the jumping frog

Markeia Scruggs

December 1,2009

Lit Response

“The Jumping Frog”

According to Webster’s dictionary, realism is the theory or practice of fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization. In “The Jumping Frog,” Mark Twain uses realism to portray the theme of the society of America. Through the development of the characters Mark Twain (the narrator), and Jim Smiley’s pets, Twain was able to present the theme of the society of America by the use of realism. He puts it straight forward as oppose to romanticism, which would contain superfluous diction and figurative language. The nineteenth century American society is emphasized through realism in “The Jumping Frog.”

The story “The Jumping Frog,” starts with Simon Wheeler telling the narrator a story of Jim Smiley’s gambling plots, and how he used his animals to execute them. Wheeler continues his stories and also continues to pass on the story of Jim Smiley gambling schemes and his pets. Wheeler was a talkative man who told the story of Jim Smiley to many.

At the time in which Twain wrote “The Jumping Frog,” the American society presented some issues. There were differences in opinion between the East and the West. Easterners had a reputation of being civilized beings, while Westerners, which still had settlers arriving, was thought to be for lower class, less educated people. As a result, Westerners deemed the Easterners as deceived and immature.

Twain gave interesting names to Smiley’s pets. The dog was named Andrew Jackson and the frog, Daniel Webster. The characteristics of his dog, Andrew Jackson, portrayed an element of realism because the he embodied the traits of Andrew Jackson, the president. “ And a dog might tackle him, and bullyrag him, and bite him, and throw him over his shoulder two or three time, and Andrew Jackson-which was the name of the pup-Andrew Jackson would never let on but what he was satisfied, and hadn’t expected nothing else-and the bets doubled and doubled on the other side all the time, till the money was all up.”(“The Jumping Frog”, page two) Andrew Jackson never let little obstacles get him down, and always had determination and ambition, and that’s exactly what Andrew Jackson, the dog, showed. The story goes on to say “Smiley always come out winner on that pup.” Like Andrew Jackson, the president, he was a champion in what he did and with one fatal incident, died. Daniel Webster was a prominent figure during the Antebellum period and soared above all others as a leader, as did Daniel Webster, the frog. Daniel Webster, the frog, was also a prominent being and was very talented as well. “Flies, Dan’l, flies!” and quiker’n you could wink he’d spring straight up, and snake a fly off’n the ounter there, and flop down on the floor again as solid as a gob of mud, and fall to scratching the side of his head with his hind foot as indifferent as if he hadn’t no idea he’d been all he was so gifted.” (“The Jumping Frog” page three) He was extremely good at what he did but didn’t believe it himself. Twain’s use of realism in his diction makes the content easier to comprehend and also highlights the character’s semblance.

The narrator was deemed as snobbish because of his proper ways. He spoke English well and was well educated. Because he is annoyed by Wheeler’s speech, he doesn’t take him seriously. Therefore, the narrator completely disregards the story of Jim Smiley. The effect of realism contributes to the overall meaning of the text. The narrator’s proper ways contributed to his inability to bare the ignorance of others.

“The Jumping Frog” is a story of realism. It’s diction creates a theme of the society of America. This is presented by developing the characters, Jim Smiley’s pets and the narrator. The accurate representation of these characters creates the theme and sets the tone of the story.

(Grammar)Sentence Analysis

Markeia Scruggs
October 19, 2009
Lit Response

“Young Goodman Brown”
“Young Goodman Brown”(S) is (V) a puzzling story that has many factors that help (D.O) to contribute to that mysteriousness (I.O). (TO BE ) In this story (S), he leaves (V) his newly wed wife (D.O) to journey into the forest in which he plans to return the next morning. Although Brown (S) has (V) some suspicions of unholy dealings, he continues on his journey. The story (S) is (V) set in Salem, Massachusetts, which at the time was big on witchery, and feeds into the whole Puritanism and American Gothicism ideal. (TO BE)The fact that it is during the time of the Salem Witch Trials (S) gives (V) the story more intensity. (TO BE)
“Young Goodman Brown”(S), written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is (V) a mysterious story of Goodman Brown’s encounters. (TO BE) On his journey (S) he has (V) many strange encounters and many hints that warn him, he just doesn’t listen until it’s too late. (TO BE) The setting (S) creates (V) great imagery which is a contributing factor to its American Gothicism characteristics. These factors (S) help (V) to paint a picture that in this case can’t be solved.

