3 Facts and a Fiction: Topic 4: Darcy

Darcy was the most amazingly extravagant person I could ask for as a sister. We always fought, but since we were true sisters, we could always get over our little disputes that I felt and still feel were just ridiculous along the lines of what should've been acceptable for family. She’s taught me so much and she’s the main reason for me having athletic capabilities in any way shape or form. That truly naturally beautiful girl never had to wear makeup or anything, and I’ve honestly never seen anyone so… perfect. But then came that day, that tragic awful day. It was truly my fault. That picture… those last few moments still play over and over in my head. I don’t even know what we were fighting over, but I really hope it was immensely important.

We got into some dispute but I can’t remember what for. All I can remember was her slamming that door and pulling out of the drive way. The sky was grey and the rain poured down splattering upon the sidewalk. Two hours later, the police arrived at our house. They told me that my sister died in a crash. I could feel my body tremble and my legs weaken as I collapsed to the ground in tears. I felt as if I were internally dying. They told me she had to have been going fast, like really fast. She had to have been going somewhere among 100 miles per hour plus when she crashed into the bumpers on the side of the highway.

What did she ever do? This beautiful girl, perfect in every way loved by everyone was now dead and gone. I remember her showing me that song… “Dead and Gone” by: TI. That song used to be my favorite song, and ever since she died it’s been the one I’ve feared for the longest time imaginable; only because of the story of death. Not how it happened, not when it happened; just the concept.

But her eyes were a sparkling waterfall of blue. She was the only one with blue eyes in our part of the family. I don’t know how she contained those genes and got that 25% chance contained in her. Her perfect brunette hair... I always thought that was a weird combination, but she made it look out of the ordinary and just completely breath taking. I always wanted to be like her… I wanted to be as pretty as her, as good at sports as her… I wanted to know her secrets to being the perfect being she was. She was completely driven away from being self centered, and she knew when she could do the right thing; that’s when she would grasp the chance and take it… but she doesn’t do that anymore. She doesn’t do anything anymore. She just stays up there, dazzling among the stars, the brightest of them all and paints my shadows down on the sidewalk as I sit trying to talk to her in the moonlight. All of these facts made me twitch in realization that my sister was gone; I guess that’s why I’m so afraid to talk about her. I guess some things were destiny… but I bet we could’ve changed it.

Topic 1: One Direction

Introduction

When you hear of a pop phenomenon, what; or rather who comes to mind? It may be your favorite artist, or maybe even your favorite soda if you somehow misinterpreted what I meant by saying “pop.” But what comes to mind isn’t just anyone. Its the amazingly talented boys in One Direction whom I love so dearly. I met them about a month ago and they haven’t slipped my mind. Not once, not ever. They were always the first thing I thought of when I woke up and the last I thought of when I fell asleep. I never knew I would, or rather could fall for Harry. He was a pop star, singing sold out concerts, getting whatever he pleased whenever he pleased. Ugh. The thought of it made me sick to my stomach. It was unbearable it was to have to admit had had fallen completely head over heels for him because it seemed impossible. How could someone so famous, so gorgeous want to go out with someone like me? To be honest, I was shocked I couldn’t even tolerate him, but I knew my friend Skyler would be drooling all over them and practically worshiping the ground they walked on. Each and everyone of them... but I never knew that she would start to like Niall, like legitimately. And I sure as hell didn’t think it would go this far...

Chapter 1: Rachel

“One Direction! One Direction! One Direction!” The chants in the crowd were immense. I could barely hear myself think. Skyler stood next to me, screaming with me as we heard a voice, a very familiar voice. It was Harry I could tell right off the bat. “Thats what makes you beautiful-ul-ul” The sound echoed and the lights flashed as the beginning of the song broke. Liam was the first to emerge from the smoke leading through a tunnel on the stage. “You’re insecure... Don’t know what for” We were immediately screaming along with the lyrics. “Baby you light up my world like nobody else!”

