Does Homer express a certain opinion about Greek heroes?

Homer expresses Greek Heroes as men who are passionate about their emotions and men who care about their reputation. Homer describes Odysseus as a hero of twists and turns. Odysseus like to test and trick people from his disguises and loyalty tests. Homer provides an opinion of Greek heroes as men who endure many tests in life and also test other people. The whole book itself is about the ups and downs of the challenges of heroes and what makes for a hero. The reader also sees Homer describing heroic action as the struggle for someone to do the right thing. An example of this is when Odysseus struggles to make a decision about killing Amphinomus or not because he is a kind and loyal suitor. 

Homer describes Greek heroes as strong fearless eagles. An Eagle is symbolic for a man that leads his men into victory. In the odyssey an eagle flys down and swoops down near Telemachus. This shows Odysseus is the eagle and is near his home land. The geese are the suitors and in a group like geese. The eagle is the good omen of the war like bird. Homer symbolizes birds as people and their fate. Homer is a blind poet and can foresee a person fate. A Greek hero to Homer is a man of flaws and causes a lot of damage while trying to do heroic things. 

What is the significance of the death of Argos, Odysseus' dog? Why is it in the story?

Argos was Odysseus' faithful and loyal hunting dog. Argos waited for Odysseus to come home. Argos started aging for all those years that Odysseus was gone for. Argos was the first to recognize Odysseus' arrival at Ithaca. When Argos first say Odysseus in a very long time he tried to wag his tail. Argos was fulfilled with seeing his master. He whimpered and died. 

Odysseus didn't get the chance to spend time with his dog because he had to go to the battle of Troy. Men would hunt wild goats and rabbits with their dogs. Argos lived outside of Odysseus palace on a heap of manure. He was also covered with fleas. When Odysseus sees Argos he wipes away a tear casually so Eumaeus would notice that the old beggar was Odysseus. Odysseus tells Eumaeus that its is strange that this dog does not have strength or speed and out here lying in a pile of dung. Eumaeus replies that Argos belonged to a man who died a long time ago at Troy. He says if he took care of the dog like Odysseus did he would be in shape. His dog is in the story because Argos resembles loyalty and companionship. 

The Odyssey Chapter 12 question 2.

  Scylla and Charybdis are creatures that Odysseus and his men pass by on their journey home. Scylla is a six headed monster who grabs and eat sailors from their ships. Charybdis is a massive whirlpool that teases the sailor by trying to eat their whole ship. Scylla grabbed six men from Odysseus ship and ate them. Scylla and Charybdis figuratively represent struggle in two decisions in life and a harmful choice in everyone's life. As Odysseus travels the sea Poseidon curses Odysseus and all the creatures of the sea and all the Greek mythological  creatures destroy Odysseus' crew. Scylla and Charybdis represent two harmful decision for Odysseus to make. Both of the outcomes are negative. Odysseus has to choose evil or the evil sea. "Of all pitiful things I've had to witness, suffering, searching out the pathways of the sea, this wrenched my heart the most." this quote on page 279, line 280 shows that it is hard to make harmful choices and knowing which way is right or wrong. The phrase "less or two evil." Is represented in that situation. One outcome is going to be less worse than the other.

Catcher in the Rye question 5 chapter 22

5. Given the context that has been developing, state what is represented by Holden's desire to catch kids so as to prevent them from falling off a clifT while playing in a field of rye. What could Holden mean by this odd reference? Holden means that he wants to catch kids from loosing their innocence. The kids falling off the cliff represents kids going into adult hood and loosing their innocence. Holden wants to save them from that.  The irony between the song and Holden is the song represents two farmers of a different gender having sex and loosing their innocence but Holden think the opposite. When the children run off the cliff and not know where their going represents teenagers being confused on how to handle the ways of growing. Holden doesn't want to grow up but has trouble figuring out if he wants to have sex or not. His immature innocent mind is holding him back from sex. 

  Holdens body is manipulating him to have sex but Holden is holding back and that's why he wants to save kids from sex and adulthood. Holden believes if you save someone you are not a phony. Holden is thinking all these thoughts but can't manage to figure the thoughts out. Holden does not understand how people can loose their innocence and this shows his immaturity. Holden likes talking about sex but doesn't. He is confused. Holden thinks he can save people from this confusion but Holden can't save himself. By catching kids from innocence it will make Holden feel not like a phony.

CITR Chapter 10 question 3

3. What does the blonde's language reveal, and how does she behave on the dance  floor? The Blonde's language reveals that she is uneducated, Holden thinks this.The reader can tell that the blonde is interested in Holden or the dancing because she is looking around everywhere so she can get attention from Holden. The blonde keeps responding to what to Holden questions, she is pretending that she is not paying attention to holden which makes holden think that she doesn't care. But of course Holden judges her without even knowing who she is. When Holden curses she says that she doesn't like how Holden talks to her, she says this in an uneducated way. Holden always judge people before knowing what they are like. Holden's mind switches emotions. He thinks a person is cool and changes his mind. An example of this is when Holden thinks Stradlater is so cool but when Stradlater ticks Holden off he thinks of him differently. Holden thinks at first that the blonde is hot but when she opens her mouth he thinks she is a "moron."

