fertile due to not having children; they struggle to harness their passion or love for eachother.

The reality of loss is so intrinsic in the clones’ life that in certain instances they aren’t aware of the multitude of losses that they face, they live their whole life knowing they are working for their death, in secluded areas where nobody knows who they are. Norfolk and the Cottages hide them from the real world and an experience of a normal life. They are oblivious to what they are sheltered from. Ultimately the notion of loss is surrounded by the characters in the book through every aspect of their short life. Due to their predetermined lives they have no other option than to cope with it or be unaware of their quiet short lived life.

Intro

In a world where audiences are not easily entertained an have an unlimited variety of sources from which to choose from. A short story must captivate its reader. Roald Dahl’s ‘Lamb To The Slaughter’ does this through Plot Twist, Unique setting and Dramatic Irony

Body

‘Lamb To The Slaughter’, captivates the reader by using Plot Twist when miss Maloney gets a frozen leg of Lamb and swings it in fury of her husband wanting to dump her, when she’s just months off, from having her first child. ‘She swung the big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on the back of his head’. The plot twist in the quote makes the reader feel uneasy and a sense of Miss Malonlys Batrail, to her husband and the extent that she has done it in. As a result of the reader being left uneasy and unaware of what’s to come, the reader’s interest is soon brought to when Partick is still standing and then he crashes to the carpet. Another plot twist that is created in the story is when Patrick dumps Miss Maloney. ‘She sat through it all, watching him with puzzled horror’. The reader is drawn to imagine the emotion on her face as she sits with her husband, the person who she loves, decides to leave her all alone. As a result of this, the reader is left curious, and wanting to know more, about the situation. Patrick’s betrayal of Miss Maloney infuriates her and not long after, she kills her husband with a leg of lamb. The way Roald Dahl did this plot twist was perfect. It is some of many ways to write an engaging, enjoyable short story.

Another way that ‘Lamb To The Slaughter’ creates and maintains reader engagement is through the use of Unique Setting for a housewife in 1950s Britain. ‘Each minute that went by made it nearer the time when he would come home’. Emotive language in the quote shows how much miss Maloney loves her beloved husband, and the reader can feel that connection between her and Patrick. As a result of this, Miss Maloney is always wanting to see and be around her deer husband, which the reader finds that engaging because they want to find out more about their relationship and if and if anything could jeopardise that relationship between the two of them. Unique setting has shown emotive language to create a short story which will be one to remember, making it so captivating to the reader. A second example of a unique setting is when miss Maloney takes Patrick’s jacket and hangs it up for him. ‘She took his coat and hung it up’. Allusion shows the life of a housewife in 1950s Britan and the roles woman played in society in the 50s and beyond. The reader can tell that miss Maloney is effectively Patrick’s servant for whatever he wants. She cooks, cleans, shops for him on a daily basis and many women do that in today’s society. The reader could relate to this and understand what life was like for miss Maloney and all the hard work she would have to do. Motive language and allusion have shown how unique setting is accomplished in

‘Lamb To The Slaughter’, which many people can relate to has made it very engaging for the reader.

A third way that ‘Lamb To The Sluter’ shows reader engagement is thought Dramatic Irony. ‘Hello Sam’, she said brightly out loud. Dramatic Irony show, just how much the reader knows and how little the characters know. Miss Maloney hides the fact that she has killed her husband, and says, that ‘Patrick’s decided he is tired’, but in reality, he’s not tired, but he is dead. Which the reader knows but the characters in the short story don’t know, which makes the reader feel unsettled and a little nervous. By the reader knowing what really happened and the characters in the story don’t they so want to know more and what happens next, which has led to the story being so engaging. Another way dramatic irony is done is when, the cops and detectives are searching and examining the whole house to find clues for who the killer was, and how this all happened, but they didn’t know it was Miss Maloney. ‘And in the other room, Mary Maloney began to laugh’. Tone in the quote makes the ready fell anxious and edgy, as they know what the detectives don’t, which is that miss Maloney metaphorically has blood all over here hands. The quote being the last line of the story if leaves an indecisive cliff hanger, to the reader meaning no one knows what happens next which makes anyone who reads this want to know what happens to miss Maloney. If she got caught red-handed or got off scot-free with no one knowing what happens next, which makes it very engaging.

