5.08: The Gift of the Magi

5.08: The Gift of the Magi

by: O. Henry

For this blog, I’ve chosen to read the short story by O. Henry, “The Gift of the Magi”. This story was beautiful; it was a holiday love story about a couple who is extremely poor and has two prized possessions- the girl’s hair and the guy’s watch which they both had to sacrifice. I believe the author’s intent in this story was to show us that material things aren’t worth anything if what’s inside us isn’t valuable. This story had a chronological organization, in which the author took us from scene to scene. This story also had many allusions in it, which gave it an artistic and realistic feel. I personally loved this story. It had romance and a beautiful little Christmas feeling, which always makes me feel like a kid again but now it was more grown-up because we see how this couple sacrificed themselves for one another. I really liked the fact that it was realistic and probably did happen to someone before. The romance part was definitely my favorite part- I love the idea of “love”. I thought it was the sweetest thing ever how they were so selfless and did do something to make the other happy, it reminded me of something my parents would do for each other. I really also liked the way O.Henry writes, it’s extremely interesting and has a life lesson behind it, which I think is awesome, because the theme of love is an amazing topic that definitely should be addressed nowadays.

4.08 Free Choice Blog

The Hunger Games

Chapter 3

In this chapter, there were a lot of awkward and stressing situations displayed throughout the plot. As Katniss had to leave Panem, it was a very worrying scene for her, and I realized how much she truly did not trust her mom. It was hard for her to leave Prim behind, because she could starve, but she had a couple special people relieve that worry a little, as they promised to take care of her family. Also, she was given a great amount of luxuries on her way to the Capitol. I think that although she is enjoying these luxuries because she never before had them, but at the same time she wishes to be back home giving those blessings she’s getting to Prim, Gale, and her mother. The story gets more intense with every word read, especially because here and there she comments that she’s not going to win and it makes you think: Is she?

I think the author’s intent was to make the reader excited for the next chapter. She gave us just enough information, especially when it came to describing the tributes from other districts, a hint as if to say: These games will be interesting. It also gets you worried for Peeta, who’s a tribute as well, and from the hints we get, he might just die in the competition. An organizational pattern I observed was cause and effect, because that is how this book seem to be. Whatever action you make will affect your next one.

3.07: Chapter 2 Hunger Games Summary

The Hunger Games 

Chapter 2

          In the second chapter of The Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers as tribute to keep from having Primrose go to the games and possibly dying. She also hears who is called out as the male tribute, and it's Peetah Mellark, a boy who had once given her bread with which she fed the family when they were on the verge of starving.

          As a reader, I am falling more and more with this book. It has a thriller sense to it, with mystery of what could happen and fear of the world they live in. It even got me nervous, thinking about who the male tribute was going to, and I honestly thought it was going to be Gale, Katniss's best friend. The author is great with suspense. I, on personal opinion, feel extremely bad for both of them, but I would be lying if I said I didn't think Katniss is going to win. She's determined and forward, while he seems like he has to go around the bush to get things done, which might be a disadvantage at the Hunger Games. I believe the author's intent in this chapter is to get us pumped up about the rest of the book. She wants us to wonder about who's going to win those deadly battles, to see who, specially between Peetah and Katniss will end up alive and who'll end up dead. In this reading selection, I noticed several patterns of organization. Among them, the ones that truly stood out to me were cause and effect and chronological organizational patterns. Exampls of these are that, for example, Primrose gets chosen so Katniss has to volunteer that signalizes cause and effect, and chronological patterns which are shown through the fact that events are listed in an orderly maner as time passes by.

2.07 Free Choice Blog

         The Hunger Games

         Chapter 1: "The Tributes"


      This book has begun suspenseful and exciting, and I'm sure that's how it'll continue to be. This story is about a sixteen-year old girl named Katniss who is basically in charge of taking care of her sister and mom. They live in District 12 of the country Panem, which is a place where the one thing everyone wants and needs is food, and they literally have to fight to death to get it. Once you're twelve,your name gets put into a raffle to fight against 25 other people in a battle of death, from which the  winning district is rewarded with food. Katniss's name wil be put onto the reaffle twenty times this year, because she has needed to put it four times in every year ever since the age of twelve (the age you become eligible for the Hunger Games) because she needed to support herself, her mom, and her sister. She's hoping, just like everyone there, to not be picked. And she's no. Her sister, however, might be in some trouble. 

                  My personal reaction to this reading selection is that I'm intrigued. I really want to see what could and will happen, and how it will play out. I am surprised at the irony in this story, because in Panem there's people starving and the government knows, yet they don't do anything about it. This happens in real life as well, and that's why it's ironic. I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen to Primrose, will she be attending the Hunger Games? Will she survive? Will Gale be the male tribute?  

           For my reading's note taking, I used an outline because that is my preferred way of taking notes. I have been using it my whole life and grew accostumed to it.

The Kind of Reader I Am

I recently took a "What Kind of Reader Are You?" quiz, and it stated that I am a Fiction book reader, and I am happy to agree with the results. It also said I am a good reader and that the habits I have are good as well, but I should try to concentrate better in my focus skills. Hopefully the course I am taking online will help me improve this skill!

The last book I read was called "Soul Screamers". It was absolutely amazing, I could not put it down. It has mystery, romance, and old myths mixed into one book. I'm a total sucker for love and magic books, and this one was outstanding. It would give you many different surprises, and messed with your logical nonsense. It even had horror mixed in there in the most discrete and enchanting way. Thumbs up completely!