Thursday, May 29, 2014
May 27th Post
Dear Thomas Harris,
Meh. Red Dragon was good but could have been much better. You didn't include any background information on Francis Dolarhyde until the second half of the book. I'm assuming you were going for suspense here but it didn't really work out. It was more irritating than anything. If you had fed the reader more information earlier on in the book, you would have been able to engage the reader throughout the book.
On the plus side, I liked how much you included about the FBI investigation.
Much love,
Emily Miller
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
May 20th Blog Post
The most important line from Red Dragon is "How they lived is on his mind today."
This line is essential to understanding how Graham investigates. Graham has an almost supernatural ability to sense things others can't. This is why the FBI wants him desperately on this case. The plot develops from this line because the way he views this investigation and evidence will help solve it.
The style of this book is not unlike other works by the same twisted mind that brought you Hannible and The Silence of the Lambs. On the surface the plots are very similar. Good guy catches the bad guy with a bit of collateral damage. With that being sad, there is much these books have in common below the surface.
It's a pretty sad day when you can make a relation from a book about a serial killer to yourself. In the meantime I shall activate my blinders and ignore that fact as much as possible. In my narcissistic nature I will only connect to the good things about myself. Graham has a small feud with reporter Freddy Lounds. He does his best to get in the way as much as possible. Graham on the other hand tries to avoid him as much as possible to prevent confrontation. I can relate. I hate confrontation almost as much as I hate being a people pleaser.
This line is essential to understanding how Graham investigates. Graham has an almost supernatural ability to sense things others can't. This is why the FBI wants him desperately on this case. The plot develops from this line because the way he views this investigation and evidence will help solve it.
The style of this book is not unlike other works by the same twisted mind that brought you Hannible and The Silence of the Lambs. On the surface the plots are very similar. Good guy catches the bad guy with a bit of collateral damage. With that being sad, there is much these books have in common below the surface.
It's a pretty sad day when you can make a relation from a book about a serial killer to yourself. In the meantime I shall activate my blinders and ignore that fact as much as possible. In my narcissistic nature I will only connect to the good things about myself. Graham has a small feud with reporter Freddy Lounds. He does his best to get in the way as much as possible. Graham on the other hand tries to avoid him as much as possible to prevent confrontation. I can relate. I hate confrontation almost as much as I hate being a people pleaser.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Tasks 5, 6, and 7
Task 5
The second passage uses sentence structure to give voice and personality to the passagqe. This is a desperate attempt to the targeted audience. The passages sentence structure is like that of the diary of a seven year old. The author uses a lack of relatability and overcompensates with imaturity. The author does this so the reader feels like the author really does think they are that dumb by not only stooping to their level but below it.
Task 6
The tone of the first piece is dramatic because the author uses words that invoke emotions. This tone adds to whats occuring in the text. When the teacher enters the scene the tone changes to be more serious because it effects what's heppening.
The tone of the second piece apathetic. The tone is apathetic because the author uses syntax and diction to make the text seem more relatable. The author wants you to sympathize with the main character so she lowers the value of the characters personality.
Task 7
The voice of my creative nonfiction piece is determined. I know this because I try to write with an emotion that I feel fits the tone and that's what I was shooting for. You would know it's my piece because I try to write the way I would say something and I like to think have a unique way of wording things.
The second passage uses sentence structure to give voice and personality to the passagqe. This is a desperate attempt to the targeted audience. The passages sentence structure is like that of the diary of a seven year old. The author uses a lack of relatability and overcompensates with imaturity. The author does this so the reader feels like the author really does think they are that dumb by not only stooping to their level but below it.
Task 6
The tone of the first piece is dramatic because the author uses words that invoke emotions. This tone adds to whats occuring in the text. When the teacher enters the scene the tone changes to be more serious because it effects what's heppening.
The tone of the second piece apathetic. The tone is apathetic because the author uses syntax and diction to make the text seem more relatable. The author wants you to sympathize with the main character so she lowers the value of the characters personality.
Task 7
The voice of my creative nonfiction piece is determined. I know this because I try to write with an emotion that I feel fits the tone and that's what I was shooting for. You would know it's my piece because I try to write the way I would say something and I like to think have a unique way of wording things.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Column
A Brilliant Criticism of the Modern World and Shameless Self Promotion
In the style of Mary Schmich
How do you be someone you’re not?
Trick question. You can’t. By definition, you can’t. That’s like asking how a cat can be an investment banker. But if you can’t be someone you’re not, what do you do? Answer: You create someone who is.
If you can't stand crowds and can't tell a joke to save your life, you create someone who can. It's more than just altering your conscious self, you really are creating a new person (metaphorically). If you give that person a name, consult a psychiatrist.
