Essay #6

Let The Light Shine On:

An Essay About How Light Is A Motif In A Tale Of Two Cities And In My Life

Pine Point School

Ninth Grade English

December 6, 2011

By Schyler Davis

Have you ever walked down a street that is lit up at night or notice the light that shines through the windows? You can find light from stars, the sun, nightlights, lamps, certain rooms, and many other places, and it can represent love, hope, and freedom in your own life. In A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, he uses light as a motif, and I have noticed that the street lamps on my street are a symbol in my life. Next time you see a light, try to see if it is a symbol in your life, a symbol of love, a symbol of hope, a symbol of freedom.

           In A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens uses light as a motif, as a positive symbol, a symbol of freedom, popularity, and hope. Monsieur Defarge, Mr. Lorry, and Miss Mannette found a shoemaker, Miss Mannette’s father, in a dark room, and Monsieur Defarge opened the door “to let in a little more light.”  I think the light that shined through the door into the small, dark, dusty room could stand for freedom. Mr. Manette was locked away for 18 years making shoes, and then he was reunited with his daughter, and when she hugged him, her radiant hair mixed with his white hair, “which warmed and lighted it as though it were the light of freedom shining on him.” Also, In A Tale Of Two Cities, Tellson’s Bank “wanted no light.” To me, the light represents popularity, and Tellson’s didn’t need to be popular. The bank was elite, and the costumers knew it was best. Another example of light was when the mist “was dense enough to shut out everything from the light of the coach-lamps.” I believe that the light symbolizes hope, but that darkness can still block out the light because sometimes, as much as you hope something will work, it won’t, and there is nothing you can do to change that. Hope is very powerful, but not always as potent as you wish it could be. Charles Dickens used light in A Tale Of Two Cities as a wonderful motif to help you think a little deeper about the characters, about the story, about life.

In my life, the lamps on my street are a symbol of light, a light that makes my days shine brighter. When it becomes dark outside, the lights turn on, and when the lights turn on, they bring the night to life. I can see all the houses lined up on my street, the cats quietly walking, the leaves blowing through the air. I am suddenly aware of what it outside, and I feel secure. I like being able to see all that is out there because doing so makes me feel safe. Also, the lamp posts get decorated during Winter with dark red ribbon and reeves, and in Summer they are decorated with flower baskets of many colors, pink, red, purple,blue, and that makes me feel more festive. When the lamp posts are adorned, I really get in the spirit of the different  holidays and seasons. I love how the decorations make my street look like a postcard, a postcard with a picture of a small, historical street that has brick sidewalks and lamp posts lined up along the side. Finally, I love to look out my bedroom window at night, to see the light shining. Staring at the light makes me go into another world, a world where all is possible, a place I love to imagine. The light lets me just think and make up little scenarios in my head of what I wish would happen in real life. In my life, light is a positive motif that brings out the joy, the love, the hope that all will be okay, and it surprises me that  I haven’t thought about it until now.

Let the light shine bright in your life, let it bring out the joy, let it bring out the beauty. In A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens uses light as a motif, and in my life I have discovered the street lamps on my street are a symbol in my life. Next time you see any type of light from stars, the sun, nightlights, lamps, certain rooms, and many more places, try to relate them to your life, try to figure out what it could symbolize, try to make the light shine.

Essay #5

 Fade The Darkness; Bring The Light:

An Essay About How The Song , “Here Comes The Sun”, Relates To A Quote By Charles Dickens And To My Life

Pine Point School

Ninth Grade English

November 18, 2011

By Schyler Davis

Have you ever noticed how light appears in your life, pushing out the darkness, making it all seem okay? “Here Comes The Sun”, by The Beatles, relates to the famous quote by Charles Dickens, “ It was the season of darkness, it was the season of light,” and it also relates to how my amazing friends bring light into my life. I want you to remember a dark time in your life and how a powerful force, friendship, love, family, sports, made the darkness fade, bringing light.

