Literary Analysis #1

 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

1. Summary-

• Protagonist = Katniss Everdeen 
• she's a teenager, a tough hunter, emotionally strong. 
• Her father is dead and she lives with her mother and sister Prim in District 12 in the country of Panem.
• Every year the Capitol of Panem hosts an event called the Hunger Games where two "tributes" – a boy and a girl – are drafted from each of the twelve districts to be brought to an arena and fight to the death. 
• Only one person can win. 
• This is to remind the country not to rebel, as well as entertainment. 
• This year, Katniss's little sister is selected for the Hunger Games, so Katniss volunteers to take her place.
• Peeta Mellark, the baker's son, who maybe has a huge crush on Katnis is also selected
• After the reaping (that's the tribute selection process), Katniss and Peeta are whisked away to the Capitol to prepare for the Games (and primped for live TV).
• The support team  is comprised of Haymitch (a former Hunger Games winner and also a drunk), Effie (their wrangler), and Cinna and Portia (their stylists). 
• During the opening ceremonies, Cinna and Portia dress Katniss and Peeta in flames and they draw much attention to themselves.
• During training, Katniss reveals her archery skills to the Gamemakers and scores an amazing 11 out of 12, while Peeta gets a lower score and asks to be trained seperatly.

• The game begins as all 24 participants fight for their lives.
• Katniss teams up with Rue.
• Rue gets killed
• Katniss now looks for Peeta after the announcer announces that there can be 2 winners in this years hunger games.
• Katniss nurses Peeta back to health.
• Katniss, Peeta, and Cato are the only ones left when the get chased by genetically enhanced wild dogs.
• Katniss shoots Cato and he is eaten by the pack of dogs.
• Announcer says there can only be 1 winner
• They fake like they are going to commit a double suicide with poisonous berries and the announcer changes his mind and announces them both winners.
• Katniss isn't really in love with Peeta eventhough he tells her he wasnt acting.

2. Theme-
 The Hunger Games is a novel about the "haves" and the "have nots" that is, the people who have money and the people who don't. While the Capitol is wealthier than all of the districts, some districts are more privileged than others, so they can train their tributes to do well in the Hunger Games a competition they see as a way to gain glory and fame. The poor districts have no advantage at all. District 12, Katniss's district, is an impoverished coal mining region that never stands a chance in the Games. They view the Games as a punishment that must be endured,something that robs them of their children. The novel asks you, then, to think about how money can change things for you and change how you see the world.

3. Tone-
 In my opinion, there are multiple tones for The Hunger Games. Katniss exhibits strength and courage but the games are dark and saddening. Some could argue that Katniss falls in love with Peeta and that love and hope could both be a tones but I disagree. I think the tone is much more serious, since the capitol is cruel and since there is little hope she will survive Katniss' desperate attempt to win the games is present.

4. Five Literary Elements/Techniques:

1. Imagery: After the death of Rue Katniss gives her a proper burial in which the author paints a sad picture. "The cold hit me from all sides as i placed the last flower delicately into the bundle that was Rue."

2. Irony: How the capital's constant idea that they can do whatever they want is thwarted in the end by Katniss and Peeta when the capital announces both of them winners.

3. Epiphany: When Rue died and Katniss suddenly understood what Peeta meant about being “more than just a piece in their Games.” This is when she truly decides to fight against the Capitol.

4. Symbolism: Katniss wearing the mockingjay pin that represents all districts is symbolizing that she is the chosen one.

5. Diction: Collins uses powerful diction throughout The Hunger Games to convey Katniss' shifting attitudes toward the Capitol and the games.