The Minister's Black Veil

Markeia Scruggs
October 20, 2009
Lit Response
“The Minister’s Black Veil A Parable”
“The Minister’s Black Veil a Parable” is a story of a mysterious man who comes into town and in a way disturbs it. In this story, Mr. Hooper wears a black veil, in which he never removes for anyone, and that seems to bother the townspeople. This veil that he wears covers the entire face, except the mouth and chin. When he attends a funeral, it seems to be appropriate, but when he attends a wedding with the dreadful veil on everyone remorses him. No one knows why he wears the veil, not even his fiancée, Elizabeth. She asks him many times to remove it and he doesn’t, nor does he tell her why he wears it. As a result, she leaves him, breaking off their engagement. Though many people abandon and despise Hooper for his veil, it proves to make him a better clergyman. At his death bed, Elizabeth tries to get him to remove his veil again, but he refuses and ends by stating that everyone wears a veil. This mysterious veil is used by Hawthorne to set the tone of dull American Gothicism. In this story, he uses many elements to do so.
Hooper was actually regarded as a normal person in the beginning. The text states, “a gentlemanly person of about thirty, though still a bachelor…dressed with clerical neatness, as if a careful wife had starched his band and brushed the weekly dust from his Sunday’s garb.” Because the people of the town didn’t understand his intentions for wearing the black veil, they criticized and judged him. “Such was the effect of this simple piece of crape, that more than one woman of delicate nerves was forced to leave the meeting-house. Yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was almost as fearful a sight to the minister, as his black veil to them.” Hawthorne writes.
Symbolism is used heavily in this story. The black veil in this case represents secret sin. To Hooper, a minister, everyone wore a black veil because everyone has something to hide. “Why do you tremble at me alone? cried he, turning his veiled face round the circle of pale spectators. Tremble also at each other! Have men avoided me, and women shown no pity, and children screamed and fled, only for my black veil? What, but mystery which obscurely typifies, has made this piece of crape so awful? When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, lo! On every visage a Black Veil!” Hawthorne’s intense diction finally reveals Hooper’s inner thoughts and feelings, which in a way were concealed by the veil also through out the entire story.
“The Minister’s Black Veil A Parable” is a story that outlines the true nature of human kind. It gives a story within a story and does so by creating an element of suspense. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many literary elements to feed into the American Gothicism heading. This story definitely makes the reader feel the intensity of the story and American Gothicism in literature.

Young Goodman Brown

Markeia Scruggs
October 19, 2009
Lit Response

“Young Goodman Brown”
“Young Goodman Brown” is a puzzling story that has many factors that help to contribute to that mysteriousness. In this story, he leaves his newly wed wife to journey into the forest in which he plans to return the next morning. Although Brown has some suspicions of unholy dealings, he continues on his journey. The story is set in Salem, Massachusetts, which at the time was big on witchery, and feeds into the whole Puritanism and American Gothicism ideal. The fact that it is during the time of the Salem Witch Trials gives the story more intensity.
During his journey through the forest, he finds that many townspeople are coming to the meeting. The fact that Christians, ministers and deacons from his town accompany him seems to reassure Brown that his destination is in fact safe, though it contradicts the actual meaning of the trip. Hawthorne writes, “It vexed him the more, because he could have sworn, were such a thing possible, that he recognized the voices of the minister and Deacon Gookin, jogging along quietly, as they were wont to do, when bound to some ordination or ecclesiastical council. While yet within hearing, one of the riders stopped to pluck a switch.” The fact that he realizes that these “holy” and trustworthy people are accompanying him gives Brown a sense of security. He once again is swayed to continue on his journey.
Upon actually realizing what is going on, Brown tries to save his wife, Faith, from being converted. The text states, “Faith! Shouted Goodman Brown, in a voice of agony and desperation; and the echoes of the forest mocked him, crying, Faith! Faith! As if bewildered wretches were seeking her all through the wilderness…Look up to heaven, and resist the wicked one.” After that moment, Brown finds himself alone in the forest. He travels back to Salem where his life seems back to normal. Nothing seems to have changed, but Brown knows what he encountered, he just doesn’t know if it is reality or a dream. Soon Brown dies, but his family seems to take light of it. “And when he had lived long, and was borne to his grave a hoary corpse, followed by Faith, an aged woman, and children and grandchildren, a goodly procession, besides neighbors not a few, they carved no hopeful verse upon his tombstone, for his dying hour was gloom.” Hawthorne writes.
“Young Goodman Brown”, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a mysterious story of Goodman Brown’s encounters. On his journey he has many strange encounters and many hints that warn him, he just doesn’t listen until it’s too late. The setting creates great imagery which is a contributing factor to its American Gothicism characteristics. These factors help to paint a picture, that in this case can’t be solved.