Have you ever wondered how times in life can be happy and joyful, but sad and somber at the same time? The song, “Here Comes The Sun”, relates to the quote, “It was the season of darkness, it was the season of light,” because even when life isn’t going as planned, you can still find light. I believe that you need to think about all the positive aspects of your life and not focus on the negatives. If you can do so, you will find that you are more peaceful. Also, sometimes it seems like everything is going wrong, going down hill, going the complete opposite way than you wanted, but  you need to try to work through it. Instead of thinking about all that has taken a turn for the worse, think about what has gone right; think about all the joy in your life; think about how lucky you are. If you try this, you may find light in the darkest of times. You need to remember that after every tough, bitter time you face that it is followed by a smooth, sweet time. You may need to just pull through bitterness in order to taste the sweet victory on the other side. Try to focus on the beauty of your life, and the darkness will start to slowly fade. Try to make the light in your life shine brighter than the sun.

“Here Comes The Sun” relates how my friends bring light into my life, a light that is like a sunrise, peaking up from the horizon, growing brighter and brighter. For example, I can always count on Eliza’s gregarious personality to make me laugh. If it is when she starts talking to strangers and thanking them or telling me about her dreams, I can always depend on her to put an everlasting smile on my face. I can’t picture my life without Eliza because she shines light onto my life and makes it “all right.” Also, Simone can brighten up my days by giving me excellent advice. Whenever I need her opinion on a matter, she tells me what she honestly thinks, what she thinks would be the best, and what she knows about the situation. I am thankful that Simone is my friend because whenever darkness tries to creep into my life, she is the sun that fights it off. Finally,  I feel that it is almost impossible to have any darkness in my life when the girls in my class are always making me laugh and smile. We have all become close this year and have shared priceless memories together-- memories that pick me up when I am down, make me laugh when I am sad, and make me glad I have such fantastic friends. When “it seems like years since its been clear,” Kiona, Kara, and Cassie make the sun shine down on my life-- a life that I am thankful for, a life that I wouldn’t change for anything. I’m lucky to have hilarious, loving, and caring friends that can make a rainbow after a rainy day.

    If you can think positive, you will live a wonderful life filled with joy. If you can find the light, you will fade the darkness in your life, so you should try to find your sun and never let it go. The song, “Here Comes The Sun”, relates to Charles Dickens famous quote in A Tale Of Two Cities, and it relates to how all my caring, loving, funny friends bring an everlasting light to my life. I hope that everyone can find their special light that keeps them going and laughing and happy and living. 

Essay #4

 There Is A Time When You Need To Walk On In Life:

An Essay About How The Song, “Walk On”, Relates To A Raisin In The Sun And To My Life

Pine Point School

Ninth Grade English

November 4, 2011

By Schyler Davis

Have you ever had to move on in life? In the song ,”Walk On”, by U2, the lyrics are about going on to the next chapter of your life. This song relates to A Raisin In The Sun  because Walter and his family are moving to a new home, and it relates to my life because I will be leaving Pine Point to go to a different school next year. Although, it can be extremely difficult to leave what you have always known behind, it is very important that you do so because if you don’t walk  on in life, you will never discover what waits for you in the future.

In A Raisin In The Sun, Walter’s family is planning to move to a new house, a new neighborhood, for a new and better life (anaphora).  This relates to the song, “Walk On”, because the family decides to move to “a place that has to be believed to be seen”. Since they haven’t moved yet, Walter’s family has to keep dreaming about the new house, hoping it becomes reality. Mama gave Walter sixty-five hundred dollars and told him to give three thousand dollars to Beneatha for school, but instead he gives all the money to Willy because they were going to start a liquor store, but Willy disappears with the money, the dreams, the future (asyndeton), leaving Walter bewildered (FAST). Before all of this happened, Mr.Lindner, who is head of the welcoming committee, wanted to make a deal with Walter to keep this boisterous, black brood from moving into his pristine, white neighborhood. He told Walter that the welcoming committee was prepared “to buy the house” at a financial gain for his family, but Walter said no.  He wasn’t going to let this manipulative, two-faced man determine his family’s future, but now since Walter has lost sixty-five hundred dollars, he is thinking about taking Mr.Linder up on his offer.  He knows his family really wants to move, though,  so they go ahead on their plan to start a new life. In my opinion, Walter made the right choice to move on instead of dwelling on the past (antithesis) and by doing this he is going to change his family’s future by taking a step in the right direction.

