Literature Analysis #1

Summary 

     This is the journey of an unnamed father and his son traveling through postapocalyptic America in order to survive. Throughout this book, the characters are referred to in the third person. As they go through their journey, they cross land filled with ash, come across corpses, and try to survive through the broken civilization. The wife, after giving birth to the son, lost all hope and committed suicide after leaving the father. The pair travel through harsh external conditions, with nothing but a very limited amount of food, their clothes, a pistol. They strive to reach the coast, where they believe they'll feel safer. Throughout their travels on the road, they come across some people who have barely survived, but are on the verge of death; some could be the good guys, but most are the bad guys who kill people. Some years pass as they walk on the road. The two are able to get through what seems like a hopeless adventure with love and each other.

Theme

     The main theme that the author focuses on throughout the entire novel would be that even if it seems like the world is against you and it feels like there's no hope left, you mustn't give up on yourself or others. Cormac McCarthy decided to write about this topic because it relates to how he himself would talk to his own son. Some examples repeated throughout the novel that emphasize the them are when the father and the son are having conversations with each other and the son is constantly telling his father about how he is scared, how he wants to die, and how unsure he is of the future. The father always tells him that they will survive and his actions also reflect this. In a world where all hope is lost, the father and son's love for each other help them survive this harsh journey.

Why I Chose This Book

     Personally, I chose this book because of the way my AVID teacher, Mr. Ilac, described it before we went on our summer vacation. He explained how it was different from the other recommended summer novels because of how depressing it is and that it was a postapocalyptic story of a father and his son journeying through America. This book also sounded familiar to a movie preview I saw a few years ago. I didn't know until now that the movie was actually this book. The preview definitely captured my interest, so that's also why I chose this novel. I ordered Cormac's book in the beginning of my summer break because of how my teacher described it and the cover (as shown above) looked quite simple. I read the synopsis in the back and it kind of enticed my to read it. I thought it was a good change of pace from the other novels I read because it was about an America with a destroyed civilization and the two main characters work together in order to fight for their own survival. I have to say that after reading the first couple of pages, I knew I was going to get into the book (I actually finished it in one sitting). This was because of the was the author writes and describes things. He describes the settings quite vividly and in this novel, he doesn't use any quotation marks to tell you when the character is speaking. I thought this was interesting. Overall, this I chose this book based off of the previous descriptions I've gotten it and after reading the summary.

Connections

     In my perspective, I thought this story was somewhat realistic because it took place in a real setting and the characters seemed to adhere to the story line very well. It's not a fantasy novel, but I think it's kind of science fiction because it is postapocalyptic. The son and father made realistic decisions when they were on their journey trying to reach the coast. They came across some survivors and probably like any other person would've done in that situation they'd defend themselves and try to survive. For example, in one part of the novel, the father and son run into some bad people who have resorted to cannibalism in order to survive. One of the bad guys takes the son and holds a knife to his neck and the father, who cares very deeply for his son, shoots the guys in the head with one of two bullets left in his pistol.

     I think one connection from my life to this novel would be the love the father and son have for each other. Throughout my life, my dad was willing to defend me and would always try to steer me into the right direction if I did something wrong. Sometimes I get lectured, but I know it's because he cares about me. I thought that the love between the father and son was definitely realistic to most parents loves for their children in real life because I think that most parents would want to see their children grow up and make the right decisions, like the father did with his son in the novel. 

Tone

     I think one of the author's tones would be sort of tender or caring because of the way the father cares for the son how the son cares for his father. For example:

"I should have been more careful," said the father.

The boy didn't answer.

"You have to talk to me."

"Okay."

"You wanted to know what the bad guys looked like. Now you know. It may happen again. My job is to take care of you. I was appointed to do that by God. I will kill any one who touches you. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

     Another one of the author's tones would be serious because of how the father treats each situation he and his son run into. For example:

"You should thank him you know," the father said, "I wouldn't have given you anything."

"Maybe I should, maybe I shouldn't," said Ely.

"Why wouldn't you?"

"I wouldn't have given him mine."

"You don't care if it hurts his feelings?"

"Will it hurt his feelings?"

"No. That's not why he did it."

"Why did he do it?"

He looked over at the boy and he looked at the old man.

"You wouldn't understand," the father said, "I'm not sure I do."

     The third one of the author's tones would be hopeless, although there is some hope in the novel because of how the father and the son must struggle for survival and often feel like giving up.

