Reading The Shining By: Stephen King pgs 1-56

SUMMARY:
    On page 1, the Shining begins with Jack Torrance being interviewed for the caretaker's job at the Overlook Hotel. The hotel will soon close for the winter, so they need someone to watch over it. The Overlook's manager, Ullman, is not positive Jack should be hired for the job. He informs Jack that he and his family will be by themselves at the hotel once the snow begins to fall because the closest town Sidewinder is forty miles away. Jack tells Ullman that he'll be working on his play so he won't suffer from cabin fever and that Wendy and Danny have loads to keep themselves occupied. Ullman then tells Jack that the previous caretaker had murdered his wife and children and then comitted suicide in a drunken rage. Jack overall ends up receiving the position.
    Later, Jack's wife Wendy is watching her son Danny outside the window playing. She says a few comments of her thoughts and about Danny. Danny comes inside and asks why his dad got fired from his old job, and his mother replies that it was because he got into a fight with a student. Then the scene goes back to Jack as he is in the middle of a tour of the basement from an employee named Watson. Watson informs jack of the need to check the boiler's pressure, and then Watson proceeds on informing Jack on a bunch of scandals that have taken place at the Overlook hotel since it has been open. He says that an older women had committed suicide and a little bit later a woman claimed she saw the lady naked in the bath tub. Because of her ghost stories the employee was fired. Watson then tells Jack that a lot of older men have died here due to their relationships with younger women. Although Jack is supposed to be a retired drinker, he thinks that the best thing he could do right now is have a few drinks.
RESPONSE:
    So far so good. I chose to read this book because I recently watched it on TV with my mom, and the overall story seemed to be pretty chilling and clever. There are a lot of minor details that I failed to put into the summary because I figured they were not necessary. I usually get bored by introductions to stories anyways so I believe that since I'm not bored yet that this book should be pretty interesting. The main character Jack appears to be pretty hot headed, and if the book is anything like the movie then I know what trouble that can cause later. I'm definitely excited to continue reading.

   

Tuesday Response: Online Poker's Big Winner

    Poker is definitely a fun way to spend time with friends or relax, but when it comes to high stakes poker things become very stressful since large amounts of money are involved. However, online poker star Daniel Cates feels the exact opposite about the stakes. While playing four tables at a time of stakes of 30,000 or higher Daniel apologizes to reporter Christopher Morris saying that he "would be playing bigger, but it’s been a rough week.” Many people, including myself would be astounded to be playing for that kind of money. But Daniel Cates is different, he made his way into becoming a multimillionaire by sitting in front of a computer screen. I can relate to this story because although I have tried online poker and failed miserably, I do have two friends that play on their free time and win lots of money. One of my friends Devin Cassels, lives in PA and is currently a junior in college. He was salutatorian of his class, and went to Richmond University on a full ride Pole Vault/Academic scholarship. During his free time he plays online poker and wins sums of up to a few thousand dollars. But back to the article, Daniel Cates was practically an overnight sensation, for "within 18 months, Cates went from routinely losing at local $5 games to winning at the highest stakes of online poker for anywhere between $10,000 and $500,000 per night." This makes me want to pick up poker again and hopefully win a few bucks myself!

Tuesday Response

1)     I found a lot of the interviews of the high school students to be very interesting. The question was "Where do you see your self in ten years?" I would most likely relate to the one student who wants to become a doctor, not because of a common life or anything but because we strive for the same goal. The most diluted I would take to be the student who wants to become a marijuana baker. Although his intentions are for those who are in need of medical marijuana, his business would not seem to be legal or practical nowadays.
     If I were asked that same question my response would be a little confused. I say this because growing up I wanted to become successful, very generic. But as I get older, I see myself contemplating between taking part in the medical field as a doctor of some sort or trying to find my way in the business world. Business appears more fun to me, but it's a greater risk, while doctor seems boring and a lot of schooling; however, doctors have an income that is basically guaranteed. I'm sort of in a dilemma I guess.

Reading over the past quarter.

    During this quarter of Etymology I have read a few different books. I read the Road by Cormac Mcarthy, This Boy's Life By: Toby Wolff, Odd Thomas By: Dean Koontz, and Think Smart By: Richard Restak. My favorite out of these books would have to be This Boy's Life. I enjoyed this book for the most part because it was comical and relatable to my life in many ways. I also enjoyed the fact that it made me laugh at sometimes by describing the events that Toby Wolff encountered as a teenager. I also enjoyed The Road, but it was dull in some parts so it did not totally entertain me. Think Smart was a different approach to my reading because it was purely an educational book rather than a story. I've definitely learned a lot this quarter and expanded my knowledge of writing and vocabulary.