My eye immediately caught Harry. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. I never knew anyone could look so perfect. His bouncy curly locks perfectly framing his beautifully sculpted face. Oh, don’t get me wrong they were all truly amazing... but something about Harry. Something about his perfect complexion, his gorgeous eyes, his smile... oh his smile. His smile could melt a snowcone in Antarctica. Then Harry’s solo started... “Baby you light up my world like nobody else...” His eyes caught mine and I was absolutely breathless. I want to stay frozen in that exact moment forever. Then came that moment we broke our gaze... “Thats what makes you beautiful!” He voice was powerful as a bulldozer. But those few amazing seconds I spent gazing into his eyes made me feel like I wanted him. Like I wanted to be his, and I wanted him to be mine... forever.

Of course, perfect timing. “What Makes You Beautiful” ended then the song “I Want” came blasting through the speakers... “I want. I want. I want. But that's crazy.” Yeah. I knew it was crazy. I mean what were the odds? A normal small town girl, poor and who barely made this concert would have even the slimmest chance as to have a glimpse of a huge pop star such as him, or any of them. They were all so stunning. Huge comparison there. I mean... just look at me. Harry took one last look at me during their closing, singing a reprise of “What Makes You Beautiful” once again, then left. I yearned to be with him in that very moment. I couldn’t believe my time had already turned. Why couldn’t I be with him? I knew the answer.. I just didn’t want to admit to the truth.

Okay, okay I will admit I liked the lads a lot like even more than you could imagine. But I wasn’t obsessed and I’m still not obsessed. I mean... as Zayn always says, “Don’t call a girl obsessed when she’s just in love.” Well, I wasn’t sure it was absolute love. However, I knew there was something there. A flare, maybe even just a spark that could start our fire.

I walked home alone that night. My friends ditched me after the whole soiree and they went to drink. I couldn’t believe them. Come on, the bar... again... really? I guess I just don’t really drink, which is odd I guess but I’m proud of it. I hate the smell of alcohol. The stench. The people who pierced the fresh air with their interesting smells, however did some pretty hilarious things though. No one was on the streets though. The streets were eerily silent and still besides the few passing cars that made me jump at every honk. Thunder then began to pick up and the lightning struck the street beside me. My sight blurred focusing in and out on the six figures around me then everything went black.

Chapter 2: Harry Styles

Her smile, the way she gazed up at me and that twinkle in her eyes. It was as if every one of our song lyrics about these amazing perfect girls came a thousand percent true when I saw her. Who was that girl?

“Hey Harry!” Louis called, “You seemed a little... distracted...”

“Who Me? Distracted? Well, thats a boat full of rubbish.” I solemnly replied.

“I was just kidding, gosh Harry. Can’t you take a bit of a banter?”

“Yes, I can. I’m just a bit... flustered thats all.”

“What is it Harry?”

“Well... I sa-”

“Hazza!” Liam cried running through the door.

“Vas Happenin’?” Zayn sneered.

“Hey Harry! Great job on your solo!” Niall commented.

“Why thank-you lads.” I responded.

“Well what are we doing here lads?”  Zayn exclaimed, “Off the the bar we go!”

“Yeah... just one second...” I mumbled.

“You alright Hazza?” Liam questioned me.

“Yeah,” I replied, “never better I just need to talk to Louis.. alone.”

“Alright, but hurry!” He squealed, “We’re definitely in for a good night!” The lads left the room and Louis looked at me with his worried stares. “What’s the matter Harry?”

“It just a girl.” I replied.”

“Harry Edward Styles,” He began, “I know you. Your the most rambunctious and flirtatious eighteen year old I've ever met. Whats wrong? You wouldn't be goo goo over some girl you saw, and never talked to."

"Really, its fine," I continued, "Can we just go? We'll be left behind. I'll tell you on the way."

Topic 2: Love "What is Love?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Our writing circle chose love as a topic. I have many points of view on what exactly "love" is.

