Summary:
Holden starts off by stating how his dorm wing was named after a guy named, Ossenburger, after he donated some money to Pencey Prep. Holden is clearly irritated by him, and finds it hilarious when Edgar Marsalla, farts in the middle of a speech he is giving out. He arrives at his room, sits down on a chair, and starts to read a book. He states that despite being illiterate, he enjoys reading books by Ring Lardner and his brother D.B., and likes a book where you can call the author up. However, before he gets too into it, he hears Robert Ackley coming out from the showers. Holden viewed him as gross, and not too bright of a person. After trying to focus on his book with Ackley distracting him, Stradlater walks in. Ackley despises Stradlater, causing him to leave.
Quote:
"I got bored sitting on that washbowl after a while, so I backed up a few feet and started doing this tap dance, just for the hell of it. I was just amusing myself." (Salinger 29)
Reaction:
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (Pg. 1-22)
Summary:
Right from the beginning of the story, we are told by the main character, Holden Caulfield, not to expect a clichéd, detailed, background of his life. He just mentions his parents and how his brother, D.B., is in Hollywood. He then starts off the story by stating that he's getting kicked off his school, Pencey Prep., in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. At the same time, there's a football game going on against Saxon Hall, which he wasn't attending. Instead, he's on his way to meet his Mr. Spencer, his former history teacher. Now, he explains that he's getting kicked out of Pencey because he's failing four subjects. Holden then goes on to run to Mr.Spencer's house. After arriving and greeted by Mrs. Spencer, he finds Mr. Spencer in his room. Holden engages in a few conversations with him about being kicked out, his parents, and his horrible History exam paper. Before he could go on any further, Holden makes up an excuse to leave Mr. Spencer, after being uncomfortable both physically, and emotionally.
Quotation:
I'm lucky, though. I mean I could shoot the old bull to old Spencer and think about those ducks at the same time. It's funny. You don't have to think too hard when you talk to a teacher.
Reaction:
I find the narration style Salinger writes in to be more realistic. It does seem like Holden is telling the story, due to the unconventional storytelling, and his opinions.
Right from the beginning of the story, we are told by the main character, Holden Caulfield, not to expect a clichéd, detailed, background of his life. He just mentions his parents and how his brother, D.B., is in Hollywood. He then starts off the story by stating that he's getting kicked off his school, Pencey Prep., in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. At the same time, there's a football game going on against Saxon Hall, which he wasn't attending. Instead, he's on his way to meet his Mr. Spencer, his former history teacher. Now, he explains that he's getting kicked out of Pencey because he's failing four subjects. Holden then goes on to run to Mr.Spencer's house. After arriving and greeted by Mrs. Spencer, he finds Mr. Spencer in his room. Holden engages in a few conversations with him about being kicked out, his parents, and his horrible History exam paper. Before he could go on any further, Holden makes up an excuse to leave Mr. Spencer, after being uncomfortable both physically, and emotionally.
Quotation:
I'm lucky, though. I mean I could shoot the old bull to old Spencer and think about those ducks at the same time. It's funny. You don't have to think too hard when you talk to a teacher.
Reaction:
I find the narration style Salinger writes in to be more realistic. It does seem like Holden is telling the story, due to the unconventional storytelling, and his opinions.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Way I Am by Eminem (Pg. 75-110)
Summary
Eminem begins with another story from his childhood. One day, he was bleeding from the brain, after being beaten up in his school's bathroom. After recovering from the days of losing conscienceless, he picked up the ability to react quickly, verbally or physically. Along with comebacks, Eminem learned how to incorporate humor into his music, which eventually leads to the creation of Slim Shady. He imitates a lot of people, and includes them in his songs/skits. Eminem then describes how he tries to visually show his humor on his music videos. He then credits his sense of humor to D12.
Quotation
"I like to do skits like these because some of my songs, well, they're dark. I don't want to record 13 or 14 tracks like that in a row-I'd probably flip out and kill someone. Also, you don't want to just keep hitting people over the head with dark songs. Sometimes you can get people's attention and hold it longer if you put in lighter things like little skits and interludes." (Eminem 82)
Reaction
This quotations explains why humor is important for his music. Since Eminem frequently raps about serious issues, he finds relief for both himself and his fans, when he jokes in between songs. His skits usually include prank calls, mimicking, or a parody of someone else, to lighten up the mood of the album.
Eminem begins with another story from his childhood. One day, he was bleeding from the brain, after being beaten up in his school's bathroom. After recovering from the days of losing conscienceless, he picked up the ability to react quickly, verbally or physically. Along with comebacks, Eminem learned how to incorporate humor into his music, which eventually leads to the creation of Slim Shady. He imitates a lot of people, and includes them in his songs/skits. Eminem then describes how he tries to visually show his humor on his music videos. He then credits his sense of humor to D12.
Quotation
"I like to do skits like these because some of my songs, well, they're dark. I don't want to record 13 or 14 tracks like that in a row-I'd probably flip out and kill someone. Also, you don't want to just keep hitting people over the head with dark songs. Sometimes you can get people's attention and hold it longer if you put in lighter things like little skits and interludes." (Eminem 82)
Reaction
This quotations explains why humor is important for his music. Since Eminem frequently raps about serious issues, he finds relief for both himself and his fans, when he jokes in between songs. His skits usually include prank calls, mimicking, or a parody of someone else, to lighten up the mood of the album.