Chapter 9 question 1

1. What is reemphasized about Holden's personality on the first page of this chapter.
    Holden's personality is innocent and childish Holden thinks to much into things. Holden wants to call somebody up because he is lonely but he doesn't want to. This shows his alienation to others. Holden is also procrastinating. It takes Holden twenty minutes in the phone booth just to figure out who he wants to call but calls no one. Holden even says he is so absent minded. Holden can't decide who to call. Holden always repeats "I am not in the mood." this is a statement that pulls Holden back from others. Holden thinks to deeply into what the reactions of the people he will call. Which is an example of Holden's alienation from others. Holden is trying to find connections with other people his personality is taking that away from him. Holden has no direction in life. Holden says that mrs. Hayes said Holden has no direction in life and that is true. Holden makes quick decisions without putting time and effort into them. When Holden says he is going to call someone he makes up what they are going to think. Holden says he wants to call Jane and tell the people that answer the phone that her aunt died in an accident. Holden doesn't even think once of what he is saying he just says it.

Holden is not considerate of others he is selfish.

CITR chapter 7 question 1

1. Why does Holden feel "rotten" and "lonesome" in this chapter?
  Holden feels rotten and lonesome in this chapter because he couldn't stop thinking about Stradlater and Jane having the time in Ed's car. Holden likes Jane and can't stop thinking about her. Holden mentions that Stradlater does a technique with girls and that is to talk in a sincere and very quite voice. When ever he thought about Jane and Stradlater he felt like jumping out of a window or wishing he was dead. Holden cringes when he hears or think of sex this shows that Holden is innocent and doesn't want to grow up. Sex is in Holden's way of not growing up. Holden was also lonesome because he did want to hang around Pencey any more. So he packed his things. Holden was saying that he was going to sleep over at a cheap hotel and have a minnie vacation this made Holden feel better about leaving. He got depressed when he was packing. Holden  packed these brand new ice skates his mom gave home. That made him depressed. The ice skates symbolize childhood. He felt rotten about the skates because his mom gave him the wrong kind of skate. Holden says when every he gets presents he becomes sad. Holden doesn't want to grow older and a sign of that is birthday present showing that Holden is growing up and the presents are a reward for that but Holden doesn't believe that. Holden believes that presents are a depressing thing to receive. Holden feels like he should escape his problems by going on a Minnie vacation to a cheap hotel in new York. The reader can tell that Holden does not want to face his problems but to run away from them.

Why is it ironic that Holden dislikes Ackley?

"He was one of these very, very tall, round- shouldered guys- he was about six four- with lousy teeth." this is the description that Holden gives Ackley, Holden also says that Ackley is a loner and has a terrible personality. This makes Holden a phony because Holden is just like Ackley but doesn't want to admit it. Holden always complains that Ackley is always up in his business but he also feels sorry for him. Holden feels sorry for Ackley because he is a loner but so is Holden. When I read this I thought, well does Holden feel bad for himself? Ackley is the foil of Holden. Since Holden feels bad for Ackley he invites him to the movies. I later find out the answer to my question, Holden hates himself  but doesn't want to admit it so he says he dislikes Ackley. Holden wants to reach out to himself but pretends he doesn't care. 

"Ackley was a slob in his personal habits."  Holden mentions the habits that Ackley does but Holden does the same but in a different way. Ackley annoys Holden by picking his pimples, touching Holden's personal stuff, and always mentioning how he hates Stradlater. Holden does the same things. He always mentions how Ackley and other people are annoying and phonies. Holden's habit is horsing around and annoying people just like Ackley. I believe that Holden is an Ackley to Stradlater. Holden always mentions Jane and tells stories about him and her to Stradlater, Stradlater gets annoyed when Holden does this. "He's one sonuvabitch I really can't stand." Ackley says this. This qoue reminds me of Holden and Ackley they can't stand each other but are each other.

Aggie:
this is a great-looking blog. Please try to remember the requirement that each post MUST be at least two paragraphs.
Mr. Murphy

The Catcher in the Rye chapter 4 question 1

1 Do the characters Mr. Spencer, Ackley, and Stradlater strike you as reliable people? Do Holden's observations of them seem accurate or inaccurate? What method does Salinger use for Holden's description of people? Mr. Spencer strikes me as reliable because he cares about Holden you can tell by his conversation with Holden, Holden might not think so because Holden doesn't care. Ackley does not strike me as a reliable person because he always talks behind Stradlater's and is just like Holden, he is Holden's foil. Stradlater does not strike me as a reliable person because he wants Holden to do his English homework. Stradlater would be turning in Holden's homework but taking all the credit which is untrustworthy. Holden's observations of Ackley are correct. Ackley is an annoying guy with a bad personality. Holden's observation of Stradlater is incorrect. Stradlater is not an Ackley like person. He is completely opposite. Holden is like an Ackley. They both are annoying and loners. Holden's observation of Mr. Spencer are correct. Holden says Mr. Spencer is only trying to help him succeed but in an annoying way. I believe that, even though Holden's a liar. J.D. Salinger's method of Holden's describing a character is always a person is a phony.

