Eragon is different from the traditional character because usually, a choice is made, and the character is reluctant to make that choice. However the essence of Eragon is his childlike obliviousness during the acceptance of his quest, and how he grows into the person the quest entailed.
The herald is also slightly unusual, because she is a human, but makes no contact with Eragon. The story begins with a chase between beasts called Urgal's, and a shade. They are chasing a group of Elves, one of which is named Aria, and is carrying a stolen dragons egg, intended to give to the next person capable of being a dragon rider, who would then be the only hope in their land.
She is surrounded and sends the dragons egg as far away as she can think of, into a field, where, ironically Eragon is hunting.
He is fascinated by the mysterious blue rock, but only the money that could be made off of it. He takes it home, and outs it on its shelf, where it later hatches into a baby dragon, (Eragon was pretty freaked out when that happened.) When the baby hatches, he reaches out to touch it, and is blacked out for a few hours and wakes up to a spirally scar on the palm of his hand. This is important because it is the moment where he 'Accepts the quest'.
A dragon is not born often, and when it is, it is born with one human mate, and it will never hatch until it makes contact with this mate. When Eragon took the rock from the field he made it possible for the egg to hatch, but the moment where he first touched the newborn baby he became tethered to it until either of them died. It isn't until Eragon finds a mentor that he discovers all of these things and realizes that he has accepted a quest that means being the last living dragon rider besides his opponent and single handedly save the people in his country.
"Tentatively, he reached out with his right hand and touched its flank. A blast of icy energy surged into his hand and raced up his arm, burning in his veins like liquid fire." ..... "His hand was numb, his fingers paralyzed. Alarmed, he watched as the middle of his palm shivered and formed a diffused white oval. The skin itched and burned like a spider bite."
This is the moment when Eragon gets the Gedwey igaesia, the symbol of a dragon rider.
Monday, 19 December 2011
Friday, 2 December 2011
Blog post #8: It's Kind Of A Funny Story
The book I'm reading right now is called Kind Of A Funny Story. Its kind of depressing, but I think it is a good example of this stage in the hero's journey. This character goes through many different stages in his journey. The book is about a boy suffering from depression, because he finds stress everywhere. One of the main reasons that is making all the stress he has harboured blow up in his face is because of a summer school application he has to fill out. To him his admittance means the difference between whether or not he succeeds. If he gets into summer school he gets into a good school gets a good job, has a good house, has enough retirement money and gets a good girlfriend. He is horrified by the idea that his application might not be whathe needs to get in, because if it isnt, it all falls apart from there. Now its just a few weeks before its due, he hasn't even started, his stress over everything has him suicidal and he can't stomach food without puking. His best friend smokes pot and has the girl he wants, his parents have basically no idea how bad his depression is, and the idea of leaving his super genius sister to deal with his mess keeps him from killing himself. One night he tries to jump offof the brooklyn bridge but decides to go to the emerge instead. He is eager to leave his ordinary world and fix himslef. All he wants is to get better. Then he's admitted into the psych ward and he discovers the strange people there and realizes he doesn't want to be classified as one of them. He doesn't want to be the one with the serious depression. He tries to leave but they dont let him, so technically he is both willing, and reluctant to begin his journey.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Blog post #7-8: Stargirl
What is it about Stargirl that fascinates the students of Mica High yet repulses them at the same time? When many of the students began to copy her and she became popular it was not the reaction I expected. Why do you think that they reacted this way?
I think that the Mica High students are fascinated by stargirl because she has the bravery to show the parts of her that everyone else hides and hates about themselves. She acts like a five year old because she didn't grow up experiencing the world, or judgement, she was home schooled. Stargirl is innocent, and oblivious to other people talking behind her back because it is a completely new concept to her that people might not like her be causes she is different. In a way, Stragirl is more grown up than everyone else combined because everything that is high school is just childish. Stargirl sees everything that goes on around her and sees all the happiness and beautiful things that everyone else walks past. She dedicates her life to making others lives better. Stargirl has the best way of living because really she is just obliviously happy all the time. The life she lives is beautiful. I think that the reason the students of Mica High are so fascinated by her is because they don't often see people who rise above the herd and are so freely themselves. Stargirl is confident, and they are accepting of her because if this. They admire her.
