Riggs, Ransom. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2011. Print.
Jacob, a sixteen-year-old, journeys to a remote island off the coast of Wales to try to learn more about his grandfather's mysterious past. He discovers the ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and finds out that these children who had supposedly died during WWII, might somehow still be alive. He follows them through a tunnel which takes him back in time to 1940, when the house was still intact. Jacob has no idea what is going on, he still believes it is present day. Emma, one of the children he followed, is frightened by him. She makes an inductive leap and believes he is a "wight", disguised as a boy, intent on killing her and the rest of the children. Wights have pale, white eyes so she demands to see his and accuses him of having fake eyes when he shows them they are normal. She almost kills him but the other children persuade her to give him a chance to explain himself.
"Something grabbed me by the hair. Before I'd even had a chance to cry out, a hand whipped around from behind and pressed something sharp to my throat.
"Scream and I'll cut you," came a voice.
Keeping the blade to my neck, my assailant pushed me against the outhouse wall and stepped around to face me. To my great surprise, it wasn't one of the men from the pub. It was the girl. She wore a simple white dress and a hard expression, her face strikingly pretty even though she appeared to be giving serious thought to gouging out my windpipe.
"What are you?" she hissed.
"An-- uh-- I'm an American," I stammered, not quite sure what she was asking. "I'm Jacob."
She pressed the knife harder against my throat, her hand shaking. She was scared-- which meant she was dangerous. "What were you doing in the house?" she demanded. "Why are you chasing me?"
"I just wanted to talk to you! Don't kill me!"
She fixed me with a scowl. "Talk to me about what?"
"About the house-- about the people who lived there."
"Who sent you here?"
"My grandfather. His name was Abraham Portman."
Her mouth fell open. "That's a lie!" she cried, her eyes flashing. "You think I don't know what you are? I wasn't born yesterday! Open your eyes-- let me see your eyes!"" (Riggs 127, 128)
If the other children hadn't given Jacob a chance to explain himself, Emma would have made an inductive leap too far and killed him on the spot. Later, when Jacob learns that Emma and his grandfather were "sweethearts" back in 1940, he realises why she was so reluctant to believe him. She didn't want to believe that he was there to deliver bad news about his grandfather. This becomes a very important element to Jacob and Emma's relationship, because he looks so similar to his grandfather that Emma just might fall for him too.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Style
Martel, Yann. Life of Pi: a novel. New York: Harcourt, 2001. Print.
In Yann Martel's Life of Pi, the most common poetic device I have found used is metaphor. Metaphor is a comparison between to otherwise unrelated things. In this book, metaphors are common because it is a story that can be interpreted in different ways. It can be taken completely literally or it can be taken metaphorically by learning the message behind the words. In the excerpt I chose, Pi (the main character) is describing how his boat, the Tsimstum, was so strong it was "indifferent to its surroundings." He uses a metaphor to describe the surroundings, as well as another to describe the boat.
"For days the ship had pushed on, bullishly indifferent to its surroundings. The son shone, rain fell, winds blew, currents flowed, the sea built up hills, the sea dug up valleys-- The Tsimstum did not care. It moved with the slow, massive confidence of a continent." (Martel 110)
There is more than one metaphor used in this excerpt. "the sea built up hills, the sea dug up valleys" is using metaphor to describe the rough waves of the ocean. Instead of just saying "It was very wavy", the author chose to use a metaphor to project the almost exaggerated image into the reader's mind. The second metaphor, is "The Tsimstum did not care. It moved with a slow, massive confidence of a continent." This really describes the strength of the Tsimstum. It reminds me of the story of the Titanic. The boat was so massive and strong yet it sunk, like the Tsimstum will. I think this a is a really great metaphor because it is comparing the boat to something so massive and unfazed by the dangers of the ocean. It might create more surprise and shock when the reader learns that it sinks.
