Frankenstein Blog 1

The novel starts out with a series of letters written by Robert Walton to Mrs. Saville, his sister. In his letters he explains that he is on a voyage to the Arctic. Walton seems like a very optimistic person in his first letter: "These reflections have dispelled the agitation with which I began my letter, and I feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven; for nothing contributes so much to tranquillese the mind as a steady purpose--a point on which the soul may fixits intellectual eye. He hopes that this expedition will make some purpose in his life. I thought this was a strange but good way to start this book because it sets the tone of a dark story and it isn't the typical "Once upon a time" we're all accustomed to. After reading the four letters from Walton the reader starts chapter 1, where the narration is switched to Victor Frankenstein. The chapter starts out with Victor
narrating about his life story and he talks about how his mother and father met. It's a little creepy because of how far they are apart in age and also considering the fact that the narrator's father took in Caroline, the narrator's mother, in as a daughter! The narrator talks about being born in Italy and the way his parents took pride in their only son and how perfect his life was. He talks about his family adopting a girl named Elizabeth. Victor seems to adore Elizabeth and the last line of the chapter seems to imply that he becomes a little overprotective: "No word, no expression could body forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me --my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only."
Victor continues to explain his story and says that his life hasn't always been rainbows and unicorns: "I feel exquisite pleasure in dwelling on the recollections of childhood, before misfortune had tainted my mind, and changed its bright visions of extensive usefulness into gloomy and narrow reflections upon self." He talks about the death of his mother and I think that this is the start of Victor's misfortune. I see a lot of similarities between Robert Walton and Victor. Both men have a drive for learning and both are very determined. I think Shelley opened the novel with letters from Walton to his sister to show the reader the close resemblance. Victor seems to become so hungry for knowledge that he becomes kind of obsessed with his creation and I think this is because of the death of his mother.
I think this book will start to get very interesting as it progresses. It becomes evident that Victor is already starting to lose his mind and this obsession will eventually do more harm than good.

Pride and Prejudice Blog 3

In the next part of the book Elizabeth receives a letter from Darcy. In the letter, he explains his intentions for trying to break up Jane and Bingley and he tells Elizabeth the truth about Mr. Wickham. Darcy tells her that Wickham wanted to marry his sister Georgiana, but he only wanted to take advantage of her: "Mr. Wickham's chief object was unquestionably my sister's fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement." (pg. 229). I think Darcy seems very sincere in his letter and seems like a completely different character from how he was described earlier in the book. Even Elizabeth is surprised by this transformation and cannot believe he would actually apologize to her. When she reads about the part about Wickham, she is a little hesitant to believe it. She assumes that it isn't true and tosses it aside, but something inside of her wonders if Darcy is telling the truth. This shows that Elizabeth may actually have some trust in Darcy despite his terrible personality.
Elizabeth decides to return home even though Lady Catherine wishes she would stay longer. When she gets back home Elizabeth and Collins meet for breakfast and Collins brags about how happy he is and how perfect his marriage is: "My dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for each other." (pg. 244). I think Collins's description of his marriage is actually pretty corny. I mean, if he and Charlotte were made for each other, why was he trying to marry Elizabeth just the other week? And most importantly, why is he rubbing all this in Elizabeth's face? It's obvious that he's still upset about the rejection and trying to make Elizabeth regret her decision. That seems like the type of thing a child would do but oh well.
Elizabeth tells Jane about Wickham and how she doesn't want to see him again. She explains the letter to Jane and Jane is appalled that someone would do such an evil thing. Jane feels sorry for Darcy and thinks about the pain he went through, which shows that Jane is kindhearted and sympathetic.
Later on Elizabeth tours Pemberley Estate and begins to wonder what it would be like to live there: "They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!" (pg. 274). This sort of implies that later on she actually might become the mistress of Pemberley and marry Darcy. During this visit, Elizabeth's opinion of Darcy changes because she hears nothing but good things about him: "This was praise of all others most extraordinary, most opposite to her ideas. That he was not a good-tempered man had been her firmest opinion. Her keenest attention was awakened; she longed to hear more." (pg. 278).
I think this part of the book has really showed the reader that Elizabeth's opinion of Darcy is slowly changing for the better and shows that their relationship will continue to grow. I think that Elizabeth and Darcy will definitely fall in love eventually, but the question is if they will actually stay together.

