A Separate Peace

In A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, two young boys called Finny and Gene go to a military school called Devon. World War 2 is in full swing and the pressure is on the boys to enlist for the army, to serve their country. Finny is optimistic and full of fun and so the news of war just brushes on by him but his friend Gene is a more mature and serious minded young adult. Finny is athletic and breaks a school record on his first try while Gene is gifted in his studies at school. Since everyone is concerned about the war Finny invented a 'war game' called Blitzball. He also invented the Super Summer Suicide Society, which involved Gene and himself jumping from a high tree branch into a river far below. After the two friends jumped then the other members of the group would jump after them. After a while Gene becomes convinced that Finny is not his friend but his competitor at Devon. Gene thinks that Finny has him go up in the tree every night to jump, just to disrupt his studying and mess with his head. Angry and afraid Gene makes the tree branch shake as Finny balances to its edge. Finny, with nothing to grab to hold his balance, falls off the side of the tree branch and hits the riverbank below. The boys rushed Finny to the hospital at the school and the doctor announced that Finny's leg was shattered. Several days later Gene visits Finny and is wracked with guilt when he learns that Finny will never be able to play sports again. Finny did not see Gene shake the tree limb so he can not bring himself to accuse his best friend, which only makes Gene feel worse since he thought they were competitors. Unable to believe that he misjudged his best friend so thoroughly, Gene tells the truth to Finny who doesn't believe him and gets angry with him for making stuff up. Gene realizes that the truth would hurt Finny too much to press the point so he admits that he was just stressed out and not thinking straight. So Gene attempts to bury his guilt when Finny returns to Devon and the two become great friends again but the other students at Devon will not let the mystery of Finny's fall go away so easily. Brinker, another main character in the story, is determined to wring the truth from Gene. He wants to hear Gene say that he was the one who shook the limb and he wants Finny to hear Gene say it. Brinker is the perfect character foil of Finny and yet he pretends that he just wants to know the truth. Finny is anti-war while Brinker is pro-war. Brinker and some of his cronies pull Gene and Finny from their beds so a trial can take place. In an auditorium, Brinker questions Gene and Finny about what happened the night Finny fell and in the process evokes some bad memories.. As Gene  to keep the truth hidden he realizes that he is not trying to hide the truth to save himself but he is trying to protect Finny from it. At first Finny balks at the truth but then in a fit of panic and distress he runs from the room and the boys hear him fall down the marble stairs. A Separate Peace shows how peer pressure and competition can destroy friendship even in the greatest of friends. All the boys at Devon were constantly being taught about war, rivalry and domination and its no wonder why they turned on themselves under these pressures. This book connects to current events at normal high schools because students at high schools are also pressured by sports and their grades and people can turn against each other just as easily.

The Tragedy of Julius Caeser

   The story of the tragedy of Julius Caesar has been a beloved piece of literature for many years. The story of the tragedy of Julius Caesar is about the future dictator of Rome who is Julius Caesar. Before Julius Caesar could take the throne, he was assassinated, not by mercenaries, but by his friends and other politicians. These assassins claimed that they murdered Caesar for the good of Rome. The assassins believed that it was best to kill Caesar before he did the terrible things when he was a dictator. Caesar's avarice remarks and copious references to himself being like a god is what first worried these assassins. The original assassin, Cassius, was the first to propose the death of Caesar but he did not come out right and say it, instead he let his slight comments fester in the minds of Caesar's most trusted allies. One ally in particular, Brutus, was especially affected by Cassius' candid remarks such as when Cassius responded to Brutus' statement, "No, Caesar hath it not; but you, and I and honest Casca, we have the falling sickness" (1.2, 252-254). Brutus is Caesar's closest friend and Cassius knows that if he can be persuade to join in the assassination of Caesar then many others will be more comfortable in joining. Brutus agrees to help kill his best friend believing that Caesar will do great harm to Rome if he is to become dictator. None of Caesar's assassins attack Caesar out of rancor but out of what they believe is right, which raises the question, is it right to kill someone for what they might do? In the present day there have been many Republican debates airing on T.V. These Republican debates are in preparation for the election of a new president. The republicans will nominate their best republican to beat the democratic nominee. At the moment their are several contenders to be the republican nominee. In the years past some of our countries' presidents have been assassinated because of the assassin's view of what they have done to the world. When a republican nominee is chosen that republican will be immediately assigned protection from assassination. Now that the republican has a real chance at being president some people might be afraid of some of the ideas of that republican, afraid of what he might do. The republican nominees tie in nicely in with what happened to Julius Caesar. Caesar was assassinated before he did wrong even though there might be a slight chance he would do good. These assassins, mainly Brutus and Cassius, believe that what they are doing is right and justified and maybe they are but what if they aren't? What would make them different than any other assassin? Don't all assassins believe that what they are doing is for the greater good? Caesar's assassins are no exception and the assassins themselves are troubled by this fact before and after Caesar's death. The assassins avoided the chaos, that they believed Caesar's reign would cause but the turmoil that Rome was left in was arguably worse than the possible horrors Caesar might have done.

