McNew Comp II Commonplace Book by Kaelin

#1 Collier's "The Chaser"

knmcnew96 — 2015-01-25 19:11:36 UTC

"One might call it a life-cleaner. Lives need cleaning sometimes."

People could really use "life-cleaners". Not in the way the old man is talking about, but in a way where they could get rid of all the negativity in their lives and be able to smell the roses.

#2 Packer's "Brownies"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:09:28 UTC

It is harder said than done, but people need to move on from the little things that separate themselves from others. If the girls could have understood this, they would have saved themselves from trouble.

#3 Mansfield's "Miss Brill"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:10:01 UTC

Miss Brill shouldn't have let the younger couple ruin what she enjoyed doing. It was how she loved spending her Sunday afternoons, but she let the negativity stop her from finishing her routine.

#4 Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:10:35 UTC

The ending was interesting and unexpected. Faulkner did a wonderful job keeping the audience connected to the story.

#5 Alexie's "Indian Education"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:11:10 UTC

Junior was not being a part of the stereo types that most Indians seem to portray and that is good. However, he stillcould have been closer to the kids in his tribe.

#6 Erdrich's "The Red Convertible"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:11:54 UTC

I was very touched by how Lyman wanted his brother back so bad that he ruined the convertible in hopes of Henry having something to do that might change his mood and behavior.

#7 Welty's "A Wore Path"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:12:34 UTC

I liked how Eudora Welty gave so much detail about the path the old lady had to take to get to town and everything she had to endure to get there.

#8 Jackson's "The Lottery"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:13:10 UTC

Why? This was the question I had after reading this story.

It made me think about the story in the Bible where Stephen is stoned, it wasn't his choice to be killed, it just happened because of Saul. Kind of like the people in the town.

#9 Bender's "The Rememberer"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:13:36 UTC

"Now I come home from work and look for his regular-size shape walking and worrying and realize, over and over, that he's gone."

It is always difficult to make yourself understand that a certain person is no longer in your life. The only thing you can do to have them close to you is to remember all the good times you had together.

#10 Hayden's "Those Winter Sundays"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:14:16 UTC

As young kids, people don't really notice the sacrifices their parents make for them, but as people get older they realize the little things that made a huge difference.

#11 Collins's "Introduction to Poetry"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:14:55 UTC

Billy Collins is wanting his students to appriciate poetry for what it is. To be a part of it. To enjoy it for all it is, not to just understand what it means.

#12 Auden's "Funeral Blues"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:15:42 UTC

Love like that is great while the people are alive but once one dies the other can never be happy again.

#13 Brooks's "We Real Cool"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:16:24 UTC

Such a simple little poem

with a big message behind it.

#14 Piercy's "Barbie Doll"

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:16:56 UTC

It's an awful thing that society has the "perfect picture" of what women should look like. I feel bad for girls like this. They NEED to know how beautifully and wonderfully created they are!

#15 Wilson's Fences

knmcnew96 — 2015-02-04 20:17:23 UTC

August Wilson does such a wonderful job at making the audience stay connected to the story. The audience can feel the emotions of the characters and wishes the best for them as well. I especially like the conversation between Rose and Cory in act two scene five.

"Your daddy wanted you to be everything he wasn't...and at the same time he tried to make you into everything he was. I don't know if he was right or wrong...but I do know he meant to do more good than he meant to do harm."

knmcnew96 — 2015-04-23 17:22:23 UTC