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"It reintroduced me to the power of words as a way to figure out who you are, and what you think, and what you believe, and what's important, and to sort through and interpret this swirl of events that is happening around you every minute." - President Barack Obama

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This quote from President Obama's interview is something I really agree with. For me reading and writing has always been a way of processing my thoughts, it's therapeutic for me to be able to relate some of my own experiences to something I read about. There were many works of literature from this semester that I found myself relating to and there were others that taught me new things about myself and those around me.

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I have read this poem prior to this class, but the very first time I read it I definitely did not understand it the way I have come to after studying it in a few different classes. As a young adult woman who has a close relationship with her mother I really relate to Jamaica Kincaid's words. After the first read this poem comes off as a long list of instructions for a young girl, it also appears to be somewhat demeaning. But as I looked into this poem more and more I started to see it as a loving mother wanting what is best for her daughter and trying to set her up for success in life the only way she knows how. Although the advice my mother gives me is very different from that of this poem, reading this helped me to look at the lessons my mother has given me in a different way. As I believe the speaker of this poem to mean well and want the best for her daughter, so does my mom.

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High School Training Ground by Malcolm London (2)

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High School Training Ground by Malcolm London (2)

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This spoken word piece really resonates with me because the high school that Malcolm London discusses in this poem is very similar to some of my own experiences in school. There was so much frustration and anger that came from feeling like I had been at some points cheated out of my education. I've always known that feeling but never knew how to put it into words. That's what reading this poem did for me, it perfectly articulated the way I feel about much of my middle and high school experiences. That is the beauty of so many works of literature. Often times we relate to something we read because it explains a feeling we've experienced before but never quite knew how to put into words.

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Malcolm London: "High School Training Ground"

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I did not expect this poem to be one I would connect with because I never had a quinceanera and I never will. However, I have had the experience of turning fifteen and going through the confusions and realizations of growing into womanhood which is what this poem is about. This poem really reminded me of my teenage years. In the quote I chose from Obama's interview he says that reading can help you to interpret what is happening around you, I also think it has the ability to help you interpret past experiences in a different way or to see them in a new light. Sometimes the writing that we relate to the most is what we least expect at first.

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Speech to the Young by Gwendolyn Brooks (4)

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Speech to the Young by Gwendolyn Brooks (4)

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I had a strong feeling before I even read this poem that I would connect with it because of the title. My favorite lines of this poem are as follows; "Say to them, say to the down-keepers, the sun-slappers, the self-soilers, the harmony-hushers,"Even if you are not ready for day it cannot always be night."' These lines in particular make me think of all the people who may not believe in you, but you cannot let others hinder your success. Brooks' words reminded me what other people believe or have to say is not important, all that matters is whether or not you believe in yourself.

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Reading this poem was an interesting experience for me. At first, I did not understand it at all and I definitely did not see myself relating to it. But as I read it over and over again I started to picture all of the dreams or goals that have at some point passed through my mind that I forgot about, put off, or failed to accomplish. It was then that I realized how much this poem was a crystal clear image of all the times that I did not believe in myself or push myself to finish something. Although this poem is short, Langston Hughes' words are powerful and made me really think about my own experiences with dreams.

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The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (6)

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The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (6)

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This novel was one of the first works of literature I've read that came to mind when I read the quote above from the interview with Obama. I find myself relating to and learning from the main character Esperanza very frequently throughout the many short stories that make up the novel. Sandra Cisneros tells many stories from the point of view of a 12 - 13 year old girl. It is through all these little stories that we as readers discover who Esperanza is and who she is becoming. I think the same is true for ourselves. As you grow, you have new and different experiences and each of those moments begin to shape you into the person you are meant to be.

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J. Cole is one of my all time favorite artists and this song is definitely one of my top favorites of his. This song discusses the importance of being thankful for the life you've been given and not comparing what you have or where you are in life to those around you. In this J. Cole emphasizes that at many points in life there will always be people he seem to have more or be doing better than you are, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that you appreciate and cherish all the good that exists in your own life. I listen to this song whenever I need a reminder of all that I have to be thankful for. I think this song, as Obama said, helps me to interpret (and appreciate) "this swirl of events that is happening around you every minute."

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My Favorite Work of Literature (A House on Mango Street)

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My Favorite Work of Literature (A House on Mango Street)

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My favorite work of literature from the semester was without question, The House on Mango Street. I have always loved this book for many reasons and each time I read I find something new about it I love. I'm a big fan of Sandra Cisneros' writing style in general. I also really enjoy short stories, I love how in this book each chapter is essentially it's own story but they all flow together to create the novel. My attention was captured by the way Sandra Cisneros introduces and describes characters in her stories.