In both literature and society, the concept of "alien" or "outsider" is deeply intertwined with human behavior, societal norms, and survival mechanisms. While humans naturally form groups as a means of survival and comfort, this behavior can lead to healthy social relationships as well as harmful behaviors of exclusion and discrimination, it can also cause conflict between groups and people as people encounter something new or unfamiliar which may cause some discomfort to them. By diving into works such as George Saunders' "The Semplica Girl Diaries" and Ray Bradbury's "All Summer in a Day," we can understand these reactions of discomfort that play out in the real world. In the SG Diaries, a financially struggling dad tries to fit into societal norms and by the end of the story realizes that these norms people fit into are morally wrong and makes his situation overall worse for his family. In All Summer in a Day, a girl named Margot is wrongfully treated …show more content…
In this story, the father has to deal with financial hardships despite residing in a wealthy neighborhood. Struggling with a lack of material possessions, he wants to conform to the societal norms surrounding him. The impending birthday of his daughter is a pivotal moment. Winning $10,000 from a scratch-off ticket presents an opportunity for celebration, yet the family faces a good amount of debt. Instead of paying off their debt, the father and his wife chose a different path, opting for an SG – a young girl from a foreign country showcased as a symbol of wealth by being strung up in their yard. As the SGs are displayed "smiling, swaying in a slight breeze" (Saunders). Happiness masks the underlying ethical problem that is happening in the story. The revelation that these SGs are, in fact, human beings unravels the father's
4. At that moment I couldn’t feel any more cynical about the way my friend was acting out.
Dialectical Journal Chapters 12-18 Vocabulary 1. Contemptuously- Showing or expressing disdain or scorn. 2. What is the difference between a'smart' and a Prerogative- An exclusive right or privilege.
This book has great balances of love interests, actions, and internal conflict with characters. It has an interesting story so far with new pieces coming up every few chapters that are very important. Like Al attacking Tris, Eric talking about Divergents and how the rebels must be eliminated. Tris and Four are developing feelings for each other, which I find weird because he is basically her teacher. They are only two years apart, so the relationship is not that awkward. In this journal I will be predicting, evaluating, and questioning.
Arnold Mendoza Mrs.Leite H English 10-4 April 17, 2016. Dialectical Journal: 1984 by George Orwell. Entry 1: Book 1, Chapter 1; 5-20 Summary. The book is set in Airstrip One (current day London), Oceania, dated 1984. The main protagonist, Winston Smith, is introduced as a middle aged worker in the Records Department at the Ministry of Truth.
Society is the explanation of why “different” people are frowned upon. Ray Bradbury uses “All Summer in a Day” and Kurt Vonnegut Jr. uses “Harrison Bergeron” to emphasize the extraordinary truth in the previous statement. In “Harrison Bergeron,” a youth is labelled an outcast because he does not fit the expectation of an equal community. Harrison decides to reveal to the people and the government his true identity on live television to inspire others to be themselves and show their uniqueness. In “All Summer in a Day,” a child named Margot is dealt unnecessary punishment by the other kids on Venus because only she claims to remember the description of the sun. Out of a jealous rage, the children prevent Margot from witnessing the one day the sun is predicted
“At the window she raises the shade and a dusky southside morning light comes in feebly” (Act 1, Sc 1, 24).
In chapter one we are introduced to our narrator, Ponyboy. Ponyboy is raised by his two older brothers Darry and Soda. They’re all apart of a gang called the “greasers” which is joined by Dally, Johnny, Two-bit, and Steve. There is another group called “ socs” which stands for socials, and everyone in that group is very wealthy. One day Ponyboy got jumped by a socs group, but luckily Darry was there to help before anything too serious happened. The first element of literature is characterization. Ponyboy is a keen observer, trying to make sense of the complexities of those around him. At the beginning of the story, he stops and spends several pages giving us brief character description on Steve, Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny. This is also known as direct characterization. He tells us that Steve is "cocky and smart" ( Hinton 9). Two-Bit can 't stop joking around and goes to school for "kicks" (Hinton 10) rather than to learn. Dallas, he says, is "tougher, colder, meaner" ( Hinton 10) than the rest of them.