"The Devil and Tom Walker" Washington Irving

Markeia Scruggs
October 15, 2009
Lit Response

“The Devil and Tom Walker”
“The Devil and Tom Walker” is a story from the American gothic era in literature. In this story, Irving tells a story of Tom Walker’s dealings with the devil. It tells of how he stumbled upon the devil’s treasures and how he and his wife went missing. With a central theme of greed and being set in New England in 1727, Irving creates a scene of dreariness. His work is the exact opposite of Puritan beliefs, and therefore he incorporates hostility towards them within “The Devil and Tom Walker.” Washington Irving uses many literary devices to critique the puritans.
In “The Devil and Tom Walker” the treasure seems to contradict itself. Because it is treasure, it is a wonderful thing that can bring wonderful materialistic things. On the other hand, it’s the devil’s treasure, and it seems to come with some dire consequences. The text states, “Under one of these gigantic trees, according to old stories, there was a great amount of treasure buried by Kidd the pirate…The old stories add, moreover, that the devil presided at the hiding of the money, and took it under his guardianship; but this, it is well known, he always does with buried treasure, particularly when it has been ill gotten.” Even though it’s a great treasure to possess, it brings troubles. For example, “As he scrambled up the tree the vulture spread its wide wings, and sailed off screaming into the deep shadows of the forest. Tom seized the check apron, but woful sight! Found nothing but a heart and liver tied up in it.” Irving writes. This is also an example of how he indirectly criticizes puritans. He openly discusses the gruesomeness of the story. This is a prime example of American Gothicism.
The disappearance of Tom Walker adds to the claim of American Gothicism. The text states, “Tom Walker never returned to foreclose the mortgage. A countryman who lived on the borders of the swamp, reported that in the height of the thunder gust he had heard a great clattering of hoofs and a howling along the road, and that when he ran to the window he just caught sight of a figure, such as I have described, on a horse that galloped like mad across the fields, over the hills and down into the black hemlock swamp towards the old Indian fort; and that shortly after a thunderbolt fell in that direction which seemed to set the whole forest in a blaze.” This intense use of diction combined with vivid imagery makes the story that much more interesting. It adds to the effect of the Gothicism. It also makes the story duller. With that said, it obviously contradicts that whole idea of Puritanism.
It can be concluded that Washington Irving does a great job with supporting the claim of dreary Gothicism. It obviously goes against every aspect of Puritanism. As a story from the American Gothicism era in literature, it successfully fulfills the position.

Outside Reading Project (Founding Brothers) critical summary and adjective-itis

Markeia Scruggs
October 13, 2009
Outside reading essay

“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation”
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation” is a composition of stories of six events in American history that helped to form the nation we have today. Arthur, Joseph J. Ellis, combines strong diction and ground facts to take on and explain the controversies that have burdened America since it’s founding. This extremely complex and intricate book explains the most famous events in history and how they have created controversies. The overall content of the book is really informative and interesting, though the diction can be a little complicated and hard to comprehend at some points.
The most important characters in the book are Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison. These seven men are the founding brothers of the United States of America. It may seem weird to connect them so sacredly and closely, but in a way, they are like brothers. The worked together as do brothers to get to their end result of a nation. They are also like brothers, because they all fought for their precious treasure, America, so that she can be well taken care of. Though they may have had conflicts with each other occasionally, they were still connected as brothers who created a nation. For example, the infamous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Like brothers, they fought and had differences of opinions, but in the end, they worked together to craft America.
In summary, Joseph J. Ellis used these important events that resulted in controversies to explain how the United States was formed. He used the tasks of our “founding brothers” and analyzes and describes their importance to the reader. By doing this I have received a better understanding of these events and their results. Because such great diction and description was used, I can now explain to others the founding brothers and how they founded our nation.




Markeia Scruggs
October 13, 2009
Adjective-itis
1. Proud
Alexander Hamilton, as described in “Founding Brothers”, was a proud individual. According to the book, an individual was given the choice to either accept or decline a duel. If declined, the individual is deemed to be a coward and thought of as less of a man. As a result, Hamilton proudly accepted. He is also viewed as proud because he chose to not apologize or even acknowledge the fact that he tainted Aaron Burr’s election.
2. Determined
John Adams was a determined being because he was successful in the aspects of his life. He received a good education and continued on to become a constitutional lawyer.
3. Leader
George Washington was obviously a leader. He was the first president of the United States, and was commander-in-chief of the army. He was a highly respected being and that’s why he deserves the title of leader.
4. Informative
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation” is an extremely informative book. It gave an insight on what many may’ve never known about important events in history.
5. Complex
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation” is an extremely descriptive book. It uses large vocabulary terms and the diction can be confusing.

Incidents in the life of a slave girl lit response

Markeia Scruggs
Period 2
2 page lit response
“Incidents in the life of a slave girl” takes place during the time of slavery, hence the name. Linda Brent, the author, tells the story of her life as a slave. She also highlights the ups and downs of her childhood. Her work was authenticated by Lydia Maria Child, a white woman; therefore, it is open to the public. She wrote this painful autobiography in hopes of contributing to the antislavery movement.
“READER, be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible; but they are, nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts.” the text states. She opens with these strong words in an attempt to appeal to the pathos of her readers. She is mainly attempting to appeal to the pathos of her white readers to inform them of the authenticity of her work. As a slave, she knows that her white readers will doubt her work, so she opens by telling her white audience that her work is true.
“When he told me that I was made for his use, made to obey his command in every thing; that I was nothing but a slave, whose will must and should surrender to his, never before had my puny arm felt half so strong.” Brent states. Even though Brent knows that Dr. Flint is legal authority over her, she still has the power to oppose. His pushing drives her to become rebellious and affects her future as well. She realizes at this point that Dr. Flint owns her physical being, but she is spiritually free of any shackles.
Brent states, “Reader, my story ends with freedom; not in the usual way, with marriage. I and my children are now free! We are as free from the power of slave holders as are the white people of the north; and though that, according to my ideas, is not saying a great deal, it is a vast improvement in my condition.” Her story doesn’t end with a wedding. It does end with freedom though. Brent makes the point in her autobiography that slaves can’t be judged by to the laws and morals of the liberated world.
“Incidents in the life of a slave girl” explains the life ordeals of a slave girl named Linda Brent. She goes through many things in her life to eventually find freedom. The corruptive power of slavery was obviously evident in the story. Many important lessons were learned through the tribulations of her life.