Think of every person you saw today. Go ahead. Close your eyes and think.
Done? Now, I hate to break it to you but you didn't see anyone today. Or at least just not who they really are. You saw the person they wanted you to see.
That old lady falling asleep reading Pride and Prejudice? She rocks harder than Gene Simons. The socialite laughing and talking to everyone in the coffee shop? She wishes she were home with her cats.
No one is who they say they are. We all create personas to be who we aren't.
Now you may be one of those people who pat themselves on the back because they stay true to themselves of whatever other Hallmark-grade bull crap they found on their fortune cookie but you know that’s not true.
You just won't admit it.
Behind closed doors, sure. There’s no reason to lie to yourself behind closed doors unless who you really are really is that screwed up, which is also possible.
It’s just a matter of how well we hide it.
Some of us are better at this than others. Which is the only limitation we have. Not what we are capable of, but how well we hide it.
There are entire industries built off making our ruses more convincing. Take make-up for example. When we smear whatever weird powdery substance (that could probably kill a small horse if ingested) on our faces we're not just putting on a new face, we are putting on a new personality.
A new role in life.
Instead of being a tired, old soccer mom you can become one of those people who spends way too much time deciding on what kind of pretensious house deccorations to buy. Instead of being the life of the party you can work a nine to five job and develope a severe drinking problem to cope with the harsh realities of having to settle down for an 80s sitcom of a life in the suburbs.
In the style of Mary Schmich
How do you be someone you’re not?
Trick question. You can’t. By definition, you can’t. That’s like asking how a cat can be an investment banker. But if you can’t be someone you’re not, what do you do? Answer: You create someone who is.
If you can't stand crowds and can't tell a joke to save your life, you create someone who can. It's more than just altering your conscious self, you really are creating a new person (metaphorically). If you give that person a name, consult a psychiatrist.
Think of every person you saw today. Go ahead. Close your eyes and think.
Done? Now, I hate to break it to you but you didn't see anyone today. Or at least just not who they really are. You saw the person they wanted you to see.
That old lady falling asleep reading Pride and Prejudice? She rocks harder than Gene Simons. The socialite laughing and talking to everyone in the coffee shop? She wishes she were home with her cats.
No one is who they say they are. We all create personas to be who we aren't.
Now you may be one of those people who pat themselves on the back because they stay true to themselves of whatever other Hallmark-grade bull crap they found on their fortune cookie but you know that’s not true.
You just won't admit it.
Behind closed doors, sure. There’s no reason to lie to yourself behind closed doors unless who you really are really is that screwed up, which is also possible.
It’s just a matter of how well we hide it.
Some of us are better at this than others. Which is the only limitation we have. Not what we are capable of, but how well we hide it.
There are entire industries built off making our ruses more convincing. Take make-up for example. When we smear whatever weird powdery substance (that could probably kill a small horse if ingested) on our faces we're not just putting on a new face, we are putting on a new personality.
A new role in life.
Instead of being a tired, old soccer mom you can become one of those people who spends way too much time deciding on what kind of pretensious house deccorations to buy. Instead of being the life of the party you can work a nine to five job and develope a severe drinking problem to cope with the harsh realities of having to settle down for an 80s sitcom of a life in the suburbs.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Characters: Black Cat
The character I will be analayzing is Train Heartnet from the manga series Black Cat.
Train Heartnet (aka Black Cat) once was an assasin for a group of assassin sfor a criminal organization, Chronos, called the Chronos Numbers (Heartnet was number thriteen. When he meets Saya Minatsuki, a sweeper (licensed bounty hunter) who he falls in love with after she saves his life. His morals begin to shift because of the effect of having someone with logic and stability in his life instead of being reckless and rebellious.
His violent lifestyle before he met Minatsuki often got him in trouble. He didn't give any thoughts to the effects his actions had on other people. He mainly lived alone (his only other companions were other members of the Cronos Numbers). He realizes that he doesn't need to kill people and stops assassinating his targets and just captures them instead. One of Heartnet's friends (another assassin in the Chronos Numbers), Creed, feels like he is losing the person his friend used to be. He uses this as his excuse to murder Minatsuki. Because he believes she is the one responsible for Heartnet's retirement from the Chronos Numbers he expects Heartnet to be grateful and return to the way he used to be but instead is furious with Creed and threatens to kill him if they cross paths again. This fuels Heartnet's resentment for Chronos and other members of the Chronos Numbers.
Prior to meeting Minatsuki, Heartnet is often aggresive towards other characters. Other times it appeares that he sincerly gives zero cares. He shuts out his emotions so they will have nothing to use against him. If I had to pick the most accurate adjective to describe Heartnet at this time, I would choose defensive.