LOTF and Ender's game characterization

   In Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, Jack has finally acquired the power he so desired. When the big group of lost boys split into two groups, one led by Ralph the other by Jack, the boys are becoming even less unified and more animal like. Jack has been wanting to become chief ever since he reached the island and his dream has been finally realized except his dream is exactly what is worst for the boys. Jack believes that hunting pigs is the most important thing to be worried about while Ralph believes that the fire should be the main concern on the island. When Jack first left the group to start his own only his hunters joined him. Jack and his hunters viciously kill a pig and later invite Ralph's group to feast on pig but before doing so they steal fire from Ralph's group symbolizing the fall of the importance of fire and Ralph's shaky hold on his remaining members. Almost everyone ends up going to this feast of pig where the tribal chants of the hunters are sung. Everyone becomes animal-like and wild so that when the only truly incorruptibly one on the island comes to the feast they kill him in the trill of the moment. Simon has just learned the true nature of the beast and had come to the feast to ease everyones' fear and restore the power to Ralph. Jack only rules his group because of the existence of the beast and if the beast was to be proven fake then he would lose his power. Jack's animal-like manner and hunting skills represent much more protection than Ralph's insistence of keeping the fire going. Jack now constantly wears his mask of paint all the time showing his fear of being in his own skin and his full progression to a beast. Simon's death was the only thing stopping Jack from complete domination by fear and viscous way he dies and how the ocean currents carry him away from the island represents that the last little piece of humanity has left the island. Simon had the courage to go see the beast himself and realized the truth of the thing. As Simon dies the wind carries the beast away from the island, destroying the evidence that would express Simon's unspoken words. Simon was beaten to death by bare hands, once again showing the descent of his fellow classmates. The water that supports Simon's body is said to be glowing green by the phosphorescent plants below giving Simon and almost heavenly form as though he is being carried away by angels, away from the blackness of the island. The title of the book is finally realized when Simon had a conversation with a severed pigs head while he was hallucinating. The pig's head was the Lord of the Flies who warns Simon that he does not belong on this island and not to interfere with future fun as though the other boys are part of a sick experiment.

Characterization in LOTF

   In Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, there are many character conflicts especially between the two main characters Jack and Ralph. Jack is obsessed with hunting and killing a pig while Ralph is more focused getting rescued. Although they both realize each others true goals no real conflict arose until Jack let the fire go out 

while he was out hunting. The worse part of the whole thing is that there was a ship in sight when the fire went out. Jack comes back from his hunt triumphantly carrying a pig he had just killed. Ralph isn't sure how to react to Jack's disobedience. Even though he did let the fire go out they are also very hungry. How can Ralph justify using ignominy on Jack while he also has the rest of the group's respect. The picture on the left shows Ralph and Jacks stand off, Jack on the left and Ralph on the right. Ralph's control over the group is beginning to emaciate and Ralph knows it. Ralph calls a meeting to try to reestablish the ground rules and try to stamp out the fears of the littleuns. Ralph tries to sooth so he can keep everyone calm and organized but Jack wants to be leader and wants chaos and discord, his new respect as hunter is causing a power struggle between Ralph and Jack. The picture on the right shows the growing change in Jack's character. Jack always wanted to be leader but was willing to follow Ralph and his rules until he realized his new personality. Jack explains his paranoia to his fellow hunters expressing his awkwardness in his own skin. Jack draws himself a new face with clay covering his own and with it becomes the savage hunter willing to hunt and kill.  With his new face Jack's hunger for power increases and he attempts to use the littleun's fear of the beast to create chaos so that he can come in as the new leader and kill the beast.  Jack's blood thirst to kill seems to comfort the littleun's more than Ralph's continual existence that there isn't a beast. The picture below shows Jack's new found aggression in hunting and even his own success 

at hunting and killing a pig has increased his feeling of self importance. Jack implies that they all need him for meat while he doesn't need them, once again using his new found influence to gain power over the others and Ralph. One of the main reasons there is some much disorganization in the group is the littleun's fear of the beast. The beast they say comes out at night and stalks around. Simon another bigun suggests that the only beasts they speak of are the ones inside of us all. They all scoff at him and laugh but this picture really shows the beast in Jack. In real life it shows what may be lurking in all of us, the wanting of power and the savagery that lurks within ready to take it. The daily news speaks of people killing in self defense or for money. When we are trapped in a corner we can reveal our true selves.