Learning to read and write

Markeia Scruggs
October 6, 2009
2 pg lit response
In “Learning to Read and Write”, Frederick Douglas uses various methods to become literate. Douglas used his wit to think of various to learn to read and write. Frederick Douglas uses rhetoric while supporting his claim.
In many parts of the text, Douglas appeals to pathos. I believe he appeals to pathos in order to make the reader feel sympathy and feel the way he felt. Also, Douglas sounds as though he is speaking to a specific audience while appealing to pathos. It seems as though he is speaking to African-Americans because he knows that we can connect to what he is saying. The text states, “The more I read, the more I was led to abhor and detest my enslavers. I could regard them in no other light than a band of successful robbers, who had left their homes, and gone to Africa, and stolen us from our homes; and in a strange land reduced us to slavery. I loathed them as being the meanest as well as the most wicked of men.” Douglas certainly doesn’t sound as though he’s speaking to a white audience.
Frederick Douglas also appeals to pathos by stating, “I used to talk this matter of slavery over with them. I would sometimes say to them, I wished I could be as free as they would be when they got to be men. You will be free as soon as you are twenty-one, but I am a slave for life! Have not I as good a right to be free as you have?” These strong words give the passage a new meaning. They strongly appeal to pathos, because Douglas wants the reader to know his struggle. He wants the reader to feel his pain and hardship. He’s telling us that he deserves to be free too and he yearns for unattainable freedom.
In the passage, Douglas explains how he used his wit to learn to read and write. This is extremely ironic, seeing that slaves were deemed as unintelligent. For example, “Mistress, in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell. The plan which I adopted, and the one by which I was most successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom I met in the street. As many of these as I could, I converted into teachers.” the text states. For Douglas to be a “slave” he was extremely intelligent. He used his intelligence to become smarter.
Through this passage, Frederick Douglas explains how he became literate. He used his intelligence to become even more intelligence. He used many different ways in which to learn to read and write. He used rhetoric to prove his claim. His appeal to pathos makes the passage all the more meaningful.

"The Story of An Hour" lit response

Markeia Scruggs
September 29, 2009
2 page lit response

“The Story of An Hour” by Kate Chopin is a story expressing a woman’s hurt and sorrow toward the supposed death of her husband. The news takes her by surprise and causes her to become deeply depressed and mute. The story expresses in detail the effects of death on her life. Kate Chopin uses extremely descriptive diction and figurative language to depict her pain and sorrow.
When Mrs. Mallard first hears of her husband’s death, she is surprised and stunned. The passage states, “She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister’s arms. When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her.” The use of words such as paralyzed inability to accept its significance, sudden, wild abandonment, and storm of grief gives the story a stronger meaning. She appeals to pathos in an attempt to give the situation all of its credibility.
Kate Chopin also uses figurative language to appeal to the pathos. “There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul.” Chopin writes. She gave an identity to Mrs. Mallard’s exhaustion to heighten the intensity of her pain. Her diction used to bring her exhaustion to life gives the reader a feeling of exhaustion as well. She does this to again intensify the meaning of her exhaustion.
The tone of the story changes as Mrs. Mallard finds out that her husband, Brently Mallard, is in fact alive. The story states, “Some on was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard who entered, a little travel-stained, composedly carrying his grip-sack and umbrella. He had been far from the scene of the accident, and did not even know there had been one. He stood amazed at Josephine’s piercing cry; at Richards’ quick motion to screen him from the view of his wife.” The use of such strong diction appeals to the pathos. The reader feels a sense of relief and happiness because Brently Mallard is back home. The adjectives amplify the intensity of the moment and help to appeal to pathos and create imagery.
The story “The Story of An Hour” is an intense story composed of intense diction and figurative language. The uses of such literary elements combine to create imagery and appeal to pathos. The story’s intensity is that much better with the use of these items.