Country boy Comparison

    The film "Country Boys" successfully portrayed the life of two individuals Cody and Chris who had a hard time learning in run down counties. Both Cody and Chris had family problems, but the way in which they approached them was different. Cody had no father because he had died. But he didn't die of accident, he had murdered his mother and then committed suicide. Such an event had a big impact on Cody, but instead of having a pessimistic outlook on the world he turned to God to help boost his spirits. Chris on the other hand, also had family problems. His father drank way too much and was basically dead to the family but took up space. In response, Chris took on a fatherly role in the family and supported his sister while at the same time providing himself with a fiction role model. Also, Chris had a greater incline to learn that Cody.

Riddle: comment if you know the answer.

You will know that I am coming
From the jingle of my bell,
But exactly who I am is not an easy thing to tell.

Children, they adore me
for they find me jolly,
but I do not see them when the halls are decked with holly.

My job often leaves me frozen,
I am a man that all should know,
But I do not do business in times of sleet or ice or snow.

I travel much on business,
But no reindeer haul me around,
I do all my traveling firmly on the ground.

I love the time of Christmas,
But that's not my vocational season,
And I assure that is because of a sound economic reason.

Reading: Think Smart: By Richard Restak pages 179-216

Summary:
     Page 179 is just a continuation from the part 5 section. the book continues discussing the brain and all the necessities for making sure your brain is healthy. This part basically serves as an overall sum of everything the book has talked about just in case one tends to forget things easily. Further research and experiments are described, including one about a research study formed in Boston. In which a professor asked students what the relationship from H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P had with one another. Only one student was able to answer it correctly (Thinking outside the box) that the sequence describes H to O, or H20 meaning water.
    Continuing with the healthiness of the brain the book begins listing some supplementary products which are known to boost brain function. According to the book, fish oil taken in the form of a pill is not nearly as helpful for one's brain than if they ate normal fish. It says that when capsulated the ratio of the oils becomes disturbed so it is much better to just eat natural fish from the sea. Also, it incorporates a few handy puzzles such as a word search, soduku, and a crossword puzzle to test the limits of the brain. These puzzles take up the majority of the end of the book so as far as my summary goes it will have to be short because the book ends with puzzles so I can't really summarize those. However, I did do them and they were pretty fun.
Response:
    I don't know why, but I find myself enjoying books in which I learn something and can apply my new knowledge to life. It's weird, I actually seem to be enjoying the realm of non fiction literature, for the sake of gaining knowledge. Shocking. This book makes me think of a new movie that just came out called Limitless with actor Bradley Cooper. In the film he takes a drug that opens up his entire brain for use, and he becomes a very wealthy successful man. I wish something like that truly did exist, but then again we all would be smart so I guess although the improvements would occur, our society would still be where it was today. I think I will continue with my pursuit of knowledge and begin a new book about Einstein next.

Reading Timeline

    I just viewed the reading time line, and it brought me back to the good old days. I remember being a kid and looking at the covers of the books and being mesmerized by them. I particularly recollect books like The Polar Express and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Sitting here now as a 17 year old, I can still remember my dad or mom reading these two books to me when I would be in bed. Its quite an interesting feeling.

