I sprung up off the pool floor but when I opened my eyes all I saw was yellowish water. My lungs were about to burst and I was no where closer to reaching the surface. A great force was pulling me down even further, I screamed but only water heard me. I tried going down and pushing off again but it just brought me right back to where I started. Sheer, stark terror seized me, terror that knows no understanding. The next thing I remember I was vomiting by the side of the pool, the big scary bully that through me in was saying "But I was only fooling around."
Water was always a scary thing to the main character but now he is sure that he will overcome his fear. All this happened because a very large bruiser boy decided that it would be funny to pick on the vulnerable skinny kid. People don't realize that they are hurting people or scaring someone so much that they cause them to harm themselves. The bully that hurt the main character isn't the only one that was just joking around. When people say that they were just joking they think that the person will forgive them. Words don't mean anything, the act is the thing that changes the feeling.
Even though the main character did almost get killed by the bully, he did learn from it because it helped him overcome his fear. I can relate to the main character in "Deep Water" by William O. Douglas by my fear of opening up to someone. Every since I was nine years old I have been scared of opening up to someone just to let that person let me down again. This all started because when I was just in 3rd grade my Grandpa Chapman died of Esophagus cancer. I will never forget this man because he was so full of love, care and respect. There isn't enough words to describe my grandpa. It has been 4 years since this happened and I still feel like it happened just a few days ago. Hopefully in a few years or months I will be able to open up to my family and friends again.
Although the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, no know should have to go through that dramatic experience. The main character in this book was really headstrong and willing to work on swimming and overcoming his fear. I feel that the bully helped the main character realize that he really was fearful of water. William O. Douglas felt that by writing this story he would make a connection with the readers. Words are something in life that is meaningless, acts are what makes up the person's mind.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Pearl Essay
"The need was great and the desire was great, the little secret melody of the pearl was mighty."(pg. 18) In the book "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck Kino the main character was in great need of a pearl to save his son Coyotito from a scorpion bite. When Kino found this pearl he became very emotional because all of his prayers were answered by God or the gods. Kino soon found the pearl becoming his soul because of the money and power it held.
Kino became very obsessed with the pearl and the idea of money."This pearl has become my soul, and if I give it up I shall lose my soul." (pg. 67)This was the quote that John Steinbeck used to show that Kino became obsessed with the pearl. Kino was very poor and living in a brush house at the time when he found the pearl. He thought that this "Pearl of the World," would change his families life for the better. Juana Kino's husband at first thought this was a wonderful happening. She soon realized that this pearl was evil and going to ruin her family.
The thought of his family having money was just to precious for Kino to give up. Kino kept on persisting to get the full amount of the pearl for his family. Juana soon realized that Kino didn't just want the pearl for the family we wanted it for himself too. Greediness got in the way of Kino's love and compassion for his family and friends.
Greediness is a habit and many people don’t realize that. Have you ever wanted something so bad just because it will make popular or just for the fact of having it? That is how I can relate to Kino is by greediness because I always want something because everyone else has it. I know that greediness can get the better of me. Everyone has a greediness side and Kino surely had that side that brought out the worst in him. I hope no one ever has to go through what Kino and Juana and even Coyotito went through.
Greediness is the number one problem in the world, because it can bring out the worst in people. Kino was one of those people that couldn't handle the power of the pearl. Juana was very selfless and wanted to get rid of the pearl to save her family. This is what we need in the world to make us a better community. If we all were like Juana life would be perfect, but nobody is perfect and that is the way of life.
Kino became very obsessed with the pearl and the idea of money."This pearl has become my soul, and if I give it up I shall lose my soul." (pg. 67)This was the quote that John Steinbeck used to show that Kino became obsessed with the pearl. Kino was very poor and living in a brush house at the time when he found the pearl. He thought that this "Pearl of the World," would change his families life for the better. Juana Kino's husband at first thought this was a wonderful happening. She soon realized that this pearl was evil and going to ruin her family.
The thought of his family having money was just to precious for Kino to give up. Kino kept on persisting to get the full amount of the pearl for his family. Juana soon realized that Kino didn't just want the pearl for the family we wanted it for himself too. Greediness got in the way of Kino's love and compassion for his family and friends.
Greediness is a habit and many people don’t realize that. Have you ever wanted something so bad just because it will make popular or just for the fact of having it? That is how I can relate to Kino is by greediness because I always want something because everyone else has it. I know that greediness can get the better of me. Everyone has a greediness side and Kino surely had that side that brought out the worst in him. I hope no one ever has to go through what Kino and Juana and even Coyotito went through.
Greediness is the number one problem in the world, because it can bring out the worst in people. Kino was one of those people that couldn't handle the power of the pearl. Juana was very selfless and wanted to get rid of the pearl to save her family. This is what we need in the world to make us a better community. If we all were like Juana life would be perfect, but nobody is perfect and that is the way of life.
Friday, January 14, 2011
The final reflection on The Pearl
Kino and Juana had a very scary and sad story in "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck. The whole book was confusing because it would be talking about one thing and then it would start talking about another thing. Also I thought it was very boring in the beginning and middle but the ending was very sad and attention getting. The book brought the whole meaning of life back into prospective.
Although this book taught us the meaning of life it also reminded me that money cannot by you love or riches. When I think of someone being rich I think of a middle class person with a happy life and family. Being rich is fun but sooner or later you will not want to have much money anymore because people will start to be jealous of you for your money and then it will turn to hatred. I can't even begin to say how happy I am with the way I live.
Money cannot by love and friends but kindness can. Many people get that and live their life that way. Many do not and live a life of loneliness. I feel for the people that have money because they are not living their life as much as God hopes us too. I hope many people will take my advice and live their life to the fullest with their family.
Although this book taught us the meaning of life it also reminded me that money cannot by you love or riches. When I think of someone being rich I think of a middle class person with a happy life and family. Being rich is fun but sooner or later you will not want to have much money anymore because people will start to be jealous of you for your money and then it will turn to hatred. I can't even begin to say how happy I am with the way I live.
Money cannot by love and friends but kindness can. Many people get that and live their life that way. Many do not and live a life of loneliness. I feel for the people that have money because they are not living their life as much as God hopes us too. I hope many people will take my advice and live their life to the fullest with their family.
Friday, January 7, 2011
reflection on the Pearl
In 1947 John Steinbeck decided to write a book called "The Pearl". So far I am on chapter 3 of "The Pearl" and it is a interesting story. Kino and Juana are the main characters of the book, and I know that because they take a big part in many decisions that happen in the book. This book is kind of like a roller coaster ride because the characters are happy then they are sad, and then they are at the top of world and it is just confusing. The saddest part for me was when the doctor wouldn't help cure Juana and Kino's baby, I felt like I was right there with them when that tragedy happened.
Journal Reflection for "The Pearl"
In the book "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck Juana believes the "Pearl of the World" will ruin her family. Kino had dived into the ocean to find a pearl to pay the doctor to cure their baby. But instead they found a gigantic pearl which is tearing apart their family because of the money it could bring them. Also everyone in the town hates them because they want to pearl and money. I think they should just get rid of the pearl because everything would stay the same and they would get all their friends back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)