TKAM Character Relationships

Dill And Francis Relationship

In the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, we have been given the opportunity to observe an array of chemistry, tension, and relationship development between the present characters, but one of the most notable ones that will be the center of this blog is the tension between Dill and Francis as well as their similarities and connections to our narrator/protagonist, Scout Finch.

While these two definitely have way less things in common than a lot of the other pairings in this novel, there were a few that I could draw and document. The first is their age. While these two vary drastically in personality, the can find common ground when it comes to age, seeing as that they both are quite young and around Scout's age. The second similarity I was able to draw was their energy. I found both Dill and Francis to be quite energetic for a few reasons. Once Francis had upset Scout, he had no hesitation to run away from her as swiftly as possible, showing that he has no worry to be energetic, which Dill possesses in a similar way, for he is willing to run around with Jem and Scout for hours.

Finding differences was much more simple than finding similarities, for these two are quite an odd pairing. The first thing that these two do not have in common is their class. From the book, we can tell that Francis is from a rather stable, mature family, due to his mature diction and the respect others give him, but I cannot say the same about Dill. Dill does not possess a stable family, and while he is intelligent, he does not quite get the respect his counterpart does. The second difference is their level of kindness and courtesy. It is obvious that Francis isn't afraid to voice his rather hateful opinions of Scout and those related to her, but Dill is quite a bit more kind-hearted, and he is one of the more positive children in the novel.

While both characters are close to Scout, with Francis being her cousin and Dill being her Friend, she definitely exhibits different amounts of respect towards each of them. Almost all those who have read the book can notice that Scout is not particularly fond of Francis, for he has insulted her, Atticus, and Dill multiple times. She also finds him to be quite boring and forgettable. Her views on Dill are rather different. She believes Dill to be a kind, interesting boy whom she can play with for hours on end. She is even so smittened with him that even the both of them have agreed to marry each other in the future, which really shows the difference in our narrator's feelings towards both characters.

My Thoughts on the Election of 2016

My Thoughts on the Election of 2016

It is no bold statement to say that this year's election has caused quite the controversy over the past few months. There have been allegations made against the candidates, countless social media stirs, radical protests rivaling either the Republican Candidate Donald Trump, or the Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton. In this blog, I will be reflecting on the election and plenty topic pertaining to it. Mind you, this will be entirely subjective! I do not speak of facts, just personal opinions, preferences, and events. Enjoy!

Over the course of a few months, my views on the election have undergone multiple changes. When the election first started, I sided with Democratic Male Candidate Bernie Sanders. I believed that his plans on education, economics, etc. were morally superior to a majority of the of candidate's. I firmly stood by Sanders, that is until he lost the primaries to his Female Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton. The election then was between Clinton and Republican Candidate Donald Trump, whom I think the least highly of, due to the clash in our beliefs. Because of this, naturally, I stood by Clinton for the remainder of the campaign.

On the night of Election Day, it was announced that Hillary Clinton had lost the Election to Donald Trump, whom won by quite a close call. I was not particularly happy about this. I believed that the win was injustice, immoral, and destructive. Donald Trump had views that I believed would lead this country to failure. But after a while of thought, I have since realized something very crucial. Donald Trump is our set in stone president. Complaining about the issue was time wasted. I have since been able to fizzle down, and I no longer feel as upset and hurt as I did days ago.

One thing I have also realized since the election is that I would like to become more involved with Politics. This is because if I would like to insure a spot for a New Democratic candidate in 2020, I must do my research. I must study the values and adoption of not only the Democratic and Republican parties, but many others. Sadly, I may not be able to vote until 2024, or in 8 years, which is quite disappointing, seeing as that a vote can directly impact an election. But despite these barriers, I can still make my voice heard. I can use credible evidence and statistics to win those over whom are incredulous to the idea of the Democratic Party. This will really make a difference in the way others view my political morals.