Pride and Prejudice Blog 2

In the next part of Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth meets a man named Wickham. She seems to like Wickham and becomes pretty good acquaintances with him. Many people, including Jane, do not like Wickham and warn Elizabeth to stay away from him: "Mr. Wickham is by no means a respectable young man. I am afraid he has been very imprudent, and he has deserved to lose Mr. Darcy's regard." (pg. 109). Later on, Mr. Collins asks Elizabeth to marry him! It's kind of strange to me that back in this era people would get married so fast without dating much or anything, they just talk a few times and dance at balls or whatever and get married in a flash. Elizabeth tries to turn him down in the best way possible but he just doesn't seem to get the hint: "I am not now to learn that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time." (pg. 122). This guy seems to be completely full of himself! He obviously thinks he is too great to be rejected by anyone and is too big-headed to realize he's not wanted. I feel bad for Elizabeth! All these strange men wanting to marry her and other guys talking bad about her and then wanting her (Mr. Darcy). Mrs. Bennet finds out that Elizabeth rejected the proposal and becomes furious. She tells Mr. Bennet and expects him to fix the problem, but Elizabeth ends up with an ultimatum: She either marries Collins and never sees her father again or does not marry Collins and never sees her mother again.
A few days later, news comes in that Mr. Collins has proposed to Elizabeth's friend Charlotte and she has accepted. Elizabeth is shocked by this: "The strangeness of Mr. Collins's making two offers of marriage within three days was nothing in comparison of his being now accepted." (pg. 144). This line was a little funny because it's saying that Collins's ability to actually get accepted is extremely strange and surprising. Not only is all this drama going on for Elizabeth, but Jane is having some of her own. Bingley's evil sister keeps writing the Bennets letters about how her brother is going to marry Miss Darcy and how wonderful Miss Darcy is. In my opinion Miss Bingley is like the horrible, mean, popular girl in high school and it's her main mission to make the Bennet sisters miserable. I don't know why she has all this hate for the sisters besides the fact that Mr. Darcy has an interest in Lizzy, but really, who cares? She has the same opportunity as Elizabeth to get with Darcy and it's obvious he doesn't like her. Maybe if she was nicer and not all about herself Darcy would pay attention to her.
So far this book is pretty drama-filled and intense. I'm pretty eager to see what happens between Elizabeth and Wickham and if Bingley actually marries Miss Darcy, although I think this is one of those books where everything ends happily. I guess I'll have to wait and see!

Pride and Prejudice Blog 1

In the beginning of the book the Bennet family discovers that a wealthy man named Mr. Bingley is moving in at Netherfield Park. Mrs. Bennet seems especially excited by this news because she wants one of her daughters to marry him. Already I realize that Mrs. Bennet is very superficial and controlling. She hasn't even met Mr. Bingley and she wants one of her daughters to marry him! He could be a total creep for all she knows! It's obvious that she only cares about social rank and money. Later the Bennet girls and their mother go to a party along with Mr. Bingley and his friend Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is a very rude and arrogant man: "He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again." (pg. 12). It's strange that Darcy and Bingley are even friends since Darcy is cruel and cocky and Bingley is kind and friendly. When the Bennets return from the party Mrs. Bennet tells Mr. Bennet about the ball and how happy she was that Bingley danced with Jane twice. Mr. Bennet does not seem to care at all. In fact, he seems to get angry at his wife for going on and on about the ball: "If he had had any compassion for me he would not have danced half so much! For God's sake, say no more of his partners." (pg. 14). It's ironic that Mrs. Bennet calls Darcy a "high" and "conceited" man for not taking a liking to Elizabeth when she herself is being shallow and conceited for thinking that her daughters only deserve the richest and the best.
Later on, the unthinkable happens: Mr. Darcy becomes interested in Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy seems to be one of those people that has everything they could possibly want and the one thing they know they can't have they desperately try to get it. Darcy is only fascinated by Elizabeth and has no desire to be with her, not yet anyway. Caroline Bingley invites Jane over for dinner and Mrs. Bennet makes Jane go by horseback in order to stay overnight. Jane gets caught in a rainstorm and becomes sick. She has to stay at the manor until she recovers. She asks Lizzy to visit her, which stirs up a whole bunch of drama. Miss Bingley seems to be fighting Elizabeth for Darcy's attention and talks bad about her: "Eliza Bennet is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art." (pg. 45). Miss Bingley seems really foolish in my opinion. She tries so hard to get Darcy's attention by making herself seem perfect and Elizabeth so poor and unworthy of him. She actually makes herself look bad because she is so critical. It's funny how Darcy is falling for Elizabeth who has no interest in him whatsoever.
So far I actually sort of like this book. Even though it was written in the 1800s it's pretty easy to follow and I can relate to it. A lot of drama is going on in the book, just like in high school. The characters a pretty realistic and there is always something going on. I think that even though Elizabeth has absolutely no interest in Mr. Darcy she will eventually fall in love with him. I also think Jane and Bingley will end up together, but I guess I'll have to keep reading to discover what really happens.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 4