Conclusion

Roald Dahl captivates his readers as the readers are left unsettled and unaware of what is to come, through the use of plot twist, and are drawn into emotion of the killing of Patrick as miss Maloneys revenge to teach him a lesson he would never forget. It also entertains the reader through unique setting to give a light of life for a woman in 1950s Britan as being a housewife to take care of the man. Lastly, reader engagement is achieved through dramatic irony to show how miss Maloney put on a brave face to her surrounding after killing the person she loved which is hidden from the characters in the story. It is not easy to achieve reader engagement but Roald Dahl has been able to pull it off flawlessly.

People are born with a natural sense of fairness and when they are denied their societal rights of equality and justice a rebel is born and steps forward to inspire and lead for a better future. This supports the idea that “ Rebels don’t break rules because they want to, but because they have to”. This theme is reflected by Gary Ross in the highly acclaimed film The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is about a country Panem divided into 12 lower districts and a Capitol ( the government ), the Capitol hosts a yearly game where twenty-four innocent teenagers two from each district, fight for survival in a wild arena that is testing both physically and psychologically with the last alive being crowned the winner. In the film, it shows the themes of political authority the Capitol oppressing society, social injustice the 12 districts struggling to stay alive because they don’t have basic resources due to the Capitol’s greed, and the theme that rebels aren’t breaking rules because their defiant but because they need to change. Throughout the film, viewers are able to understand why the protagonist of the film Katniss Everdeen must break free of their control and make the change from a dystopian society to a democracy.

Throughout the film, it shows that the people of Panem have no political freedom and are brutally controlled by the Capitol and President Snow. Katniss Everdeen doesn’t want to be the one to break the rules of the dictatorship but she knows she must be the one to free a whole nation from tyrannical oppression and the poverty there enduring. In the text President Snow is at the top of an unjust social hierarchy he is able to keep control over people by instilling fear with The Hunger Games. The director displays this by using a high camera angle, we are looking down at all the vulnerable families’ faces as there announce the 74th Hunger Games tributes. The purpose of this film technique is to show us the power play between the oppressed and the Capitol. Gary Ross also depicts this idea when the tribute parade is happening, the camera angle is from the tribute’s perspective, they are looking up toward President Snow and other high-power leaders. This gives the effect that he is given much respect and bows down to him. The character development of Katniss Everdeen’s rebellious nature is depicted early when we see her go illegal hunting, Gary Ross has a close-up shot of a “no entry” sign and then continues moving the camera to Katniss climbing over the fence. This evidence supports the idea that Katniss doesn’t rebel because she wants to but because she needs to provide food for her family. Ending

The 13 districts in The Hunger Games are dramatically different there is a clear theme of social injustice and unfairness, when humans are treated differently for no reason people rebel to have their voices heard because without rebellion there will be no change in society. The 12 Districts all play a part in the Capitols’ wealth, each District has a resource that they produce for example District 12 produces coal, this is a fair system until nearly all the resources go to the Capitol and leaving all the other districts with near nothing. There are two pathways the oppressed people can choose either becoming despondent and hopeless or making a change in this unjust society this is the pathway Katniss Everdeen follows. Gary Ross gives this background of society to show that Katniss Everdeen is changing things not just for her benefit but for the benefit of the nation. The director portrays the Capitol as shiny, bright, vivid, and colorful whereas the districts as portrayed as dark, dirty, gloomy, and miserable. This is shown when Effie steps onto the stage at the Reaping in a bright purple gown and then the camera flashes to the crowd in grey, white and lighter clothes. The director uses this film technique Mise en scene to display to the viewers the social inequality and to build sympathy for the Districts. Ending

