catch-22 #3

Chapter 12

This particular chapter was layered with biblical allusion and symbolism. The chapter starts off with Yossarian drunk and picking a fight with Colonel Korn, while outside it's pouring rain. Rain signifying the cleansing him and his bombardiers receive. Captain Halfoat even willing says that they would all rather die drowning than die Flying. Flying is no longer a symbol of freedom, but one of death and dismay.

Near the end of the chapter Yossarian would want the rain to go on forever. Therefore he would like to be forever cleansed from all the death he and his squadron have surrounded themselves with. However, the rain stops signifying that they cannot be cleansed and have to continue to fight until they die.

catch-22 #2

Each character in their own right is perplexing. Chief Halfoat, a Native American, dictates his life as a boy telling everyone how his family was pursued by oil farmers. This being an obvious reference to the displacement of American Indians during the time. As his family constantly change dwellings and the infinite walking. At the end of his chapter it stated that he "hated his family for being liars" but we can assume that they lied to protect him from the racism.

Doc Daneeka is an untrustworthy person and being a doctor that is ironic for doctors are people we entrust with our very lives.

catch-22 #1

The book's name is not just a title but a revolving theme in the entire book. Catch-22 is a rule in which a man who does not want to be killed is sane but is insane for fighting but if he asks to stop fighting hes deemed sane. The only sane one left is the character Yossarian cause he is a "crazy bastard."

1984 #6

Through this book I have learned that humanity and the individual needs to be able to change to survive. Thinking that if everything just become more unemotional and society can be ran through hate is naive at best. People have this internal almost supernatural desire to want to be able to be free. Freedom is not slavery but the means in which we cage ourselves.

1984 #5

The analysis of the text is probably the most difficult part of this book for me. The reason why is because the interpretations I have do not necessarily mean it is the right interpretation. As in, the memory hole, my interpretation of it is that it is the gates of hell, burning everything up--freedom, information, and power. Once it enters the fire, it all becomes ash.

1984 #4

Ninety Eighty-Four's value is more than just an interesting story about totalitarianism. It explains that one is being watched and observed throughout their life. Always and forever being judged by the people around them, but one cannot judge someone from appearance. It shows the readers that there is hope, but that the hope is miniscule if you do not believe.

1984 #3

The book has an interesting way of pulling up emotions of betrayal and cynicism. Winston and Julia are caught and betrayed by Mr. Charrington, who is later to be revealed to be part of the thought police. Ironically, he was the light at the end of the tunnel allowing Julia and Winston a haven for themselves, just to take it all away.

1984 #2

The story is getting pretty interesting I especially like the way the author is throwing up irony all over the place. Being Free, but enslaved. The memory hole especially in my interpretation is the gates of hell, burning everything. The bombs blow up the buildings but to Winston the fires of the memory hole are his saviour for his love.

1984 #1

Winston's life intrigues me greatly, not only does he have no memories of anything before his present time, but he seems unscathed by it. I enjoy reading these types of stories where it presents the "what if" questions in us. What if this was the world after WWI, where would we be? I agree with Winston in the early pages of the book, where he wants free expression and freedom, challenging the views of Big Brother.

HTRLLAP #2

At last I have accomplished reading the last few pages of this book (well I did a few days ago). It was helpful in the sense that it was more of a review of Mrs. Panosian's teachings rather than learning something new. The author used simple academic vocab and was able to provide sufficient evidence for his claims. However, it felt like he expected us, the readers, to already have read a cornucopia of literary novels, but being in high school we have yet to scrape the surface of Sophocles, Shakespeare and other noted authors.

How To Read...

This book seems to give some helpful tips, but it also seems a bit one-sided. It just feels that there could be other ways to view what he says and the examples he gives and the interpretations that he has, though, is a good starting point. The first 106 pages were a bit dull but the book started to pick up. It is mostly review since Panosian went over this mostly.