In the last section of the book Holden goes on his date with Sally. It's so obvious that he doesn't even like her and claims he loves her when he sees her, probably just because she looked good: "I didn't even like her much, and yet all of a sudden I felt like I was in love with her and wanted to marry her." I feel bad for Sally because Holden just goes out with her because she's good looking and makes her believe he genuinely likes her. He even says he thinks her voice is annoying. Holden claims how he hates things that are corny and over-the-top but Sally is exactly that. It's obvious that he's very immature and doesn't know what he wants. Although it seems that Holden is, or tries to be, down to earth, which I like about him. During the movie Sally sees a guy she knows and they talk for a long time and she completely forgets about Holden, so she must not be too crazy about him either. After the movie they went skating and Holden talks to Sally about running away together. It's obvious that she thinks he's crazy and wants to leave, and I don't blame her. Once Holden gets an idea in his head, no matter how ridiculous, he tries to go through with it and doesn't realize how silly it is.

After the horrible date with Sally, Holden tries to call Jane again. I really wish he would just get together with Jane because it's obvious that he actually cares about her unlike Sally. He calls this guy named Carl Luce and wants to meet up with him for a drink. I think Holden makes up any excuse just to get a drink. Holden starts talking about Carl Luce and how he could tell if people were gay or lesbian. Holden even has his doubts about Carl and thinks he might be a little 'flitty'. It's weird that Holden calls up these people he isn't even close to and really doesn't even like them and tries to go out with them like they have been friends forever. I realize he probably does this because he's lonely and doesn't have that many friends. In a way I feel bad for him because he's alone and can't go home to his family but then again it's his own fault he's on his own in the first place.

After Holden has a drink with Carl he gets drunk and starts walking all over the city feeling lonely and sorry for himself. He decides to go to his house and visit Phoebe, which probably isn't the best idea since he's drunk. He sneaks in the house and tries not to wake anyone up. He watches Phoebe sleep for a while and then wakes her up. She is excited to see him, but then finds out he got kicked out of school. Then Holden calls up Mr. Antolini and asks to stay with him for a little bit since he has no place to go. Mr. Antolini agrees and then Holden's parents come home. He hides and then Phoebe lends him all of her money. I think that Phoebe is a really good sister and loves her brother a lot because she gets upset when he flunks out of school and lets him borrow all of her Christmas money and I think Holden knows it. He wants to visit her all the time because he knows she loves him and will always love him no matter how many schools he gets kicked out of.

Holden goes to stay at the Antolini's and after he wakes up to find Mr. Antolini petting Holden's head Holden freaks out and leaves immediately. Holden gets another crazy idea to go live in the woods and decides to write a goodbye letter to Phoebe. He meets her in front of a museum and she wants to go with him. He says she can't and she cries and says she won't go to school anymore if he leaves. I think this is the point he realizes he has been foolish failing every school he does to and not caring and setting a bad example for his little sister. He realizes he wants Phoebe to have a good future and not end up like him so he decides to do the mature thing and go back home.

I thought the ending to the story was abrupt, but I thought it fit with the whole story. Holden turns out to be sort of sensitive and says that he misses everyone he's had the chance to meet, even Stradlater and Ackley. I think he learns that life is full of surprises and you never know what's going to happen until it happens.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 3

In the next part of the story Holden goes back to the hotel. As he gets in the elevator a man named Maurice asks him if he wants a good time. The man asks Holden how old he is and Holden lies and says 22. Holden ends up buying a prostitute for a short amount of time. It's crazy to me that this hotel would have prostitutes available, especially for people that are not being honest about their age, like Holden. I realize that this is probably a low end hotel by the way Holden describes it: "The whole lobby was empty. It smelled like fifty million dead cigars. It really did." The prostitute comes and is ready to get down to business but Holden stalls for a little bit then decides he is scared and not ready for this. He makes up an excuse that he had a recent operation but he will pay her anyway. One thing I did find interesting is that Holden actually felt sorry and sad for the girl: "I took her dress over to the closet and hung it up for her. It was funny. It made me feel sort of sad when I hung it up. I thought of her going in a store and buying it, and nobody in the store knowing she was a prostitute and all. The salesman probably just thought she was a regular girl when she bought it. It made me feel sad as hell--I don't know why exactly." This shows that Holden actually has sympathy for people despite his tough exterior. The fact that he didn't do what he was expected to do with the prostitute showed that he knows right from wrong and he knew it isn't right for this girl to be treated the way she is.

