Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Précis-

            In Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman (1949), he expressed the hardships one has to go through to achieve what everyone’s after, success. Willy is a common man, trying to earn a living to provide for his family. He had two sons, Biff, and Happy, along with a wife, Linda. Willy’s occupation is a salesman that travels. Willy hopes for Biff to become successful, to earn an honest living, but Biff is not able to fulfill his father’s expectations.  Willy has this mid set that Biff is this man ready to take no the world, but in reality, Biff isn't fit to accomplish his father’s dreams for him. Miller shows the hardships one has to go through in order to become successful. The ending of Willy dying showed that some people can’t handle the struggle, and the hardships, that one has to go through to make it in America.

Vocabulary-

Insinuation- (n.) an indirect or covert suggestion or hint, especially of a derogatory nature.

Intrepid- (adj.) resolutely fearless; dauntless: an intrepid explorer.

Attentively- (adj.) characterized by or giving attention; observant.

Simonize- (v.) to shine or polish to a high sheen, especially with wax.

Mercurial- (adj.) changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic.

Jovial- (adj.) endowed with or characterized by a hearty, joyous humor or a spirit of good-fellowship.

Trepidation- (n.) tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation.

Pompous- (n.) characterized by an ostentatious display of dignity or importance.

Indignantly- (adj.) feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust,
offensive, insulting, or base.

Insinuates- (v.) to suggest or hint slyly.

Incipient- (adj.) beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage.

Anemic- (adj.) lacking power, vigor, vitality, or colorfulness; listless; weak.

Laconic- (adj.) using few words; expressing much in few words; concise.

Rollicking- (adj.) carefree and joyous.

Poised- (adj.) (of a person) composed, dignified, and self-assured.

Nervy- (adj.) brashly presumptuous or insolent; pushy.

Audacity- (n.) boldness or daring, especially with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety,
conventional thought, or other restrictions.

Imbue- (v.) to impregnate or inspire, as with feelings, opinions, etc.

Philandering- (v.) (of a man) to make love with a woman one cannot or will not marry; carry on flirtations.

Remiss- (adj.) negligent, careless, or slow in performing one's duty, business, etc.

Lamely- (adj.) crippled or physically disabled, especially in the foot or leg so as to limp or walk with difficulty.

Feasible- (adj.) capable of being done, effected, or accomplished.

Monotonous- (adj.) lacking in variety; tediously unvarying.

Pennants- (n.) a long, tapering flag or burgee of distinctive form and special significance, borne on naval or
other vessels and used in signaling or for identification.

Incredulously- (adj.) not credulous; disinclined or indisposed to believe; skeptical.

Candidly- (adj.) frank; outspoken; open and sincere.

Lavishly- (adj.) expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion:

Frantically- (adj.) desperate or wild with excitement, passion, fear, pain, etc.; frenzied.

Fuddled- (v.) to muddle or confuse.

Sensuous- (adj.) perceived by or affecting the senses.

Implacably- (adj.) not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified; inexorable.

Tone-

Miller’s tone was sad, desperate, and pondering.

Rhetorical Strategies-

Rhetorical Questions- “Willy, when’re you gonna realize that them thing don’t mean anything?” (pg. 90)

Dialogue- “Willy: Sweetheart! Linda: How’d the Chevvy run?” (pg. 21)

Analogy- “Willy: You were his friend, his boyhood friend. There’s something I don’t understand about it.”
(pg. 71) [The comparison of Bernard and Biff’s success]

Allusion- “Willy: Sure. Certain men just don’t get started till later in life. Like Thomas Edison, I think. Or B. F.
Goodrich. One of them was def.” (pg. 7)

Telegraphic sentences- “Ben: His flute. He played the flute.” (pg.33)

Discussion Questions-

What was the importance of the rubber tube?

What purpose did the flashbacks hold?

Is achieving the “American Dream” worth all the suffering that Willy went through?