One set of events that have really intrigued me as far as the election goes is the overwhelming riots organized by extremist Republicans/Democrats. Lately, due to the Election's results, many have been absolutely outraged, which has lead to monumental amounts of riots and radical protests. I find these intriguing because the events are normally caused by a dislike for the negativity being perpetuated by the candidates, but the actions committed by these protesters are quite contradictory to these claims, seeing as these riots come from a place of immense hatred and anger.

"But Charles Was Smiling" by Melanie Albanese (Veteran's Day Poem)

"But Charles Was Smiling"

As I sit silent along the wall,

stationed by fellow classmates awaiting the principal's speech

I see a trail of veterans walk through the door.

Some are fathers, some are mothers,

some are parents, some are grandparents

Some are young, some are old,

But one is spotted in the corner of my eye.

It is my friend's grandfather, Charles and his smiling face entering the gym.

He is clad in the uniform representing his military service.

He also was sporting combat boots.

But how is it that he stood out to me?

I tried to wave to him, but I don't think he could've seen me.

I was to his right, where his eyepatch was placed.

I tried to call him as softly, yet noticeably.

I don't know if heard me over the noise of his crutches.

Many would mourn day after day for the return of their eyesight.

Many would pray for the ability to walk again.

But Charles was smiling. 

Charles was joyous and ecstatic for the assembly and I needed to know why.

I asked my teacher if I can approach him and she agreed.

Once I had reached him, I asked him the question on my mind.

He chuckled a bit and responded.

"A young one like you would find it hard to comprehend, I know I did.

I never thought I would get into the army until I reached 18.

I knew I wanted to serve others, and the military seemed quite fitting,

so I applied, and it was worth it. Of course I have undergone some.....mishaps,

but I always remember how rewarding it was to serve. To know that I had the potential to save a life.

That's why I wear this smile."

I walked away in deep thought that day.

Now, each Veterans Day, I remember Charles words.

They ring clearer than spring water each year,

and as I am in the process of finishing my enlistment,

I shall never forget.

1st Quarter Reflections

First Quarter Reflections

Over the past few months, I, much like 18 others in Mrs. Larson's Accelerated ELA Class, have completed a large variety of different assignments, activities, and tests that have reaffirmed what we already know, tested what we know, and added to our knowledge. Now that I look back at a plethora of these assignments over the past months, I realize that we have, yet again, come a long way in our work. A vast majority of our works needed a significant amount of revision, but they have now undergone drastic change, and because of this, are works are much more organized, sophisticated, and entertaining. In this blog, I will go over different questions that pertain to this. Enjoy!

How have your blogs been progressing since August?
Ever since August of 2016, I have reflected on my previous blogs in comparison to my more recent ones and have noticed very notable differences , and those are organization and conveyed emotion, (or lack there of). In my earlier blogs, you could see how scattered they really were. But now that they have undergone the improvement mentioned earlier, they have become more formatted and straight forward, making visualization for the reader much easier to conjure. In addition, I have since improved the amount of emotion I put into my writing. Around August, it was apparent that my pieces were rather bland and emotionless, but now that I was able to fix these flaws, I now am able to connect and empathize with the topics, adding more emotion to the blogs.

What strategies have benefited you? 

There are multiple strategies that I have learned this year of note, but the one that I incorporate into my writing the most often is TIQA, or Topic Sentence, Introduction, Question, and Analyze. This format has taught me an amazing way to execute my content for my writing, causing my writing to appear more organized and easier to process.

What are your goals for ELA for the next three quarters?

I have no doubt come a long way in Accelerated English Language Arts, but I still aspire to accomplish so much more in the upcoming months that I cannot list all of them here, but my largest goal is to earn multiple more pieces with a grade of entirely 4. If I were to accomplish this, it would show me that I have really utilized the knowledge I had been given this year.

What have you learned about the world? 

The main lesson I have learned that can not only be utilized in school, but all facets of life is that it is okay to have a weak point. It does not make you idiotic. It does not make you a terrible person. It just makes you human. But even though it is 100% natural to have flaws in your work, you must improve them till they become one of your strong points. You must identify what makes this problem prevalent for you, how is it enabled, and how to make it vanish. If this is not done, it will always continue to be one of your weak points.