Aren't I a Woman lit response

Markeia Scruggs
September 28, 2009
2 page lit response
In “Aren’t I a Woman”, Sojourner Truth responds to the colt of true womanhood. She uses strong diction and appeals to ethos in order to prove her claim. By doing so, she completely demeans the whole point of the colt of true womanhood. Truth defines a “woman” according to her standards, and her beliefs. The two different forms of her speech have two different meanings because of the different diction.
Truth states, “But what’s all this here talking about? That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud puddles or gives me any best place, and aren’t I a woman?” Sojourner Truth makes it known what men do for “women” only according to the colt of true womanhood. She appeals to ethos by stating that men don’t do those things for her and asking if she’s a woman. Her use of words help to reinforce that claim of her being a woman and an intelligent woman at that, but the following quote has a different meaning. The text states, “Dat man ober dar say dat womin needs to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to hab de best place everywhar. Nobody eber helps me into carriages, or ober mud puddles, or fibs me any best place!” Though both quotes have the same general and external meaning, this quote makes a different point than the other. This quote’s diction makes the reader sense Truth’s inferiority to white woman and men.
“I have plowed, and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me and aren’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man, and bear the lash as well and aren’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children and seen them almost all sold off into slavery, and when I cried out with a mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard and aren’t I a woman?” the text states. She is saying that she’s just as strong as a man, but man is still of higher authority. She is strong enough to endure the greatest of pains, but she’s still inferior to man.
Though both speeches had the same general claim, they didn’t have the same objective. The first speech represents her intelligence and stance on the colt of true womanhood. The second speech appeals to ethos in order to make the reader feel as though Truth is inferior to men and white women. It completely debases the whole point of the speech while still proving the initial claim of the speech.

"The Wiz" essay

Markeia Scruggs
September 22, 2009
“The Wiz” Essay
According to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of family is a group of persons of common ancestry, but Dorthy’s family thought it to be much more than just a group of related people. They valued family and through a series of events, Dorthy came to value and understand the notion of family.
Dorthy first doesn’t understand how lucky she is to have such a loving and reliable family, but after she is sent to Oz, she begins to understand the notion of family. “I don’t want these shoes, I wanna go home!” Dorthy cries. “I wish I was home.” This is the first event that makes Dorthy really realize that she needs her family. Because she is sent away from her home, she yearns for the wonderful family that awaits for her at home. Dorthy’s extreme need for shelter, family and security is shown through these quotes.
After Dorthy finally realizes that she has such a wonderful family that cares for her dearly, she starts her journey to see the Wizard. On her way, she meets a scarecrow and helps him. Dorthy states, “ I thought that maybe we could get you a brain.” Because she comes from such a loving family, the kindness and generosity instilled in her by them allows her to help the scarecrow and her other two companions.
By helping the scarecrow, the lion and the tin man, they become her temporary family. Even though she misses her own family, she is able to be a “leader” for her three companions. Through her meny obstacles, Dorthy is able to understand the notion of family and even become a family with her friends.

Desiree's Baby

Markeia Scruggs
September 17, 2009
2 page lit response
“Desiree’s Baby”, written by Kate Chopin, is a story of how love can bond together anyone. The story is set back in the era of slavery and has a tone of love and compassion. Many forms of diction and figurative language are used to support the claim that love can beat all odds. This claim is heavily supported by the text.
“In time Madame Valmonde abandoned every speculation by the one that Desiree had been sent to her by a beneficent Providence to be the child of her affection, seeing that she was without child of the flesh.” states the text. This quote sets the overall purpose of the text, because she is unable to have children herself, she will adopt. The text also states, “That was the way all the Aubignys fell in love, as if struck by a pistol shot.” This quote uses strong diction to produce a tone of strong love and affection. Desiree loved the child so dearly and it is supported by this quote, “This was what made the gentle Desiree so happy, for she loved him desperately. When he frowned she trembled, but loved him. When he smiled, she asked no greater blessing of God. But Armand’s dark, handsome face had not often been disfigured by frowns since the day he fell in love with her.” The use of the word love is used to appeal to pathos to make the reader feel the love and want to achieve such love. This quote makes Desiree’s love for her child seem tangible to an extent.
A hint of racial distinction appears within the text many times. The text states, “One of La Blanche’s little quadroon boys…She tried to speak to the little quadroon boy…Out in the still fields the negroes were picking cotton.” The use of the word quadroon refers to the indication of racial distinction between peoples. The child is referred to as a quadroon, meaning that he is in fact a person of color. At this time, this is a bad thing. The text explains, “Armand,” she called to him, in a voice which must have stabbed him, if he was human. But he did not notice, “Armand,” she said again. Then she rose and tottered towards him. “Armand” she panted once more, clutching his arm, “Look at our child.” What does it mean? Tell me.” In this quote, she is obviously surprised by the fact that her child is black. She knows of nothing to do because this situation is crazy. The use of such bold words creates an image for the reader.
Finally the text states, “But above all,” she wrote, “night and day, I thank the good God for having so arranged our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery.” Even though she loves him dearly, she still is ashamed of his race. She is also ashamed to tell him and others of his race. The choice of putting the words together creates wonderful imagery for the reader.
“Desiree’s Baby” is a story of love and how it can beat the odds. Even though her child was different, her love for him changed nothing. With the intelligent use of figurative language and diction, a picture is painted in the minds of the readers.