"I wish I was with my mom," said the son.

The father didn't answer. He sat beside the small figure wrapped in the quilts and blankets. After a while he said:

"You mean that you were dead."

"Yes."

"You mustn't say that."

"But I do."

"Don't say it. It's a bad things to say."

"I can't help it."

"I know. But you have to."

"How do I do it?"

"I don't know."

Literary Elements

1. Metaphor - He mistrusted all of that. He said the right dreams for a man in peril were dreams of peril and all else was the call of languor and of death. (page 18)

2. Metaphor - No list of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes. "So," he whispered to the sleeping boy, "I have you." (page 54)

3. Hyperbole - He said: If he is not the word of God God never spoke. (page 5)

4. Simile - He'd carried his billfold about till it wore a cornershaped hole in his trousers. Then one day he sat by the roadside and took it out and went through the contents. Some money, credit cards. His driver's license. A picture of his wife. He spread everything out on the blacktop. Like gaming cards. (page 51)

5. Simile - They set out through the dark woods. There was a moon somewhere beyond the ashen overcast and they could just make out the trees. The staggered on like drunks. (page 115)

6. Personification - They passed through towns that warned people away with messages scrawled on the billboards. (page 127)

7. Metaphor/Simile - The nights were blinding cold and casket black and the long reach of the morning had a terrible silence to it. Like a dawn before battle. The boy's candlecolored skin was all but translucent. With his great staring eyes he'd the look of an alien. (page 129)

8. Imagery - The cold relentless circling of the intestate earth. Darkness implacable. The blind dogs of the sun in their running. The crushing black vacuum of the universe. (page 130)

9. Personification -  Yes it is. When we're all gone at last then there'll be nobody here but death and his days will be numbered too. He'll be out in the road there with nothing to do and nobody to do it to. He'll say: Where did everybody go? And that's how it will be. What's wrong with that? (page 173)

10. Symbolism - "You can't. You have to carry the fire." "I don't know how to." "Yes you do." "Is it real? The fire?" "Yes it is." "Where is it? I don't know where it is." "Yes you do. It's inside you. It was always there. I can see it." (page 279)

Direct/Indirect Characterization

Direct:

1. The son, the boy, is scared throughout the novel. He tells his dad this quite often when they get into dangerous situations.

2. The father constantly reminds his son that they are the good guys and that most of the people they meet along the road will probably be the bad guys.

Indirect:

1. The father is devoted to taking care of his son and killing anyone who tries to hurt him. This is frequently shown throughout the novel and in many difficult situations.

2. The son is compassionate and more sensitive towards others. Some examples are when the father and the son see or come across people along the road and the son tells the father each time to give them something to eat or to let the person come with them so they won't die.

     Overall, Cormac McCarthy uses a lot more indirect characterization than direct characterization; he doesn't even name the father or the son in the first place or give any specific location as to where they are in America. From what I've learned from this novel, the father and the son definitely have a strong love and connection with each other and they try to balance each other out. The father tries to get his son to become stronger and the son tries to get his father to become a bit more sensitive towards others.

Syntax/Diction

     I don't think the author really changes the syntax or diction according to each character because the father talks to the son using words that the boy will understand. Their conversations aren't really that long and their replies towards each other are actually quite short. They use everyday language, but they don't use slang. Their vocabulary isn't really fancy, but standard. The tone that they use to talk to each other ranges from loving and comforting to serious and urgent, though.

Static/Dynamic/Flat/Round

    I think that the father has a static personality because throughout the novel he protects his son by staying weary towards the other people he meets along the road. It is never  really his choice to help out others because if he helps others out, then he and his son will come closer to death since they will run out of supplies. The son, on the other hand, is what I would consider to be a dynamic character because throughout then novel, he will gradually start to mature because of his father. In the beginning of the novel, he is shy and scared, and as you read through the story, he is still timid, but he slowly starts to become more independent and strong. He never really tells his father about his dreams anymore like he used to when he was younger. He is less reluctant to follow his father's orders because knows that they have to survive. One thing that doesn't change about him is his sensitive and loving side towards others, though.

     I think that the father is a round character because although he is quite serious and willing to kill others if the situation calls for it, he is devoted to his son and shows a loving, caring side towards him. For example when the son gets sick, he stays by the son's side and tries his best to nurse him back to health, despite their limit of supplies. I think that the son is also a round character because he can become distant sometimes, but is still quite loving and caring towards others and especially his father. He tries to give a little bit of food to others, like Ely, the old man, he meets along the road. Whenever his father gets him into dangerous situations though, he distances himself and doesn't talk to his father because of it.