After encountering Minatsuki and facing his fate changing epiphany, he is less isolated. He still prefers to keep his distance emotionaly from characters he dosen't trust completely or know very well.
This character helps develope
 |
| In this picture Heartnet is holding his signature firearm he calls Hades. The origional use for this gun was too blast the heck out of whoever he was supposed to be assasinating but instead begins to use it to merely immobilize his targets. |
Train Heartnet (aka Black Cat) once was an assasin for a group of assassin sfor a criminal organization, Chronos, called the Chronos Numbers (Heartnet was number thriteen. When he meets Saya Minatsuki, a sweeper (licensed bounty hunter) who he falls in love with after she saves his life. His morals begin to shift because of the effect of having someone with logic and stability in his life instead of being reckless and rebellious.
His violent lifestyle before he met Minatsuki often got him in trouble. He didn't give any thoughts to the effects his actions had on other people. He mainly lived alone (his only other companions were other members of the Cronos Numbers). He realizes that he doesn't need to kill people and stops assassinating his targets and just captures them instead. One of Heartnet's friends (another assassin in the Chronos Numbers), Creed, feels like he is losing the person his friend used to be. He uses this as his excuse to murder Minatsuki. Because he believes she is the one responsible for Heartnet's retirement from the Chronos Numbers he expects Heartnet to be grateful and return to the way he used to be but instead is furious with Creed and threatens to kill him if they cross paths again. This fuels Heartnet's resentment for Chronos and other members of the Chronos Numbers.
Prior to meeting Minatsuki, Heartnet is often aggresive towards other characters. Other times it appeares that he sincerly gives zero cares. He shuts out his emotions so they will have nothing to use against him. If I had to pick the most accurate adjective to describe Heartnet at this time, I would choose defensive.
After encountering Minatsuki and facing his fate changing epiphany, he is less isolated. He still prefers to keep his distance emotionaly from characters he dosen't trust completely or know very well.
This character helps develope
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Book Reccomendation: Murder Most Rare: The Female Serial Killer
I am recommending the book Murder Most Rare: The Female Serial Killer by Michael D. Kelleher and C.L. Kelleher.
When we think of the term 'serial killer' many of us would assume we're speaking of a male, the rest of us are probably thinking of a homicidal Captain Crunch. Unfortunately, even in today's day and age some people still find it incredibly hard to believe that women have violent tendencies and have the capability to murder (see Jody Arias). I think this book sheds a lot of light on that topic.
This book talks about various female serial killers. I like how this book puts a lot of emphasis on the "why" of their crimes. It really give a lot of insight to what they were actually thinking.
This book was very informative overall and definatly had some high points as far as entertainment goes. My only critique would be that the stories occaisionally got rather mundane and uninteresting.
I would definitely recommend this book to crime fans (CSI nerds unite!) and maybe even those interested in the hardcore horror/mystery genre (think real life Clue!). Although I wouldn't reccomend this book to someone that finds themselves becoming bored with long mysteries, this book would please the most in-depth crime fighters!
When we think of the term 'serial killer' many of us would assume we're speaking of a male, the rest of us are probably thinking of a homicidal Captain Crunch. Unfortunately, even in today's day and age some people still find it incredibly hard to believe that women have violent tendencies and have the capability to murder (see Jody Arias). I think this book sheds a lot of light on that topic.
This book talks about various female serial killers. I like how this book puts a lot of emphasis on the "why" of their crimes. It really give a lot of insight to what they were actually thinking.
This book was very informative overall and definatly had some high points as far as entertainment goes. My only critique would be that the stories occaisionally got rather mundane and uninteresting.
I would definitely recommend this book to crime fans (CSI nerds unite!) and maybe even those interested in the hardcore horror/mystery genre (think real life Clue!). Although I wouldn't reccomend this book to someone that finds themselves becoming bored with long mysteries, this book would please the most in-depth crime fighters!
Analysis: Pretty Bad Things
The book I will be analyzing is Pretty Bad Things by C.J. Skuse. This book is about a set of twins, Beau and Paisley, that try to find their ex-con dad by robbing stores and trying to get famous. They do this so their dad will know they're looking for him.
ANALYSIS
The quote I'm analyzing is "I had to get on that road. I had to stop going where I was going. I had to jump off the truck." (Skuse 217).
This says that Beau realizes what he needs to do to survive. This is a pretty big leap for him (no pun intended) because he has always been the one who played by the rules and always listened to what everyone else told him to do. He has always felt that he needed to look out for other people. Now that he is in a potentially life or death situation he has to start thinking for himself and doing what increases his chance of survival.
I infer that Beau will jump off the truck (bet you didn't see that one coming). After this event I think Beau will develop more as an individual. He will start thinking for himself more and not letting people step on him. Before he never had much control over his life but now I think he will start taking that control back.
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