Spontaneous Me lit response

Markeia Scruggs
September 16, 2009
2 page lit response
When first receiving “Spontaneous Me”, “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” and “Facing West from California’s Shores”, I was expecting to read interesting poems. To my surprise, they are extremely difficult poems to understand. Very good diction and figurative language was used in these poems in order to appeal to pathos.
In “Spontaneous Me”, a lot of imagery is used. For example, “The loving day, the mounting sun, the friend I am happy with, the arm of my friend hanging idly over my shoulder, the hillside whiten’d with blossoms of the mountain ash, the same lat in autumn, the hues of red, yellow, drab, purple, and light and dark green” states the poem. The diction used in this quote give a sense of nature in its purest state. The diction also sets a tone of calmness and serenity. It makes the reader feel like an aesthete, or lover of nature. The quote appeals to pathos to make the reader feel the way the author does.
“Spontaneous Me” also has a tone of love and security, which is set by this quote, “Love-thoughts, love-juice, love-odor, love-yielding, love-climbers, and the climbing sap, arms and hands of love, lips of love, phallic thumb of love, breasts of love, bellies press’d and glued together with love, earth of chaste love, life that is only life after love, the body of my love, the body of the woman I love, the body of the man, the body of the earth.” This quote uses strong diction to express love of many things.
In “Facing West from California’s Shores”, the poem states, “From Asia, from the north, from the God, the sage, and the hero, from the south, from the flowery peninsulas and the spice islands, long having wander’d since, round the earth having wander’d, now I face home again, very pleas’d and joyous” This quote sets a tone of respite and relief. This quote creates an image of the long journey to find home. It appeals to pathos by giving the reader a sense of relief.
In “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”, it is stated, “Flood-tide below me! I see you face to face! Clouds of the west sun there half an hour high I see you also face to face. Crowds of men and women attired in usual costumes, how curious you are to me.” The author sounds confused and appeals to pathos by making the reader feel the same way. The diction creates an image of business men and women attired in business clothing.
All of the poems use extraordinary word choices to enlighten the reader on the wonderful things in life, such as nature, love and home. Figurative language was used to do the same, and imagery brought the entire project together.

Phillis Wheatley lit response

Markeia Scruggs
September 15, 2009
2 page lit response
Phillis Wheatley, an African American poet, lived an interesting life. Her life and accomplishments is a story of irony. “In an age in which even few white women were given an education, Wheatley was taught to read and write, and in a short time began to read Latin writers.” the text states. Education for a black girl is judged as wrong during this time in history. The passage states, “Her literary gifts, intelligence, and piety were a striking example to her English and American admirers of the triumph of the human spirit over the circumstances of birth.” This is extremely ironic because putting a woman on a pedestal is rare, but putting a black woman above that is ever more extreme. Because she was stuck within a time period of inequality and racism, her works are valued even more today. Because she broke through the racial and gender barriers, she is deemed as a powerful and talented woman.
Wheatley shows sarcasm when she states, “Some view our sable race with scornful eye. Their color is a diabolic dye.” She puts herself in the place of the whites when she says this because she shows us how they view black people. She uses sarcasm to ease the pain, but it’s obviously there, hidden within the text. Wheatley sarcastically tells how it’s basically a hopeless to have black skin in America. She appeals to pathos in this quote. She does it by giving the reader the feeling of how sad and unfortunate it is to be a black person in such a situation. The text also states, “ Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land, taught my benighted soul to understand that there’s a God, that there’s a Savior too.” In this quote, Wheatley uses strong diction and appeals to pathos in order to make the reader feel the pain and misery she has felt once before, but to also give the reader the sense of security that she has found through God.
In the last poem, Wheatley explains how she has found joy and happiness through achieving freedom. The text says, “Hail, happy day, when, smiling like the morn, fair freedom rose New England to adorn…” Through this quote in particular, she uses similes and extravagant diction to paint a picture of her feelings toward her new found freedom. They are better explained in this quote, “Elate with hope her race no longer mourns, each soul expands, each grateful bosom burns, while in thing had with pleasure we behold…” She is so overwhelmed with happiness and her feelings are transmitted to the reader through pathos. She uses pathos to brighten up the lives of her readers.
Phillis Wheatley, an extremely important contributor to American literature, was a strong black woman who beat the odds. Through her poems she expressed the struggles of her life as a slave and servant. Because she received the opportunity of an education, she became a wonderful poet. She used great diction, figurative language and word choice to express her feelings. She also appealed to pathos to transmit her feelings right into the reader.