The short story, “On the Sidewalk Bleeding” by Evan Hunter, is about how a boy was stabbed during an alley, sidewalk. Andy, the one that got stabbed was a part of a gang known as the Angels. Before he got stabbed, he was at a Nightclub, He decided to take a smoke outside, moments later, Andy was jumped and got stabbed by another gang called the Guardians. As Andy hit the ground, he pled for help, however, no one heard. Time goes by, people were afraid or didn’t know he was dying, Andy began to lose hope. At this point, Andy knew he was dead and wouldn’t see Laura again. Hours later, he was found dead by Laura, Laura tried to help but she was too late. All in all, I believe the moral of this short story was to be yourself.
Authors use several literary elements to create short stories. They choose elements to create a plot in the story and other details. In his short story “All Summer in a Day”, Ray Bradbury tells about his character Margot who moves to Venus after living on Earth. She has seen the Sun but those living their lives on Venus have never seen the Sun because it only comes out every seven years changing the weather from constant rain to sunshine. She finds herself being the misfit of the class and having everyone be jealous of her. In this short story, “All Summer in a Day”, Bradbury uses figurative language to show the importance of the Sun in the setting and the theme of the story.
Did you know that wherever you go in the world, and there are groups, there are outsiders? That’s just humans’ nature. The book, The Outsiders, written by S.E Hilton in her junior year in Tulsa, Oklahoma, written because the Hilton was enraged at the way people separated themselves into socioeconomic groups (Doc A), but her rant about Greasers & Socs turned into a best-selling novel. This book showcases that Outsiders are not just the ones who assume they don’t fit into the society, but they are the ones who view life not as social divisions like Greasers and Socs.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, [society is a] community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests (Society def. 3). For one to feel supported and content, they must be admitted into a society. This is evident in All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury and Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. It is imperative for society to be the most highly valued as should one desire happiness, then the society must accept their actions, words, and identity though it may take time, and a society's consensus produces peace.
The story of Summer, by David Updike, is set during that idyllic time in life when responsibility is the last word on anyone's mind. And yet, as with all human affairs, responsibility is an ever-present and ever-necessary aspect to life. What happens when the protagonist, Homer, loses his awareness of a certain personal responsibility to maintain self-control? Homer's actions increasingly make him act foolishly, internally and externally. Also, how does Homer return to a sense of sanity and responsibility? To a degree, I would say that he does.
This novel by S.E Hinton , “The Outsiders” shows a crucial point that everybody is special is some way and be known as who they are not as a group. The important message of the story is that individuals should not take people for granted. Instead, treasure those close to you and understand them.
Emily Kehner Mr. Day English Honors 9 10 April 2024 Title In Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch teaches his young daughter the most important lesson while suffering the biggest loss of his legal career. When Atticus's client, Tom Robinson, is found guilty of rape, Atticus calmly gathers his belongings and leaves the courtroom passing the colored seating area. In the To Kill a Mockingbird passage in which the guilty verdict is read, Scout focuses on her father's reaction, while the author Harper Lee uses a plot event and symbolism to help develop the theme that even in difficult situations reacting with grace and dignity can have a significant impact on those around you. To illustrate the significance of this trial, Lee
Do you ever feel trapped when you are in a place that you have never been before? Isolation criticizes society since it does not let everyone be equal or have the same rights. Isolation can completely change a person, and it is usually for the worst. Society “acts” like they try to prevent isolation, but in reality they isolate people for certain reasons, then those people get judged for being “different.” Upon closer inspection it is human nature to deny equal rights because people that do not act, dress, or look the same are labeled as strange, and unfortunately, many times are not accepted by the majority of society. This gives authors a way to shine a light on society’s flaws.