Hits and Misses

Hits:


Blog Post: My Dog Gets Sick

 My dog's name is Lucy. She is 1 right now, but her birthday is April 22nd, so she will be two in about a month. Lucy is a 6lb toy poodle, but she thinks she is 80 lbs. We often call her a "diva," (because she has a lot of attitude) but we love her more than anything. Before we got Lucy, my mom swore she would never let a dog live in her house, but after a lot of begging and reassurance that my sister and I would take care of her, my mom finally let us get a dog.

   About a month ago, my sister and I were playing with Lucy in the living room. We noticed a spot under her chin that was red and bloody, almost like she had been scratching herself. We immediately brought her to my dad, and he decided to take her to the vet in the morning. After school, my dad told us that the vet said that Lucy had a "hot spot," which would clear up soon if we applied prescription powder to Lucy's neck. The powder worked for a little while, but Lucy soon started scratching again, and the spot popped open. Also, there was another spot on her back where yet another "hot spot" was starting to appear. Lucy took another trip to vet, which was again filled with shots. However, this time the vet took a sample of Lucy's "hot spots" and decided to send them off to the lab. There really wasn't anything we could do because the spot on her neck meant she couldn't wear an E-collar.

   After the vet got the sample back from the lab, we were told Lucy had a staph infection. This particular infection was immune to most antibiotics. It was a matter of trying things until something worked, or Lucy could get worse and worse. After the first round of antibiotics didn't work, I started to worry that Lucy might not make it through all of this. We were having trouble getting her to eat in addition to all of the meds she was having to take. Thankfully, the second round of antibiotics worked. We started to see a positive change in Lucy's behavior; she began eating again and her spots starting improving. Now, Lucy is fully healed and back to her normal self. I am so thankful that her vet was able to cure her.

Explanation- This particular blog post was a "hit" for me this year because it is a very personal story. I feel that it contains suspense, a climax, and some great sensory details despite its size. I am very proud of this post because this was an extremely scary time in my life, and I feel that the reader can connect with the feelings that I described indepthly.


Literary Analysis: Lord of the Flies

The Conflicting Relationship Between Ralph and Jack

            The relationship between Ralph and Jack begins peacefully, but soon takes a dark turn. Lord of the Flies by William Golding utilizes Ralph and Jack’s friendship to create all later conflicts throughout the novel. The author uses Ralph and Jack’s parallel leadership roles and contrasting personalities to depict their troubled relationship. The conflicts within their friendship predispose a splitting of the island, and cause the deterioration of security. When Ralph and Jack first meet, they quickly become friends because of their similar leadership statuses. After Ralph is elected chief, Jack grows jealous. Their friendship later spirals out of control and they turn into each other’s worst enemies.

            Ralph and Jack’s friendship is based on their parallel leadership roles, and is often put at risk due to these similarities. Ralph is initially introduced as a natural-born leader. He becomes leader by default by holding the conch. The conch symbolizes him finding power in the complex society on the island. Jack Merridew holds a similar leadership role within his choir. Ralph and Jack share the same leadership instinct, that causes conflict between them. During one of the most important and first assemblies, the littluns must vote on a chief: “while the most obvious leader was Jack. There was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive appearance; and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch” (22). Although both boys are similar in their capabilities, Ralph is chosen over Jack because he holds the conch and has many physical attributes. The conch is described as powerful because it is a sign of trust and leadership for the boys. It is one of the first symbols in the novel, which is why it is described as “most obscurely.” Ralph and Jack’s friendship is based on their similarities in age and social status among the tribe. Jack’s jealousy over Ralph being elected chief causes later problems in their relationship. This tension leads to arguments which eventually split them and the island up entirely.

            Ralph’s rational yet compulsive urge to be rescued leads to him developing many problems in his relationship with Jack. During Ralph’s first few days on the island, he is a happy-go-lucky and joyful character. His focus is on having fun, not being rescued. This is very typical behavior for a boy of his age. Later on, there is a jump from irresponsibility to maturity. Due to lack of adults, Ralph, being older, is forced to take on the role of the adult. His focus switches to being rescued and maintaining the fire. Ralph’s mature character is aggravated and angry with the irresponsible littluns. Ralph’s frustration is taken out on Jack, who refuses to cooperate in dealing with the fire. Ralph is no longer happy-go-lucky and laid back. His personality switches to uptight and angry. When a ship passes while the fire is out, Ralph snaps and explodes all over Jack: “I’m chief. We’ve got to make certain. Can’t you see the mountain? There’s no signal showing. There may be a ship out there. Are you all off your rockers?” (108). Ralph’s focus on the fire causes conflict with Jack. He wants to be rescued and get home, but none of the other boys agree with him. Since Jack refuses to keep up with the fire, Ralph feels alone and helpless with his cause. He wants to “make certain” that they might somehow get rescued off of the island. Ralph believes the only way to do this is to keep a smoke signal going. His anger over the missed ship, puts added tension on their friendship. Ralph is also in an uncomfortable position where he must do what is best for the tribe, even if it means sacrificing a friendship. Ralph’s personality change is not at all tolerated by Jack. His urge to be rescued directly contrasts Jack’s urge to hunt and enjoy his time on the island.

