Mr. Darcy: Part One

For this quarter, I have been reading Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and so far, I am enjoying it immensly. Although I have only finished Part One of the novel, I have found that pride is one of the main themes. It is also one of the chief character traits in many of the characters, but especially a characteristic of the male protagonist Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy has every reason to be proud. He's rich, related to power, vain, educated, and well respected. All of this seems to give him a big head. His pride keeps him distant and unliked by many of the other characters. For example, he is insulted when an individual addresses him first or asks him to dance. He thinks he is too good for dancing. For instance, in the first meeting he has with Elizabeth, the female protagonist, he practically ignores her; and when he doesn't after she asks him to dance, he is unbelieveably rude and cold. Why? Because her social status is lower. (Here's where the prejudice comes in: his pride makes him prejudice to others not 'good enough' for him.) But that's just the beginning of it. Although he has judged her to be a poor, sloppy uneducated woman based on her appearance at his friend's manor, he finds that she is quite intelligent in her remarks This puts a certain fire in her eyes that he finds attractive. He cannont stand that he is falling for someone not considered worthy of him, so he, therefore, allows his pride to shine even more, and he treats her more poorly.

The other characters admit (mostly to Elizabeth) that he is a very proud and vain man whenever he comes up in conversation. However, I learned as the novel progressed that he is also very compassionate, for he is an unbelievable big brother to his sister. This compassion also continues to show when Austen narrates his thoughts about Elizabeth. One question I have for part two is if his pride will get in the way of him courting her, or will she humble him?

Watch You're Language!

One of the main themes of Animal Farm is the use of language. In this novel, the main characters, who originally try to lead the other animals to a new and better life, end up leading them to a world that's the same as it was before, but with their own kind as the leader. How did it come to be this way? Language abuse. Many call it an art form (different than poetry and such). Truth is, if you find people who are skeptical about listening to what you say, you can form/shape words, phrases, etc. to almost hypnotize them into believing you whole-heartedly. This puts language under the category of "art", for it turns it into something people would walk past (such as a bush) to something  people would stare at for a long time (like a bush the shape of The Thinker). This is what occurs in Animal Farm. Napoleon, the dictator of even the dictators (Snowball-the fairer but weaker leader), constantly stretches the truth, or uses Squealer "the secretary", to do it for him. He even changes the laws to match his behaviors. As much as I loved this book, that is one thing I could not stand about it. As I was reading this, rage was just building inside of me because this just wasn't fair. And nobody, mainly the ones that could, spoke up and questioned it. This happens a lot in today's society. One of the best examples to relate this aspect of the novel to would be the government, but it also relates quite well to high school conversations. This is where language turns from and art form to  just abuse, yet it has the same effect.

I know it's a stretch, but it's pretty darn true. I know everyone in high school has at least once been a victim of language abuse or a user of language abuse. What I mean by this is twisting the truth or meaning of a word in a way to hurt a specific person or group of friends. In a way, I think this is worse than what Napoleon did in Animal Farm. Why? It's a weapon. It cuts just as deep as a knife would. I don't know if I've noticed this more around me this year because I'm older or because I hold a leadership position, but it occurs a lot more than I thought. And it stinks. Everyday I hear some rumor about some one I doubt is true, and everyday I hear words used in a way that they aren't meant to be used. Or maybe they are, but I feel like the meaning has been lost, just like the laws that Napoleon twisted. Therefore, they appear to be used inapporpriately. If we're not careful, we'll continue to live in a world of lies that just continues to spiral downward, like in Animal Farm, towards the point where nothing is "real" anymore.

What to Expect from AP Lit.

In all honesty, I have never enjoyed an English class until last year. My teacher last year helped to open my mind to reading any form of literature out there. After finishing her class with such a great final exam grade (and not too shabby year grade), I knew I could handle any English class. Therefore, I took a shot at taking AP Lit. Even though she's not teaching it this year, I still feel like I will be well prepared for the test. I'm also really enjoying the class. Mostly, I listen to what my classmates say about a work until I can take one of their thoughts a little further, but I am quickly beginning to think of my own interpretations. What I hope to get out of this class this year is not a 5 on the AP test.  There are only three wishes (haha) I have for the end of the year. 1) I want to be able to open my mind up further to contemplating different views and different possible meanings hidden in the novels or poems. 2) I want to enjoy reading for a class  instead of being forced to read "cliched" novels that many schools read as a part of their curriculum. (I'm not saying that none of them are a good read, because I enjoyed a lot of them. I just like to have a choice). 3) I want to be able to write a great essay and not hate writing it. That last goal is going to be hard to reach, but it doesn't mean I can't try. So far, 1 and 2 are going really well. I can't wait to see how the rest of the year in AP Lit is going to go.

With Pride

I know this blog is supposed to be for AP Lit, but this blog post isn't going to be. Last night was my last football game as a member of the SMHS marching band, and what a game it was.  All I can say is that we played our best field show all season, and we probably had the most fun. I was given the chance to conduct both Sallies' band and ours when they played the National Anthem together as well. What an amazing experience! Also, My best friend Jen Staib came along to play with us in the stands. After the game, she told me that she was so happy to experience what it was like to be in marching band. I knew she wanted to say more but couldn't find the words to. The smile on her face and the look in her eyes, however, said everything. This just made me so unbelievably happy that Kara and I have made marching band her, as well as some other bandees, "Magic Kingdom", as Heidi Sarver said at The Drum Major Academy. I couldn't be more proud to be a part of that band, as well as lead it with Kara, who is such an amazing musician, friend, leader, and most importantly in this case, drum major. Thanks to everyone who has made marching band so wonderful and "bandtastic"-Kara Barbes, Merissa Cope, who has kept the spirit alive in our band and been the model band geek :), our director Mr. Bookout, Heidi Sarver, who directs DMA and such a wonderful band at UD that makes me unbelievably happy, and Johnny Young, who has not only inspired me to embrace marching band as much as I do, but also been such a great friend, drum major, and teacher when it came to leading our band. These people have kept the spirit alive in me when all I could do is cry. There is so much more I wish I could say, but I just cannot find the words.

                           This is a mini DMA reunion with the drum majors from Downingtown East

                                          Merissa and me on the band bus yesterday

                                          Jen and I <3

                   Our senior picture after the game and drum off last night. Priceless. You will be missed!


*Eyes with Pride*

P.S. Here is a link (that one of the dm's at DMA posted on facebook) to one of George N. Parks's videos as he was "teaching" a class of future drum majors at his Drum Major Academy. And for those of you who don't know who he is, George was possibly the most inspirational, talented, and spirited bandee out there. I'm so sorry that I couldn't meet him. R.I.P. George, and thank you for everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNaH2xppnKg