"As I Wither Away" (Fortunato's Final Letter Assignment)

My Dearest Consort,

Oh how I long for your eternal, sincere hospitality at this moment, for I am afraid that manipulation has gotten the best of me this time, and Montresor is the orchestrator of it. Montresor, always seemed like a pleasant young man, but underneath the constant trail of aid, concern, and compliments is a rotten heart of deceit, treachery, and a surplus amount of self-pride. If you might be as so discombobulated as to why I proceed with such repugnance towards him, I shall ellaborate.

Montresor seemed quite welcoming when I had approached him in my motley attire during Carnival. After a measly ounce of small talk, he takes hold of a flambeux and escorts me down to the catacombs. I do not want to proceed with excessive detail of the travel, but after I had spoken of Luchresi, I had found myself chained to a peculiar granite build! After I had overlooked my astonishment, I had realized I have been securely locked to the surface. 

I assumed this was merely mockery, but I couldn't be entirely knowledgeable of it. "Amontillado!" I belted out. Montresor returned my words, but I was centered on another attraction. There, a pile of bones lay beside him. I then noticed him take hold of stone and Mortar. Oh how at this point I could've persisted! Montresor began to pile his materials upon the entrance, as this progressed, I proceeded to conure noise from the recess. Moans, cries, shouts. Anything to catch the attention of the holder, but he continued all through 11 agonizing teirs.

I assumed then on it was a joke, due to how unconceivable of an act Montresor was able to execute. "Ha! ha! ha! --he! he! he! --a very good joke, indeed --an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo --he! he! he! --over our wine --he! he! he!" I cried, pleading in my head that this was one enormous charade, but as dialogue passed, I realized that my will to persist is slowly fading. I now know the bitter truth. I shall not return.

I hope you continue with your being as merry as you are at this moment, for I would rather pass two thousand times more than to see you spend your days grieving in sorrow of my loss. You are the only one in the world whom is pushing me at this moment to believe that love is still prevalent in such dark times, so as I wither away, I must have your word that you will remain the strong amazon you have given me the impression of. Take a monumental amount of care for our offspring, for without the proper nourishment, they might grow up to possess a despicable, ill soul such as Montresor's, and lastly, front your vast mind over any other trait. I do not want you to resort to writing a letter synonymous to the present one. Bye, Darling. Te amo.

"Words Can..." (Life Lines Poem)

"Words Can..."

We begged. We pleaded. We reasoned. What if they knock our teeth out? What if they make us bleed? What if they break our bones?

“If you get expelled, who will drive you to your new school? If you get expelled, who will give you a scholarship? Do you think that they give scholarships to students who get expelled from school?”

We feared our father more than anything in the world, so as difficult as it was to stop fighting, we stopped fighting. Most of our classmates treated us nicely, others ignored us, and the rest, and the rest- well, we could only wish that they would ignore us. We may not have understood their words, but we always understood the meaning behind their laughter.

As I got older, I knew that I had to take increasing responsibility for my family. I also knew that academic success would help me to help them. Even when I was older, I had always approached my schoolwork with the highest dedication. I read thousands of pages a week and cleared out whole sections of the Wheaton Public Library.

By then though, some of my classmates had discovered the best way to hurt me- not with their fists, but with their words. My middle school classmates massacred my self-esteem. My grades dropped. I got my first D in eighth grade and started to wonder if I could make it academically.

But the good thing about words is that they can also breathe life into our spirits.

My brother and family encouraged me

“Don't give up. You're smart enough. All you have to do is work hard and believe.”

The hard work paid off. I often got the highest grade in the class, and I carried an A through the entitle first semester.

I remember visiting my counselor, Mrs. Martin, to get some tips. She was my track coach’s wife, and she also had been my coach for scholastic bowl.

She told me that I could probably go to school anywhere I wanted. Duke, Yale. Maybe even Harvard.

I thought she was crazy.

I graduated from Harvard one year ago and have since thought much about my parent’s dream. By earning my scholarship and graduating, I have fulfilled it.

You are ready to face the snakes and drive them away.

You are ready to change the world.