Vocabulary List 6

beatitude- supreme blessedness; exalted happiness
sentence- Even the richest man couldn't buy his way to beatitude.

bete noire- a person or thing especially disliked or dreaded
sentence- Soccer is the most bete noire sport for me.

bode- to be an omen of'; portend
sentence- This cloudy weather does not bode well for our picnic.

dank- unpleasantly moist or humid; damp; chilly
sentence- In old days people were threatened with getting put into a dank dungeon.

ecumenical- general; universal
sentence- The english language is fairly ecumenical around the world.

fervid- heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm
sentence- The fervid auctioneer brought life to the event.

fetid- having an offensive odor; stinking
sentence- The boy's locker room was very fetid.

gargantuan- gigantic, enormous, colossal
sentence- I had a gargantuan load of homework for the night.

heyday- stage or period of greatest vigor, strength, success
sentence- I could tell of my grandparents heyday by looking at old pictures of them.

incubus- something that weighs upon or oppresses one like a nightmare
sentence- The guilt got to her the most in her sleep as of a relentless incubus.

infrastructure- the basic, underlying framework or features of a system or organization
sentence- The internet has become very common in our society's infrastructure.

inveigle- to entice, lure by flattery or artful talk
sentence- I inveigle my girlfriend to get him to take me to see a chick flick.

kudos- honor, glory, acclaim
sentence- He received kudos from everyone on his performance.

lagniappe- a gratuity or tip
sentence- We left a large lagniappe for our waiter.

prolix- extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy
sentence- Sometimes my rambling causes me to form prolix essays of ten pages.

protege- person under protection or care of someone interested in his/her career
sentence- The coach's protege was able to win an olympic medal which he was not able to do himself.

prototype- the original or model on which something is based on
sentence- Most rocket scientist form a prototype before actually building the rocket.

sycophant- self-seeking, servile flatterer
sentence- My sycophant friend only tells me what I want to hear and never the truth.

tautology- an instance of such repetition
sentence- I try to avoid tautology in my writing.

truckle- to submit or yield obsequiously or tamely
sentence- Don't truckle to unreasonable demands.

My AP Reading Choice

For my AP reading I have decided to read Of Mice and Men because I am feeling lazy and got a late start to this assignment. Also i really enjoyed reading this book in the past so I am hoping to produce a solid first Literary Analysis.

AP Rubric Notes

All essays are on a nine point scale


9-8: Persuasive analysis with a range of interpretations. Convincing, complex, and appropriate. Demonstrate clear and sophisticated writing. Perfect... In the Reader's eyes.

7-6: Reasonable analysis. Still complex, but less convincing. Clearly express ideas. Developed analysis and effective composition.

5:  Use some analysis, but more superficial. Misinterpret some parts. Minimal support. Still show control of language.

4-3: Fail to offer adequate analysis. Unconvincing, possibly even irrelevant. Only slight or misused evidence. Lack of control of composition. Significant misreading or inept writing.  But still not a 0-2.

2-1: Well...compound weakness. Some effort made, but little success in organization, grammar, or mechanics. Little coherent discussion of the topic. But some points still earned.

Blank or completely off topic receive no AP exam credit.

Vocabulary List 5

acumen- ability to make good judgments and quick decisions
sentence: It was through his acumen that he was able to solve his life problems.

adjudicate- to settle or determine
sentence: We had to ask the teacher to adjudicate which definition was correct.

anachronism- something or someone that is not in its correct historical time
sentence: Traveling by horse and carriage is no longer used and has become an anachronism.

apocryphal- of doubtful authorship or authenticity

sentence: The judge was presented with apocryphal information.

disparity- inequality

sentence: The constitution ended much disparity among its people.

dissimulate- to disguise or conceal under a false appearance

sentence: Spy's are very good at dissimulating themselves to hide who they are.

empirical- derived from or guided by experience or experiment

sentence:  Scientists are able to find chemical reactions due to empirical ways.

flamboyant- strikingly bold or brilliant

sentence: The professional athlete was flamboyant when excessively celebrating his touchdown.

fulsome- offensive to good taste, especially as being excessive; overdone or gross

sentence: The fulsome praise embarrassed me deeply. 

immolate- to sacrifice

sentence: Old societies would immolate people to the Gods.

imperceptible- very slight, gradual, or subtle

sentence: We approached an imperceptible slope of the road.

