https://padlet.com/vassal25/9r2poorhah34l93u en-us 2023-09-13 22:35:30 UTC 2024-09-04 21:51:51 UTC hello@padlet.com vassal25 https://padlet.com/vassal25/9r2poorhah34l93u/wish/2703159894 I read The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger in American Literature II, and I remember thoroughly enjoying it. The story is centered around Holden Caulfield, an angst-filled 16-year-old who spends a weekend in New York City trying to escape the inevitable: maturity. Salinger explores Holden's angst and alienation from others throughout the text, all while shaping Holden to be one of the most relatable characters I have ever read about. These themes, as well as the concept of maturity and moving on from the passing of a loved one, are all depicted through various symbols in the text. Overall, in reading The Catcher in the Rye , I learned about the use of symbolism to portray themes that may be relatable to many adolescents, in a strange manner, further developing my ability to analyze the concept of identity in texts. ]]> 2023-09-14 02:37:10 UTC https://padlet.com/vassal25/9r2poorhah34l93u/wish/2703159894 vassal25 https://padlet.com/vassal25/9r2poorhah34l93u/wish/2703213965 In the eighth grade, I was tasked with reading Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. The novel is about a man named Charlie with a very low IQ, who undergoes an operation to increase his IQ (a procedure previously tested on a mouse named Algernon). As the plot advances, Charlie begins to develop different opinions and beliefs on aspects of his life that he once understood differently. I learned about concepts such as "living in the moment", the impact of legacies, and how egotism can be one of the most destructive characteristics of a person. All in all, I learned the value of analyzing texts for different concepts and how to best understand/approach mature novels such as this one. ]]> 2023-09-14 03:08:36 UTC https://padlet.com/vassal25/9r2poorhah34l93u/wish/2703213965 vassal25 https://padlet.com/vassal25/9r2poorhah34l93u/wish/2703219468 In American Literature II, I was asked to read the creative non-fiction piece Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. The text tries to make sense as to why a young man named Chris McCandless would abandon his family and a suburban life in disappearing into the Alaskan wilderness. Interestingly enough, McCandless was inspired by writers such as Henry David Thoreau and Jack London, who mostly wrote about the freedom of the spirit and the beauty of nature. In addition to these ideas centered around freedom, I also discovered that much of American Literature explores themes of identity, and how it is often an analytical focal point for countless texts, something I had never really explored in-depth. ]]> 2023-09-14 03:12:10 UTC https://padlet.com/vassal25/9r2poorhah34l93u/wish/2703219468 vassal25 https://padlet.com/vassal25/9r2poorhah34l93u/wish/2704765090 For my summer reading, I chose to read March: Book One by John Lewis. Although the text is a graphic novel, the concepts explored are not to be undervalued. This autobiographical text follows Congressman Lewis' early life, as well as his role in the Civil Rights Movement, as he led various sit-ins through a non-violent student protest group. The text is very empowering and aims to inspire younger generations to stand for equality, justice, and to understand the details of key events during the Civil Rights Movement. In reading this graphic novel, I learned that not all texts have to be "conventional" novels in order to convey an empowering message or theme, and that complex stylistic choices, within the color choices or the setup of the panels themselves, can ultimately enhance the message being displayed.]]> 2023-09-14 19:42:58 UTC https://padlet.com/vassal25/9r2poorhah34l93u/wish/2704765090