Reading: Think Smart: By: Richard Restak pages 151-178

Summary:
    In part five Restak talks about fashioning the creative brain. It begins by telling the reader that if they follow all the steps in the previous sections then you should see overall improvements in your brain's performance. The working memory will be strengthened, attention span increased, spelling and vocabulary improved, and visualization skills will be increased. Restak begins talking about sleep. Sleep is incredible for what it does for the brain. In a test conducted at Harvard university, those who learned some vocabulary words and then slept recalled 3 times as many words as those who did not sleep. This is because sleep enhances creative associations between the words on the memorized list, therefore, making connections. Dreams alone are not necessary though for memory because just sleep alone can help memory. This process takes place during REM or when we are dreaming, for during this time the brain is very active and weak associations are strengthened.
    Kenneth Heilman a professor of neurology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville says that creativity comes from the frontal lobes of the brain. They are critical for divergent thinking. Along with the frontal lobes creativity lies heavily in the right hemisphere of the brain. Creativity involves a shift from the problem solving left side of the brain to the right side. This shift causes those moments of Aha!
    One of the greatest attributes of the brain, but yet the hardest for most people to master is visual thinking. Picturing things in our minds can be very hard, but require complete concentration. Many of the great discoveries of our time have come from the ability to visualize. In fact, most scientists, artists, and inventors speak often of an image that inspired them instead of pure creation. Albert Einstein developed his theory of relativity by imagining how the movement of a person in one train would appear to an observer located in a second train running parallel to the first. Restak then gives the four steps to increase creativity. First, focus on the problem for as long as you need to understand it, the mentally put it into words your implicit assumptions. Third, Make certain that you understand what you must do to reach a resolution. And Finally, ask yourself "In what other ways can I envision this problem.
Response: 
    I found that this section was a little confusing to me. I'm definitely more of a left side brain thinker so I enjoy math and sciences, but when it comes to creativity I'm not too bad but I'm not great. This section had a few short creative brain puzzles in which I found myself over analyzing the problems and directions only to find out that the solutions were fairly simple. I also thought that the steps for increasing creativity were not very helpful because they were all very vague. However, although I didn't do very well on the problems I found them to be entertaining. I also found the sleep thing to be very interesting because this section was filled with accounts of scientists and students who made important discoveries and connections while dreaming.

Reading: Think Smart: By Richard Restak pages 116-150

    In part 4, Richard Restak explains how one can use technology to achieve a more powerful brain. Although many parents say, "Video games are a waste of time and make you dumber," video games actually increase your brain activity through focus and motor speed. The effect induced by regular video gaming can be compared to what occurs in the brain of a concert pianist. The best example of video game applications are flight simulators, for they overall improve your abilities of actually flying an aircraft. In a study conducted at Bavalier University, it reported that those who played video games had an 80 percent accuracy rate of speed sight recording while those who did not had a 30 percent accuracy.
    Next, the author goes into video games and the mature brain rather than the mind of youths and young adults. In adults astonishing numbers of brain enhancement have been found through the use of video games. In recent polls, it is noted that those that play video games over 40 are actually playing games for longer sessions than those of younger ages. Video games actually help with a faster processing speed. However, video games aren't the only source for brain improvement because they are found to be easily addicting. Also, it depends on what kind of games you are playing, action games help with speedy determination, while other games like Grand Theft Auto prove to be negative impacts.
    Another from of enhancement is brain gyms. Brain gyms can be referred to as any puzzle, riddle, illusion, exc. that requires the individual to produce deep thought for an answer. Riddles especially are beneficent for brain function because the answer is specific, but the brain shoots off on a hunt of many tangents to find possible answers. Through research it is found that individuals who interact themselves with brain puzzles daily or weekly develop much faster speed interpretation and overall intelligence. For instance, A crossword a day could greatly help the brain, and even in the long run help prevent disease.
Response:
  I must say that this book is pretty awesome. I have learned a plethora of new facts that I can use for essays or even conversations. I am one of the few minority that does not play video games. I used to play them all the time during my sophomore year, but recently in the Summer I realized how much time I spent in the artificial world versus the real world and decided I was missing out on valuable free time. I don't regret my decision because now I am receiving much higher grades and have more time to do other activities. However this research on video game brain enhancement has interested me in noticing things about those who do play video games. I used to have a friend back in Pennsylvania that would play video games 24/7. He was my neighbor and I'll admit he was very good at "powning noobs" as he called it. My friend was plain out terrible in school and basically flunked every class, however, in science we did a reaction time test and his speed was far beyond any other class mates. So I guess video games does have its ups and downs.
   