    I have been at Pine Point as long as I can remember, and it is my home, a place where I feel comfortable, a place where cozy smiles greet me in the hallways, and a place where I have grown up to become the person I am today (anaphora). This is my last year at Pine Point, and next year I will be at new school, perhaps a boarding school. I am nervous to attend (FAST) a new school and to meet new people and to have new teachers, especially if I’m not living at home, but while I’m filled with these fears, I am bursting out with excitement (antithesis). This relates to the song,”Walk On”, because my time at Pine Point is coming to an end, and although that is sad, I know I have to move on to a different school. “I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home” because where ever I end up next year will hopefully be as loving and caring as Pine Point. Right now, I can’t picture myself at a different school, making new friends, asking my teachers questions, living the next chapter of my life (asyndeton). I wish I could stay at Pine Point forever, but I am excited to walk on to the mysteries of life that stands before me.
    You need to walk on to what you’re not use to, walk on to the path that will lead you down the right road, walk on to the future. In A Raisin In The Sun, Walter’s family moves to a new house. In my life, I’m graduating from Pine Point, which is like my home, and I am going to attend a new school. I believe that moving on in life can be intimidating, but life is a crazy journey that you just have to keep walking on.

Essay #3

The Wanting Of What Lies Untouchable:

An Essay About Not Noticing Everything You Have And Wanting What You Can’t Have

Pine Point School

Ninth Grade English

October 20, 2011

By Schyler Davis

Have you ever wanted what you can’t have? In the song, “Desperado”, by The Eagles, the lyrics are about having positive aspects of life going for you but wanting what you can’t have. I believe that this song relates to my life because I don’t always get what I want, and I also think it relates to Sutton in, “The Lying Game.” I am trying to figure out why people, including me, want what they can’t have when “fine things have been laid upon” their table.

The lyrics in, “Desperado”, relate to me, and now that I know I relate to these lyrics, I have learned a new lesson, I  have changed, and I believe I have become a more grateful person (anaphora). One example is that I love fashion, so of course when I see cute clothes in catalogs and online I want them. I have a closet full of clothes, and some of them I don’t even wear, so I don’t need more. I am fortunate (FAST) to have lots of clothing because some people in the world barely have any. “Desperado” makes me realize all that I have- a loving family, pets, friends,and a wonderful education. I now know how lucky I am, and I should be pleased (FAST) with what I have. Discovering what this song means, has changed me and shaped me and caused me to be more grateful (polysyndeton). For instance, I rescue cats with Animal Rescue Fund, and I often foster them. I always fall in love with one kitten and want to keep it, but I have four cats of my own, so I know having the kittens for adoption is for the best. This song has taught me to love the cats I own, and give them the best home possible. Also, “Desperado” has taught me that there will always be the temptation of me wanting something that I think will be better, but I am lucky with all that has “ been laid upon” my table.

In the Television series, “The Lying Game”, Sutton, who was adopted by a kind, loving family, wants to find her birth mother. This relates to the lyrics, “Now it seems to me, some fine things have been laid upon your table, but you only want the ones that you can't get," because Sutton was extremely lucky to have a caring family adopt her, but she takes them for granted and wants her biological (FAST) mother. She doesn’t listen when her parents tell her that her birth mom died in a car accident. Instead, she eavesdrops on their conversations and discovers that her birth mom is still alive. She does some research to find out where her birth mom could be, and while researching, Sutton discovers that she has a long lost twin sister named Emma. Sutton and Emma start talking online, and Emma comes up to Sutton’s house to pretend to be Sutton. Emma just turned 18 and would do anything to get away from her rotten foster mom, anything to escape her lousy (FAST) life, and anything to have a normal family(anaphora). Sutton goes to California to look for their biological mom, while Emma lives Sutton’s relaxing life. Emma doesn’t understand why Sutton doesn’t love her family because they seem to be the sweetest people Emma has ever met. Sutton seems to take her life, a life where she is given amazing opportunities, an amazing education, and an amazing family, for granted(anaphora). I suppose it is difficult to understand all that you have when there is one object or opportunity or person(polysyndeton) you can’t have but is the one you want most.

    You need to open up your eyes to see how lucky you are because you have many positive aspects of life going for you.  Of course, as time goes by, you will still want what you can’t have, but you should understand and be grateful that you have all that you need in life. I will try my best to remember what I already have and will be thankful for it. Also, Sutton wants to find her birth mother, but I think she is fortunate to have a caring family and should realize that. You should always remember what you have because your life could change and take away what you take for granted.

