Writing Assignment #1

As I recorded certain issues on the news, I realized that they were all pretty similar. Not in subject content , but in the way that most of them are economic, or somehow relate to that. It is often that a social issue would relate to money, becuse it is important. I mean, most of the time, problems start because someone is missing something. Sometimes, it is not even money, but difficulties pronounce themselves because we don't have something, we look at, as valuable.

Mother to Son Response (Entry #8)

This poem by Langston Hughes really highlights the hardships that we all face. The "crystal stair" in the poem, I believe represents, the good life. As the poem goes on, it becomes a more happy poem. In the beginning, the mother talks about how she struggled through her life, but in conclusion, she states that her son should never stop going and climbing the "stairs".
I think that the reason this poem was in a women's perspective, although the author was a man, is because women are typically looked at as more delicate than men. And while she talks, you might get a sense of strength in her written words.
My response poem:
I won't stop climbing the stairs,
I can't,
but when do i reach my destination,
why am i still climbing.

I'm tired,
but i have places to go,
stairs to climb.

As I climb,
the staircases seem to get shorter,
I seem to get stronger
and before I know it,
The stairs are finally finished,
Ihave arrived.

Appreciation of A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle Draft (Opposition: Harsh Ways vs. Comfort and Care)

  Note: Page number and specific dialogue are not yet included. They are still being looked for, as I search through the book in a determined matter. :)


In A Wrinkle In Time, I noticed there were many contradicting elements included in the book. There's good and evil, scientific and emotional, but the the one that really stuck out to me was harshness and comfort. The somewhat "cut throat" carelessness, shown by characters in the book is well balanced with the comfort and strength shown by others. This would pose itself as a difficult task to some, but to Madeline L'Engle it is shown to be extremely achievable.
   The contradictions in this book, I believe to symbolizing optimism, or seeing the good through the bad. Meg is deprived of a father for most of the book and it shows that it really does affect her and her family. Although she is judged because of the absence of her father, she finds the comfort of her little brother and a boy named Calvin.
   When I first read the book, I was just starting the sixth grade. I was still attending the same school, but every grade comes with a new set of butterflies and worries. I think I was somewhat comforted by the book because Meg found her way through a confusing path, and I was certain I could find my way, as well.
My second time reading the book, was such a deeper experience than the first. Not only did I learn new things and notice new details, but I associated this book with childhood memories.
    I guess, besides the space travel, it was easy for me to relate to Meg's story. She felt like an outcast and nobbody understood her problems. I guess we all feel that way from time to time, but most importantly this book shows that even if you don't know it all the time, there are people that love, care and accept you for who you are.
    While reading a book told in third person, you are able to see all details without a bias, without worrying about what's going to happen next. While, in real life, we sometimes seem to think the worst of things, when things work themselves out. Maybe sometimes we all have to look at our lives in third person, and realize we are the authors, and we all have to be patient and await our happy ending.

Is It Age Appropriate? (Entry #7)

  As I read A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle, I did realize that there were several more morals in the book, than I had realized during my first time reading it. As we grow up, things become clearer to us, such as books, movies, and other things in everyday life. I thought that this book was very educational and taught a lesson of friendship and trust. But reviews and other information say that it was more than just the complex scientific themes, that were too mature for young minds.
   For example, although the book is filled with fantasy and children as the main characters, there are dark themes that are said to be age inappropriate. The Open Critic is a website, that "aims to be a forum for the literate discussion of popular literary culture", did a review of A Wrinkle In Time, and under subtitle, A Wrinkle in Time, Whatsit, Who, Which, it says that these characters (Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs.Who, and Mrs. Which) might be witches. In the book they are looked at to be guides, or angels, to the main characters. But in the review, it states that "It’s been banned for … Including witchcraft, crystal balls, and all the other hocus-pocus that makes a classic fantasy novel." So I would think that this book is looked at by others as a book for older readers.
    While accepting her Newbury Award in 1963, Madeline L'Engle stated in her speech "A writer of fantasy, fairly tale, or myth must inevitably discover that he is not writing out of his own knowledge or experience, but out of something both deeper and wider." This statement leads me to believe that these themes of witchcraft and crystal balls, are not meant to be mature, but to expand the reader's imagination and put more emphasis on the fact that the genre of this book was somewhat fantasy, and the witchcraft should be looked at as magic and make-believe.

Deeper Meaning (Entry #6)

page 44: "No, Meg, but people are more than just the way they look. Charles Wallace's difference isn't physical. It's in essence."
I wrote: The characters are looking deeper.
   As I came across this line in the book, it occurred to me that A Wrinkle in Time is more than just a science fiction book. But it's a story that describes personality and mentality. Sometimes when reading this book, it's hard to remember that there are morales here. It is possible to connect with this book personally.
    I honestly think that the science mentioned in this book, also has to do with the lessons taught. Since every formula or theory is dissected through dialogue of pictures, the lessons have to be just as explanatory. I think that the book had a perfect balance of science themes and real world knowledge and concepts.