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Way I Am by Eminem (Pg. 31-75)
Summary
Eminem is now explaining how his new persona, Slim Shady, impacted his musical style. Slim Shady is the rapper who rapped about the most ridiculous things, as Eminem describes it. He viewed it as refreshing, because it gave him a new approach to his music. Eminem then ponders on how to balance between performing as Eminem, Marshall Mathers, and Slim Shady. He wondered about where to draw the line. He then starts describing is rise to fame, and dealing with crazy fans and the media. For example, Eminem tells a story of how two girls were staring at him once, when he was flying coach in an airplane. He uses this example to wonder if he's ever going to be able to do normal things once again. Eminem then has a flashback to when it all started. His first single, "My Name Is", is known to be the song that launched his career, but it went through several lyric changes. His producers were considering dropping it, because of its controversial lyrics.
Quotation
"I want to bring people together. I feel like that can be my biggest contribution to Hip-Hop." (Eminem 75)
Reaction
Once again, Eminem showcases his literary skills, apart from lyrics. He's able to make his autobiography flow well, and make it interesting. He's able to easily do this, because of his passion for music, according to this quote. The reader is able to understand how this quote ultimately relates to his whole life.
Eminem is now explaining how his new persona, Slim Shady, impacted his musical style. Slim Shady is the rapper who rapped about the most ridiculous things, as Eminem describes it. He viewed it as refreshing, because it gave him a new approach to his music. Eminem then ponders on how to balance between performing as Eminem, Marshall Mathers, and Slim Shady. He wondered about where to draw the line. He then starts describing is rise to fame, and dealing with crazy fans and the media. For example, Eminem tells a story of how two girls were staring at him once, when he was flying coach in an airplane. He uses this example to wonder if he's ever going to be able to do normal things once again. Eminem then has a flashback to when it all started. His first single, "My Name Is", is known to be the song that launched his career, but it went through several lyric changes. His producers were considering dropping it, because of its controversial lyrics.
Quotation
"I want to bring people together. I feel like that can be my biggest contribution to Hip-Hop." (Eminem 75)
Reaction
Once again, Eminem showcases his literary skills, apart from lyrics. He's able to make his autobiography flow well, and make it interesting. He's able to easily do this, because of his passion for music, according to this quote. The reader is able to understand how this quote ultimately relates to his whole life.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
1st ROAR blog post
Summary
Eminem starts his autobiography by detailing his initial inspiration of becoming a rapper. It was all thanks to his friend, Proof. Eminem emphasizes their close friendship by telling wild stories they shared. Growing up, Proof was the only one that encouraged and truly believed in Eminem. He showed this by introducing Eminem to various clubs where he would perform at. Although his first performance ended in embarrassment, Eminem would keep coming back each week, gradually improving. This payed off when Mark Bass offered him to record a three-song demo at his studio. Yet, the demo didn't find much success. However, Eminem was determined to be successful, and started performing at, The Hip Hop Shop, a clothing store. Performing each week, Eminem was receiving the attention he deserved from the crowd. Enough that it attracted the attention of a manager, Paul Rosenberg. Paul got Eminem into the Rap Olympics in L.A, which he heart-brokenly lost at the last round. While exiting the stage, Dean Geistlinger, an assistant at Interscope Records asked him for his demo tape. Too mad from his loss, Eminem gave him the demo tape, but had other things on his mind.
Quotations
"Hip-Hop became my girl, my confidant, my best homie." (Eminem 20)
Reaction
Eminem displays his writing style by blending his life with his lyrical style. He mixes in puns and punchlines, while describing how his abilities to rhythmically say words impacted his life. Due to Eminem being a down to earth guy, his description of events/people are always truthful. This quote emphasizes how Hip-Hop means so much to him, which is what this autobiography is essentially about.
Eminem starts his autobiography by detailing his initial inspiration of becoming a rapper. It was all thanks to his friend, Proof. Eminem emphasizes their close friendship by telling wild stories they shared. Growing up, Proof was the only one that encouraged and truly believed in Eminem. He showed this by introducing Eminem to various clubs where he would perform at. Although his first performance ended in embarrassment, Eminem would keep coming back each week, gradually improving. This payed off when Mark Bass offered him to record a three-song demo at his studio. Yet, the demo didn't find much success. However, Eminem was determined to be successful, and started performing at, The Hip Hop Shop, a clothing store. Performing each week, Eminem was receiving the attention he deserved from the crowd. Enough that it attracted the attention of a manager, Paul Rosenberg. Paul got Eminem into the Rap Olympics in L.A, which he heart-brokenly lost at the last round. While exiting the stage, Dean Geistlinger, an assistant at Interscope Records asked him for his demo tape. Too mad from his loss, Eminem gave him the demo tape, but had other things on his mind.
Quotations
"Hip-Hop became my girl, my confidant, my best homie." (Eminem 20)
Reaction
Eminem displays his writing style by blending his life with his lyrical style. He mixes in puns and punchlines, while describing how his abilities to rhythmically say words impacted his life. Due to Eminem being a down to earth guy, his description of events/people are always truthful. This quote emphasizes how Hip-Hop means so much to him, which is what this autobiography is essentially about.
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