Monica Canela

The assignment i feel was most successful has to be essay #3, I feel like I enjoy doing those types of assignments (flyers, posters). I had the option to do my own research and pick a poem of my choice. I enjoyed the freedom while learning and being able to be creative with some instruction. I feel like i could done better on essay #4, after reading your feedback and going over the directions I noticed that I didn’t have an ‘’yes’’ or ‘’no’’ opinion for my essay. I feel like I can do it much differently now and get a much higher grade. I must say I learned more about myself in this class. I learned how to cite work, I learned a lot more that my English 101 professor didn’t teach or request for us to do. I learned more on how I work better following outlines and directions even though sometimes, I have to admit I struggled at times.

Mathilde, the main character of Guy de Maupassant’s short story “The Necklace,” is presented using straightforward yet accurate language, which also shows her goals and death. From the start, Mathilde was described as someone who “was unhappy all the time,” thinking that, in in spite of her poor childhood, she should have a life of luxury. This text’s basic wording communicates Mathilde’s sadness and her obsession with money. She feels stuck in her current reality of “cheap” clothes and a “humble” life and longs for a life of beauty and improvement, which she believes would bring her happiness. The necklace is given a meaning through clear and straightforward explanations when Mathilde borrows it for a party. As “a superb diamond necklace,” the necklace itself symbolizes all of Mathilde’s desires which are beauty, richness, and a reputation. The tragic irony of the narrative is brought into focus by this ordinary item. When Mathilde loses the necklace and gets a real, pricey one in its place, her entire world is flipped upside down. The 10 years that come next, during which her family struggles to pay back the loan, are shown with honest reliability, highlighting how her need for wealth and looks causes her life to shift permanently. Finally, the sad irony and foolishness of Mathilde’s affection are exposed when it is revealed that the necklace was a cheap copy.

My thesis as of right now is, Fairy tales are frequently criticized for their violence and gender stereotypes, they essentially help children because they build toughness, while teaching moral and ethical guidelines, and inspire their creative minds. As of right now I chose this as my thesis because in “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson is one article from List A that grabs my interest. I was drawn to this article because it discusses the positive behavioral and growth impacts fairy tales have on kids. Visiko Knox-Johnson specifically addresses how fairy tales teach within kids the need of kindness and determination, two qualities that are essential components of emotional intelligence. According to the essay, youngsters can learn how to deal with challenges in real life by studying the symbolic struggles that fairy tale characters encounter.  While in List B, Maria Tatar’s article “Why Fairy Tales Matter” is my favorite from List B. Tatar provides an in-depth investigation of the reasons behind the ongoing cultural significance of fairy tales in her study. The claim made by Tatar that fairy tales give kids a safe and meaningful way to deal with challenging emotions like betrayal, sadness, and fear really caught my attention. Since they enable kids to comprehend and manage complicated emotions, she believes that these emotional experiences even the most severe ones are essential to kids emotional growth.

In “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” the author’s piece reveals a number of levels that strengthen one’s understanding of the narrative. While the grandmother’s last moments highlight the chance of forgiveness and cleansing, her portrayal as manipulative and selfish emphasizes issues of lying and moral insecurity. Southern Gothic details like ethics and decaying add to the story’s mood, and the family dynamics study shows how the grandmother’s actions cause conflict and detachment within the family. Furthermore, O’Connor’s use of sarcasm and prediction gives confusion, demonstrating that her story is an in-depth investigation of human weaknesses and the possibility of forgiveness rather than simply a straightforward story.

I think that after reviewing poetry for the past two weeks, I now have a slightly better comprehension of speech, imagery, and emotion. Engaging with poetry, like “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot, has expanded my understanding of mental health and the varied nature of the social condition, themes that are further explored in “Oedipus the King.” In “Oedipus the King,” the terrible turn of events and Prufrock’s quest for the truth are mirrored, reflecting Prufrock’s inner turmoil and fears. Both poems examine the limits of human comprehension as well as the importance of both individual and collective accountability. Prufrock’s persistent self-doubt and hesitations, for instance, are reminiscent of Oedipus’s first denial of his fate and eventual acceptance of its tragic reality. Through comprehending the significant feelings of Eliot’s poem, I am able to look at the conversation and remarks in “Oedipus” from a more advanced viewpoint.

In my opinion, writing Essay 1 was a little challenging. I was surprised because I usually do well with essays and writing overall. I’m used to creating my own outlines and brainstorming independently, but this time I followed your outline and your instructions for each paragraph. I enjoyed the challenge overall. I started by drafting and putting pieces together until I felt somewhat confident, even though I know this isn’t my best work. The hardest part for me was having my sources already cited. I like to research and think outside the box, but in this case, I couldn’t do that.

After reading, Toni Cade Bambara’s short story ” The Lesson”. My plan is to name my essay ‘’ Emotional growth and inner conflict”. Sylvia’s journey is characterized by a complex emotional landscape. Her journey from ignorance to awareness is filled with misunderstanding, anger, and finally, realization. This inner conflict reminds me of the common experience of growing up, as kids have trouble understanding how to fit in with the world. The turning point that she experiences at the toy store captures her battle with emotions of insufficiency and tough realities of value, both fundamental and physical. Some topics I would cover throughout my essay are character development, symbolism, conflict resolution and themes of forgiveness and acceptance. By concentrating on these elements, my essay can provide further insight into the complex nature of inner conflict and emotional development, expanding our comprehension of the character’s journey beyond socioeconomic factors.