by Brett Nakashima (Brettnak) https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue en-us 2016-05-17 19:54:48 UTC 2025-12-12 01:10:09 UTC hello@padlet.com Literary Luminary brettnak97 https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111782883 (Brett) 

In the story of Ziggurat, there are many literary devices such as language, symbolism, and irony. These devices help deepen the meaning of what Stephen O'Connor meant in his story. 

The first example of literary devices was using language to first describe the appearance of the new girl. She was described as "smaller than most of the others" and her "shoulders shook" and "Her fingers twitched" (1). At first impressions from these quotes, we can see that there is something different about this girl. Physically she is not the same from any other typical girl, and we can tell by the language that O'Connor uses to describe her. Furthermore, when the Minotaur first approaches her, the girl said "Go away! I'm too busy for you" (1). In having this within the beginning of the story, we learn that she is probably cut-off from any external things going on around her. This adds to the meaning of the text by revealing right off the bat that she is different from any other typical cliche character that would be in any other story. In addition to this, as readers, we can assume that this girl's different traits will somehow build the main idea of the story.

The next example of a literary device found in the story is the description of the Minotaur. He too was different physically from the typical appearance of a Minotaur. He had "no horns, no ring through his nose" which are probably two of the most distinct features of Minotaurs (1). This demonstrates how he is also set apart from the norm. He is also described as "very, very ugly" which is key to the storyline because it symbolizes that he is not thought of as attractive or appealing for anyone to try to talk to. This can too be a reason why he is so cut-off from society or why he does not have any friends. His unappealing physical state of being was also described as it being "just the way he was born" (1). The symbolism of this phrase is insinuating that the Minotaur was essentially "dealt a bad hand" in life. It was not his fault for his physical appearance is what the author is describing.

These literary devices gives depth to the story and allows the readers to comprehend what is happening on a deeper level. In addition to this, the meaning of the text is also strengthened because of the depth. 

]]> 2016-05-20 01:58:24 UTC https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111782883 Allusionist Terms  https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111797419 (Viet)

Ziggurat: a rectangular stepped tower that were built in ancient Mesopotamian valley. They were constructed by the ancient Sumerians, Babylonians, Elamites, Akkadians, and Assyrians for local religions  

Labyrinth: an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for king Minos of Crete at Knossos. It was built to maintain the minotaur.

Minotaur: a creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man that was placed at the center of Labyrinth. The minotaur was slayed by Theseus.

Femur: a bone located above the knees (thighbone). It is the strongest bone in a human body.

Gristle: tough matter in meat that is difficult to eat 

Tower of Babel: An origin myth of in the Old Testament that explains the creation of languages. It was built by the people of Babel to make a building that reaches the heavens.

Fibula: the weaker of the two calf bones located below the knee and above the ankle

Tibia: the stronger of the two calf bones also (shinbone).

Connoisseur: A person who is an expert in things such as art, wine, food, etc. Their knowledge makes them critical judges 


Corona: a bright circle seen around the sun or moon

Gossamer: parts of a spider’s web

Gangplank: a board or other structure that people walk on to get on or off a ship 

Klieg lights: a carbon arc lamp used especially in making motion pictures












]]> 2016-05-20 05:26:38 UTC https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111797419 Tower of Babel brettnak97 https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111875211 2016-05-20 14:59:15 UTC https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111875211 The Typical Look of a Minotaur brettnak97 https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111875340 2016-05-20 14:59:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111875340 Ancient Ziggurat brettnak97 https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111875423 2016-05-20 15:00:20 UTC https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111875423 Connector mcconnellniko9 https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111883146 (Niko)

1. The Beauty and the Beast: In Ziggurat the new girl is being held in the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, in the story Beauty and the Beast, Belle was also held captive in a castle. The Minotaur is seen as a monster or a beast, representing the "beast" in the fairytale. Belle in Beauty and the Beast, created a relationship with the beast, which allowed him to return to being human. The new girl has a similar effect on the Minotaur, by producing a relationship between them. Which allowed for the Minotaur to gain some humanity in the different emotions he felt.  
2. Allegory of the Cave: In the allegory of the cave, there were prisoners chained in the cave for their whole lives. All they ever knew was what was in that cave, from being heard and shown on the cave wall. During the beginning of the story, the Minotaur has always been inside the labyrinth, he never knew there was a world outside that place. When the prisoner that escaped felt overwhelmed with all the new sights outside the cave. When the Minotaur finally escaped the labyrinth, he felt sad, and was filled with mixed emotions.
3. A Man Said to The Universe: In a Man Said to The Universe, the universe basically tells the man that he is just a small part in the universe, that with or without him time will always continue to go on. Saying that the man is in a way insignificant to everything that goes on in the universe. When the Minotaur escapes the labyrinth he experiences some mixed emotions, and begins to realize that he is smaller than he actually thought he was. In the labyrinth he seemed to have power, but outside of it, he realizes what little power he actually has making him feel unimportant.




]]> 2016-05-20 15:38:10 UTC https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/111883146 Questioner https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/112182018 (Yasmin)


1. What is the Ziggurat and why is it important? 
- The Ziggurat is an ancient temple of mesopotamia that resembled pyramids and are associated with the Tower of Babel. It is important because they were believed to be the home of GOD. Only priests were allowed to enter them.

2. Why was the Minotaur in the Labryrinth?
- The Labryrinth was created by King Minos' craftsmen so that he could put his enemies in there with the Minotaur so that way he could eat them. The Labryrinth was so confusing that nobody could ever escape alive. 

3. Why didn't the Minotaur eat the new girl?
- The Minotaur did not eat the new girl because he grew fond of her. She tried to avoid her fate however by asserting that she is not a virgin. The Minotaur does not know what a virgin is and therefor says that he can not taste the difference. 

4. Why doesn't the Minotaur ever try to escape the Labryrinth and how does this relate to the allegory of the cave? 
- The Minotaur never tried to escape the the Labryrinth because he is unaware that there is even a world outside of what he knows. The outside world  is something that he has never heard of. This relates to the allegory of the cave because those men that were trapped in the cave also were unaware of the world that was just outside their cave so they never were able to understand it. It would not be easy for them to comprehend when they first encountered it either and they would be fragile and vournable to everything out there.



]]> 2016-05-23 17:43:43 UTC https://padlet.com/brettnak97/9z7ca6v5icue/wish/112182018