Koscelny Comp II Commonplace Book by Katie Koscelny

"Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin

kkoscelny — 2015-01-17 22:37:30 UTC

Sometimes marriage can hold people back especially back in the late 1800s when the women had to be the cooks and maids. When Mrs. Mallard's husband 'died,' she felt as if she was free and had no one holding her back and telling her she can or can't do something. She was tired of submitting herself to her husband.

"Trifles" by Susan Glaspell

kkoscelny — 2015-01-17 22:46:11 UTC

"She was like a bird herself-real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and-fluttery." - Trifles

I think Mrs. Wright killed her husband because he killed a part of her when he killed her pet bird. Her husband treated her almost like a bird in a cage. She wasn't allowed to sing around the house which made her happy. Mr. Wright had her trapped. So when he killed her bird, she lost it and killed him.

"Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid

kkoscelny — 2015-01-17 22:52:16 UTC

In the time period when the story was written, women were supposed to be the cook and the cleaner. The narrator/mom tried way to hard to make her daughter turn into this perfect housewife. I think she could've taken a different path about how to teach her daughter how to cook and clean instead of nagging on her all the time.

"Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

kkoscelny — 2015-01-27 00:44:32 UTC

Some people feel trapped which causes them to become crazy. John, the husband, made his wife, the narrator, feel crazy and trapped like she had no choices. I think this is really relevant in today's society as well because sometimes people can be really controlling which causes you to have distress.

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen

kkoscelny — 2015-01-27 00:52:31 UTC

Nora acted like an unintelligent woman, so her husband would be happy, but then she realized that isnt okay. People put on masks everyday so others will percieve them differently which I don't think is fair. I dont think anyone should have to put on a fake mask and pretend to be something their not just to please someone.

"Harlem" By Langston Hughes

kkoscelny — 2015-02-14 17:09:10 UTC

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

Langston Hughes believed that you shouldn't put off your dreams. You should have the courage to pursue your dreams and not give up because Hughes didn't give up and that is why he was so successful.

“Let America be America Again” by Langston Hughes

kkoscelny — 2015-02-14 17:15:51 UTC

Hughes thought America was changing during the 1930s. He wanted America to go back to being the America that had complete freedom and didn't discriminate. That's what America was known for before all the slavery happened. I really liked this poem because he had a very good point.

"Battle Royal" by Ralph Ellison

kkoscelny — 2015-02-21 23:31:30 UTC

Ellison wrote this story because he was trying to make a point about the battle for African-Americans. They had to fight so hard just to receive a high school diploma which isn't fair. They were in a constant battle their whole lives trying to make a difference and fight for their race.

"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker

kkoscelny — 2015-02-21 23:38:30 UTC

People use their education status to discriminate against others. Mama had barely any education; Dee had a full education; Maggie had barely any education like her mom. Dee thought this entitled her to everything special and meaningful her mom owned. Walker wrote this story to show how we discriminate based on the amount of education someone gets which isn't okay.

"The Lesson" by Toni Bambara

kkoscelny — 2015-02-21 23:46:25 UTC

"Ain't nobody gonna beat me at nuthin." -Sylvia from "The Lesson"

Bambara didn't agree with social injustice which is why she wrote this story. It isn't fair for people who try so hard at something to get nothing in return. It is also good to be friends with everyone no matter their wealth. Anger fuels people to try harder and to get what they deserve.

"Brownies" by ZZ Packer

kkoscelny — 2015-02-21 23:52:39 UTC

Discriminating people for their race isn't okay. That is what Packer is trying to get across. You shouldn't call people names based on their race or if they are mentally impaired. The girls from Troop 909 were actually sweet and kind hearted. They weren't spoiled or rude like Argenetta and others thought.

"Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller

kkoscelny — 2015-03-11 00:51:07 UTC

The American Dream is an unachievable dream because no one ever feels good enough once they have accomplished something important. I don' t agree with this dream at all because it portrays America as being materialistic and money centered. The dream killed Willy because he felt so worthless which isn't right. Because a dream should make you feel proud and accomplished.

"Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

kkoscelny — 2015-04-04 19:43:07 UTC

Everyone carries physical and emotional burdens especially soldiers. They carry at least 50 pounds on their backs and also deal with all of their internal emotions. This story was very symbolic of all the things soldiers do and carry for us.