In Yann Martel's Life of Pi, the most common poetic device I have found used is metaphor. Metaphor is a comparison between to otherwise unrelated things. In this book, metaphors are common because it is a story that can be interpreted in different ways. It can be taken completely literally or it can be taken metaphorically by learning the message behind the words. In the excerpt I chose, Pi (the main character) is describing how his boat, the Tsimstum, was so strong it was "indifferent to its surroundings." He uses a metaphor to describe the surroundings, as well as another to describe the boat.
"For days the ship had pushed on, bullishly indifferent to its surroundings. The son shone, rain fell, winds blew, currents flowed, the sea built up hills, the sea dug up valleys-- The Tsimstum did not care. It moved with the slow, massive confidence of a continent." (Martel 110)
There is more than one metaphor used in this excerpt. "the sea built up hills, the sea dug up valleys" is using metaphor to describe the rough waves of the ocean. Instead of just saying "It was very wavy", the author chose to use a metaphor to project the almost exaggerated image into the reader's mind. The second metaphor, is "The Tsimstum did not care. It moved with a slow, massive confidence of a continent." This really describes the strength of the Tsimstum. It reminds me of the story of the Titanic. The boat was so massive and strong yet it sunk, like the Tsimstum will. I think this a is a really great metaphor because it is comparing the boat to something so massive and unfazed by the dangers of the ocean. It might create more surprise and shock when the reader learns that it sinks.
Friday, 27 April 2012
Social issues
Banks, Tyra. Modelland. New York: Delacorte, 2011. Print.
There is inequality present in many parts of Modelland. The first place you learn about it is when Tookie is at school. The wealthy people are respected more at her school because they can afford the nicest clothes. Then later, at the Day-Of-Discovery, the girls are being judged on their looks in order to be chosen to attend Modelland. The most beautiful girls are chosen. Then when Tookie is taken to Modelland, she learns about "Mannecants". The following quote explains Mannecants further.
"Tookie's eyes strayed to the left, to an assembly of about three hundred other girls. Some were not girls at all but older women. They were totally nude, and their flesh seemed to be made of hard plastic with creases at every joint-- the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, the neck, hips, knees, and ankles-- which made them look like living, breathing mannequins. Their eyeballs were completely black, making them look soulless. They stood stiffly, staring blankly at the crowd. Just looking at them made Tookie shiver." (Banks 167)
""Servants of Modelland," ZhenZhen explained. "They are failed Bellas who dedicated their lives to this place in exchange for never having to leave."" (Banks 171)
In my opinion, the author is trying to prove the inequality present in the world of fashion and modelling on a larger scale. As the story progresses, I am starting to notice suspicion forming in the main character. She is noticing the inequality that occurs at Modelland. This is important to the story because it's possible that later in the story, Tookie (the main character) will rebel against these inequalities and that will become the plot.
There is inequality present in many parts of Modelland. The first place you learn about it is when Tookie is at school. The wealthy people are respected more at her school because they can afford the nicest clothes. Then later, at the Day-Of-Discovery, the girls are being judged on their looks in order to be chosen to attend Modelland. The most beautiful girls are chosen. Then when Tookie is taken to Modelland, she learns about "Mannecants". The following quote explains Mannecants further.
"Tookie's eyes strayed to the left, to an assembly of about three hundred other girls. Some were not girls at all but older women. They were totally nude, and their flesh seemed to be made of hard plastic with creases at every joint-- the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, the neck, hips, knees, and ankles-- which made them look like living, breathing mannequins. Their eyeballs were completely black, making them look soulless. They stood stiffly, staring blankly at the crowd. Just looking at them made Tookie shiver." (Banks 167)
""Servants of Modelland," ZhenZhen explained. "They are failed Bellas who dedicated their lives to this place in exchange for never having to leave."" (Banks 171)
In my opinion, the author is trying to prove the inequality present in the world of fashion and modelling on a larger scale. As the story progresses, I am starting to notice suspicion forming in the main character. She is noticing the inequality that occurs at Modelland. This is important to the story because it's possible that later in the story, Tookie (the main character) will rebel against these inequalities and that will become the plot.
Monday, 23 April 2012
Significance of...
Banks, Tyra. Modelland. New York: Delacorte, 2011. Print.