True Rebels aren’t crazy or out of control they are trying to change a regime that is unfair or isn’t what they believe in and to is heard they must stand out. If a rebel was in a privileged situation they would not have anything to change or fight for so they would not rebel. This idea is presented frequently throughout The Hunger Games, there are many times when Katniss doesn’t follow society’s rules to prove a point. The main point of the Hunger Games is dehumanizing the tributes and making them have no mercy for each other. When Rue gets killed Katniss takes the time to lay flowers around Rue and shows her respect, this isn’t seen throughout the rest of the game the tributes focus on winning not the lives that are lost. This is an act of rebellion and everyone watches and society starts an uprising because of the unexpected change. Through the Hunger Games Gary Ross continually makes us empathize with the characters, a film technique that is used throughout most of the film is the shaky camera technique. This makes us feel like we’re experiencing the action and thus helps build empathy for the characters. The largest rebellious act of The Hunger Games is at the end of the film when Katniss and Peeta were both meant to win but an “unexpected” change happened, the games master hoped one would kill another and put on a great show of entertainment for the privileged people of the Capitol. Instead, they both vowed to eat poisoned berries and die together, this goes against game rules and would make a mockery of their long-standing system and most control would be lost, so they let them both win. Their rebellious act had an extremely high risk but Katniss was so devoted to not giving in to their system of control and fear she was willing to die.

People are born with a sense of what is right and if their societal rights of equality and justice are opposed a rebel is born and steps forward to make a change. This statement further supports that an oppressive government must be stopped, social injustice is unfair and someone will be brave and step forward and be a voice for the voiceless a true rebel would never be defiant if they had everything they needed and wanted. The Hunger Games, as its names states are not only about physical hunger due to limited resources in the districts but a metaphorical hunger for political freedom, social justice, and a revolution of change. So next time you think a rebel is just a defiant rule-breaker remember no one causes an uprise unless there is a need for a revolution.

Voltaire once said, “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do”. Every decision made in life is followed by a consequence. Guilt is one of the most frequent consequences in the novel, The Kite Runner. Khaled Hosseini depicts the cataclysmic ability of guilt to consume one’s life through the several relationships between Ali and Baba, Hassan and Amir, and Sohrab and Amir. Guilt can be a driver for people in several ways. In The Kite Runner, guilt serves as a driver for a few people, which leads them all in opposite directions. Guilt is heavily shown in the novel by anger, whether it’s being held in or inflicted upon. The protagonist in The Kite Runner, Amir suffers the consequences of his remorseful actions. Towards the beginning of the book, Amir witnesses something that plagues him with guilt for the rest of his life until he finally finds a way to redeem himself. Amir notices his servant, Hassan who is also his friend in an alleyway with some oppressors. Amir decides not to intervene, and watches his friend get sexually abused, traumatized by this he makes something up about Hassan to get rid of him so that he can get rid of his “demons”. Amir bears this guilt throughout the book. It takes time for him to finally atone for his sins, and forgive himself. However, some characters do use their guilt to their advantage.

Although Amir and Baba don’t possess the most loving relationship, Amir is still able to learn from Baba. Baba is merely preparing Amir for the real world. Throughout the novel, Hosseini conveys the idea of sentimental bonds between sons and fathers, which is displayed through the relationships between Amir and Baba, Sohrab and Amir, and Sohrab and Hassan. Hosseini makes the reader recognize how vital an empathetic fatherly figure is. Amir is so desperate for his father’s love, he goes to extreme lengths to get it. When Hassan goes to retrieve the kite for him, he is stopped by Assef. Assef rapes Hassan because Amir is not only a coward but desperate for his father’s approval so he doesn’t interfere. In a way, it’s Baba’s lack of effort in communicating with Amir on an emotional level that is the reason that Amir doesn’t interfere. If Amir felt that he didn’t need to prove himself, his actions may have been slightly different. That’s where the guilt comes in. Amir believes that if he sends Hassan away he will forget his actions and he will cease to feel guilty. These are clear signs of selfishness, something that Amir should have been taught not to be. This big moment is like the stem of the novel, everything revolves around it. The guilt he bears through the book originates from this decision he made. It didn’t help that Amir was jealous of Hassan having a better relationship with Baba than himself. This is yet another reason as to why he left Hassan in the alleyway.