Feelings After Reading

     I feel like I got to know the father and the son personally because of their actions throughout the novel. The author made the characters extremely realistic and followed through with their actions. I don't feel like I just read about a character. I felt like after reading the novel, I could vividly feel the characters' feelings. I could deeply feel how fearful the son was and how strong the father was in their journey for survival. For example:

     He carried him up to the camp and covered him with blankets. He tried to  get him to drink some water. He put more wood on the fire and knelt with his hand on his forehead. You'll be all right he said. He was terrified. 

     "Don't go away," the boy said.

     "Of course I won't go away," the father said.

     "Even for just a little while."

     "No. I'm right here."

     "Okay. Okay, Papa."

     He held him all night, dozing off and waking in terror feeling for the boy's heart. In the morning he was no better. He tried to get him to drink some juice but he would not. He pressed his hand to his forehead, conjuring up a coolness that would not come. He wiped his white mouth while he slept.

     "I will do what I promised," the father whispered, "No matter what. I will not send you into the darkness alone."

     From this excerpt alone, I can feel how committed the father is to taking care of his son. He loves his boy very much and is willing to do anything in order to keep him from dying. That's why he is so serious and careful to not waste any of their supplies because they're so limited and they will need to get their hands on anything in order to survive.

Enduring Memory

     The idea that I will remember from this novel for a long time would be to never give up, even if the world around you seems to throw hardships at you. Now I would carry this idea with me because throughout the novel, the son and the father could've given up any time and just lied on the side of the road and died. Instead, though, they trudged on their harsh journey in order to accomplish their goal: surviving long enough to reach the coast. Even if they reach this goal, that doesn't mean that they won't face any more hardships in the future. Lightning might strike at them any time. The chances are slim, but in the beginning of the novel, they survived an earthquake. The world may seem like it's out to get you, but you have to stand with confidence and face your problems head on or you'll regret it.  For example:

     "I said we weren't dying. I didn't say we weren't starving," said the father.

     "But we wouldn't," said the son.

     "No. We wouldn't."

     "No matter what."

     "No. No matter what."

     "Because we're the good guys."

     "Yes."

     "And we're carrying the fire."

     "And we're carrying the fire. Yes."

     "Okay."

(page 129)

Mythology Presentation - Narcissus and Echo

Main Characters:

Narcissus - Extremely handsome son of a god and a nymph who was extremely proud of his appearance and disdained those who loved him

Echo - An old and beautiful mountain nymph who loved to talk, but got cursed with the ability to never talk first and to only repeat the last few words others say

Settings:

1. Mountains on Earth where Zeus is playing around with and conversing with the other nymphs
2. Woods and river where Echo is heartbroken by Narcissus and Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection
3. Cave where Echo dies and only her voice repeating what others say is left there

Main Plot:

     One day in the mountains on Earth, Zeus was playing around with and talking to some of the nymphs when Hera appears and the nymphs start to escape. To assist with their escape, Echo begins talk to Hera about different entertaining stories. Feeling deceived, Hera takes away Echo's ability to talk, but only leaving her with the ability to repeat the last of another's words. A couple of days later, a handsome hunter named Narcissus stumbles into the woods and Echo sees him and instantly falls in love with him. Narcissus begins to talk to himself and Echo repeats his words, leading to him asking, "Who's there?" and with Echo only being able to repeat, "Who's there?". Eventually Echo comes out and Narcissus becomes disgusted and breaks her heart, telling her never to come near him. Echo goes into a cave and dies, but her voice remains, only being able to repeat words. Nemesis, the goddess of revenge comes to know how Narcissus keeps breaking the hearts of women who fall in love with him and punishes him by luring him into a pool where he falls in love with his own reflection. Every time Narcissus would look into the water and try to touch his reflection, he would realize that his love would never be returned. So eventually he faded away and turned into the flower that is known as the Narcissus.

Main Conflict:

    Echo's main conflict in this story is that she has the inability to speak to others, unless it's just repeating what others say. This leads to her heartbreak with Narcissus and her eventually dying in a cave.

    Narcissus' main conflict in this story is that he is unable to fall in love with anybody but himself, so he breaks the hearts of many women. He is punished by falling in love with his own reflection and over time realizing that his love from his reflection would never be returned. 

Attempts to Explain...