Love... Love is something that everybody wants to feel. Its something everybody thinks they’ve felt. It’s the thing that everybody who thinks they’ve felt it say that its the thing in life that hurts the most, but its not the love that hurts. The thing that hurts is that you think you feel love, but you really don't, and the delusional feelings you have inside you crashes down into your emotion and makes you broken hearted. People always say to take caution when it comes to love, and others say its like poker, and play it like a game, and people always go for the wrong guys. Why do we always go for the wrong guys? I think it’s their looks, their style, and simply because they say the right things. Is love truly worth it? Is it really worth your time to search desperately for the one you can hold, love, and adore? Well, I think so... but don't ask me. I don't know if i know what love is anymore.

Semantic Devices Power Point

http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/finlhan17-1411643-semantic-devices/Semantic Devices

Symbolism Power Point

http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/finlhan17-1411639-lord-of-the-flies/Lord of the Flies

Reading Between the Lines

 Author's Note: This passage is a literary analysis on the short stories “Home” by: Gwendolyn Brooks and “Papa’s Parrot” by: Cynthia Rylant. I feel that even completely different books can have similarities when you read between the lines and challenge yourself; as I tried to do to myself as well.

Imagine if you were on the verge of losing something. Now imagine that something was something you just couldn’t live without, or rather shouldn’t be able to live without unless you were heartless. These are the emotions and situations dealt with by the main characters in two very different, but similar stories. The stories “Home” by: Gwendolyn Brooks and “Papa’s Parrot” by: Cynthia Rylant are both alike in a few ways. Even though the differences are plain and easy to see you can pick out similarities between the two as well based on their plot line within the comedic mode of literature. There are also similarities between the two based on characteristics, such as the main characters being in control.

 Both the stories “Home” and “Papa’s Parrot” perfectly fit the comic literature. Both of the stories have normalcy set in their beginnings. In “Papa’s Parrot” the author portrays the simple and ideal life at the candy shop: “For years, after school, Harry had always stopped in to see his father at work... (p.439). Among the first two paragraphs in the story portray how marvelous life was when Harry was younger and loved being at the candy shop with his friends. The entire first paragraph is dedicated to showing the almost common normal lifestyle in the beginning… “What had been wanted was this always, this always to last…(p.218). Returning to “Papa’s Parrot,” the conflict arises after Harry and his father managed to grow apart. Harry began to care less about his father and more about his friends; then the normal everyday things that he used to do with his father became tremendously infrequent. As a result, Harry’s father bought a parrot in which he talked to more frequently. However, the largest conflicts don’t come into the picture until Papa was working in the candy shop and has an ill-fated heart attack. “Home” also quickly falls to conflict when everyone is so nervous waiting to find the answer to if she would get a loan if they can on the house to allow them to be home owners. Thankfully, in the end of both stories they come to a sense of resolution. In “Papa’s Parrot,” Harry offers to go to the shop and take care his father’s Candy Shop and his bird. “Miss him! Miss him! Where’s Harry you stupid bird!... (p.441) In the end, Harry hears the bird mimicking what his father was saying before, and how much he loved him and missed him. You get that sense of relief when you hear “Then he went to go visit his papa. (p.442). Concluding the resolution to “Home,” papa returns to the family with the news that they’re able to purchase their home. “Everything will be alright” (p 220) is what Mama says, and that brings “Home” to a conclusion of the comic mode.

Beyond the plot line of “Papa’s Parrot” is that the main character, or in this case characters are in control. If Harry were to have kept a tighter bond with his father he may not have been so separated and could have communicated more. Harry shut his father out in a way and moved onto hanging out with friends and going to a burger joint instead of his father’s old candy shop. On the other hand, Harry’s father was also to blame. His way of coping by buying Rocky only pushed his son further away. Throughout the story, Harry’s father could’ve talked to his son more or try to attempt to take him somewhere else besides the candy shop, maybe even whith his friends, where they all could’ve have an excellent time together. He needed to stop being so naive and just understand that his son grew up and that everyone will grow up. “Home” also has a main character in control, which in this case was Mama. Mama was most definitely in control because she is helping her family and herself co-op as well as prepare for the best or worst that could possibly be an outcome from their situation.