Memorable Quote-

“I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been. We’ve been talking a dream for fifteen years.” (pg.81)

Metro Art Field Trip Experience

Rocy Aguilar & Vanessa Velasco

Period 1 AP English Lan & Com

Ms.Rozmiarek

March 22, 2012

Metro Art Field Trip Experience

            The metro art fieldtrip did not go as planned. Yet it was an amazing experience. We have come to the conclusion that one cannot define art. Art is a variety of things. It has many definitions. On the field trip, we got to take a whole new view in the community we live in. For example, in the imperial station there are drawings that demonstrate and express the ideas of the world such as people using imagination and love throughout their life. Also the bench there demonstrates history of Rosa Parks and the racism. The field trip was still education and we learned new things such as transportation and the different items used to make art. We didn't know before that in many metro stations there are drawings and paintings which show creativity for example using the films in the ceiling. It is true we think of films and movies as we think of Hollywood and palm trees. In stations going to Hollywood they demonstrate those items. Also the different arts we viewed are used to demonstrate other things and make emotions as how we view each art and the way we interpret it. For example, the picture with the road we interpreted it as the road to success and a path we take. The field trip inspired us in art and though it was not go as planned, we saw a different perspective of art and value it more than before because it has a meaning and history behind it. Art is something that cannot be defined. There are no set rules; there is no rulebook to what makes art what doesn’t. In our experience of the field trip, we’ve learned that art can take many forms. Many things can qualify as art. Art can take the form or any shape or size. It can be mural, a photo, an object, it can take any form. It can also have many functions as well. It can symbolize, tell a story, provide many points of views, and provide much room for interpretation as well. Art can also provide history, and so much more. Art cannot be defined.

Photo 1: The art displayed in this photograph is a definition by the ways it shows the creativity and expressing more than one point as imagination and the heart which is love. Art is viewed mostly of the way something looks which gives a first impression and then is developed which is intended to be inspirational. Art sometimes tends to always have a deeper meaning that displayed. This art captures the heart of young children.

Photo 2:  This photograph is art by the history behind it and creativity. This bench is very colorful which shows expressions by the colors used and also the history of Rosa Parks and the discrimination that once was made because of the race this shows art by the history and culture. This tends to make individuals think of the cruelty and brings emotions. Art can be defined as something that can symbolize history. Art can tell a story. This bench tells the story of Rosa Parks.

Photo 3: This photo is of a mural done to show the struggles of what African Americans have put up with. Art can be defined as something that is intended to empower the people. This mural is an inspiration to those in our generation. These people have worked so hard to gain the right that we have today. Art tends to do that as well, it tends to open people’s mind set to new things, or old events. It tends to make one contemplate of different many topics or events.

Photo 4: This photo shows a piece that is stretched throughout one side of hall of the metro station. This is art because there is just so much going on in this piece. This piece is art because of the many different scenes it has going on. This art is telling many different stories at once.

Photo 5: Art can be something that takes all these little details and can put them all together for one main concept. This piece is a whole bunch of little scenes out together like one big reel of film. Its main theme is film, Hollywood.

Photo 6: This image is located in a train station which makes an individual think of Hollywood. The art is demonstrated by the creativity as putting this in the ceiling and bringing thoughts to the observer as the reasons of doing it this way and showing the ways people think of as they hear the word Hollywood. This art is a representation of Hollywood in a creative way. Art can creative.

Photo 7: This photo is of a film reel art piece that is on the side of the metro train. Although it may seem simply, and art can be simple, it’s still considered art. This train’s route is to Hollywood. There’s a theme for the art work displayed in the metro. Art sometimes haves themes. Art can be simple. This is art because it represents Hollywood as well.

Photo 8:  This photograph shows art by demonstrating ideas that come to mind when an individual thinks of Hollywood since it’s displayed there. It makes it art by how it is made and the creativity put in it and emotions that can bring to an individual as they think of Hollywood. Palm trees are a symbol of Hollywood.

Photo 9: This photo displays art work. This is considered art work because it’s a small part in the huge section of this part of the metro. It’s one tile that represents a famous movie in this Hollywood themed train station. Although a small part, it’s still considered art. 

Photo 10:  This art mainly consist of this Hollywood camera. This is considered art because it shows people how movies were shown in the past. It tells a story, as well as representing and going along with this Hollywood theme. Art can be something that can represent something, and tell a story. Art can take the form of objects, but can also have deeper meaning.

Photo 11:  This photograph is art by the attention it gets. Also by showing the way a tree is during a season & the different interpretation of how a tree brings life and how we can view life. The image shows the emotions of the artist. This art can have so many interpretations. A tree can be a symbol for anything.

Photo 12: This is a photo of the many different photos displayed. This is art because it shows many scenic views. The thing that makes this art is the emotions that can be brought and the thoughts such as the creativity. For example the different interpretations like the road that can be good for the future

Photo 13: Art can take many forms. This art is in the form of photography. It literally shows the perspective of one view point. Personally we love this photo the most because it literally looks like you’re looking into a window into a whole new scene. It’s an amazing work of art.

Photo 14: This photograph resembles art with the creativity developed to show different angles and make it interesting as by the patterns. Art can be just patterns and angles. Art can take to form of architecture.