Thomas Jefferson/Declaration of Independence lit response

Markeia Scruggs
September 14, 2009 2 page lit response
Upon receiving “From The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson: From The Declaration of Independence”, I expected it to be extremely boring and uninteresting. Well it was extremely boring, but I received a lot of information from it. From reading this passage, I better understand the Declaration of Independence and the need for independence. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson makes the claim that the American colonies want, need and deserve independence. Thomas Jefferson uses incredible diction and figurative language to get his point across.
“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” the passage states. Thomas Jefferson’s attempt to prove his claim that the American colonies need independence was successful by writing these words. He makes it clear that the colonies have grown up and matured, in a sense, to the point in which they’re ready to walk on their own. Jefferson’s use of such strong words as political bands creates both a sense of what they feel and an image of America’s ties to England. The claim was heavily supported by this quote.
The American colonies’ hunger for independence is supported by this quote. The text states, “He has dissolved representatives houses repeatedly and continually for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.” Thomas Jefferson’s use of figurative language when saying “He has dissolved representatives houses…” gives the feeling that the British has destroyed their government. It also creates an image for the reader because he uses such words. Jefferson once again proves his claim that the American colonies want and need freedom from Britain.
Thomas Jefferson’s claim that America deserves independence from England is supported when he describes how England has taken over. The passage states, “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy unworthy the head of a civilized nation.” Thomas Jefferson’s use of strong words such as plundered, ravaged, burnt and destroyed gave an image of just how important freedom is. His diction sets a tone of anger and vengeance toward the English. This quote obviously proves that the colonies thirsted for freedo.
By using clever figurative language and incredible diction, Thomas Jefferson clearly proved his claim that the American colonies need, want and deserve freedom from English rule. By using such tactics, he was able to prove his point and clearly state his position on the subject. It is clear how and why the American colonies deserved independence.

Huswifery Lit. Response

Markeia Scruggs
September 9, 2009
2 pg. Lit Response
Huswifery, which is defined as the business of a housewife, was written by Edward Taylor to tell of his faith in God. The title automatically attempts to give away the meaning of the poem, but not exactly. Taylor used insignificant objects, which is what Puritans did to show their unyielding respect for God, to explain how he wants God to use him. These objects are swift flyers, a spool, and a reel, whose importance is explained using extraordinary metaphors. All these objects are important to the completion of the Spinning Wheel, both spiritually and physically.
Because flyers are used to control the actions of the spinning wheel, Taylor asks for swift flyers to control his Affections and actions. The text states, “Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers neate.” He puts heavy emphasis on the words affections and swift flyers by capitalizing them. By doing that he creates an image of neat swift flyers in relation to his actions being neat also. Taylor is pleading for God to guide him mentally and spiritually in order to make the right decisions.
Taylor writes, “And make my Soule thy holy Spoole to bee.” He asks God to make his soul be a channel through which God’s word is interpreted consistently. Taylor puts emphasis on spool, again by using capitalization. A spool’s contribution to a spinning wheel is that it twists the yarn into consistent thickness. This is important for the spinning wheel both spiritually and physically.
The reel is what brings everything together. It is used in the spinning wheel to gather the finished thread. Taylor uses the reel to keep God’s word, thread, together. He writes, “My Conversation make to be thy Reele.” This reel is the most important part of the spinning wheel because it brings and keeps everything together.
Through what we would now call an ornate poem, but was viewed as plain, Edward Taylor explains how he wants God to transform him into a spinning wheel spiritually. Because of Puritanism, he uses simple a simple spinning wheel, but transforms it into a very meaningful metaphor of God’s glory. He creates the picture of himself as a spiritual spinning wheel by using insignificant words that have extremely significant purposes. By combining all the minute parts, he produces a spiritual spinning wheel.

Anne Bradstreet 2page lit response

Markeia Scruggs
September 3, 2009
2 page lit. response
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” is written by Anne Bradstreet to her husband. Before actually reading the poem, I didn’t expect such great usage of words and implausible imagery. She expresses her feelings toward her husband with no restraint. She obviously loves him and justifies it by writing this poem. She completely gives her all in this poem and by doing so she appeals to pathos. She uses imagery and diction to appeal to pathos and is extremely successful upon doing so.
“My love is such that rivers cannot quench…” the poem states. Bradstreet really speaks to me when she says this because her diction gives such strong emphasis on her love for her husband. Her diction also tells me how her love is so bountiful that nothing can match it and that it is never ending. She appeals to pathos by making me want to find love as she has. She also creates an image in the mind of the reader of rivers that can’t withstand her love.
Anne Bradstreet makes me feel as though love is the most important thing in the world by stating, “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold or all the riches that the East doth hold.” By using the words mines of gold and riches, she makes her love for her husband sound greater than the best things on Earth. She could’ve used the word money, but the quote wouldn’t have has as big of an effect on the reader if she had. She basically says that she’ll take him over anything offered to her to replace him, and that she loves him more than wealth.
“If ever two were one, then surely we…” Bradstreet states. Anne Bradstreet says that her husband and she are a unity that can’t be broken. She supports that within the poem. Her diction in this quote isn’t quite as easy to understand as others, but it basically tells me that she and her husband are an unbreakable union. By stating this, Bradstreet creates an even stronger foundation to support her claim that her love for her husband is immeasurable.
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” is a strong, passionate poem which obviously appeals to pathos. In it Bradstreet uses creative buy strong word choices to get her point across. By doing so she makes her readers feel her feelings toward her husband and toward love itself. Bradstreet did a wonderful job in transferring her thoughts and feelings to the reader.

