Drummer Boy of Shiloh

   In the short story, "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh," by Ray Bradbury, the author uses unique writing craft that I found interesting. The metaphors an uses of imagery he uses throughout the text connect to each other in someway. He also portrays a message of sticking to reality.

   When the General finds the protagonist Joby to boost his confidence, he uses a metaphor to explain the point of his speech. "Well, when you got a bunch of wild horses on a loose rein somewhere, somehow you got to bring order, rein them in." This quote stood out to me because it is still relevant to life today, and will always be. My interpretation of this metaphor is that when something has gone to a person's head, something has to be done to bring them back to reality before it hits them unexpectedly.

   "I fear it will be full of boys again, just floating, at sundown tomorrow, not caring where the current takes them." This line creates really deep imagery that relates to the earlier qoute. The line where the boys "float carelessly", that's what will happen when the thought of being a hero distracts you. You don't know what you're in for, because you think that even though you are in a war, you aren't in harm's way. In this case, the soldiers die, become injured, or are forever scarred by the gory images of war. In reality, or present time, you are faced with dissappointment. Truthfully, no one is always lucky. Things can't always go the way you plan or wish for it to carry out. You have to prepare for something if you really want it, just like how you can't go into battle unarmed, and expect to win.

   In my opinion, I feel that everyone has gone through this in some way. Being unprepared, I mean. For instance, I didn't score high enought to qualify for an admission to Hunter middle/high school. I didn't study for it, unlike many others, and I wasn't prepared. I didn't win the battle against the exam. Now, I really want to score well on the SHSAT exam, so I am taking a Kaplan course. By doing this I am readying myself for the challenges that lay ahead. And I feel secure. Being aware of difficulties is part of being prepared. You have to be ready for what ever reality throws at you, which is the message of the story. But I feel that the message also gives off a bad lesson as well. It makes it seem like you shouldn't have dreams or hopes. It's like saying to yourself, "I won't try, because I know that I will fail." or like giving up before you start because you tell yourself there is no way you can accomplish it. But then comes the idea of preparation. When you have a plan, it is more likely for you to suceed. I feel that is something that a lot of people live by. People work hard to become that organized, to have a strategy or layout to what you want to achieve. So if you don't change the facts of the real world, then you have more control in how an event will result, because you won't be distracted by goals set too high or too low.

I know Why the Cage Bird Sings

 In the book I know Why the Cage Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou, the protagonist Marguerite constantly feels rejected. The interior conflict was always there, since the beginning and just continues to grow as she becomes older. When she and her brother Bailey were toddlers, they were sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. Marguerite, Maya for short, had grown up thinking that they had done something wrong, which is why they were there and not with their parents. She grew up blaming herself for every flaw, every mistake. When their parents finally take them to St. Louis to visit, Maya feels she is in a foreign place. She's attacked by her mother's boyfriend and even then she feels responsible. She  becomes confused, alone, and stops talking, and her mother sends her and her brother back to Stamps. There Maya meets someone named Mrs. Flowers. Even though it is still only the beginning of the book, I can already notice the internal conflict start resolve. Mrs. Flowers had made Maya feel special and I predict that such a small gesture can go a long way.

 I always try to live by the rule to at least one good thing for someone every day. Whether it's holding the door for someone, saying hello, or giving them a compliment. I do this because I know that small things can make people happy. For example, I usually drop my brother off at school, and I used to not think very much of it. I was just doing it because I had the time and my parents didn't always have that. Plus, it was fun to race him down the sidewalk and talk about what was going on at school. So one day when I was dropping my brother off, a parent of a student who went to that school came up to me and said that I was really doing a great thing, taking my brother to school. How so many girls would hate having that chore and how they would love to see their kids getting along the way we did. After hearing that, I honestly felt like skipping home. That comment just made me feel so good about myself. And just think, if everyone could experience that feeling once in a while, everyone would be in a better mood.

 So, when Mrs. Flowers, the fancy gentlewoman, paid Maya some attention, she felt amazing. Just by reading to her, giving her cookies, and giving her tea, she felt wanted. For the first time, in a long time. The text reads, "I was liked, and what a difference it made. I was respected not as Mrs. Henderson's grandchild or Bailey's sister but for just being Marguerite Johnson." I think that with this feeling she can have a better attitude towards herself, and start to open up to others. I think that even though this was only a small moment in  the book, I think it is important. I feel this is where Maya starts to see herself differently. And I think this will lead to a pattern in her future decisions. So for now, I think this conflict of low self-esteem is starting to be resolved. Maybe she'll come across others who treat her respectfully like Mrs. Flowers. But I think she'll soon just become accustomed once again to being put down. After all, there is still much in the book Maya is yet to experience. 

Summer Reading Book Response

Sources of Light by Margaret Mcmullan

Towards the end of the summer vacation,I chose this quick read called Sources of Light. This book is set in the early 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi where there isn't many rights for African Americans. It is told from the point of view of Sam, who lives with her mother. Her mother becomes involved with a man named Perry and together they fought for equal rights. Sam is caught in the middle when she starts dating the head of the strictly white church member's son. But when Perry teaches her how to use a camera, something just clicks. Her eyes are opened. Behind her lens she is able to capture moments of injustice and analyze them, and expose those who are unaware of what really is going on. Her life in Mississippi becomes dangerous with the church on their tail, but she keeps taking pictures because she knows she has to. Her bravery really opened my own eyes, and made me think about how I would act if I were in her shoes.

Sam and her whole family were putting their lives in danger for standing up for what they believed in. For Sam it was as little as taking pictures when something occurred. Her mother and Perry made their decision to speak about African American rights, and they didn't pressure her to become involved. She made a choice to get herself into the movement. She risked her status in school, in the church, her relationship, and her safety. I believe that it could have been possible that there were others who had the same beliefs as Sam, but chose to keep to themselves. Being of a darker skin tone myself, I'd like to say that if I had pale skin living in Mississippi that I would've been open about my feelings about equality. But when I think deeply into it, I don't think that I would've. With so many dangers and so much violence, I probably would've played it safe and wouldn't have taken the risk.

I won't give away the ending of the book, but back then there were consequences for those who thought differently than the people who surrounded them. And the reality of that time period hit Sam and her family hard. They may have struggled through it, but yet it didn't stop them. I enjoyed this book because it made me realize things about myself and made me look deeper into situations I've never thought much of before. Like a different perspective. I admit that Sam was braver, and stronger than I am, and so I admire her. Her actions were selfless, even though it took her a while to get there. This really was a great and inspiring story.