All Things Must Come To An End

I was unprepared for, unaware of, and unexcited for the what awaited me  outside of the halls of Millbrook High School. I had no idea what the future was going to look like and to be completely honest I'm still more than a little afraid of what's ahead but over the course of my time in the IB program at Millbrook I learned one clear message. Just because something is hard, doesn't mean it isn't worth doing and just because something is scary doesn't mean you should turn your back on it. IB may have been difficult, frustrating, annoying, and sometimes terrifying but in the end I came out of it a stronger person. I came out of IB with a better sense of who I am and what I'm capable of. I came out of IB more aware of the world I live in, both the beautiful and the tragic parts of it.

I am ready for the Open Road:

"Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,

Healthy, free, the world before me,

The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.



Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,

Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,

Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,

Strong and content I travel the open road. "

(Song of the Open Road)

IB showed me that we don't learn for the sake of learning, we don't learn history to regurgitate dates on a test, we don't study literature just to argue to someone in Zimbabwe why the curtains are blue. We learn so that someday we can go out in do great things with the knowledge we've been given. We learn so that we can reach out fullest potential. All of us have already done incredible things in the course of our high school careers but I'm certain that each of us will do much greater things, because of our time at Millbrook High School and I can't wait to celebrate them with you all.

-Dawson Lane

Freebie Part Two

Using my freebie

The American Dream

1. How would you describe the “American Dream?”

- For me the American Dream to me is the idea of becoming something more than what you started off with. This can be motivated fiscally, personally, or socially but ultimately the American Dream can be boiled down to the idea of progress and the pursuit of happiness (as defined by the individual).

2. What is your definition of wealth?

-To me wealth can be a lot of different thins, one of which is definitely the idea of fiscal wealth. However, I believe there are quite a few other types of wealth and to me they are more important than the idea of fiscal wealth (i.e. social wealth, or being surrounded by people who genuinely and truly care about you.) I also, believe that some people find wealth in altruistic pursuits and the memories and joy that come from these endeavors.

3. What are Americans’ attitudes toward wealth and poverty?

-Wealth in America is generally regarded as being tied to the size of one's bank account. This is an idea that is present in The Great Gatsby, as the idea of materialism is what defines the characters. As for poverty, here in America there is a widely held believe that a person can escape from poverty by working hard to improve one's situation (see Gatsby for an example of this idea.)

4. What is your attitude toward wealth and poverty?

-To me wealth is something that is accrued in part through fiscal means, but also through memories, friends, and family. As for poverty, I do not agree with the stigma that it is something that can be overcome by little more than hard work, due to the fact that people in intense poverty are put at a significant disadvantage through socioeconomic standards, and will often need outside assistance to get back on there feet.

Having examined the American Dream, it is clearly a large part of Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, and the problems with the American Dream are explored inside the novel. For instance, Gatsby possesses all the money anyone could ever need or want, yet he is left unfulfilled in his life due to not possessing Daisy. Ultimately, the novel is asserting that materialism and financial gain will result in a hollow life if not paired with success in relationships.

Lost In Translation

1. As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.
1. Minimal punctuation, establishes surrounding events before main subject
2. Chooses to call them "uneasy dreams" instead of nightmares, resulting in a visual that is less fearful and more uncomfortable. Also, gigantic insect implies a massive size, far larger than that of a human.
3. Linear, no punctuation
4. Very straightforward, with little figurative language 
2. Gregory Samsa woke from uneasy dreams one morning to find himself changed into a giant bug.
1. Establishes identity, followed by circumstance. Seems to build towards the revelation of Gregory Samsa's circumstances.
2. Changes his name from Gregor to Gregory, resulting in the text possessing a more Anglo-Saxon feeling. Also, in calling Gregor a giant bug, there is a lot of room for interpretation as to the size of the insect.
3. Linear, minimal punctuation
4. Clear statement with little figurative language.
3.  When Gregor Samsa awoke from troubled dreams one morning he found he had been transformed in his bed into an enormous bug.
1. Follows the same basic syntax as the others, building towards the revelation of his transformation.
2. The choice of the word enormous conjures up an image of something of monstrous proportions.
3. Linear, minimal punctuation
4. One morning, upon awakening from agitated dreams, Gregor Samsa found himself, in his bed, transformed into a monstrous vermin.
1. Chooses to establish the surrounding events, then the identity of the character, ending with the situation. Large usage of multiple clauses.
2. The term monstrous and vermin give no indication of size but instead conjure up grotesque images of terrifying creatures.
3. Heavy usage of punctuation to create an odd phrasing within the sentence.

How does the word choice, syntax, punctuation, and imagery shift in each affect meaning?

The different word choices within each selection define the impression the reader gets of the creature Samsa was transformed into. With selections 1 and 2 calling up ideas of a large beast, selection 3 creating the impression of some kind of giant that towers over its surroundings, and selection 4 giving no impressions on size, but instead on the grotesque appearance of the creature. Also, the varying usage of punctuation creates a sense of building anticipation in selections 1-3 but for section 4 it seems to follow more of a kind of chain of events.

Is one more effective than another? Why? 

I would argue that selection #3 is the most effective due to the impressions it leaves the reader with. Firstly, the image it creates of an enormous bug that towers over its surroundings is the most striking of all of the selections. Also, it maintains the linear nature of the selection (unlike selection #4) and preserves the original name of the character (unlike selection #2).

What does this exercise bring up about the difficulty of reading translated texts? How do different translations effect the tone of the sentence? 