I think that the Mica High students are fascinated by stargirl because she has the bravery to show the parts of her that everyone else hides and hates about themselves. She acts like a five year old because she didn't grow up experiencing the world, or judgement, she was home schooled. Stargirl is innocent, and oblivious to other people talking behind her back because it is a completely new concept to her that people might not like her be causes she is different. In a way, Stragirl is more grown up than everyone else combined because everything that is high school is just childish. Stargirl sees everything that goes on around her and sees all the happiness and beautiful things that everyone else walks past. She dedicates her life to making others lives better. Stargirl has the best way of living because really she is just obliviously happy all the time. The life she lives is beautiful. I think that the reason the students of Mica High are so fascinated by her is because they don't often see people who rise above the herd and are so freely themselves. Stargirl is confident, and they are accepting of her because if this. They admire her.
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Blog Post 6: Finnick Odair, Catching Fire
When I suggested in class that Finnick was a shapeshifter it brought up some controversy with Matt. I really love this character because I think that even though he is a secondary character, he is also a very strong character who develops a lot during the books.
When Finnick is first introduced to Katniss he was the beautiful boy who won his hunger games simply because he was so beautiful he gained many sponsors. He was known as a flirt, and Katniss unconsciously decided not to like him. Her first encounter with him does nothing to prove her judgement wrong, but when he offers her help in the arena she accepts because she knows that Haymitch believes he is good.
When he is in the arena he doesn't attempt to keep up a reputation, or act as he did before. he knows it is life and death, and he puts himself in danger to protect Katniss and Peeta. One of the first times I really realized he was more than his act was when his good friend died and he stayed up crying. Finnick Odair was known as anything but sentimental ,and this was not the kind of reaction I expected, I expected more acting to hide his pain.
Then one of the traps in the arena is to spend an hour trapped in a bit of forest listening to mockingbirds mimick the screams of those you love. He was driven nearly insane by the scream of the girl he loved, Annie. I think that this shocked Katniss, because Finnick was a plaything for the capitol. Detatched and flirty, he wasnt someone who loved. The girl, Annie was a competetor in the previous hunger games who had been driven insane in the arena. She was clinically crazy, barely anything that she said made sense, but he loved her, and that gained immense amounts of respect, and realization that he had depth, to Katniss.
I believe that Finnick is a shapeshifter because at first Katniss and Peeta didnt think that they could trust him, but they then realized they could. Finnick is not the actual one shifting, it's their perception of him, so yes, it is debatable. I also think that Finnick himself shifts a little because he once was a part of his act, and I think that he dropped all pretenses of being someone he isn't in the arena because he realized what was important. I also think that Finnick is partially mentor because he is who looks after Peeta and Katniss in the arena, and tells them what to do, as the adult (or well, 22-ish year old) in the situation.
""I'll watch for a while."
"No Katniss I'd rather." Says Finnick. I look in his eyes., at his face, and realize he's barry holding back tears. Mags. The lest I can do is give him privacy to mourn her.
"All right, Finnick, thanks," I say. I lie down on the sand with Peeta, who drifts off at once. I stare into the night, thinking of what a difference one day can make. How yesterday morning Finnick was on my kill list, and now I'm wiling to sleep with him on guard. He saved Peeta and let Mags die and I don't know why. Only that I can never settle the balance owed between us. All I can do is go to sleep and let him grieve in peace. And so I do."
When Finnick is first introduced to Katniss he was the beautiful boy who won his hunger games simply because he was so beautiful he gained many sponsors. He was known as a flirt, and Katniss unconsciously decided not to like him. Her first encounter with him does nothing to prove her judgement wrong, but when he offers her help in the arena she accepts because she knows that Haymitch believes he is good.
When he is in the arena he doesn't attempt to keep up a reputation, or act as he did before. he knows it is life and death, and he puts himself in danger to protect Katniss and Peeta. One of the first times I really realized he was more than his act was when his good friend died and he stayed up crying. Finnick Odair was known as anything but sentimental ,and this was not the kind of reaction I expected, I expected more acting to hide his pain.