lackey- a servile follower 

sentence: Every villain has a lackey to help him.

liaison- a person who initiates and maintains such a contact or connection

sentence: I acted as a liaison for my friends who weren't on speaking terms.

monolithic- consisting of one piece; solid or unbroken 

sentence: The boat had a monolithic hull.

mot juste- the exact or appropriate word

sentence:  Mysterious was the mot juste to describe the woman.

nihilism- total rejection of established laws and institutions

sentence: The colonists agreed on nihilism that the government forced upon them.

patrician- a person of noble or high rank; aristocrat

sentence: Who ran the country used to be based upon a patrician.

sic- to incite to attack 

sentence: I told my dog to sic on the intruder. 

sublimate- to make nobler or purer

sentence: I bought a new water filter to sublimate my water.

Beowulf Translation

Beowulf and Godsylla

Meanehwæl, baccat meaddehæle, monstær lurccen;
Fulle few too many drincce, hie luccen for fyht.
Ðen Hreorfneorhtðhwr, son of Hrwærowþheororthwl,
Æsccen æwful jeork to steop outsyd. Þhud! Bashe! Crasch! Beoom! Ðe bigge gye
Eallum his bon brak, byt his nose offe;
Wicced Godsylla wæld on his asse.
Monstær moppe fleor wyþ eallum men in hælle.
Beowulf in bacceroome fonecall bamaccen wæs;
Hearen sond of ruccus sæd, "Hwæt ðe helle?"
Graben sheold strang ond swich-blæd scharp
Stond feorth to fyht ðe grimlic foe. "Me," Godsylla sæd, "mac ðe minsemete."
Heoro cwyc geten heold wiþ fæmed half-nelson
Ond flyng him lic frisbe bac to fen
Beowulf belly up to meaddehæle bar,
Sæd, "Ne foe beaten mie færsom cung-fu."
Eorderen cocca-cohla yce-coeld, ðe reol þyng.

Translation:
 Meanwhile, back at the mead-hall, the monster lurked
Full few too many drinks, he was looking for a fight
Then Hreorfneorhtðhwr, son of Hreorfneorhtðhwr asked the awful jerk to step outside
Thud, Bash, Crash, boom, the big guy
All of his bones broke, bit his nose off;
Wicked Godzilla wailed on his ass
Monster mopped the floor with all the men in the hall
Beowulf in the backroom making a phone call
Hearing sounds of ruckus said, "What the hell?"
Grabbed his strong shield and sharp switch blade
Stood forth to fight the grimlic foe
"Me," Godzilla said, "Make the mince-meat"
Hero ? quickly got (getting) held with the famed half-nelson
And flying him like a frisbee back and forth
Beowulf belly up to the mead-hall's bar,
said, "No foe has beaten my fearsome kung-fu."
He ordered coca-cola, ice cold, the real thing

Textbook Notes pgs. (64-82)

Gilgamesh

• A king that built a place for the Gods Anu and Ishtar
•  Uruk= ancient sumerian city
• 1/3 man, 2/3 god

Iliad

• Achilleus and Hektor battle out
• Ach wants revenge for his countrymen that Hektor killed.
• Athene thinks it is fate for Hektor to die so she abandons Hektor and aids Achilleus.
• Hektor killed Achilleus' partner, Patroklos
• Hektor gets stabbed in the neck with a spear and is forced to sit, bleeding as vengence

A History of the English Church and People

• Belgic Gaul is south of English island
• prosperous and promising English land
• Latin medium for scriptures
• Britons-original inhabitants
• then Scythians came to north Isish coast (W of Britain) and found Scots
• Pictish settlers rejected from settling in Ireland
• sent to go to Britain, promised help to fight if they resisted
• settles in north, Britons in south
• king comes from lady's side as part of agreement to marry into Pictish families, if needed
• Ireland more pleasant with no reptiles or snakes, immune to poison
• Scots originally from Ireland, migrated to Britain

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

•  East Anglia and Northumbria harrassed Wessex
• Wessex built large ships to fight off
• Danes and King Alfred fought? at the Isle of Wales?
• Danes lost but saved by tide.