Other than the plot lines and main characters being in control the story also has the concept of realism. In the real world, most teenagers grow apart from their parents just as Harry did in “Papa’s Parrot.” Realism is portrayed in “Home” as well because generally in reality in situations such as this family had endured; the family will always come together and support each other through the good and bad times they must face as a family.

In conclusion, “Home” and “Papa’s Parrot” both have similarities between each other even though they have more obvious differentials. Through their plot lines, realism and the character’s control over the potential course of the storyline; they share similarities in ways that are more obviously unrelated. All you have to do is look deeper into the text and read between the lines.

Love That Never Really Fades

Everything was perfect. The sun shone and all was going well in the little candy shop on the corner. Harry and his friends visit every day. That candy shop was always open, and always bright. Then came the year Harry turned twelve and everything changed. Beneath all the love and dependence Harry contained for his father there was a dependent man banging on the walls and screaming to get out. Life for the Mr. Tillian and his son changed and all was disturbed when growing up came into the picture. “Papa’s Parrot” by: Cynthia Rylant is a perfect example of the comedic mode of literature. Plot line structures, symbolism, and character behavior of the story are mainly in the comedic mode. Even though the plot line heads downhill, everything gets better, and makes you feel reassured and blissful again with its sense of resolution.

 “Papa’s Parrot” entirely fits the comic literature. In the beginning, normalcy is set when the author portrays the common and ideal life at the candy shop: “For years, after school, Harry had always stopped in to see his father at work... (p.439). Among the first two paragraphs in the story portray how amazing life was when Harry was younger and loved being at the candy shop. Despite the love and cherished moments Harry and his father obtained they still managed to grow apart. Harry began to care less about his father and more about his friends and the normal everyday things became majorly infrequent. As a result, Harry’s father bought a parrot in which he talked to more frequently. However, the largest conflicts quickly come into the picture when Papa was working in the candy shop and has an unfortunate heart attack. While his father was sick, Harry then offered to run the candy shop and take care of his parrot while his father was sick. “Miss him! Miss him! Where’s Harry you stupid bird!... (p.441) In the end, Harry hears the bird mimicking what his father was saying before, and how much he loved him and missed him. You get that sense of relief when you hear “Then he went to go visit his papa. (p.442).

Alongside the plot line fitting the comedic mode of literature, so does the symbolism. Because the setting is so relatable to common life with activities such as visiting a candy shop, playing video games, or shopping for records the pieces all come together to set a setting of normalcy. Rocky, the parrot Harry’s father bought was one of the key traits of being one of which is the comedic mode of literature. Rocky was a tame, common house pet in the setting. These are all strong examples of everyday American life. Also, throughout the story, the time of day can easily be assumed to be during daylight or midday, which is also among the comedic mode.

Beyond the plot line and symbolism is that the main character, or in this case characters are in control. If Harry were to have kept a tighter bond with his father he may not have separated so much and could have communicated more. Harry kind of shut his father out and moved onto hanging out with friends and going to a burger joint instead of his father’s old candy shop. On the other hand, Harry’s father is also to blame. His was of coping by buying Rocky only pushed his son further away. Throughout the story, Harry’s father could’ve talked to his son more or try to attempt to take him somewhere else besides the candy shop. He needed to stop being so naive and just understand that his son grew up and that everyone will grow up.

The story “Papa’s Parrot” portrays a father and son bond that was beginning to break, but in which was restored in the end. Through the symbolism and character behavior the author shows how we must overcome that feeling of relentlessness against our parents, and should try to keep a strong bond because you never know what can happen. Toward the end, when the conflict is resolved, the reader feels a sense of relief and is in knowing that everything is okay, therefore completing the comedic cycle.