Then one of the traps in the arena is to spend an hour trapped in a bit of forest listening to mockingbirds mimick the screams of those you love. He was driven nearly insane by the scream of the girl he loved, Annie. I think that this shocked Katniss, because Finnick was a plaything for the capitol. Detatched and flirty, he wasnt someone who loved. The girl, Annie was a competetor in the previous hunger games who had been driven insane in the arena. She was clinically crazy, barely anything that she said made sense, but he loved her, and that gained immense amounts of respect, and realization that he had depth, to Katniss.
I believe that Finnick is a shapeshifter because at first Katniss and Peeta didnt think that they could trust him, but they then realized they could. Finnick is not the actual one shifting, it's their perception of him, so yes, it is debatable. I also think that Finnick himself shifts a little because he once was a part of his act, and I think that he dropped all pretenses of being someone he isn't in the arena because he realized what was important. I also think that Finnick is partially mentor because he is who looks after Peeta and Katniss in the arena, and tells them what to do, as the adult (or well, 22-ish year old) in the situation.
""I'll watch for a while."
"No Katniss I'd rather." Says Finnick. I look in his eyes., at his face, and realize he's barry holding back tears. Mags. The lest I can do is give him privacy to mourn her.
"All right, Finnick, thanks," I say. I lie down on the sand with Peeta, who drifts off at once. I stare into the night, thinking of what a difference one day can make. How yesterday morning Finnick was on my kill list, and now I'm wiling to sleep with him on guard. He saved Peeta and let Mags die and I don't know why. Only that I can never settle the balance owed between us. All I can do is go to sleep and let him grieve in peace. And so I do."
Friday, 28 October 2011
Blog Post #6: What is Popularity?
I believe that a classic typically endures because it is about a character experiencing something unique to the time period, for instance; George Orwell, Animal Farm. This story is representative of Communist Russia, and I believe it is a classic because of these references to what is going on in the world. A classic can be about someone doing something significantly brave in their lives, but not nescessarily something significant in the lives of the people surrounding them. I think that a book can endure when it is different from what else is available at that moment. when it has a unique writing style and does not follow the latest (ahem, vampire) trends. something forbidden; a forbidden love, a forbidden freedom are the trends I find in the literature I read, or experience through the media. A story can be popular even if it uses common aspects, just as long as it does it differently. I feel that there are many people who will not recieve something different well, but negative popularity is necessary to be well known. The rest respect things that are different because they wish they could have the strength to be different themselves.
I do not think that the book I am reading, the Hunger Games, has what it takes to become a classic. A classic is a book that is completely unique in its field (typically), and is relatable. The Hunger Games-though by far the best I've read-is not alone, there are many other books with similar ideas. Also, love triangles are always a pattern, but are found even more commonly at the moment, so any book with one in it appears cliche.
I do not think that the book I am reading, the Hunger Games, has what it takes to become a classic. A classic is a book that is completely unique in its field (typically), and is relatable. The Hunger Games-though by far the best I've read-is not alone, there are many other books with similar ideas. Also, love triangles are always a pattern, but are found even more commonly at the moment, so any book with one in it appears cliche.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Blog Post #4:The Hunger Games
'"You mean that this will make me puke?" My prep teams laughs hysterically. "Of course, so you can keep eating says Octavia. "I've been in there twice already. Everyone does it, or how else would you have any fun at a feast?" I'm speechless. Staring at the pretty little glasses and al the imply. Peeta sets his back on the table with such precision you'd think it would detonate.'
'All I can think of is the emaciated bodies of children on our kitchen table as my mother prescribes what the parents can't give. More food'......'And here in the capitol they're vomiting for the pleasure of filling their bellies again and again. Not from some illness of mind or body, not from spoiled food. It's what everyone does at a party. Expected.'