Summary

A Raisin In The Sun:

A Summary About The Review Of  The Play

Pine Point School

Ninth Grade English

October 19, 2011

By Schyler Davis

           

In the review, by Brooks Atkinson, she writes about how Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin In The Sun, is honest. The play is about a black family in Chicago that wants “to preserve their family pride,” but they also wants to get out of poverty because of that Lorraine Hansberry as lots of topics to cover. Some of the topics are funny and some are painful. She is honest about these topics by not having the play “prove one thing or another.” Also, Brooks Atkinson writes about how all the characters have a dream. The son is dreaming of having his own business, and the daughter has a dream to be a doctor, so she can heal people. For their dreams, both of them are counting on the 10,000 dollars from their father’s death. Brook Atkinson sum up the review by writing the theme of the play is that honesty is the hardest thing in the worlds, and the most illuminating. 

Sentences that I really like in Brooks Atkinson’s review:

 “He is as eloquent when he has nothing to say as when he has a pungent line to speak.” I this is a well written line because I like how she uses the word eloquent and pungent. It really makes this sentence stand out.

 “And also the most illuminating.” I like how she makes this sentence fragment the last sentence. The fragment flows with the writing, making the writing elegant, and It really makes you think about honesty.

Essay #2

Simplicity Is More:

An Essay About How The Song “Simple Man” Relates To Beneatha And Myself

Pine Point School

Ninth Grade English

October 3, 2011

By Schyler Davis

           Do you ever think about being simple? You probably think that you should be a complex person; you probably think that being simple makes you boring, but I think being simple is better. In A Raisin In The Sun, Beneatha is simple because she understands who she is and what her dreams are. Also, I believe that I am a simple person because I always try my best. In the song “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, he sings, “Be a simple kind of man; be something you love and understand,” and to me being simple is to be yourself and try not to care about what other people think about you.
           I believe that Beneatha in A Raisin In The Sun is a simple woman. She wants to be a doctor, and won’t let being a colored woman stop her. She doesn’t care about what people think; she doesn’t listen to what people say, and she doesn’t care about pleasing others who surround her.  In the song “Simple Man”, the lyrics say, “Follow your heart,” and that is exactly what she is doing. She is aware that most women in 1959 aren’t doctors, but that will not stop her. She is going to school to get a wonderful education, so she can save lives. One problem she is facing is that school is expensive. She doesn’t come from a wealthy family, which causes her to work hard, so she can put herself through college. Beneatha is hoping to get the check from Mama,and that would help her a lot by paying for her college. She is simple because she knows who she is, and who she is destined to be.
    I believe that the lyrics,”All you need is in your soul, and you can do this, if you try,” relates simplicity to my life because I always try my best. I know I can do anything I want in life, if I try my best. To me, school is very important, so I always do the best I can. If I don’t understand a certain concept we are learning, I will ask a teacher for help, and if I make a mistake, I always learn from it. Also, when I do sports, I try to believe in myself. I have realized that when I am confident in myself, I excel at field hockey, jump rope, and gymnastics. I need to remember I can do it even when I am doing a trick that scares me like a round-off back-handspring on the wood floor in jump rope. In my opinion, I have become a simpler person this year; I have become a person that will tell you whats on my mind, and I have become a person that I “love and understand.” I don’t care as much about what people think of me. I feel that my confidence has grown like a flower blooming from a seed. “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd has taught me that you need to understand who you are and to always try your very best, and that is what makes you a simple person.
    Being simple is what everyone should strive to be. Beneatha from A Raisin In The Sun is simple because she always follows her heart. Also, I am simple because I try my best on whatever I set my heart to. Simplicity is not boring;simplicity is what makes peoples lives successful, and simplicity is what makes you admire the people you love.

Essay #1

 For A Dreamer;

An Essay About How “For A Dancer”, “A Dream Deferred” And My Life All Relate

Pine Point School

Ninth Grade English

September 15, 2011

By Schyler Davis

Have you ever wondered how a song, poem and your life can all relate to each other, even when they seem completely different? You can make any song and poem relate to your life by listening to the words. Try to think of important moments in your life, and try to relate a line from a song and poem to it. The song “For A Dancer” by Jackson Browne, and the poem “A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes both relate to my life because I have dreams and goals I want to achieve, but sometimes I come across obstacles; also, they relate to each other because the song and poem are both about having something important cut short.