Jack’s jealous and insecure character causes conflict in his relationship with Ralph. This jealousy and insecurity causes Jack to make rash decisions that ultimately end his friendship with Ralph. Both boys argue over what is top priority, the fire or hunting. When Jack finds war paint, it empowers him to hide from his insecurity: “He capered toward Bill, and the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness” (63). Jack seeks support from those around him to gain power. His severe insecurities prevent him from being happy of his friend Ralph’s leadership. The war-paint that Jack discovers in the woods, acts as a barrier against his shame and self-consciousness. This new-found confidence allows him to act like a different person. Sometimes his new identity can be an uncivilized savage with no morals. The mask gives him the power to focus on hunting, which leads to many arguments with Ralph. Jack eventually breaks away from Ralph entirely by creating his own tribe. In this new leadership setting, he goes crazy with power. Jack even attempts to capture and kill Ralph. His initial envious and bitter character is the source of this abrupt turn to death and darkness. Jack’s psychological needs are the reason his friendship with Ralph so abruptly ends. He is incapable of compromising over the priorities for the island. His will to live becomes focused on attention. Without the war paint, he is a much more civilized and moral person. Jack’s split from Ralph leads to a lack of security on the island. This power gives Jack a license to institute terror among all.

 Ralph and Jack’s turbulent relationship comes to a disastrous end when Jack chooses to create his own tribe by deserting Ralph. Jack’s later actions disclose that he wants nothing to do with his former friend. It is revealed that Ralph and Jack are enemies when Ralph is literally running for his life from a hunting party led by the savage chief, Jack. Golding displays their hatred in an intense scene: “The words came from Jack viciously, as though they were a curse. He looked at Ralph, his thin body tensed, his spear held as if he threatened him” (119). In this quotation, Ralph and Jack are total enemies and are fighting each other. This is a complete change from the beginning of the novel where their friendship developed. Jack’s motives are no longer out of jealousy. His only desire is to kill anyone and everyone who get in his way. It is clear that Jack no longer can tolerate his friend, when he screams at Ralph. Jack’s actions are a prime example of jealousy in this quotation. Although Ralph and Jack are not physically strong, due to lack of proper nutrition, they are prepared to fight one another. The lack of society and rules caused all of the boys to resort to savage and unacceptable ways. Ralph and Jack are opposites in character. However, they are similar in the fact that they are disrespectful to each other and have no consent for each other’s feelings. Jack’s desertion of the tribe causes the tension between him and Jack to erupt, destroying their relationship. The littluns are forced to choose sides, and no longer feel safe.

Ralph and Jack’s troubled relationship leads to many conflicts developing on the island. Their friendship is based on the boys’ shared leadership instincts, which also creates jealousy between them. In addition, Ralph’s urge to be rescued and Jack’s obsession with hunting lead to them splitting up completely. This split rises tension on the island and creates different interpretations of fear. Some of this fear is turned into a make-believe beast for the boys. Ralph and Jack’s problematic friendship is essentially the basis for all conflicts on the island.

Explanation- My research paper was a "hit" for me this year because I was able to improve upon the skills and standards that we were challenged to work within this unit. I previously struggled with analysis and reflection of a text, and this essay, it being on a long and complicated novel, allowed me to challenge myself greatly with these skills.


Research Paper: Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine: The Most Accomplished Medieval Queen

During the twelfth century, much of Europe was involved in the social and economic system of feudalism. Specifically, in France, the king had many vassals who were known as dukes. Theses vassals owed homage to the king of France in exchange for land and peasants (“Eleanor of Aquitaine”). Aquitaine, a region located in southwest France, was defined as a duchy: a territory ruled by a duke or duchess. Aquitaine was known for its cultural and material wealth, while also being one of the largest duchies in France. This region was also known for its substantial wine and salt production (“Eleanor of Aquitaine Marries”). Over the course of Aquitaine’s history, it would be handed down from father to son, until Eleanor, the daughter of William X, inherited this immense territory (Bailey). Eleanor’s unlikely inheritance led the way for future females to hold power in Medieval government. Eleanor of Aquitaine was the greatest female ruler ever to govern in Medieval Europe because of her unique inheritance, impact during her queenship in France, and influence on both the crown and court of England.