I think that these books are a metaphor for our world. Each district does a different job, for instance, coal, agriculture, and working with the sea. The people recieve smallest amount of pay for their hours of hard labour as possible. The food, and other things that are created are sent to the capitol. To Katniss, the world of the capitol is the farthest thing from sane she can imagine. They spend money to get tattoos, or get patterns cut into their skin based on the latest craze. They dye their skin blue, and their hair green, wear animal fur, and think that the ultimate form of entertainment is the Hunger Games; a grotesque battle to the death between a boy and a girl of each of the twelve districts. Perhaps worst is that while the people of the districts starve to death, the population of the capitol has cononcocted a drink to make them throw up so they can enjoy more food. I think that this is really representative of how the rest of the world might view countries, like the U.S. especially, and also Europe and Canada. People in third world countries work all the time at minimum wage, in the worst of conditions to create things for us that wont last long at all. These people can turn on the tv and see us on shows like Cake Boss or America's Next Top Model and wonder why we do things like we do? How we are perfectly capable of helping them, and yet we sit by, and watch. I think that this is what it would be like for a member of a district to watch the Hunger Games. Something that horrifies them that they have become able to accept, because they know that they dont have the power to change the way things are.
'All I can think of is the emaciated bodies of children on our kitchen table as my mother prescribes what the parents can't give. More food'......'And here in the capitol they're vomiting for the pleasure of filling their bellies again and again. Not from some illness of mind or body, not from spoiled food. It's what everyone does at a party. Expected.'
I think that these books are a metaphor for our world. Each district does a different job, for instance, coal, agriculture, and working with the sea. The people recieve smallest amount of pay for their hours of hard labour as possible. The food, and other things that are created are sent to the capitol. To Katniss, the world of the capitol is the farthest thing from sane she can imagine. They spend money to get tattoos, or get patterns cut into their skin based on the latest craze. They dye their skin blue, and their hair green, wear animal fur, and think that the ultimate form of entertainment is the Hunger Games; a grotesque battle to the death between a boy and a girl of each of the twelve districts. Perhaps worst is that while the people of the districts starve to death, the population of the capitol has cononcocted a drink to make them throw up so they can enjoy more food. I think that this is really representative of how the rest of the world might view countries, like the U.S. especially, and also Europe and Canada. People in third world countries work all the time at minimum wage, in the worst of conditions to create things for us that wont last long at all. These people can turn on the tv and see us on shows like Cake Boss or America's Next Top Model and wonder why we do things like we do? How we are perfectly capable of helping them, and yet we sit by, and watch. I think that this is what it would be like for a member of a district to watch the Hunger Games. Something that horrifies them that they have become able to accept, because they know that they dont have the power to change the way things are.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Post #3 Bella
Twilight by Stephanie MeyersBella is a pale, stubborn girl; who grew up looking after her erratic, irresponsible mother. Bella is selfless, and so when her mother marries Phil, a baseball player who has to travel, she exiles herself to her dad's house in the rainiest city in all of north america so that her mom can travel with Phil. Forks is how she knew it would be, awkward moments with Charlie, her dad, the omnipresent clouds, and friends she doesnt really care about. However she suffers through it, pretending as always, to be happy so that other people can be. Bella complains a lot, and most of the time I dont like her, because her obliviousness ends up hurting a lot of people, but I believe that she is a really good person with good intentions.
"Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I loved. Noble, even. That ought to count for something. I knew that if I'd never gone to Forks, I wouldnt be facing death right now. But terrified as I was, I couldn't bring myself to regret the decision. When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, its not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end."
I chose this section of the story because Bella is being unquestionably brave, and selfless. Those months had been the happiest of her life with Edward, but she was able to give it up so her mom could live, and so Edward could move on, and be happy again. I feel like in this scene Bella grew up, because typically she is always finding someone to blame, or a way to feel sorry for herself, but in this she is forgiving, and accepting.
I think that Bella will either die, as she clearly thinks she will, or survive this experience and be better because of it. She will know what she values, and never let them go because of the few minutes where she did and she almost lost everything.
I chose this video from the movie Juno because this song is about how anything that the author is, the one he loves is something that fits perfectly with it; natural. Bella is a human, and Edward is a vampire, and that makes their love unique and forbidden is that they contrast with each other. Edward is the predator of Bella. I guess what makes their love beautiful is that they defy all odds, and are pretty much about as opposite as two things can be but they love each other anyways.
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