Fatim Sidibe

This semester has been quite a journey, and I feel particularly proud of my work on Essays 3 and 4. Initially, I struggled to understand exactly what the professor was looking for in our assignments, but by the time I reached these essays, things started to clear. I began to understand the importance of following instructions closely and adapting my writing to meet the expectations set out for us. Although both essays required some revisions, the process taught me valuable lessons about improving my ideas and expressing them clearly. Completing these essays gave me a sense of accomplishment and boosted my confidence in my writing abilities. Looking back at my earlier assignments, I see that I could have done better, especially with Assignments 1 and 2. I had trouble with Essay 1 because I didn’t fully understand what was needed. Even though Essay 2 was easier, I should have used better quotes and written stronger paragraphs to support my main idea. 3. One big thing I learned this semester is how important it is to follow the assignment instructions and keep a good work ethic in school. As the class ends, I’m happy with the progress I’ve made and what I’ve learned.

Raymond Carver’s idea about using “commonplace but precise language” to give everyday objects or moments immense power reminds me of James Joyce’s “Araby.” I chose this story because it’s the one I relate to the most. When we read it in class, I shared how much it reminded me of my own teenage years. Just like the boy in the story, I had a crush when I was younger, and the emotions he describes felt so real to me. One example of “commonplace but precise language” in “Araby” is the line: “Her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood.” This quote takes something as simple as a name and turns it into something powerful and emotional. It’s not overly dramatic. t’s just honest and precise, which makes it even more relatable. For me, it perfectly captures how overwhelming and exciting it feels to have a crush as a teenager. I remember feeling exactly like this about someone back then, where just hearing his name would  make my heart beat faster. What makes this story match Carver’s idea is how Joyce uses simple details to show deeper meaning. For example, the street where the boy lives is described as “The other houses of the street, conscious of decent lives within them, gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces.” This description is simple but gives a clear picture of the boring, quiet world the boy wants to leave. Even the market scene, with its “jostling drunken men” and “bargaining women,” feels busy and messy, showing how the boy’s romantic feelings don’t fit in such an ordinary place. This combination of precise descriptions and everyday objects—like a name, a street, or a marketplace—makes the story feel so real and relatable. That’s why I chose “Araby” for this assignment. It’s not just […]

Here is my thesis statement: Fairy tales play a crucial role in both child development and cultural storytelling by providing valuable lessons, fostering imagination, and offering therapeutic benefits, despite potential criticisms regarding their traditional narratives. From List A: One article that stood out to me is “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson. This article explains how fairy tales help children understand basic human conflicts and relationships while also aiding their moral and emotional development. What caught my attention the most was the idea that fairy tales can be used in therapy, especially for children dealing with illnesses. Storytelling allows kids to express their fears and anxieties in a safe way, which helps them process difficult emotions. This resonates with me because, growing up in Africa, I experienced the power of storytelling firsthand. My uncles and grandparents would gather us around the fire during vacations in the village, sharing traditional tales that taught us about courage and kindness. Each story had its own traditional song, which the storyteller would sing at key moments, adding an artistic element to the experience. These moments were significant in shaping my understanding of right and wrong. From List B: Another article I found interesting is “Why Fairy Tales Matter” by Maria Tatar. Tatar talks about how fairy tales address universal themes like love, courage, and transformation, making them meaningful across generations. Her explanation that these stories connect us to shared human experiences and inspire creativity made me realize how fairy tales are important not only for personal growth but also for understanding cultural values and traditions. During school time in the city, my parents introduced me to modern fairy tales like “Snow White” and “Cinderella,” or as we call them in French, “Blanche Neige” and “Cendrillon.” Watching these tales on […]

If I hadn’t read O’Connor’s essay in Activity 1, I would have missed some key insights into “A Good Man Is Hard to Find.” In her essay, O’Connor explains that the grandmother’s final moment with The Misfit is significant because it’s an act of grace. Without this explanation, I might not have understood how important it is when she reaches out to him and calls him “one of my babies,” showing unexpected kindness even in a dangerous situation, and after hearing his freinds killing her family. O’Connor also talks about how violence in the story serves to reveal people’s true personality, which makes the family’s encounter with The Misfit so crucial. It forces the grandmother to confront her beliefs and gain clarity. Additionally, O’Connor’s discussion of creating complex characters helped me see the grandmother as more than just a hypocritical figure because when I was reading, I kind of hated her. I thought that she was a racist by calling the black boy on the window “pickaninny” the word I just discovered. I also thought that she was  hypocrite, manipulative, in short a bad person even thought she seemed to do not know that she was one; I realized that she’s someone capable of change and growth after reading activity one. These insights from the essay help me appreciate the deeper themes and moral questions in the story, like redemption and the complexity of human nature.

Before these past two weeks, I never really got into poetry. I thought it was just about rhyming and trying to impress someone special. But thanks to Professor Conway, I’ve started seeing poetry in a whole new way, and it’s actually pretty cool. I’ve found out that poetry comes in all sorts of styles, with deep meanings and beautiful layers that make reading so interesting. Take Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” for example. It’s about that quiet moment of thinking between wanting to disappear into the peaceful darkness of the woods and needing to keep promises. This struggle is a lot like what Oedipus faces in Oedipus the King, where he battles between his fate and his choices. Then there’s Browning’s “My Last Duchess,” which cleverly shows the Duke’s controlling nature through his words—just like how Oedipus reveals his weaknesses through his actions. Even though I didn’t know these poems before because my country has a different school program, and it’s a bit tougher for me since I’m still learning English, diving into poetry has helped me better understand themes, characters, and symbols in plays like Oedipus the King. It’s been an eye-opening experience.

Reflecting on my experience with writing Essay 1, I realized just how important it is to pay attention to the details. At first, I really messed up because I didn’t follow the MLA format correctly. It was a bit of a wake-up call for me. I learned that even things like choosing the right font—like Times New Roman, which I found surprisingly nice-looking—can make a difference in how an essay comes across. One big takeaway was the importance of reading the instructions carefully before diving into the writing. The first time around, I was so tired and just wanted to get it done quickly so I could go to sleep. That rush led to a pretty sloppy job. This taught me that managing my time better and approaching assignments with a clear head is crucial. I would like thank Professor for giving an opportunity to retry because having to rewrite the essay after my professor’s feedback was actually a good learning moment. It showed me how valuable it is to revise and be open to criticism. By taking a closer look at the student sample essay I was supposed to evaluate, I got better at analyzing content, which will definitely help me in future assignments. Overall, this experience has taught me to prepare more thoroughly, pay attention to the little things, and learn from my mistakes. Next time, I’ll make sure to give myself enough time for each part of the process—from understanding what’s needed to drafting and revising—so I can do my best work.

In Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson,” there’s so much more going on than just the obvious talk about money and inequality. What really grabbed me was Sylvia’s character and how she changes throughout the story. At first, she’s this tough, street-smart kid who doesn’t want to listen to Miss Moore. But as they wander through that fancy toy store, you can almost feel her world expanding. It’s like she’s starting to see things differently, even if she doesn’t fully get it yet. The way Bambara writes Sylvia’s voice is super authentic—it feels like you’re right there with her, hearing her thoughts in real-time. And then there’s all this symbolism, like the sailboat that’s ridiculously expensive. It’s not just a toy; it’s a symbol of dreams and the barriers that keep them out of reach for kids like Sylvia. So, while the story definitely tackles big issues like economic disparity, it also dives deep into personal growth and awareness, which I found really compelling. It makes you think about how we all have these moments that push us to see beyond our immediate world.