Reading: Think Smart: By Richard Restak pages 78-116

    In the second section of Part 3, Richard describes the Intelligence Conundrum. It is now believed that we can improve our intelligence based on our own efforts. Before, people believed that no matter how hard you try, you have a certain boundary for intelligence, but in recent times, it is now believed that intelligence can increase with hard work. Estimating a person's intelligence is usually done by their performance on an IQ test. However, we have been conditioned to believe that intelligence is based on IQ tests, IQ is genetically determined, and minor gains can be made to increase IQ. Yet none of these assumptions are true, according to James R. Flynn.
    The author at first disagreed with his findings at first because he knows of people and like himself who excell in class while putting minimal effort into it. He then told the story of a person in his medical class who surpassed the works of all his peers, but claimed to not do anything to prepare. But in reality, he spent hours studying at his girl friends house. The author then goes into the details of how twins provide a complex sense to test intelligence. Identical twins tend to have fairly similar IQ's. The basis of Flynn's research explains that the environment will always be the principle determinant of whether or not a particular genetic predisposition gets fully expressed. This concept applies to all concepts of the brain.
    Intelligence is composed of many compartments. Mental Acuity is our fluid intelligence which occurs when we are given problems or circumstances in which we have no prior knowledge to, but preform what we can. Knowledge and information or crystallized intelligence is the form in which we respond by recalling what we have already learned or practiced. Memory helps for new information isn't helpful unless it can be recalled later. Curiosity is important because the more curious we are the more we learn.  A big factor is our speed of information processing, the time it takes for one to process information. Finally, the ability to think abstract. A chair and a table are not related because they have four legs, but because they are both pieces of furniture. However, once again the environment plays a key role in success, for even though one may be intelligent, their hard work and opportunities may provide them with the assets to be more successful. Also, the failure of memory can be attributed with the principles of distraction and failure to register what is going on during the original experience.
Response:
    I found this section to be the most informational than all the other sections. Not only was it informative, but it was also entertaining. I agree with a lot of the things Restak is saying, such as the environment playing a factor in how intelligent a person develops. Those who are sheltered or in harmful conditions can not prosper as much as those that are provided with their learning necessities. Furthermore, I have always wanted to take an intelligence test so this section was perfect for me.

Reading: Think Smart: By Ricard Restak pages 50-78

Summary:
    In part three is by far the longest section. This section focuses on Specific steps for enhancing your brains performance.It begins by giving a brief over view of the two previous sections, and continues into saying that in order to improve performance of the brain, the main thing one needs in Attention. It then goes into a brief story of a Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami who was a couch potato, but with attention and determination, turned himself to running marathons. After the brief short story, the author portrays that memory is simply a natural extension of attention. If you attend to something then you increase your chances of remembering it. It's a fairly simple concept. If you like it then you will remember it. Restak then states that we learn things based on past experiences. Our past illustrates who we are today and what we know. In essence, we create who we are.
    There are three types of memory, sensory memory, long-term memory, and working memory. Our sensory memory is the brain's initial recording of physical sensations as they impose on our sense organs. Example, things we see, hear, smell exc. Our long-term memory refers to the memories that become a permanent part of us: friends, names, work, basic facts about culture. Long-term memory has the ability to be strengthened by practice. Also, we can never exceed the capacity our brain has for our long-term memory. Our third, working memory, is known as our short-term memory. It involves the most important mental operations performed by the hhuman brain which is storing information briefly and manipulating it. An example would be crammin for a test the night before. Working memory and Long-term memory differs importantly, for your working memory corresponds to something you need right now, while the long-term memory affects you for a while.
Reaction:
    This part of section three was also very insightful, however, it was not fully necessary. I feel that it is common sense to know that long term memory affects us long terms, while short term is temporarily. Consequently, I never really thought about how much our past has an effect on us today. We are shaped on our past and that is what makes us who we are. Once again, it is sort of common sense, but I have never devoted much thought into it so I thought it provided an interesting spin on myself. I'm going to continue reading and maybe even become smarter.