Later on Holden calls up a girl named Sally and asks her out to a movie. It's obvious that he doesn't like her much: "She gave me a pain in the ass, but she was very good-looking." He probably just wants to spend some time with someone he knows, just to feel less lonely. He tries to call Jane, but when her mother answers, he hangs up right away. I think he's afraid that Jane might be home and if he tried to ask her out he might get rejected. That makes it obvious that he really has feelings for Jane and that Holden really has a soft side.

Holden decides to go to Grand Central Station and have some breakfast. There he meets two nuns who are also teachers. One is an English teacher and Holden tells her that English is his best subject. Holden offers to give them ten dollars as a contribution. I think this is ironic because earlier Holden claimed to be an atheist: "I can't always pray when I feel like it. In the first place, I'm sort of an atheist. I like Jesus and all, but I don't care too much for most of the other stuff in the Bible."

I think it's funny that Holden continues to think he's tough and mature, even though he does nice things like donate money and buy a record for his little sister. However, he even admits that he isn't as tough as he would like to be: "I'd have the damn gloves right in my hand and all, but I'd feel I ought to sock the guy in the jaw or something--break his goddam jaw. Only, I wouldn't have the guts to do it. I'd just stand there trying to look tough." I don't know why Holden continues to carry on with this tough guy act when it's obvious it makes him look young and immature. Maybe as the book progresses Holden will realize he is acting very childish when he tries to be an adult and will decide to change his ways.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 2

In the story Holden and Stradlater get into a big fight when Stradlater comes back from his date with Jane. Holden gets mad because he thinks Stradlater had sex with her and punches him in the face, which shows he has some feelings for Jane. Stradlater tackles Holden and makes him bleed all over the place. After the fight Holden goes into Ackley's room: "I had a feeling old Ackley'd probably heard all the racket and was awake. So I went through the shower curtains into his room, just to see what the hell he was doing." Holden claims that he went in to check on Ackley, but I really think that Holden wanted a friend there for him and wanted someone to comfort him, which his funny considering how much Holden says he can't stand Ackley. I think Ackely is a pretty funny character, especially when it comes to his religion: "I don't care what you say about me or anything, but if you start making cracks about my goddam religion for Chrissake--" Ackley claims that he is very religious but says things like "goddam" and "Chrissake". It's pretty ironic to me. I also think that Ackley is pretty similar to Holden, especially in the way he talks and curses all the time.

After fighting with Stradlater and getting no comfort from Ackley, Holden decides to leave Pencey for good. Holden takes a bus into New York, where he meets the mother of one of his classmates, Ernest Morrow. He finds the woman very attractive, but then again Holden finds a lot of women attractive, so he's a very hormonal young man. After talking to her for a while, Holden asks her out for a few drinks, which seems crazy because 1) he is too young to buy drinks 2) he just met this woman and 3) she is way too old for Holden. Even though she turned him down I think his attempt was still funny, especially because he kept making up stories to impress her.

After Holden gets off the bus he goes to a trashy hotel. There he goes to a phone booth and calls up this slutty girl one of his friends knows. Again he asks her out for a few drinks but she declines. I think Holden thinks if he buys a woman a few drinks he's going to get lucky, which is probably true considering the women he's asked out already. It's funny that Holden says he doesn't understand sex at all but it's all he thinks about and even though he makes rules for himself, he ends up ignoring them: "Sex is something I really don't understand too hot. You never know where the hell you are. I keep making up these sex rules for myself, and then I break them right away."

As the story goes on Holden describes his little sister Phoebe. Again I notice he describes her in a positive and proud way, like he described his brother Allie: "You should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life. She's really smart." I notice that he only talks about Allie, Phoebe and Jane in a good way and everyone else he doesn't really care for. He especially talks about Jane in a good way: "You never even worried, with Jane, whether your hand was sweaty or not. All you knew was, you were happy. You really were." I think that Holden really cares about Jane and I think he will try to get in contact with her later in the book.