This exercise highlights how even though the same basic premise and themes can be maintained through slightly different translations, the ultimate effect on the reader changes heavily. This is illustrated in how the diction in selections 3 and 4 create a fearful tone by creating an image of a monster in the reader, selections 1 and 2 create one of passivity because of the underwhelming nature of the description of the creature.

IOC Practice Passage, Whoops!

IOC Practice

Criterion A: 7

I think I used the best quotes available inside of my selection and was also able to place the novel as well as justify my points in the framework of the novel as a whole.

Criterion B: 6

My analysis focused mostly on characterization as that was the primary literary technique inside of my selection. I had intended to discuss more such as dialogue and diction however I realized quickly that I did not have enough time to do so.

Criterion C: 4

For the most part I stuck to my "thesis" which I stated at the start of my IOC and I had a strong body however I did occasionally back peddle to a point that I had already concluded.

Criterion D: 5

I think I appropriate language and spoke clearly. However, there were a couple of occasions where I stumbled or misspoke that caused me to stumble a little bit, but these occurrences were infrequent.


(I didn't know how to upload the recording so I e-mailed it to you!!!)

What Should I Cover??

For my cover comparison I have chosen the two covers shown above. The covers both contain dark colors, for the effect of creating an eerie tone to match the novel's dark subject matter. These novels both also play on natural elements, with the first cover depicting a beach front and the second portraying the human anatomy with what appears to be trees in the background. The covers do differ in some areas most notably what themes they chose to capture. The first novel captures a serene beach front, a nod to the boat that Kathy and Ruth go to visit. The boat is a physical representation of lost things, which is in alignment to the title of the novel, Never Let Me Go. The second cover is much darker in nature choosing to portray the subject of cloning and donations. The two covers chose to focus on different subjects within the novel, the first on loss, and the second on the sci-fi aspects of the story.

1. The first cover makes me think of the word "distant" and creates a feeling that this takes place in a secluded place different and separate from the rest of the world. The second reminds me of the word "surgical" and reminds of me a drawing done by a freshman biology student.
5. The first cover would be made by someone who identifies with the emotional aspects of the novel and would be read by an older audience who appreciates these themes more deeply. The second would be made by someone fascinated with the ethics surrounding the cloning portion of the book and would be read by someone more interested in the dystopian aspect of the novel.

Don't Fear The Giant

          Malcolm Gladwell's speech on the Unheard Story of David and Goliath seeks to challenge the idea that David was a helpless underdog when he fought the terrifying behemoth of Goliath. Gladwell asserts that David was actually not an unlikely victor, but rather a boy who simply overcame his fear of giants. Gladwell provides evidence that Goliath suffered from a condition called acromegaly, which causes abnormal size and strength, but impairs vision. In this he asserts that, " the very thing that was the source of his apparent strength was also the source of his greatest weakness" and that in reality the Israelite army was intimidate by a giant who is weaker than he appears.  He claims we have all missed the true beauty of this story, "Giants are not as strong and powerful as they seem. And sometimes the shepherd boy has a sling in his pocket." The author uses an abundance of logos in his story, citing historical facts about David's skill with his sling, military strategy, and even the science behind the rock that David slung at Goliath. The proof that he uses to assert that Goliath has acromegaly is circumstantial at best and is most likely biased to support his viewpoint, however it remains highly convincing. He also uses vivid imagery in order to recreate the scenario of the battle and allusions to the biblical text to assert his point. Gladwell's assertion that there may be giants, but we can overcome them is one that I connect with in an extremely meaningful way. Often times in high school it can feel like you are up against the world, however the message of Gladwell's speech is that you are never hopeless, and that sometimes the tasks that look the most insurmountable simply require a little but of courage and thought to overcome. I chose this talk because the story of David and Goliath is one that I have connected with for a long time and hearing this new opinion made me appreciate it even more.

To view this incredible presentation click here.

Heroes in Double Indemity

          At first glance the film Double Indemity appears to be completely devoid of characters willing to fill the role of the hero. The films two primary characters Walter Neff and Phyllis Dietrichson are both working together to plan a murder of an innocent man for personal and financial gain. Several other characters such as the character of Lola have no villianous intentions but simply do not impact the films main conflict enough to stand out as a true hero. There is one characater though that I believe to be the true hero of Double Indemity.

           The character of Barton Keyes qualifies in my mind as the hero of the story due to the way he seems to always be getting closer and closer to solving the murder commited by Walter Neff and Phyllis Dietrichson. Many would argue that Keyes does not try to solve the murders for entirely altrustic means, as it is his duty as an insurance investigator to look into claims that appear suspicious. While this may be true, he does not struggle with many of the tropes of film noir that would prevent him from being considered the hero. He has no glaring villianous intentions like the character of Lola, however unlike Lola he impacts the main conflict by drawing ever closer to the truth to the point where Neff feels threatened by him.

          Perhaps some of the most crucial evidence for Barton Keyes being the hero of Double Indemity arrives at the conclusion of the movie. Throughout the movie Neff is leaving his confession to Keyes, and at the conclusion of his tale we see that Keyes has been standing outside of Neff's office for long enough to understand what is happening. Neff's decision to leave the recording for Keyes is significant as it shows that even Neff, the character that was responsible for the murders, views Keyes as the hero who has the greatest chance of being able to set things right. Also, at the very end of the film when Neff collapses from his injuries that he sustained when he killed Phyllis we see Keyes walk over and converse with him. In film noir a common trope is to have a scene of the guilty party being taken down by authorities/the hero in the final shot of the film. By choosing to have Keyes standing next to the injuried Neff the film is indirectly stating that Keyes is the authority that can challenge the heinous crimes of Walter and Phyllis.