4th blog

Beowulf has accomplished many feats, even before he killed Grendel and his mother. He's proud of killing the monsters that lived on his earth, he made sure it was safe for his people to live. Although he boasts about his winnings I think he has a right too. He is the strongest of his people, and of the Danes he deserves some bragging rights without being viewed as arrogant. He did say, "...fame after death is the noblest of goals" (1388-1389), but I don't believe that's his only reason for being courageous and fearless. He doesn't do it entirely for the fame, or the treasure's he gets in return for his deeds, or other superficial prides. If anything, I think he mostly does it because that's all he knows. His father was a great warrior, he's known all over the world as shown in the following passage, "..commands me, to tell you that he knows of your noble birth" (391-392). And because of him Beowulf was able to be recognized by the Dane's and their king, Hrothgar. He grew up hearing about his father's greatness, he's just trying to follow in his footsteps so he won't let his father down.

3rd Blog

I believe the second book cover best represents the story "The Fifth Child". In the book's entirety, Ben was always made out to be some sort of 'monster' because of his abnormalities. His own parents say he "had willed himself to be born, had invaded their ordinariness, which had no defense against him or anything like him." He was locked up in his room when he got to be too much of a handful for the family. Also, Doris Lessing vividly describes to the reader Ben's enormous strength, even from when he was a small child. The cover shows on top, a silhouette of a beast, crouching, almost as if ready to attack. He beast is in the shadows so on the cover it merely appears black giving it a sense of mystery but also danger and fright. Harriet was always perplexed by Ben's behavior, she was always wondering what he could be thinking behind those black eyes. Sure, she had her ideas but that was all she had, she was never able to find out. The children were frightened by Ben, even his father and elders. And, of course, wherever Ben was, danger was not far behind. On the bottom of the separation line, the beast is shown embracing the light that is cast through the window. This represents Ben's inner struggle, trying to cope with a world and it's people who just can't understand him. At times he seems almost normal, like he's catching the rays of the sun, but just as soon as that moment appears, it disappears; leaving Ben confused and misunderstood again.

1st Blog

The book Frankenstein is noted to be one of the greatest horror stories of all time. Written by an eighteen year old girl, Mary Shelley, this book has been transformed into multiple plays and movies making it that much more popular to the public. This story was originally written with a very Gothic feel to it, which also makes it a very romanticized book as well. A perfect example that glorifies this type of writing is:

"The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. It was a most beautiful season; never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest or the veins yield a more luxuriant vintage, but my eyes were insensible to the charm of nature" (Shelley 41).

To me, this style of writing demands the reader to remain focused on the story. Overall, I really enjoy the unfolding of Victor Frankenstein's life and all his consequences. For me, the central theme of this novel is responsibility, not only for his actions but the result of his actions; or the creature. The reader comes into the story excepting to be afraid of the creature and hate him when in actuality, most feel the complete opposite. I love that twist the book brings to the reader.