Character Analysis

As far as I am in the novel of Number the Stars,   it’s hard to say that any of the characters are dynamic. Annemarie is the ten year old of the Johansen’s family she is young but yet knows enough to know the world currently isn’t safe or her.  Her behavior is expected of any girl living through the Holocaust; it seems to me like she misses all the little things, such as eating a full meal or being able to go outside without the worry of world. Now all those little things were taken away from her because of the Holocaust. Annemarie is a static character; her beliefs in God remain the same, values as well.   It’s very clear that Annemarie and her family have no respect for the German nation; never will they side with them unless it’s for their own safety or if their lives are at risk. Therefore they are all static characters.  

Point of View

Throughout the novel of Number the Stars, readers are told about Annemarie Johansen's childhood from the author’s point of view.  Even though, the novel   isn't told in first person, the narrator does a decent job of   including important details that are more likely noticeable when told through first person. Such as, characters actions, personalities and emotions. If the author never mentioned the character's reactions to events within the novel, it would be a very boring read.  Chapter five called “Who is the Dark Haired one?"  Is a perfect example of how the author brings each character's reactions into play.   “This is the Johansen apartment”, requested the deep voice of a Danish Solider, frightening the Johansen’s family. Papa answered “What do you want? Is there something wrong?" Meanwhile the entire family has awakened, this causes the mother to be irritated with the soldiers from the very start. “Then will you be so kind as to tell me where the Rosen's are," demands the soldier. “I assume they are home, and sleeping.” “It is four in the morning, after all." After reading the conversation she has with the soldiers, her tone is very noticeable and I can already infer she is furious with the Nazi’s but doing her best not to show it for the safety of her family.

     Since the narrator/author does a fine job of describing each character and their motives, I can’t imagine the story being told better if told in first person, because I like being aware of every individual’s personalities, instead of just one in particular.   I believe Ellen telling the story in her words would be just as interesting and go in just as much depth about the everyday fear she has to live in, just because of her religion.

Reflection on Life of Pi

  Authors note: In class we were given a statement that Yann Martel had said in his interview about "Life of Pi". After reading the statement we had to write a response or  reflection on what the quote means to us.

              Pi  wanted to create an interesting atmosphere for all readers. His concept of his writing is difficult to comprehend at the beginning, though as you read on you will find all the symbolism that there is to know.  His symbolism includes animals, religion and the idea of being stuck on a lifeboat for 227 days which is all more interesting.  After reading the author's interview, I uunderstood the purpose of the perfect metaphor. I never thought animals and humans could relate to each other in the way they are meant to in the book.

Proud

America is still considered to be a young country compared to others.  Among most girls my age, I couldn’t be more proud of our country. It has faced and overcame its hardships by sticking together and fighting until the end. There are many things that go into making a country like ours. I am proud its success and the people we see everyday making it a better a place. I am proud that I can wake up every morning knowing that I will be okay and that I have a roof over my head.  However what I take most pride in is our freedom. Sharing my own beliefs, my own opinions and my own values is important to me. I realize that everyone I am surrounded by has the same rights as me and we all have the tendency to take those rights for granted. I am proud that our country realized the importance of having freedom and the positive impacts they have on our country.

Fear

 Paragraph-   Fear, it's flowing through my blood , drowning  me with every step I take. Practically suffocating me.  What I am about to do next  may change my life forever  but fear is in the way , saving me from the risk but if I never try I will never know. Fear is in control and there is no way to stop it now.

Short story: conclusion

      The  queen was furious when she  found out her son was madly in love with a girl that  he  was forbidden to  even look at. The queen  wasn't okay with this at all, she thought her son had gone crazy. She decided  to make plans to kill the beautiful Snow White, therefore  she  planned to  bring Snow White a freshly new  picked apple  however it was poisoned. While the queen was  on her way to deliver the apple she became very hungry  and started to become dizzy and light headed. Eventually she realized her only hope of making it was to eat the apple, I mean she figured it couldn't be that bad. She spoke to soon and before you know it the queen had taken the first bite.

Short Story hook

 Sensei- Chin-Chin was an old kung-fu warrior of his generation, he in fact was the best. Now at 75, he is and retired and living in Lake Park, Alaska. He was a master of yoga in North Korea and is currently working on finishing his novel that he has spent over two years writing. You may ask how he ended up in Alaska, well to begin he wanted to find an escape from reality and this was the only place available. He  spends his days at the local high school natatorium; he suffered from a severe cas of hypothermia while swimming laps and doing water aerobics. Unfortunately for him he can never swim again because they realized not  only did he have hypothermia, he was diagonosed with a deadly allergy to chlorine. It looks like  his swimming  days are done.