Lord of the Flies

  Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, tells the story of a class of boys that survived a plane crash and are now marooned on an island. During the course of the week my class has read the first chapter of this book, where Golding meticulously describes the characters. Golding goes deep into symbolism and diction in order to give his readers the perfect representations of his characters. Golding shows contrasts between some characters foreshadowing later conflicts but also shows major similarities between others. The first two appearing characters are Piggy and Ralph who both are intensely different. Piggy is very gauche and wants to get off the island immediately while Ralph seems to be gregarious, a natural leader and is in no hurry to be rescued. Piggy is fat and clumsy while Ralph is skinny and fit. Ralph who is on the left and Piggy is on the right and the differences are clear. As Piggy and Ralph walk down the beach they find a conch shell and Ralph summons them by blowing threw it already showing himself as a leader. Golding gives Ralph the feeling of a natural leader not someone who necessarily wants it. In today's world there are the people who want power and those who are asked to step up and take it. Our country has been going through some difficult times especially in the area of economy. Several new candidates have stepped up to run as the new president as another election gets ready to come around the corner, these candidates are a mixture of these two classes. The other boys immediately select Ralph as their leader over Jack another competitor. Jack is one of those people who craves power. Although there are obvious differences, Jack has an instinct for cruelty and domination while Ralph was chosen by others to be leader there are also some undeniable similarities. They are both fit and smart and both seem to lead the group of boys together.

   Piggy is one of the people that follows the leader and although he speaks quietly is smart and can contribute. Golding instantly makes him out to be a social outcast, although he likable he is an instant target for mockery. In the begging of the book he begs Ralph not to tell the others to call him Piggy so that he might have a chance to live a role different than he did at school but Ralph almost instantly tells the whole group to call him that. Piggy already experiencing ignominy calls Ralph on his cruelty and Ralph carefully evaluates the situation through a leaders eyes as though he is already calculating his options in addressing Piggy without losing face to the group, again a natural leader.

   Golding through appearances, mannerisms, speech, and motivation carefully shapes each character. Piggy the follower, Ralph the leader and Jack the want to be leader all play crucial parts in this book from their own various angles. Golding has created a masterpiece of art.

Rural Poverty

In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, several characters suffer from rural poverty. In this book Harper Lee uses two different families to compare and contrast the ideas of rural poverty. The Ewells who sour in their rural poverty as their father spends the money they do make on alcohol. The Cunninghams who have never borrowed a penny and live happily with each other on their farm. At the end of the book when life becomes particularly nasty for the Ewells, their father lashes out at everyone, finally bringing him to attack the children of the man he hated. Rural poverty pushed Mr. Ewell to attack children, children who are innocent of any crimes too young to have ever done anything. Desperation pushed him over the edge, tired of living in rural poverty and being ignored by his fellow citizens. Mr. Ewell's dogmatic ways lost him his little dignity then his life. The Cunninghams greatly contrast the Ewells although they also live in rural poverty. It comes down to choice. How will you choose to act when times are tough? http://www. This link explains how rural poverty is still a major problem in other countries. These countries main economy is agriculture. A video in the link explains how people in rural poverty, an example being Madagascar, make only $2 a day. The population is growing too fast and is expected to double by 2030. Riots and food shortages push people in rural poverty to seek else where. Education is too expensive too afford but pulling children only repeats the cycle of rural poverty. Diseases kill fast where no medical attention can be found. Families who lose family members must work twice as hard to make up for that persons absence. Families have no choice but to pull their children out of school to help around the house and find food. Most kids must live with malnutrition because their families can not feed them. The obvious answer to this problem is to leave the rural poverty and go else where except even moving can be expensive and traveling can be dangerous. Places like Madagascar don't make enough food to support their rapidly increasing population. Rural poverty can push people to do terrible things and although Harper Lee might emphasize it with a white and dark example the truth is clear. The Cunninghams accept and live the best they can with what they have. They do not seek pity even though they can't feed their children or themselves. The citizens around them respect them for this. Their is something honorable about making it with what you have. The Ewells are angry at everyone for their misfortune, even the children behave badly before others. The Ewells don't help each other either. They fight among themselves for food and one is left to do all the chores while the others whine for food when they could help. They only went to school on the first day to avoid breaking the education law but they still don't help out at home.