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

Markeia Scruggs
September 2, 2009
2 page Lit. Response
Upon reading “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, it was made obvious that Jonathan Edwards was an extremely strong willed man who wasn’t afraid to share his opinion. Because he was such a strongly opinionated man, he used great diction and created vivid imagery for the reader. His entire work appeals to pathos because of his strong diction.
“That they were always exposed to destruction; as one that stands or walks in slippery places is always exposed to fall.” the passage states. By using the words slippery places, Edwards creates an image of someone falling due to a bad situation. His choice of using the word destruction gives the quote an even stronger meaning. It makes the outcome of the situation seem ten times worse. Edwards states, “God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, buy will let them go; and then, at that very instant, they shall fall into destruction;” His diction in this quote gives the sense of no forgiveness, even though forgiveness was promised by God. As the reader, I became angry because Edwards basically says that if you’re in a bad situation it will fail and God won’t help you. This is a huge appeal to pathos because One can make the argument that sometimes people make mistakes, and they should be forgiven for them. Edwards makes the claim that forgiveness is unattainable in a slippery situation, which was supported by the previous quotes.
Why do we think we have the power to do what God already has the power to do is the question that comes to mind when reading this quote. “We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth; so it is easy for us to cut or single a slender thread that any thing hangs by: thus easy is it for God, when he pleases, to cast his enemies down to hell. What are we, trembles. And before whom the rocks are thrown down?” the passage states. Jonathan Edwards used irony in this quote to express how we think we can obtain the power that God has over us. Edwards used great diction in this quote by using the words tread on and crush, which gave the impression that we think we have the power to destroy things. He also creates an image of a small, helpless creature being crushed by a large, dominant human with great power.
Edwards gave strong opinions of how he views God. He appealed to pathos by using many different examples. He also gave great diction and word choice in his work. He strongly expressed his opinions in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”.

Christopher Columbus 2 page lit response

Markeia Scruggs
August 30, 2009
Ap English III
Upon receiving “Christopher Columbus”, I expected to read a continuous list of facts about the great voyager. To my surprise, it was the complete opposite. “Christopher Columbus” gives the reader the chance to go into the mind of Columbus. This is done by reading two of four letters written by Columbus himself. The letters used very interesting diction and word choices. Because of such word styles, the text grabbed my attention almost immediately.
The first letter is to Luis de Santangel, which was written at sea, February 15, 1493. Columbus explains how he has made it to the Indies and has discovered many islands. This letter reveals the Columbus was an extremely adventurous person. For example, Columbus writes, “I determined no to wait for a change in the weather and retrace my path as far as a certain harbor known to me.” In this quote, Columbus directly states that he isn’t giving up. He tells the reader that he isn’t waiting for the weather to change. This quote shows that Christopher Columbus was a true voyager and that he loved to find new things.
Another trait of Columbus revealed to the reader was that he was a true lover of nature. He writes, “All are most beautiful, of a thousand shapes, and all are accessible and filled with trees of a thousand kinds and tall, and they seem to touch the sky. And I am told that they never lose their foliage, as I can understand, for I saw them as green and as lovely as they are in Spain in May, and some of them were flowering, some bearing fruit, and some in another stage, according to their nature.” Columbus gives the uses very descriptive diction to explain the new found land and his feelings toward it. Without even saying it, Columbus tells the reader that Earth is beautiful and that he is excited to explore it. This section of the letter speaks to me because Columbus appeals to pathos by creating imagery for the reader and making me feel what he is feeling toward nature.
In Christopher Columbus’s second letter, written to Ferdinand and Isabella, he describes the part of the Indies that he’s just discovered. “I came to serve at the age of twenty-eight years, and now I have not a hair on my body that is not gray, and my body is infirm, and whatever remained to me from those years of service has been spent and taken away from me and sold, and from my brothers, down to my very coat, without my being heard or seen, to my great dishonor.” said Columbus. In this quote he basically says that he is worthy of having power. His diction describes how he has come through many trying times and that he is ready to gain power.
Toward the ending of the letter, Columbus describes the land he has found. He indirectly states how the land isn’t what it was thought to be. “Here in the Indies I have become careless of the prescribed forms of religion. Alone in my trouble, sick, in daily expectation of death, and encompassed about by a million savages, full of cruelty and our foes, and so separated from the holy Sacraments of Holy Church, my soul will be forgotten if it here leaves my body.” writes Columbus. This quote basically says that Christopher Columbus has come all this way and lost everything he stood for. He tells of how he has lost his religious background and that he fears of going to hell if he were to die. Columbus writes, “Weep for me, whoever has charity, truth, and justice.” Columbus’s diction in this quote is heavy. He is basically crying out for help and begging for pity. He appeals to pathos by using such diction and word choice.
Christopher Columbus used many interesting forms of diction and word choice. He used these factors to reveal hidden characteristics about himself that were unknown to many. Columbus also appeals to pathos on many occasions within his letters. Because he used these literary concepts, he created a better link between the audience and author and allowed the reader to understand his thoughts more clearly.

Diction Worksheet: Apply

An oak tree like a caged Great Dane.