The moment Amir left Hassan in the alley to be raped is when his guilt developed into something that would plague him for the next 30 years, questioning his every decision. Amir was too selfish to realize at the time that Hassan had stuck up for him his entire life and the one time Hassan needed Amir’s help, Amir was nowhere to be seen. This decision is what changed Amir’s life. This choice haunts Amir with guilt until he understands that to redeem himself he needs to leave Afghanistan and bring Sohrab to the U.S. Amir doesn’t learn that he will have to confront Assef again until he’s already arrived in Afghanistan. When he encounters Assef for the second time he doesn’t concede, because to redeem himself he does what he should have done for Sohrab’s father decades ago. Soon after the event happened Amir whispered into the darkness that he watched Hassan get raped. He desperately hoped that “someone would wake up and hear, so [he] wouldn’t have to live with the lie anymore” (86).

An unnamed man’s journey through the Yukon forest is an example of the ultimate test of determination and having the will to live. While traveling by himself with only a dog for company, the man thinks back to when an old man advised him against ever going out on the trail in temperatures below -50 degrees. The temperature now is much more frigid than what he was advised against. However, being the self-confident man that he is, the traveler continued to push on, with hours to go before he would ever reach his destination. The man’s confidence in himself and his abilities would end up being his great downfall. In the end, the man fails to reach the destination where there is food, shelter, and companions. In “To Build a Fire”, Jack London uses the environment and one man’s foolishness and false sense of confidence to teach a lesson about the dangers and pitfalls of traveling alone in the dangerously cold conditions of the Yukon Trail.

The man traveling the Yukon trail fails to take in the advice of an old wise man who advised against going out in below -50 degree weather. He concludes that he is a capable man who doesn’t need help from an old man and proceeds to travel in temperatures downwards of -75 degrees. Temperatures are far too cold to be outside safely.

The man is accompanied by a dog who is on the side of reason, however, is unable to express his discomfort with the man who is walking ahead of it. The point of view of the story gives readers a chance to understand the thoughts and feelings of the man as well as the dog. The cold temperatures the man is in have a major effect on the story, and are the main factor for many of the challenges the man has to face. The man makes decisions that are unwise and costly. In the act of crossing a stream, the man’s feet got soaked after the ice fell beneath them. This automatically means that the man has to take about an hour to build a fire just to thaw out his feet and dry his socks and boots. The more time he spends out in the cold, the more his body continues to deteriorate, making his travels only more and more difficult.

Making a fire proved to be a challenging feat, as the man’s fingers were hardly capable of grasping sticks and lighting a match at this point. His fingers are so numb, he has to look down to make sure he is holding sticks. At a critical point, in which he desperately needs to get a fire going or his life would be in severe danger, a final wave of misfortune falls upon him and his fire goes out from the snow falling off a tree. This points back to his foolishness which got him into trouble in the first place. Building a fire under a tree, especially one full of snow is not a smart choice to make. As the man’s body conditions worsen, the challenge of constructing a fire begins to seem nearly impossible, as his hands are all but useless, yet he proceeds, using his mouth as his main tool, all while the dog disapprovingly looks on from a distance. The concentration it requires of him to build something that is usually a simple task goes to show how much pain he is fighting through. This also displays what a desperate and futile situation he is in. At this point, he is likely to never make it. He still has hours of traveling to go, and his body has all but stopped working. When building a fire goes nowhere, the man runs out of options, and in an act of desperation, goes for the dog, attempting to kill it so he could warm himself in its body. The dog escapes his grasp, as the man is unlikely able to kill the dog under the weak, impaired conditions of his body in the cold. In a last chance of survival effort, the man makes a run for his destination, still hours away, hoping to warm himself by running there. He doesn’t make it far and collapses and dies in the snow a few minutes later. The effects of the cold must have hit his head because he has made many questionable decisions that lead to his death that travellers of the cold climate usually know not to make.

