"Even though her face was melted, she was still my favorite toy."(16) This qute makes me think about how people only become judgemental when they grow older. Younger kids can make best friends with anybody as long as they are nice. They don't care about race or religion. Maybe I am analyzing this too much but this sentence made me think about why people judge others the way they do. I'm not afraid to admit it. I judge others before I know them, and I know that it's a horrible thing to do. Everyone deserves a first impression before they can pass judgement on a person. I think that the values that we hold close and even the standards we hold for ourselves we hold for others. Wow she really needs to work on her appearance. Maybe they were in a rush and were working hard on a project. Maybe they have a big time stressor in thier life at the moment. You can't see someone's view if you don't know the facts. I think that society today has us trying to to leap over a constantly raising bar. Not everyone one makes it first time trying. In fact most need more than two chances. I think that what makes the person is how they handle the criticism, the judgement. How they can pick themselves back up after running headlong into society's expectations. No one person is better than another. No one has the right to pass judgement on others.

renditions(18)-An interpretation of a musical score or a dramatic piece

gypsum(19)-common mineral, hydrated calcium sulfate, CaSO4·2H2O

The way the flame leaped out of the red coated tip with a pop and a hiss.(15)- This is personification, the flame leaps again.

Mom hurried out to the yard and started digging holes by the light of the moon.(17) This is imagery because it shows how dark it is outside. and using the term moonlight makes it seem like what they are doing is very sly and they are probably running form some cops.

We moved around like nomads.(19)- A simile comparing to her family traveling to nomads.

" A few days later Mom and Dad brought me home, I cooked myself some hot dogs.....and no one else was there to fix them for me."(15) This is an important quote because it receals a trait about Jeanetee Walls; bravery.

A theme that continues to emerge is self sufficiency.

Post B

"They asked me what I was doing cooking hotdogs all by myself at the age of three."(10) This quote makes me think about how each set/single parent chooses how to raise thier children. This could be why they are people who slack more and depend on others, while there are some people who rarely need help. I think that the way a parent raises thier child plays a big part in how the child's personality will develop in the future. The fact that the author was able to cook for herself at the age of three shows how the parents' valued thier children having a trait of self sufficiency. To others this could be viewed as abuse because they are putting thier children at great risk. I think that abuse occurs only when the child/person is bothered by what is happening to them. At the time Jeanette wasn't upset at all cooking her own lunch. This chapter actually had a somewhat content mood before she was burned. Yes she was burned severely, but judging by the author's tone, Jeanette wasn't at all angry towards her parents for being neglectful. Would I do this to my child? Heck no. But I would teach them other things that would be less dangerous but would still teach them how to be self sufficient. Like getting dressed by themselves or making thier own bed.

Post A

Skin graft(10)-Surgical removal (excision or debridement) of the damaged skin followed by skin grafting. T
Vitalis(14)-a men's hair product


The dress's skirt was stuck out like a tutu(9)- Simile beacuse it compares a skirt to a tutu using the word like.

I liked to spin in front of the mirror, thinking that I looked like a ballerina.(9) -simile; uses the word like to compare a child to a ballerina.

Then the flames leaped up, reaching my face.(9)- Personification- gives fire the ability to leap.

"I was on fire."(9)- This is an important quote because it is the first memory Mrs. Walls can remember.

Theme- A theme starting to emerge danger. Being in constant danger.

Post B

"But I could never enjoy the room without worrying about Mom and Dad huddled on a sidewalk grate somewhere. I fretted about them, but I was embarrassed by them,too, and ashamed of myself for wearing pearls......."(4) This quote seemed like a very important line in the book. It helped set the scene of how the author is currently doing in life and in relationships. What I also found interesting about this quote was how it was also a very modern line. There are many people who are ashamed of where they come from. The author admits to feeling guilty about how much money she has, so my question is this: If we have the power to change how we feel (in this case the power would be money) and change others' lives in a positive way, then why don't we act on it? Don't get me wrong. I know there are many people out in the world who donate lots of money. But there are also people who have plenty but feel as though they can't afford to waste it on charity. These types of people I wonder, do they feel bad about what they are doing? or do they just not care at all? Mrs. Walls seems to feel guilty yet she is embarrasssed to be seen with her parents. Did she stop to think that maybe the best charity she could give to her parents was her company and to be prideful of her family? To me it seems as though that is what her parents truly wanted. Not her pity, but the comfort to know that they provided a happy childhood for thier daughter.

Post A

atomizer(4)-an apparatus for reducing liquids to a fine spray, as for medicinal or cosmetic application.
electrolysis(5)-the destruction of hair roots, tumors

She wore a bulky gray sweater with a few light stains and black leather men's shoes. She'd washed her face, but her neck and temples were still dark with grime.(4)- This is an example of imagery because it describes in great detail the mother's appearance. It paints a picture.

Bronze-and-silver vases and the old books with wornleather spines that I had collected at flea markets.(4) This is imagery because it gives the reader a sense of what kind of antiques the author liked to collect and how she can afford money to but these goods.

A blustery March wind whipped the steam coming out of the manholes.(3)- This is personification because it gives wind the ability to whip steam.

"ashamed of myself for wearing pearls and living on Park Avenue while my parents were busy keeping warm and finding something to eat."(4) This quote is significant because to me it was the part of the setting that seemed the most important. The way her status is different from her parents.

An emerging theme in this book is how appearance can seem to be the most important thing at times.

Soundtrack

I chose the character Telemachus to find a theme song to fit to. The song "I will follow you into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie seemed to fit best. This song is about death and hope. The words "Then I will follow you into the Dark" in the song fit the need for Telemachus to find closure about his father. How he is willing to sail the sea just to hear news about Odysseyus. It seems that Telemachus is willing to do almost anything for his father. Telemachus interests me in that he is willing to go on a treachjerous journey for the hope of Odysseyus. Telemachus is gaining courage while traveling on his voyage, and I think that by the end of the novel, he will have gone from shy to very outspoken. I thibk that by following Odysseyus into the dark, Telemachus will be able to find his inner voice. I picked this song because it is about hope and death, both of which are strong themes in The Odyssey. Death Cab for Cutie has a calm, very relaxing voice. They took a serious subject such as death and turned it into hopeful sounding, which is what Telemachus is looking for; Hope.