Eleanor of Aquitaine’s unique inheritance affected her rule by allowing her to be become an extremely wealthy and important heiress. Eleanor was the daughter of William X, Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitiers. His territories were larger than those held by the King of France. After William’s death in 1137, Eleanor surprisingly inherited all of his territory (Bailey). Eleanor’s inheritance was quite shocking because the status of women during the twelfth century was rather low; most governmental positions were held by men (“Eleanor of Aquitaine Marries”). In addition to the overall status of women, Salic Law prevented females from inheriting the crown. Although it was practiced in France, Salic Law was often disputed. To end this controversy, it was allowed for lesser nobles to choose any descendant. Going against tradition, William X elected to make his daughter his heir. Defying all odds, Eleanor inherited all of Aquitaine and other parts of France at the young age of fifteen (“Eleanor of Aquitaine Marries”). Eleanor’s lands extended from the Pyrenees to the Loire, making her one of the most wealthy and important heiresses of her time (Blumenfeld-Kosinski). This remarkable inheritance allowed Eleanor to gain many opportunities that she otherwise would have never been exposed to. Her inheritance gave her an early boost into the world of government that she so strongly wanted to be included in.

Eleanor’s queenship in France increased her power and authority in government by opening up more opportunities to make governmental decisions and allowing her to make mistakes that she could learn from. Only three months after inheriting Aquitaine, Eleanor was approached by King Louis VI. The King of France wanted Eleanor to marry his son, Louis VII. Marriage between Eleanor and the French heir would entrust that the region of Aquitaine remained under French control. If Eleanor were to marry a foreign noble, then she would become a vassal of that noble’s lord, a potential different king (“Eleanor of Aquitaine Marries”). Thus, Eleanor and Louis’s marriage was solely based on the crucial cause of protecting Eleanor’s immense territory. Not long after his son’s wedding, King Louis VI passed away. Louis and Eleanor became the official monarchs of France at the young ages of fifteen and sixteen (“Eleanor of Aquitaine”). Eleanor and Louis had opposite personalities; Eleanor was extremely fiery and determined while Louis was quiet and timid. Before becoming a queen, Eleanor had grown up with her well-traveled grandfather, who had an appreciation for the arts and Middle-Eastern culture. Prior to becoming a monarch, Louis had been training to be a priest. After the death of his elder brother, he was thrust into the role of “king-in-training” (Blumenfeld-Kosinski). The fact that the two were so close in age allowed the monarchs to trust each other and greatly influence one another’s decisions. This gave Eleanor double the amount of opportunities to participate in government and increase her power and authority over all of France, as well as satisfy her power-hungry personality.

Eleanor’s queenship in France also increased her power and authority by allowing her to make mistakes that she could learn from. According to “Eleanor of Aquitaine,” when Louis declared that he would be going on Crusade, Eleanor insisted she go with him. This brought about nasty rumors of Eleanor, as women did not usually attend such battles (Blumenfeld-Kosiniski). Upon stopping in Antioch, The French monarchs were met by Eleanor’s uncle, Raymond of Poitiers. While staying at his castle, Eleanor and Raymond were rumored to be having an affair. This, in addition to existing tension between Louis and Raymond, led Louis to make a drastic decision. Louis ceased protection of Antioch, and marched his army on towards Jerusalem, angering his wife in the process. To add to their already turbulent relationship, Eleanor had only two daughters with Louis. This meant that there was no heir to inherit the crown, according to Salic Law. After fifteen years of union, Louis and Eleanor’s marriage was annulled by “consanguinity,” an excuse often used in Medieval Europe (“Eleanor of Aquitaine”). Since divorce was prohibited by the Church, a couple would state that they were related in some way, and eventually part ways. Eleanor’s involvement in the Second Crusade was an overall mistake because it ultimately ended her first marriage. However, Eleanor was able to learn from her decisions and apply them to her next marriage that would sadly prove to be just as difficult.

Eleanor’s influence on the crown and court of England affected her dominance level negatively. She was not able to have as much control in her second marriage nor could she exercise as much power. Only two months after her divorce from Louis VII, Eleanor married Henry, Duke of Normandy, Count of Anjou, and heir to the English throne. The two married on May 18, 1152. Only two years after the wedding, King Stephen of England died, making Eleanor and Louis monarchs in their own right. Unlike her previous marriage, Eleanor and Henry were not close in age. In fact, Henry was twelve years younger than his new wife. Due to this age gap, Eleanor was unable to control Henry’s decisions as she had previously done with Louis. Their combined territory encompassed half of France and all of England. These massive lands were later named the Angevin Empire. Although Henry II was a king in his own right, he was also a vassal of France. These circumstances created an odd situation for Henry when it came to exercising power over all of his territories (“Eleanor of Aquitaine Marries”). The fact that Eleanor was unable to control her husband upset her. She desired to hold power and be a part of major decisions. Similar to her first marriage, bitterness and discord were present in Eleanor and Henry’s relationship.