Reading: Think Smart: By Richard Restak pagges 1-50

Summary:
    The book Think Smart is a non fiction account on how to improve our brain's function written by Doctor Richard Restak. The book is written in five parts, and has a total length of just over 200 pages. The first part is all about discovering the brain. The first page begins with the question, "What should I do to keep my brain working at its best?" Then the book adventures into all the background information on the doctor and how he frequently is asked that question and then explains how he conducted this book by a means of gathering all the useful information gathered by others and his own studies. Next, the book explains how far science over the brain has come at such a fast pace. It explains that fMRI images detect the changes in blood flow within active parts of the brain. Thanks to those images we know that the brain never wears out , and it gets better the more we use it. The author then goes into explaining how our brains differ from one another by using an analogy of a pianist will have a greater activation in the motor cortex while a taxi driver will have more activity in his hippocampus, the region sense and direction occur in.
    The author then begins to give background on the brain and explains that basically, we are all born with almost all the neurons we will ever have. This growth period occurs between the 3 to 6 months of life. However, contradictory to what we would believe, as we progress in life into adulthood the brain's performance increases its efficiency while having fewer neurons. This is the only organ that appears to work better with less parts, to a certain degree. The process in which the brain eliminates neurons to form a greater rate of synapses is called Pruning. The more intelligent we are, and the more we use our brain, the greater the rate of connections with other neuron cells the brain will have. However, if we go through periods where we do not use certain parts of the brain we will lose some of our abilities. Overall, the brain mainly grows and develops as we do, but adapts to its surroundings.
    In Part Two, Care and Feeding of the Brain is what is specified. In the beginning Richard Restak alludes to all the other diet books saying if you do this you will become skinnier and so on. So he felt that a brain diet was necessary. He says that 65 years of animal research has confirmed that caloric restrictions slows the onset of degenerative diseases associated with loss of brain function. The healthier you eat, the healthier your brain. Many people don't know, but obesity is linked with a loss of brain function. 2/3 of the United States is overweight, and diets high in saturated fats correspond directly to a loss in memory ability. Such a loss can be greatly due to all the toxins in the fast foods. The chief villain of the brain with foods is processed fats. Basically, what's good for the brain is good for the heart. A healthy diet for the brain is essentially a healthy diet for the body consisting of vegetables, fruits, and low fat substances. Alcohol is generally bad for the brain, but red wine has been proven to stimulate the brain's function due to the fact that the skins of the grape contains resveratrol.  Not only does a healthy brain diet help the brain, but it can help prevent disease, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Reaction: 
    This is a very interesting book for a new read. For the past couple months I have been reading non fictional accounts of stories and literary fiction, but now I have moved on to a non fiction medical studies book and I am enjoying it. I feel as though unlike just learning a story I am learning many facts and ways of living that will increase my knowledge and health. The author is very informative, and even lists studies done to hellp solidify the information he is presenting. Usually books like this is something I'd have to read for a class, but since I'm reading this on my own I'm actually enjoying it, and I hope I continue to learn a lot more about the puzzling human brain.


     

Readings I have enjoyed lately (Other than for this class)

1) The Rime of the ancient Mariner
2) Frankenstein
3) Think Smart-Increase brain function
4) Scar Tissue

SpellBound Comparison

    The movie Spellbound is a documentary account of children who are preparing and participating in the national spelling bee. Two characters in particular Neil and Ted have very different circumstances which affect their behavior at the competition. Ted is very relaxed and comfortable when spelling because he has no pressure of others, but lacks the amount of studying time that Neil had. Neil had so much studying due to the fact that his father had pushed him so hard to be ready for the competition, while Ted relied on his basic studying tactics without the help of others. Also, Neil had much more to bare since his grandfather in India had promised to pay people if he won the tournament. Overall, due to constant stress and fear of upsetting his father, Neil had a much more upright child-like appearance when spelling his words while Ted had a slouched stature with a monotone voice while spelling.

Spring Break

Only 27 more days until I'm relaxing on the beach in Siesta Key, Florida. (And not blogging!)