The crucial mistakes made by the man had slowed him down, and he got himself trapped in the middle of the Yukon Forest in the dead of Winter. All of his problems could have been avoided if he had thought ahead, and acted carefully. The man’s efforts to stay alive were admirable, considering the pain and struggle of the situation. His adventure’s outcome was a result of his poor decision-making, and his reluctance to take advice. His false confidence in his abilities and his choice to make a solo endeavor into the dangerously cold wilderness resulted in his demise.

Works Cited

1. London, Jack. “To Build a Fire.” 21 Essential American Short Stories, edited by Leslie
2. M. Pockell, St. Martins, 2011, pp 64-79

John Steinbeck’s classic novella “Of Mice and Men” has been adapted into film multiple times, each interpretation offering its own take on the poignant tale of friendship and tragedy. While both the book and film versions of “Of Mice and Men” share similarities in their portrayal of characters and themes, there are notable differences that affect the overall narrative and interpretation. In this essay, we will explore the similarities and differences between the book and film adaptations, analyzing various aspects such as character portrayal, omitted scenes, and the overall impact on the storytelling.

Notable Differences in the Introduction

The opening scenes of both the book and the film set the stage for the story’s themes and characters. However, a notable difference lies in the portrayal of Lennie and George’s escape from the farm. In the book, the narrative begins with a detailed description of the Salinas Valley landscape, emphasizing the tranquility of the setting before introducing Lennie and George. In contrast, the film opts for a more dramatic approach, immediately showing Lennie and George fleeing from their previous workplace. This difference in the introduction sets the tone for the respective mediums, with the book focusing more on atmospheric description and the film prioritizing visual storytelling.

Contrasting Portrayal of Curley’s Wife

One significant difference between the book and film adaptations is the portrayal of Curley’s wife. In the book, there is a pivotal scene where Curley’s wife confronts Lennie, Candy, and Crooks in Crooks’ room, displaying her manipulative and antagonistic nature. However, this scene is omitted in the film, leaving Curley’s wife’s character less developed and her destructive tendencies largely unexplored. This discrepancy alters the audience’s perception of Curley’s wife, as her role in exacerbating the story’s conflicts is diminished in the film adaptation.

Discrepancy in Key Scene

Another notable difference between the book and film versions of “Of Mice and Men” is the portrayal of the climactic scene where George is forced to make a difficult decision regarding Lennie’s fate. In the book, this scene is depicted with greater detail and emotional complexity, showcasing George’s internal struggle and moral dilemma. However, in the film, this scene is condensed, with George appearing more decisive and less conflicted about his actions. This difference in portrayal alters the audience’s interpretation of George’s character and the ethical implications of his choice.

Scenes Omitted in the Movie

Several scenes from the book are omitted in the film adaptation, impacting the overall narrative and character development. For instance, the scene where Lennie hallucinates about a giant rabbit and his aunt Clara is excluded from the film, depriving viewers of insight into Lennie’s mental state and inner turmoil. Additionally, the scene where Slim comforts George after Lennie’s death is absent in the film, diminishing the emotional resonance of their relationship. These omissions detract from the richness of the story and its exploration of complex themes.

Personal Opinions on Both Adaptations

In comparing the book and film adaptations of “Of Mice and Men,” personal opinions may vary regarding which version is more effective. Some may prefer the depth and nuance of the book, appreciating its detailed characterization and exploration of themes. Others may favor the visual storytelling of the film, finding it more engaging and accessible. Ultimately, both adaptations have their strengths and weaknesses, offering unique interpretations of Steinbeck’s timeless tale.

Critique of the Film Adaptation

While the film adaptation of “Of Mice and Men” captures the essence of the story, it is not without its flaws. The pacing of the film may feel rushed at times, with certain scenes glossed over or omitted entirely. Additionally, the removal of key scenes from the book diminishes the impact of the narrative and character development. However, despite these shortcomings, the film remains a faithful adaptation that preserves the spirit of Steinbeck’s original work.