MODELLAND BOOK TRAILER
One of the significant elements to my novel is the setting.Without creating an entirely new world, the author, Tyra Banks, wouldn't have been able to explain the strange behaviour and events that occur in the story. It's almost as if Tyra has taken one part of our society today, that being the longing to be accepted and 'beautiful', magnified it and concentrated it in one place. Metopia is what this world is called. Modelland is atop the tallest mountain in Metopia. The cities within Metopia spend most of their year waiting for the Day-Of-Discovery where they might have a chance to be chosen to attend Modelland. The book trailer hints at the lust that a girl in Metopia feels to go to Modelland and the book shows just how far they will go to get there.
The second significant element in 'Modelland' is the dialect. The author decided to create a new world, and in doing that, she also created new words that are quirky and unique. "T-DOD" is a short form for the Day-Of-Discovery, a "SMIZE is an eye piece that gives you a better chance of being chosen to go to Modelland, an "Intoxibella" is a girl who has completed their studies at Modelland with success, a "Mannecant" is someone who fails to complete their studies. These are just a few examples of strange words you can find in the book. This element is very significant because it gives the book a fun twist and makes it unlike any other I've read.
MODELLAND BOOK TRAILER
The second significant element in 'Modelland' is the dialect. The author decided to create a new world, and in doing that, she also created new words that are quirky and unique. "T-DOD" is a short form for the Day-Of-Discovery, a "SMIZE is an eye piece that gives you a better chance of being chosen to go to Modelland, an "Intoxibella" is a girl who has completed their studies at Modelland with success, a "Mannecant" is someone who fails to complete their studies. These are just a few examples of strange words you can find in the book. This element is very significant because it gives the book a fun twist and makes it unlike any other I've read.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Define and Describe a Character
Banks, Tyra. Modelland. New York: Delacorte, 2011. Print.
The main character in my novel is named Tookie. She is...
1. Disregarded: lack of regard or attention; neglect
Synonyms: brushed aside, ignored, discounted
Antonyms: regarded, respected, acknowledged
2. Shy: Having or showing nervousness or timidity in the company of other people
Synonyms: apprehensive, reserved, unassertive
Antonyms: confident, extroverted, unreserved
3. Benevolent: Well meaning and kindly
Synonyms: caring, kind-hearted, compassionate
Antonyms: greedy, malevolent, mean
I know that Tookie is disregarded because she calls herself a "Forgetta-Girl", meaning she is forgotten easily and barely acknowledged. "Sometimes Tookie was so used to being a Forgetta-Girl that she thought she really was invisible." (Banks, 7) Also, Tookie is brushed-aside in comparison to her beautiful and well-loved younger sister, Myrracle. The story takes place in a land where beauty is the most important part of being a young woman so when you aren't considered beautiful, like Tookie, you aren't respected.
Tookie is shy. I know this because the book directly states that she's only ever spoken to two people at her school. "There was only one person at B3 who had spoken to Tookie besides Myrracle: class president Theophilus Lovelaces, the very figure quickly approaching."(Banks, 12) Tookie only has one friend, Lizzie, who doesn't attend her school and whom she barely sees. She even keeps a journal of letters to people in her life that she is too apprehensive to send.
Although Tookie is frequently ignored, she still manages to be benevolent. "Tookie looked at Lizzie. "Lizzie, are you hungry? Do you need food?" Lizzie usually Dumpster-dove even though Tookie tried to provide her with as much food as she could." (Banks, 30) Also, even though Myrracle bosses Tookie around, insults her and brags that she is the favourite child, Tookie still loves her. "Tookie looked at her sister, suddenly feeling a protective and loving rush." (Banks, 95)
 |
| "Modelland." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Mar. 2012. Web. 25 Mar. 2012. |
1. Disregarded: lack of regard or attention; neglect
Synonyms: brushed aside, ignored, discounted
Antonyms: regarded, respected, acknowledged
2. Shy: Having or showing nervousness or timidity in the company of other people
Synonyms: apprehensive, reserved, unassertive
Antonyms: confident, extroverted, unreserved
3. Benevolent: Well meaning and kindly
Synonyms: caring, kind-hearted, compassionate
Antonyms: greedy, malevolent, mean
I know that Tookie is disregarded because she calls herself a "Forgetta-Girl", meaning she is forgotten easily and barely acknowledged. "Sometimes Tookie was so used to being a Forgetta-Girl that she thought she really was invisible." (Banks, 7) Also, Tookie is brushed-aside in comparison to her beautiful and well-loved younger sister, Myrracle. The story takes place in a land where beauty is the most important part of being a young woman so when you aren't considered beautiful, like Tookie, you aren't respected.
