Mockingjay

  I'm nearly done reading the final book in the Hunger Game series, "Mockingjay," by Suzanne Collins. The book basically sums up the plot of the series into the war following the Quarter Quell. Peeta, now brainwashed, is conflicted between loving or hating Katniss. Katniss, following the certainly painful events that occurred, is an emotional mess who has to stand as sign of hope and strength for the rebelling forces of the secretive district 13- their Mockingjay.
  Katniss, I feel, represents the wear-and-tear of those few individuals who really do need someone to trust. Throughout the whole story, Katniss has been lied to, decieved, and used. For example, going into the games for the second time for the Quarter Quell wasn't actually her participating in an actual Hunger Games. She was really a part of a rebel plot to break out of the arena with the other victors from past Hunger Games and go to district 13 to begin the war effort to overthrow the Capitol. In doing so, Katniss felt extremely distraught over the fact that not only in the process she lost Peeta, she was also unknowingly a part of a plan she probably wanted nothing to do with anyways. The fact that Katniss' situation and physical condition is not even her own fault. She didnt choose to become the symbol of the district rebels- the rebel administartion did.
  In being the Mockingjay, she was subjected to a highly dangerous status in which the Capitol side of the war wanted her dead as soon as possible. She was required to film propoganda commercials, to take part in real combat, and worst of all she had to present herself in a way she wouldv'e found disgraceful if she had a choice. She shouldn't of had to give speeches about killing people who may have been both innocent and perpertrators of the Districts if she had the choice not to. All she wanted to do from the very beginning was to protect her sister and her family and her friends from destructuion. Instead, she was forced to participate in a war she a Peeta had questionable thoughts on anyway. In doing so, her sister was killed in the final raid on the Capitol and Peeta was left a mentally confused and broken person.
  Katniss herself is now living in the remains or her house in Victory Village in District 12. This is following the capture and death of President Snow and her assasination on President Coin, the rebel leader. Her actions were fueled mostly by the affect her Coin's actions on her life and those she cared about the most. Katniss, at the moment, is left with her painful memories of those she loved.

Am I Blue?

  Homosexuality is a natural choice for a human to make. Being able to be open about it should be as widely accepted as it is when someone is attracted to the opposite sex. However, there are people who believe that its completely wrong and persecute those who have the right to be homosexual. The story, "Am I Blue?" by Bruce Coville gives us somewhat of an insight into the life of those who have been mistreated and bullied for their sexual orientation. Also, it sends a message of tolerance, saying that if we can't change the way we perceive people who are really just like us, then the problems they face will only get worse. Bruce Coville relays this message in an interesting manner though, using the mentor of the story, Melvin, as his messenger.
  Reading the story directly will tell the tale of a sixteen year old boy named Vince who faces problems with peers who think he is homosexual when really he is not sure quite yet. Melvin, a fairy-godfather from heaven, finds Vince and explains to him why people harass homosexuals and guides Vince through his problems. In Melvin's dialogue, i found interesting points that also apply to our world. In fact, I thought it was Bruce Coville communicating with us the struggles of being bothered and persecuted as a homosexual.For example, when Vince accuses Melvin of mocking him after finding him pushed into a puddle of mud (this being the first time they met), Melvin says "Listen, honey, I have nothing but sympathy for you. I had to deal with my share of troglodytes when I was your age, and I know its not fun. I'm here to help." Melvin, obviously being homosexual in his past life, can be considered a witness to what happens to many other openly gay people today. To be honest, at first I saw this as useless back story. Reviewing the line a few times though, I saw this as one of Coville's insights on the affects of people's negative actions toward homosexuals.
  Another moment of when I felt Bruce Coville was talking to us through Melvin was when they're in the coffee shop and Vince is curious as to why he hadn't known there were so many homosexuals around him. Melvin explains that they are probably hiding it so they don't get treated poorly and have to face obstacles of intolerable people. Although I had some sort of familiarity with that fact, thinking about how people are actually afraid to be open about their sexual preferences was kind of sad. That's probably why i figured that the reason Bruce Coville was telling us all these harsh yet true facts was to get us to be more sensitive  of our actions toward  homosexuals and those that are but may not be open about it.
  Bruce Coville's "Am I Blue," is not just meant to be an entertaining story to delights those who are just looking for a good read. Its purpose is much greater and it contains a peaceful message of tolerance for homosexual who have been harassed for the longest time. "Am I Blue," tells us things we may have not known already about how hard living with the secret of being gay is. Hopefully, after reading this, people will further understand how important this issue is.