Photo 15: This is a close up photo of the art work displayed at one of the stops. This is an architecture feature. The lights resemble the ovary tubes of women. This art work is a symbol for women empowerment. This piece is about representing women. 

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver. Post 3

Précis-

                In Barbara Kingsolver’s Narrative nonfiction, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (2007), she still goes with that story telling style of writing. She talks about her experience in Italy with her husband. She continues to talk about the experience of living on a farm. That’s basically the whole purpose of the book. And by using works from her family members, she gives the reader not only a point of view from the author, but also her kids, and her husband. Her whole purpose of her book is to give people, well American in general, the choice of going back to traditional agricultural ways. She gives multiple arguments to why it’s better. She clearly wants the people of America to change. You can tell by how passionate she writes and uses her words. This non-fiction book isn’t just about telling people about her experience, it’s much more than that. It’s about exposing the truths about food today. It’s about telling people about this new option, well not new, but this better option of quality food. She basically has Americans in mind, and her tone is still very personal, but factual as well.

Vocabulary-

Equatorial- (adj.) of, pertaining to, or near an equator, especially the equator of the earth.

Adorn- (v.) to decorate or add beauty to, as by ornaments: garlands of flowers adorning their hair.

Muster- (v.) to assemble (troops, a ship's crew, etc.), as for battle, display, inspection, orders, or discharge.

Lateral- (adj.) of or pertaining to the side; situated at, proceeding from, or directed to a side: a lateral view.

Pageantry- (n.) spectacular display; pomp: the pageantry of a coronation.

Comestible- (adj.) edible; eatable.

Inclination- (n.) a disposition or bent, especially of the mind or will; a liking or preference: Much against his inclination, he was forced to resign.

Tone-

Personal, but factual and formal as well.

Rhetorical Strategies-  

Dialogue- “‘She has babies,’ I said” (pg. 351)

Dashes- “I probably spent some years denying the good in that, mostly subconsciously-devoutly refusing the Thanksgiving pie, accepting the stigma my culture has attached to celebrating food, especially for women my age.” (pg. 288)

Parentheses’- “I harbored some doubts that our family of four could actually consume (or give away as gifts) this dollar-value of food in a year.” (pg. 306)

Listing- “In mudroom and root cellar we had three bushels of potatoes, another two of winter squash, plus beets, carrots, melons, and cabbages.” (pg. 303)

Rhetorical Questions- “Was it true? A mistake or a hoax? Was it just one bird, or a few, maybe even enough for the species to survive?” (pg. 345)

Discussion Questions-

What was the best thing about her trip to Italy?

Why does she use so many rhetorical questions, dashes, and parentheses?

What is the best thing about owning your own farm, growing your own food?

Memorable Quote-

“Something can happen for us, or through us, that will stop this earthly unraveling and start the clock over. Like every creature on earth, we want to make it too. We want more time.” (pg. 346)

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver. Post 2

Précis-

In the novel, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (2007), written by Barbara Kingsolver, between chapters seven through fourteen, she continues to make arguments to why people should switch to the traditional way. She uses a lot of logic to get her point across. She uses statistics, and puts together many logical arguments. However, she does get personal with her piece. By the way she writes, her choice of diction, and style, the reader can tell she has pride for what she has done. She’s proud that she has her own garden, and grows her own food. She doesn’t have to rely on grocery stores, or any other provider, to get what she needs. She writes using logic, but she does get personal, and uses a bit of humor now and then. Her purpose is get people to see the benefits, of living a life like this. She seems to have anyone opposed to this life style in mind, because are arguments are directed towards them.

Vocabulary-

Botanical- (adj.) of, pertaining to, made from, or containing plants: botanical survey; botanical drugs.

Eccentric- (adj.) deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc.; irregular; erratic; peculiar; odd: eccentric conduct; an eccentric person.

Proletarian- (adj.) pertaining or belonging to the proletariat (which is a noun that means the class of wage earners, especially those who earn their living by manual labor or who are dependent for support on daily or casual employment; the working class).

Collaterally- (n.) security pledged for the payment of a loan: He gave the bank some stocks and bonds as collateral for the money he borrowed.

Tedious- (adj.) marked by tedium;  long and tiresome: tedious tasks; a tedious journey.

Artichokes- (n.) a tall, thistle like composite plant, Cynara scolymus,  native to the Mediterranean region, of which the numerous scale like bracts and receptacle of the immature flower head are eaten as a vegetable.

Tone-

The tone is logical, informative, and still somewhat personal.