Eleanor was able to regain some control over her territories when she left England to establish her court in Poitiers, after learning of her husband’s affair. Eleanor filled her court with troubadours, poets, and musicians, who performed romantic scenes (Blumenfeld-Kosinski). Eleanor’s deep love for the arts stemmed from her grandfather, Guillaume IX, a troubadour, poet, and musician. Her court became a meeting place for some of the greatest writers of the twelfth century (“Eleanor of Aquitaine”). Eleanor’s legacy at Poitiers includes more than just a patronage of the arts. Eleanor promoted the newly-emerging idea of chivalry. She encouraged men to be more respectful of their wives, in turn providing women with more power over their husbands. Eleanor’s ideas of love influenced Europeans up until the Renaissance (“Eleanor of Aquitaine”). Eleanor’s time spent in Poitiers displays a softer side to her rather harsh life. However, Eleanor did stay true to her commanding personality; she used her court as a way to exercise the power that she so strongly desired.

During the years of 1173-1174, a rebellion ensued between Henry II and his sons. Roger of Hoveden, a royal British clerk that used records to publish an account of these events in his book, The Chronicle, states that this mutiny took place after Henry gave titles to his children that held no actual power. Eleanor disobeyed Henry by promoting this rebellion and encouraging her sons to take the king down. As punishment for her wrong-doings, Henry had Eleanor imprisoned at his castle until his death (Hoveden). During the time before her imprisonment a letter was written to Eleanor by Peter of Blois. The letter tries to guilt Eleanor into returning to Henry by accusing her of hurting citizens, defying the rules of marriage, harming Henry emotionally, and most often going against the Bible (Blois). The letter ends with a brutal threat to excommunicate Eleanor; “Either you will return to your husband, or we must call upon canon law and use ecclesiastical censures against you. We say this reluctantly, but unless you come back to your senses, with sorrow and tears, we will do so” (Blois). Eleanor participated in this rebellion by supporting and encouraging her sons to go to war with their father. Her refusal to obey Henry displays her strong-willed personality as well as how big of an influence she was on her children.

Throughout her rule, Eleanor of Aquitaine used her determined personality and influential skills to gain and exercise power over of her territories. Eleanor began her long career when she defied the unspoken rules of Medieval Europe when she inherited the large region of Aquitaine. From this remarkable inheritance, she was able to increase her territory and power by entering a marriage alliance with Louis VII, the King of France. During her turbulent marriage to Henry II, Eleanor paved the way for the emerging idea of chivalry, by incorporating her ideas of love and romance into her court. In doing this, she increased the once depleted power women had over their husbands. Her legacy encouraged equal treatment for women, by proving that she was just as good a ruler as any of her male predecessors and successors to come. Eleanor of Aquitaine was a strong example of women empowerment and equality for all of Medieval Europe.

Explanation- My research paper was a major "hit" for me this year because I improved immensely upon my research skills. I initially struggled with creating context for my facts. I neglected to add my own interpretation of the events that I was describing in my essay. Thankfully, I was made aware of this mistake, while simultaneously practicing those skills. Writing this research paper has helped me to better understand the research process as well as how to contrast a proper research paper.

Misses:

Personal Narrative- This piece of writing was a "miss" this year because it was the first writing that we did for the year. I hadn't practiced any writing over the summer, especially not essays, so it was a little difficult to get back into the swing of essays. Also, this piece lacks the rhythm and organization that my other papers have. My personal narrative also doesn't have enough vivid details; I could have gone more in depth with my images, as well as choose a topic that is more interesting to the reader.

Blog Post (Lord of the Flies Response)- This blog post has many issues in it. It lacks an overall rhythm, meaning it is sort of choppy. My word choice could be improved by adding more interesting language. It also is somewhat boring because I did not use a clear voice for the piece. Overall, I feel that this is not my best writing because it lacks any of my personal style of writing.

Blog Post (Response to Free Reader, Poseur)- This blog post is also a "miss" because it includes too much of the plot of the novel. I should have included more of my interpretation of the characters, setting, and events. This post does not do a very great job of analyzing the rhetorical situation because it gives some spoilers of the novel. I should have taken into consideration who the audience was and added more of my opinion about the story.