Reading Odd Thomas; By: Dean Koontz pages 31-65

  SUMMARY:
    On page 31, Odd Thomas finishes up some background information and begins telling his odd tale. He states that it all happened on the hot Summer day of July 14th, 1972. He starts off by describing his entire day and what he had done. Starting with his constant daily routine of waking up to the same sound of his alarm at 5 o'clock in the morning. He says that that day felt like every other day, and he continued his routine of going into his jack and jill bathroom, which he shared with the guest bedroom which was unoccupied, and began taking a shower. He notes that most of the substances like soap and shampoo were practically empty, but he made use of them as best he could. After his shower he got dressed in his diner uniform and put on his Slaton Diner cap, and went out on his daily stroll to work.
    Thomas claims that it takes him approximately 15 minutes to get from his house to the diner. Every morning he arrives at the diner in time to work his breakfast shift and cook food for any inhabitants of Slaton or tourists. Thomas goes off on a tangent here, however, and on his daily walk he explains his thoughts and why people found him to be odd. As it turns out, Odd Thomas was actually a genius, but his distraught view on humanity and social acceptance makes him feel the need to shelter himself in a small environment rather than carry on to a professional career. Thomas explains that in high school he flunked all his classes due to lack of commitment, but on the standardize tests he received a 36 on the ACT, and a 2370 on the SAT. However, although colleges sent him mail he refused to apply anywhere.
    Thomas makes it to the diner and goes in and puts on his apron to begin his shift. He starts frying eggs and sausage and ham for the early birds of the diner. The smell of grease and polyester seats fills the air as he continues his daily grind. He describes how the over joyful elderly people try to engage in conversation with him, but he slyly avoids their seemingly "hours" of when I was younger chat. the hours roll by and its about noon time when Thomas notices something peculiar. Thomas is making a BLT for a tourist from Alabama when he notices that a man in a blue wool trench coat with a rimmed hat has been sitting at a table sipping his cup of coffee and glancing at Thomas for the past 2 hours of so. Thomas is under the feeling that he is being watched by this shady figure, but continues working behind the counter. Finally, Thomas' shift is over and he takes his apron off and departs out to begin his walk tot he junkyard. However, as he leaves he notices the man get out of the booth and go to his 1970 Ford Torino. Nervous, Thomas begins walking down the road, but feels relieved when the man turns the opposite direction out of diner. Thomas tells the reader that he had a strange feeling about this man, but at the time had labeled the occurrence as a coincidence. Thomas then continues walking to the junkyard.
REACTION:
    This book has gotten better. In a way it builds up suspense in the dinner which is what I enjoy the most when I am reading a book. However, a will admit that the plot is sort of slow, and details seem to be a main thing that Dean Koontz enjoys putting in his books because it appears that they are a little too discriptive. Overall, I'm going to give this book a try, but I may have to put it away if it continues so slow.

UNBELIEVABLE

Reading Odd Thomas, By: Dean Koontz 1-30

Summary:
On page one, the reader is plunged into the world of Odd Thomas as he explains himself saying that he is not a celebrity nor any one famous. He is in fact quite average. He then goes into detail describing his siblings and all of their nicknames, but insists that he is not interested in their affairs. He then, being odd, informs that reader that he is not a murderer and has done nothing evil. The story reads like a narrator telling his story. Tomas begins going through his day explaining that he will get to tell his story in good time. Here, the reader is introduced to his grandmother Pearl Sugars, his god bargaining relative who believed more in reconciliation than anyone he had known.
Odd Thomas is a non fiction account of a story that takes place in the 1970's and depicts the life a a small town man who is referred to as Odd Thomas. Dean Koontz goes out of his normal fiction world to interview and write a book about this man who had an occurrence that although seems unreal is true. Anyways, Odd then goes around and explains to reader his dis functional family. His mother who was always gone on "business" trips, his father who had been long gone since the age of 4, and his brothers who were swindling con artist and sold "real" genuine luxuries in their car. Odd Thomas was apparently normal in his family, but to the rest of the world he was strange.
Thomas woke up every morning at 5 oclock to work his daily shift down at the local diner where he cooked food for mainly tourist in the small town of Slaton, TX. Slaton is a very small town and at the time of the book it had an est. population of 1,300. In other words, every one knows everyone. Thomas didn't talk much to other people and he wasn't very attractive so his love life was non existent as well. After his shift at the dinner, Thomas would go the local dump to try to assemble parts for his "creation" as he calls it together. Little detail is said about this so I'm hoping this is explained further in the book. After the junkyard, Thomas goes out to Sal's Saloon to liquor up so he can go home and pass out all his troubles away. On page 30, Thomas finishes up his description of his daily routines and explains that one day something changed his whole world.
Response:
This book is....slow. I was surprised that after reading 30 pages I had learned nothing about the actual plot of the book and learned enough background info to write a biography on a man I've never met. Furthermore, this non fictional story sounds like the build up to a science fiction novel in which the good guy is swept away buy aliens. But who knows, this book could go a complete different direction and end up pleasing me. I must say I do like the narrative approach to the story because it makes me feel anxious for the tale that is going to be told. I'm nervously optimistic for this book.

3.1 Diction Exercise

"Keeping Things Whole"
By: Mark Strand

a) absence, missing, fill, part, whole, spaces, been, keep

b) Sound: Fluidity, Constant

Concreteness: Ghostly, transparent


In Mark Strand's "Keeping Things Whole", his fluid pessimistic outlook combined with the ghostly depictions of himself portrays the narrator's constant distress on his acceptance in a harsh world.