Tookie is shy. I know this because the book directly states that she's only ever spoken to two people at her school. "There was only one person at B3 who had spoken to Tookie besides Myrracle: class president Theophilus Lovelaces, the very figure quickly approaching."(Banks, 12) Tookie only has one friend, Lizzie, who doesn't attend her school and whom she barely sees. She even keeps a journal of letters to people in her life that she is too apprehensive to send.
Although Tookie is frequently ignored, she still manages to be benevolent. "Tookie looked at Lizzie. "Lizzie, are you hungry? Do you need food?" Lizzie usually Dumpster-dove even though Tookie tried to provide her with as much food as she could." (Banks, 30) Also, even though Myrracle bosses Tookie around, insults her and brags that she is the favourite child, Tookie still loves her. "Tookie looked at her sister, suddenly feeling a protective and loving rush." (Banks, 95)
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Identify and Sort
I just finished Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. It was an excellent book and I've never read anything like it before!
The five main elements of my novel are:
1. Mood
2. Diction
3. Imagery
4. Suspense
5. Metaphor
Now I will sort them by importance to my reading engagement. This is difficult because in my opinion all of these elements work together to create a truly engaging read.
1. Imagery
2. Suspense
3. Diction
4. Mood
5. Metaphor
Imagery
This element is used quite often in my book. In my previous post, I had a quote where I think Imagery was used best to describe a hollow which is a flesh-eating soulless creature. I think Imagery is the most important because it projects an vivid impression of what is being described. It helps the reader to really imagine themselves in the scene with the characters.
"A vast, lunar bog stretched away into the mist from either side of the path, just brown grass and tea-colored water as fat as I could see, featureless but for the occasional mount of piled-up stones. It ended abruptly at a forest of skeletal trees, branches spindling up like the tips of wet paintbrushes, and for a while the path became so lost beneath fallen trunks and carpets of ivy that navigating it was a matter of faith." (Riggs, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, 78)
Even if I didn't want to imagine this bog, I couldn't help it after reading this excerpt. This is one of the less gag-inducing parts that I could have chosen. But it's true, sometimes you are happy to imagine a place of beauty and peace. But you might be forced to imagine a dreary bog, or a spine tingling creature. That's the best part about imagery, it's like real life because you can't choose what you want to see or however long that image lasts in your mind.
Riggs, Ransom. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2011. Print.
The five main elements of my novel are:
1. Mood
2. Diction
3. Imagery
4. Suspense
5. Metaphor
Now I will sort them by importance to my reading engagement. This is difficult because in my opinion all of these elements work together to create a truly engaging read.
1. Imagery
2. Suspense
3. Diction
4. Mood
5. Metaphor
Imagery
This element is used quite often in my book. In my previous post, I had a quote where I think Imagery was used best to describe a hollow which is a flesh-eating soulless creature. I think Imagery is the most important because it projects an vivid impression of what is being described. It helps the reader to really imagine themselves in the scene with the characters.
"A vast, lunar bog stretched away into the mist from either side of the path, just brown grass and tea-colored water as fat as I could see, featureless but for the occasional mount of piled-up stones. It ended abruptly at a forest of skeletal trees, branches spindling up like the tips of wet paintbrushes, and for a while the path became so lost beneath fallen trunks and carpets of ivy that navigating it was a matter of faith." (Riggs, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, 78)
Even if I didn't want to imagine this bog, I couldn't help it after reading this excerpt. This is one of the less gag-inducing parts that I could have chosen. But it's true, sometimes you are happy to imagine a place of beauty and peace. But you might be forced to imagine a dreary bog, or a spine tingling creature. That's the best part about imagery, it's like real life because you can't choose what you want to see or however long that image lasts in your mind.