Rhetorical Strategies-

Example/Irony- “The majority of Americans buy bottled drinking water, for example, even though water runs from the faucet at home for a fraction of the cost, and government quality standards are stricter for tap water than for bottled.” (pg. 115)

Facts/Statistics- “The incidence of obesity-associated diabetes has more than doubled since 1990, with children the fastest growing class of victims.” (pg. 116)

Analogy- “Insisting to farmers that our food has to be cheap is like commanding a ten year old to choose a profession and move out of the house now.” (pg.  116)

Humor- “Oh, how we try to behave like baby cows” (pg. 138)

Listing- “Laura was her name, ultimately known as Nonnie, and I suppose she’d have loved to see us on a summer Saturday making mozzarella together: daughter, grandson, great-granddaughters, and me, all of us laughing, stretching the golden rope as far as we could pull it.” (pg. 141)

Discussion Questions-

Did Kingsolver not appreciate that her family and friends got her plants as a present? 

Does Kingsolver use many logical arguments to appeal to everyone, or is that just her writing style?

Does Kingsolver truly feel this way about reverting back to traditional ways? How can one give up the convenience of typical life today?

Memorable Quote-

“Whoa. To convince ourselves this was not a social hallucination, we did it again. And again. Hooting every time, so pleased were we with our antics. It’s grand state of affairs, to fool a million brainless creatures all at the same time. After five or six rounds the fireflies seemed to figure out that we were not their god, or they lost faith, or at any rate went back to their own blinky business.” (Pg. 167)   

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver. Post 1

Précis:

In the novel, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (2007), written by Barbara Kingsolver, the author argues that all of the present people and future generations must learn the importance of how food is grow, and how it’s produced agriculturally. Kingsolver argues that it’s important for future generations to know all the instinct knowledge of what to grow when, and other key information that our ancestors once knew. She shows this through the writings of other members in her family. She also gives anecdotes from her past, when she lived in Virginia. She argues that our current generation has lost the value in learning, or knowing these things. She also gives factual information about our current consumption habits. She makes a point that our average meal travels 1,500 miles. In conclusion, Kingsolver is ultimately trying to show to readers a way back into the traditional way of life. She’s trying to show how much we’ve changed agriculturally.

Vocab:

Nostalgic (adj.)-  a sentimental or wistful yearning for the happiness felt in a former place, time, or situation.

Denizens (n.)- an inhabitant; resident.

Deciduous (adj.)- shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs.

Purview (n.)- the range of operation, authority, control, concern, etc.

Idyllic (adj.)- a poem or prose composition, usually describing pastoral scenes or events or any charmingly simple episode, appealing incident, or the like.

Module (n.)- a separable component, frequently one that is interchangeable with others, for assembly into units of differing size, complexity, or function.

Stucco (n.)- an exterior finish for masonry or frame walls, usually composed of cement, sand, and hydrated lime mixed with water and laid on wet.

Drudge (n.)- a person who does menial, distasteful, dull, or hard work.

Palatable (adj.)- acceptable or agreeable to the palate  or taste; savory: palatable food.

Congenitally (adj.)- of or pertaining to a condition present at birth, whether inherited or caused by the environment, especially the uterine environment.

Frugal (adj.)- economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful.

Tone: informative, personal, and passionate.

Rhetorical Strategies:

Similes: “maintained marital happiness by migrating like birds: for the school year we lived in Tucson, but ever summer headed back to our rich foraging grounds, the farm.” (pg.2)

Personification: “Tuscany opened my eyes to the world and given me a writing career, legions of friends, and a taste for the sensory extravagance of red hot chiles and five-alarm sunset.” (pg.3)

Dialogue: "'Dang' she said, 'it's going to rain.' 'I hope so,' Steven said." (pg. 7)

Rhetorical Questions: “If that is true, why isn’t it good enough for someone else to know multiplication and the contents of the Bill of rights? Is the story of bread, from tilled ground to our table, less relevant to our lives than the history of the thirteen colonies? ... Isn’t ignorance of our food sources causing problems as diverse as overdependence on petroleum, and an epidemic of diet-related diseases?” (pg.9)  

Anecdote: “I used to take my children’s friends out to the garden to warm them up to the idea of eating vegetables, but this strategy sometimes backfired: they’d back away slowly saying ‘Oh man, those things have touched dirt!’”(pg.10)

Discussion Questions:

Do Kingsolver and her family live on the farm, or she lives there just for the summer?

Why does Kingsolver use the works of her family members?

How did the author come up with this realization that it’s important to know this traditional agricultural information?

Memorable Quote:

“Who is us, exactly?” (pg.8)