The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

  In class, we have recently finished going over and analyzing the short story, "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh," by Ray Bradbury. The story focuses on a distraught, terrified drummer boy named Joby. He is with his army camping out in Pittsburgh Landing, Mississippi prior to  the bloody Battle of Shiloh. However, i noticed throughout the story that behind the fear and sadness Joby feels throughout the story, there is a large theme of perseverance and confidence. The author uses Joby particularly to send this message to us.
  Joby in the beginning of the story is very scared and cant help but crying his eyes out. As the story progresses however, he is spotted by the general of whomever army he belongs to and immediately wipes his tears away. When he approaches him, Joby describes the man as smelling of "as all fathers should, of salt-sweat, tobacco, horse boot and leather, and the earth he walked upon,". I thought this line was very important because it foresighted a possible symbol of confidence and hope in Joby and made me think  that Joby saw this man as a father figure. After all, he is only 14 and being so young and alone in war is hard, especially when you don't have a real father to guide you toward the right path.
  After the confrontation, the general starts to tease Joby lightly. I found this interesting because that sounds like something a father would do with a son. Then, he tries to bring Joby's morale up by giving him a long, meaningful pep talk. He says things like, "You are the heart of the army," and that gives Joby purpose and responsibility. The way the general gave his pep talk however, is what really made me see what the general was to Joby. He gave in it a raw yet fatherly fashion, which made Joby realize his worth and power while at the same time comforting him from his emotional ailments. This sends Joby through a climatic character change, seeing that he is actually worth way more than he saw himself to be. Thus, he feels more confident in going on with the battle.
  In conclusion, the author is in fact sending us a message of always persevering through scary times and staying confident in times of great peril. He uses Joby as somewhat of a messenger, as we see Joby change somewhat drastically. From being scared  and depressed, he has matured and regained his confidence. This is because the general, who served as Joby's  father figure, gave him what he needed to become stronger: purpose.

Reading Response 1: Catching Fire

        In the very late summer, about a week before school started, I began reading the second book in the Hunger Games series called "Catching Fire," by Suzanne Collins. The story follows the path it left off on with Peeta and Katniss back at home in District 12. Of course, Katniss is then subjected to go on the Victory Tour of all the distracts then ultimately the Capitol, the head of the country Panem. This is very emotional for Katniss because she sees the people she has killed and the families of her allies, most notably Rue's family. However, her appearance in District 8 sparks an uprising within the district because everyone reralizes what the Capitol has been doing to people all these years. Following this, after weeks of torment from the ultimate Capitol power, President Snow, she and Peeta are subjected to going back into the Games after the  Quarter Quell (a 25-year cycle of special Games that can be changed in anyway) is going to consist of two victors from each district. As the news unfolds around District 12, Katniss decides she is going to try her hardest to keep Peeta alive until the end so he can win instead this time. I now realize that although at the end of the games Katniss may die, Katniss has been the real hero archetype of the series. This is because in the past, she risked committing treason by keeping herself and Peeta alive at the end of the previous years Games. Now, she's willing to die so Peeta can continue to live since President Snow wants her dead, although if he killed her directly, there's a large and very good chance that people will start even larger rebellions and uprisings than in the past. So, at this point where I'm reading, where the Games are already in progress, I cant help but feel sorrow at the idea that Katniss or Peeta or maybe even both of them might not see each other alive again.