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Identify
'A Good Book'
Three qualities that I expect from a good book are:
1. I can create images in my head using strong adjectives describing events or scenes in the novel. This is important because it gives me, as the reader, a more meaningful experience.
2. I want my book to have depth and a variety of emotions and tones. I want some parts to be spine-tingling and creepy. Action and adventure. Tense and suspenseful. Sad and moving.
3. Finally, I want the characters to be relateable. It's almost as if it gives me hope that I too could live in the adventures in the stories I read.
Riggs, Ransom. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2011. Print.
My book does in fact create images in my head. There's one excerpt that makes it impossible to not develop an image in my head.
"Her hand came ablaze, and among the flickering shadows I saw it, lurking among the troughs. My nightmare. It stooped there, hairless and naked, mottled gray-black skin hanging off its frame in loose folds, its eyes collared in dripping putrefaction, legs bowed and feet clubbed and hands gnarled into useless claws-- every part looking withered and wasted like the body of an impossibly old man-- save one. Its outsized jaws were its main feature, a bulging enclosure of teeth as tall and sharp as little steak knives that the flesh of its mouth was hopeless to contain, so that its lips were perpetually drawn back in a deranged smile."
I even read it out loud to Lydia to creep her out as well! Something unique about this book is that it has vintage black and white photographs that appear at certain parts. It helps to aid with creating images but it mostly just confirms what the text already described.
These are some of the photographs that are included in the novel.
As for depth, this book has the creepiness factor down pretty well right from the start. Especially with the creepy photographs! The beginning is also sad. The book picks up and becomes heart-racing and adventurous. Then of course, there has to be some romance.
Jacob is far from 'flawless'. He's an ordinary kid with an ordinary part-time, minimum wage job. He's not popular, he only has one friend. Not a genius, but not an idiot. He's extremely relatable to most North American teens! But then he discovers he's not so ordinary, but rather quite peculiar! He gets to have this great adventure where he learns about his past and the danger that he has been all his life without even knowing it!
Three qualities that I expect from a good book are:
1. I can create images in my head using strong adjectives describing events or scenes in the novel. This is important because it gives me, as the reader, a more meaningful experience.
2. I want my book to have depth and a variety of emotions and tones. I want some parts to be spine-tingling and creepy. Action and adventure. Tense and suspenseful. Sad and moving.
3. Finally, I want the characters to be relateable. It's almost as if it gives me hope that I too could live in the adventures in the stories I read.
Riggs, Ransom. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2011. Print.
My book does in fact create images in my head. There's one excerpt that makes it impossible to not develop an image in my head.
"Her hand came ablaze, and among the flickering shadows I saw it, lurking among the troughs. My nightmare. It stooped there, hairless and naked, mottled gray-black skin hanging off its frame in loose folds, its eyes collared in dripping putrefaction, legs bowed and feet clubbed and hands gnarled into useless claws-- every part looking withered and wasted like the body of an impossibly old man-- save one. Its outsized jaws were its main feature, a bulging enclosure of teeth as tall and sharp as little steak knives that the flesh of its mouth was hopeless to contain, so that its lips were perpetually drawn back in a deranged smile."
I even read it out loud to Lydia to creep her out as well! Something unique about this book is that it has vintage black and white photographs that appear at certain parts. It helps to aid with creating images but it mostly just confirms what the text already described.
As for depth, this book has the creepiness factor down pretty well right from the start. Especially with the creepy photographs! The beginning is also sad. The book picks up and becomes heart-racing and adventurous. Then of course, there has to be some romance.
Jacob is far from 'flawless'. He's an ordinary kid with an ordinary part-time, minimum wage job. He's not popular, he only has one friend. Not a genius, but not an idiot. He's extremely relatable to most North American teens! But then he discovers he's not so ordinary, but rather quite peculiar! He gets to have this great adventure where he learns about his past and the danger that he has been all his life without even knowing it!
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