       One of the reasons that    “A Dream Deferred” and “For A Dancer” both relate to my life is because of jump rope. I really want to make the USA Jump Rope World Team, to compete in Florida this coming summer, and making this team is important to me because of the experience of meeting people from all over the world. If I made this team, I would probably make it in double-dutch since that is my strongest event, but my double-dutch partners go to different schools, playing other sports [allit.]. It is hard to find time to practice because we all have different schedules, and practice is very important because at tryouts we have to hit a perfect routine to even be considered for Team USA. However, the song’s lyrics “keep a fire burning in your eye, pay attention to the open sky,” compare to my life because to me they mean don’t give up on your dreams. I think the lyrics also mean that the possibilities are endless. I believe we are good enough to make the team, and we will give it our best shot. The poem “A Dream Deferred” connects to my life because of the possibility of not making the team. In the lines “what happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” makes me think about will this opportunity still be here in two years, which is when USA Jump Rope Worlds will happen again. I am almost positive the opportunity will still be there because we will be older and better, but just the thought of it not being there is disappointing. “For A Dancer” and “A Dream Differed” both relate to my life in important ways that I have never thought of until now.
       “For A Dancer” and “A Dream Deferred” also relate to each other in many different ways. They are about what is gone, what won’t come back, and what might await in the future [allit.]. The song is about how you always thought that person would be there but they aren’t anymore, and the poem is about how your dream has to happen later. Both of them talk about what it’s like to not be able to have what you want most. Also, they both refer to each other because they talk about purpose. “For A Dancer” is about finding the purpose of your life, and “A Dream Deferred” is about the purpose of your dream. Finally, they link to each other due to sadness. In the song, you lose the person you thought would always be by your side, and in the poem, you have to wait on your dream. Both of those are sad. The song and poem are very similar; you just need to take a moment to compare the two.
           Now you are aware how a different song, poem, and life can all relate to each other. ”For A Dancer” and “A Dream Deferred” are both by different people and still pertain to each other. My life, at first glimpse, is nothing like that song or poem, but when I thought a little deeper about it, I could make a comparison. I have learned that you will always come across obstacles, but you have to remember to keep dreaming and to never give up.

Graphic Organizer

Graphic Organizer

Essay #1

Pine Point

Ninth Grade English

September 12, 2011

By Schyler

Subject:  How “A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes relates to my life. How the song “For A Dancer” by Jackson Browne relates to my life, and how they relate to each other.

Bell Word: relate

Paragraph 1 (Opening)

Hook: have you ever wondered how a song, poem, and your life can all relate to each other.

CM: you can make any song and poem relate to your life, you just need to listen to the words.

CM: remember important moment in your life and you can probably make a line from a song or poem relate to your life and to each other.

Thesis (with bell word): The song “For A Dancer” and the poem “A Dream Deferred”     relate to my life because I have dreams/ goals I want, but sometimes things get in the way.

Paragraph 2

TS: “For A Dancer” relates to my life and so does “A Dream Deferred” both relate to my life.

2 echoes: compare, connect

SD: I want to make the world team for jump rope

            CM: my double dutch partners go to different schools

            CM: hard to find time and commit

SD: “For A Dancer” compares to my life because of jump rope and trying to try out for the world team.

CM: in the lyrics “Keep a fire burning in your eye, pay attention to the open sky” means don’t give up on your dream, the possibilities are endless.

CM: For jump rope if we are meant to make the team we will, we will give it our best shot.

SD: “A Dream Deferred connects to my life because of the world team and if we don’t make it

CM: in the words “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” it

means to me what would happen, would we make it the next time or would the opportunity vanish.

CM: I believe the opportunity would still be there but we would just have to wait    two years.

CL: This song and poem both relate to my life in an important way

Paragraph 3

TS: The song and poem both relate to each other

2 echoes: refer, link

SD: They both refer to each other about what is gone
           
            CM: the song is about how you always thought something would be there but its not and the poem

talks about a dream that has to happen later

            CM: They talk about what its like to know you can’t have what you want most

SD: They both talk about purpose
           
            CM: the purpose of life
           
             CM: purpose of your dream

SD: They link to each other because of sadness
             
             CM: in the song you lose something you thought would always be there
           
             CM: in the poem you have to wait on your dream

CL: This song and poem are very similar in different ways

Paragraph 4 (conclusion)

Hook: now you know how a different song, poem and life can all relate

Bell word: relate

CM: the song and poem are by two different people and can relate

CM: my life is different then both of them but still relates

Restate Thesis: things will always get in your way but you have to remember to always keep dreaming and

to never give up.