Catcher in the Rye Question 2

2. Holden stops in to say good-bye to old Spencer; and as he sits there, he gets more and more upset. Why?

Holden gets more upset when he is saying good bye to old Spencer because when old Spencer mentions that Holden had trouble at his old school, Elkton Hills it reminded Holden of his headmaster there, Mr. Haas, and the students there. Holden remembers that his headmaster at Elkton Hills was a big phony. His headmaster would always shake hands and talk with parents that would pick up their kids but not to the parents that looked weird. Holden also mentioned that he was surrounded my phonies at Elkton Hills. This is a repeated cycle that Holden does. He always says that the school that he went to was full of phonies. Holden doesn't really pay attention to old Spencer's lecture he was thinking about Mr. Haas. It makes Holden crazy and depressed when he thinks about Elkton Hills. Holden gets more upset because he is remembering all of his bad memories at his old school and thinking that it was his fault.

A Rose for Emily

Change is the future, this is the theme of the short story a Rose for Emily. William Faulkner wrote a beautiful but horrifying short story. Mr. Faulkner ties symbolism, imagery and irony in a Rose for Emily, that is what makes a short story interesting. What caught my eye was the use of Mr. Faulkner's detail in imagery and symbols. The symbols help the reader understand what the theme is. William Faulkner describes Emily as an old foul smelling person who's lost whole family and her sweetheart. He also describes the house as Emily, foul and never changing. Emily's husband represents her rose. Homer, Emily's husband, mysteriously left her and the town does not know why. The reader knows later in the book that Emily was crazy and wanted to preserve her husband so he wouldn't leave her. By preserving her husband, Emily killed him and kept him at her bedside. This is ironic because Homer is decaying and he is not preserved. This also helps the reader figure out the message of the short story.  A Rose for Emily was during the Civil War. The Civil War was time period when African Americans were discriminated by white people. Emily married an African American. Mr. Faulkner was stating that the world can change, people are equal no matter what race. What was most beautiful about a Rose for Emily was the theme and that was if you love someone let them go and accept the change in life and see what lies ahead. In comparison to the other short stories a Rose for Emily was more detailed. Ernest Hemingway's short story, Hills Like White Elephants was very interesting but not detailed enough for a reader to understand the plot or make any literary illusions. White Elephants was about a girl and a boy. The boy wanted the girl to make the decision if she should have an abortion or not. The ending was unclear if she agreed to get an abortion or she didn't agree. If the author put in more detail and more literary uses the reader would understand the plot. Another short story that was not understandable was Indian Camp. Ernest Hemingway's short story was interesting because of it's theme. The theme was social class and desperation. Nick's dad is a doctor in this short story and uses unsanitary tools on the woman that is giving birth which is describing hierarchy and unfairness in the social class. Both a Rose for Emily and Indian Camp were written beautifully but A Rose for Emily was absolutely brilliant.

Aggie:
your opening sentence is your thesis statement. We are shooting for making your final sentence in the first paragraph your thesis statement.
Mr. Murphy

The Introduction of the main message of Fahrenheit 451

Introduction:
   In Fahrenheit 451 there are many symbols and literary uses in the book that represent the main message that Ray Bradbury is trying portray. Ray Bradbury wants the reader to learn the life lessons of the characters that he has created. One of Ray Bradbury's key messages is that technology is taking over our lives and the future ahead of us. Throughout the book we the readers are shown numerous examples of how Ray Bradbury reinforces his message. The town is consumed by television which limits their social interactions. One of Ray Bradbury's characters, Mildred, is engrossed with watching television that she does not listen to Guy Montag and creates her own "t.v. family." This is one example of technology ruining society.

The main message of Fahrenheit 451

Hearth and the salamander, the sieve and the sand, the phoenix, and fire etc. are all symbols that are important and related to the message of Fahrenheit 451. Mr. Bradbury wanted the reader to understand the importants of life and how the lessons of life can relate to a book. Life is about curiosity which Mr. Bradbury included as central part of Guy Montag's personalities. Mr. Bradbury also includes learning from a mistake and starting again on the path you want to choose. the phoenix symbolizes the city burning into ashes and rising again and remembering the mistakes that Montag and learning from it and make the city a more learned place. Life is also about finding your right place in the world which home.  In Fahrenheit 451 the hearth resembles home, it took a long time for Montag to realise he wasn't happy and books made him happy. When Montag found the professors surrounding the fire he felt at home he felt his place in the world. He could be who he wanted to be and he can share knowledge freely without fear of punishment. 

Life is like the beginning of a chapter you don't know what lies ahead, but you do get hints and help along the way just like foreshadowing. Montag receives help form Faber, a professor that he met in the park, he learns and understands what he is reading. Everyone needs help in life to push them further to see what lies ahead. Life is also like a mystery. We need to unravel the clues in life and find the meaning of our life. Faber helps Montag do that. Faber explains to Montag that the unhappiness that lies within Montag has something to do about books but it's not the books themselves, it's the meaning of the message in the story which Montag has to figure out on his own. Mr. Bradbury wants the reader to know that fire can destroy as well as enlighten in knowledge and provides life like the sun.