     The myth of Narcissus and Echo attempts to explain how people came to be narcissistic and what narcissism is. Narcissism is being extremely full of yourself to he point where you love yourself way too much. Not in a positive way, but in an arrogant way. This myth also attempts to explain why you hear your own echo in a cave because Echo dies in the cave and leaves her replying voice there. Lastly, this myth explains how the flower Narcissus came to be.

Latin Roots #3

Roots and Derivatives:

1. Aud(it) - hear
2. Avi - bird
3. Bell(i) - war
4. Ben (e) - good, well

Vocabulary:

1. Antebellum - before the war, especially the American Civil War; typical of how things were before any war

Although once stately,  Antebellum homes in Memphis are now deteriorating.

2. Audit - to attend a class only as a listener, not for credit; to check or examine a company's financial records; the process of making such an examination

People may audit a class just for the sake of learning new things.

3. Auditory - related to the sense of hearing

Private auditory lessons will require headphones to focus.

4. Avian - characteristic of or pertaining to birds

A beak and wings are avian.

5. Aviary - an elaborate structure for housing birds

A chicken coop is an example of an aviary.

6. Avionics - the technology of (using) electronic equipment in aviation

Without avionics, we wouldn't have planes.

7. Bellicose - eager to fight or quarrel; hostile

People with short tempers can be described as bellicose.

8. Belligerency - the condition of warlike hostility; a hostile action

An act of belligerency would be throwing a grenade into a neighbourhood.

9. Benefactor - a person who gives another (financial) help; a patron

An accountant is an example of a benefactor.

10. Beneficiary - one who receives a benefit (of payment), as from an insurance policy

In some wills, close family members can be beneficiaries and receive money.

11. Benign - not malignant;  gracious and kindly; good natured

People who are benign get along with others better than people who are mean.

12. Inaudible - unable to be heard

People who are mute are inaudible.

Latin Roots #2

Roots and Derivatives:
1. Anni/annu/enni - year
2. Aqua/aque - water
3. Arm - arm, weapon
4. Art - art, craft, skill

Word List:
1. Aqua - the hue of the sea; bluish green

The aqua sea reminded me of the vast, blue sky.

2. Aquaculture - the cultivation of water plants and animals for human food

Some people enjoy aquaculture because of the pretty plants they get to see, like coral.

3. Aqueous - like of, or formed by water; watery

If ice melts in your soda, it may become more aqueous.

4. Armada - a fleet of warships

In the navy, some people will be in charge of oversea armadas.

5. Armature - equipment or clothing for battle, or any protective covering an arm like extension

When in battle, the proper armature to wear would be something light weight, but protective and you should bring a sword, gun or shield.

6. Armistice - a temporary suspension of hostilities by mutual agreement, as a truce preliminary to a peace treaty

When in an argument, people may agree on an armistice because of stress.

7. Artifact - any object  produced by the art of the human hand; simple or primitive objects from the distant past

Ancient artifacts from China may be vases or old tables from a thousand years ago.

8. Artifice - cunning ingenuity; clever or sly trickery

In some myths, there may be someone who acts like an artifice or a trickster.

9. Artisan - a person skilled at a craft, usually a handicraft

Potters and sculptors are talented types of artisans.

10. Millennium - a period of peace and great prosperity; a thousand years

We live in the second millennium of the common era.

11. Perennial - year after year; throughout the years;  a plant that blooms annually

People like to have a garden of perennials because they grow yearly.

12. Superannuated - worn out or retired, from age and years of use of hard work; obsolete or outdated.

After 50 years of working or so, people may become superannuated.

Journal Entry

     So many young people want are in a rush to grow up because they want to know what it's like to be an adult. They think it's "cool" and want to experience more freedom. Younger people have these expectations of being grown up, like having a car, owning a house, and starting a family. They tend to romanticize the idea and forget about all of the responsibility that goes along with being an adult. So many older people want to be young because when you're younger, you're less stressed because you don't have as many responsibilities as an adult does. As a kid, you get guidance from others on how to improve yourself, whether you're at school or at home. As an adult, nobody's really there to watch over you; you have to figure thing out on your own. I think that the age 15 is a very confusing time for everybody because everyone's trying to experience different things and find out who they are and what they want. It's that age where you are in between being a child and a young adult. You want to be independent, but sometimes you can forget about your responsibilities. Although 15 can be a confusing age, you get to try out out so many different things. You have to balance between having fun and getting work done.