Deconstruction of Iron Man

(Iron Man breakdown is based only on the movie.)
Iron Man, aka Tony Stark, was born into an extremely wealthy family; his father was a rich inventor like Stark himself and because of this Stark became accustomed to the fast-paced, greedy, self-centered lifestyle that we see him living in the beginning of the movie. He is very intelligent and uses this to create weapons to protect the American people. Although this may seem heroic, he is completely oblivious that they are being used for different purposes and only when he is kidnapped and shown the horrors that his weapons have caused. Does he realize his call to journey (to become Iron Man and destroy the weapons he created). His kidnapping is a vital point to our hero's journey because it marks a turning point in how our hero thinks. He in a way gives up his "bad boy" persona and becomes more considerate and caring for others. He begins working on his suit then completes parlous tasks like saving towns that were being ravaged by evil men. Meanwhile he acquires an enemy, Jebediah, who wants to take over Stark Enterprises. Tony then uncovers knowledge that Jebediah was behind his kidnapping and the selling of his weapons to terrorists so he has to stop him. He of course does, and comes away with the knowledge that he really is a caring person underneath the mask he wears in public.

AP Exam Multiple Choice Answers

1. B
2. E
3. C
4. E
5. E
6. D
7. A
8. C
9. A
10. B
11. D
12. B
13. A
14. C
15. E
16. B
17. C
18. A
19. B
20. B
21. A
22. C
23. A
24. A
25. E
26. E
27. A
28. D
29. E
30. C
31. A
32. E

46. non-existent
47. A
48. C
49. B
50. E
51. B
52. A
53. A
54. B
55. E
56. B
57. C
58. C
59. A
60. D
61. E
I answered these questions to the best of my ability. That being said I'm a terrible English test taker.

Vocabulary List 4

Apostate: a person who forsakes his religion, cause, party, etc.
sentence: He was considered apostate because he gave up his faith in Christianity.

Effusive: unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve
sentence: Famous people receive effusive praise.

Impasse: a position or situation from which there is no escape.
sentence: He became impasse when he entered the meeting.

Euphoria: a state of intense happiness and self-confidence.
sentence: The mother was hit with euphoria when she found out her daughter was getting married.

Lugubrious: mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner.
sentence: Characters on soap operas use lugubrious monologue.

Bravado: a pretentious, swaggering display of courage.
sentence: Beowulf became known for his bravado in fighting the dragon.

Consensus: majority of opinion
sentence: The consensus of the group was to meet twice a week.

Dichotomy: division into two parts
sentence: A dichotomy is formed in our class room when there are different views on the subject.

Constrict: to slow or stop the natural course or to contract or shrink
sentence: Greed constricted the nation's cultural life.

Gothic: noting or pertaining to a style of architecture, originating in France
sentence: Much of Europe used gothic architecture in their buildings.

Punctilio: a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure.
sentence: The little doves showed punctilio when they flew out at the wedding.

Metamorphosis: a complete change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation
raconteur to tell
sentence: I underwent a metamorphosis since when I was little from being shy to social.

Sine qua non: an indispensable condition, element, or factor; something essential
sentence: Her presence was the sine qua non of every social event.

Quixotic: extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable
sentence: Many girl readers are into to quixotic love stories, rather than realistic romance.

Vendetta: any prolonged and bitter feud, rivalry, contention
sentence: There was a political vendetta.

Non sequitur: an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premises.
sentence: The teacher's lecture was a ramble of non sequiturs and irrelevant observations.

Mystique: an aura of mystery or mystical power surrounding a particular occupation or pursuit
sentence: Some people sense mystique in nuclear science.

Quagmire: anything soft or flabby
sentence: We ran into a quagmire of mud.

Parlous: perilous; dangerous
sentence: Giving away your personal information can cause parlous situations.