The Brilliance of the Story

Regardless of its form, “Of Mice and Men” remains a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of friendship, loneliness, and the human condition. Steinbeck’s masterful storytelling and rich characterization ensure that the story resonates with readers and viewers alike, offering timeless insights into the complexities of life and the bonds that unite us. As such, both the book and film adaptations of “Of Mice and Men” stand as testament to the enduring power of storytelling.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the book and film adaptations of “Of Mice and Men” share similarities in their portrayal of characters and themes, there are notable differences that affect the overall interpretation of the story. From the contrasting portrayals of Curley’s wife to the omission of key scenes, each adaptation offers its own perspective on Steinbeck’s timeless tale. Ultimately, whether experienced through the pages of a book or on the silver screen, “Of Mice and Men” continues to captivate audiences with its powerful storytelling and profound insights into the human experience.

Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’ has captivated readers for decades with its portrayal of a future society where books are banned and intellectualism is suppressed. In 1966, François Truffaut adapted the novel into a film of the same name. While both the book and the movie explore similar themes and storylines, they also present distinct differences in terms of character development, visual representation, and narrative structure. This essay will compare and contrast the book and the movie version of ‘Fahrenheit 451’ to analyze their respective strengths and weaknesses.

One of the primary differences between the book and the movie is the level of character development. In the book, the protagonist, Guy Montag, undergoes a significant transformation from a loyal fireman who burns books to a rebel seeking knowledge and intellectual freedom. Bradbury delves deep into Montag’s internal struggles, allowing readers to understand his motivations and the evolution of his beliefs. In contrast, the movie places more emphasis on the visual representation of the story, with less opportunity for detailed character development. While the movie captures the essence of Montag’s transformation, it lacks the depth and complexity seen in the book.

Another notable difference lies in the visual representation of the dystopian society. In the book, Bradbury uses vivid descriptions to paint a bleak and oppressive world, where firemen burn books and screens dominate every household. Readers are immersed in the atmosphere of fear and conformity, with their imaginations bringing the setting to life. On the other hand, the movie provides a visual interpretation of this world, allowing viewers to witness the oppressive society firsthand. Truffaut’s use of color, lighting, and set design effectively captures the gloomy and sterile environment depicted in the book. The movie’s visual presentation enhances the impact of the story, offering a different but equally compelling experience for the audience.

Additionally, the narrative structure differs between the book and the movie. The book is divided into three distinct parts, each with its own narrative arc, while the movie follows a more linear storytelling approach. Bradbury’s book utilizes various literary devices, such as flashbacks and internal monologues, to deepen the reader’s understanding of the characters and their motivations. In contrast, the movie streamlines the narrative, condensing and simplifying certain storylines for the sake of brevity and visual impact. While this makes the movie more accessible to a wider audience, it also sacrifices some of the intricacies and depth found in the book.

Despite these differences, the book and the movie share common themes and messages. Both explore the dangers of censorship, the importance of knowledge and critical thinking, and the power of individual rebellion against oppressive systems. Whether experienced through the written word or on the screen, ‘Fahrenheit 451’ serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of intellectual suppression and the value of preserving the freedom of thought.

In conclusion, ‘Fahrenheit 451’ by Ray Bradbury and its film adaptation by François Truffaut offer distinct yet complementary experiences for audiences. The book provides in-depth character development, immersive descriptions, and a multi-layered narrative structure. On the other hand, the movie captivates with its visual representation of the dystopian world and a streamlined storytelling approach. While the book delves deeper into the internal struggles of the characters, the movie visually portrays the oppressive society depicted in the novel. Both versions successfully convey the powerful themes of censorship, knowledge, and rebellion. Whether one prefers the richness of the book or the visual impact of the movie, both mediums have their own merits, making ‘Fahrenheit 451’ a remarkable work in both literary and cinematic realms.