Entry #7

Journal #7
Chapters 18-23
Perspective: Free Write

Choice C: So far, is this a novel about race? Class? Gender? Coming of Age? Place? Select and defend your answer.

I think this book revolves around racism. In Maycomb county, life is lived a certain way. The white people live by themselves and the black people by themselves as well. There is no connect between any two races and they just live there own separate lives. Then when a court case comes up involving and black man and a white man it begins to stir the town. The story of the book is based on the court case. The part that makes the book so interesting is that the twelve members of the jury have to make up their minds whether to go with what the facts say or go with racism. Clearly, racism is a crucial part of the story.
“Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think they’re people, too.” This was a quote from Mr. Dolphus Raymond on page 201, chapter 20. He is explaining how people can be so mean to black people just because of their color. Mr. Raymond is a perfect example of how race matters in the book. He pretends he is drunk just so white people think that is why he hangs out around Negros. People just wouldn’t understand why someone would be nice to black people for no reason. No one understands that they are just the same as them.
Another reason race is important in the book is because of Tom Robinson’s trial. It would have been an easy case if he were white. All the evidence was there and Mr. Ewell didn’t have much to his name any ways. The part that made this case so difficult is because of his color. It was between doing what was right and doing what everybody was expecting of you. Clearly, if he were not a different race, the book would not have any point.
Overall, race is incredibly important to the book. You would not be understood if you even sat with black people. It took the jury hours to decide because Tom Robinson was a black man. In conclusion, there would have not been as many conflicts in the book if race was not involved.

Entry #6

Journal #6
Chapters 16-19
Free Write

Question-

B. Compare and contrast yourself to either Scout or Jem at their age. Compare and contrast your summer activities, friends, relationships with your dad, siblings, and adults.

Answer-

I think there is a big difference between Scout and I. To start off with the setting is completely different. Scout lives in a small town where she is able to walk by herself around almost the whole town. Me on the other hand, I tend to stay in my neighborhood. It would take me 20-30 minutes just to get to downtown where Scout can just walk. There are many other differences between Scout and I including our summer activities, our preferences, and our relationships.
One thing that is different is our summer activities. Scout would spend endless days playing games with Jem and Dill. It seems to take a lot more planning to get together with my friends. Where Dill can just walk over I have to plan a ride or some type of transportation. Also, I would normally half to plan these things a few days before where Jem and Scout drop by to see Dill any time they want. The three of them don’t have fancy things like television or amusement parks. They just go outside and create their own games. I am blessed with many different activities like swimming pools, TV, computer, trampoline, zip line, and different vacations. I have much more to do that can be expensive where Jem and Scout just go outside and create their own game.
Another difference between Scout and I is that Scout doesn’t have many people her age. It doesn’t seem like she has many friends in school and she mainly plays with Dill and Jem. I, however, have many friends at school but have a hard time seeing over the summer. I like to see many people over the summer where Scout only has Dill and Jem. I think this has to do a lot with her neighborhood. Like she says in the book, there are many old people on her street. She doesn’t have many young people she is around. There are many children on my street that I am use to seeing. Along with that I think that she has a much better relationship with her neighbors. Miss Maudie is her best friend when Dill and Jem are together, where I don’t talk to many of my neighbors. I think since they live in a smaller town, it is easier to get more connected with the area around them.
Overall, I think that Scout and I are very different. I believe it is because we have both grown up completely differently. She makes up games to play; I always have something to entertain me. I have a harder time getting around San Diego where she can walk anywhere. She has friends with older neighbors when I tend to hang out with people from my school. In conclusion, I have to say that Scout and I are completely different.

Entry #5

Journal #5
Chapters 13-15
Perspective: Tom Robinson

Dear Journal,
I am writing from the Maycomb jail. They just moved me here today. I was so worried of getting killed today. I think I was the most worried today. It was a preoccupation of mine. You see, many people don’t seem to like me. It is all because of my color. People are so racist these days. Everybody seems to see black and white. Well, everyone except Mr. Atticus. Mr. Atticus Finch is my lawyer. He is the nicest man I have ever met. He doesn’t see black and white. He sees everyone as equals. I really owe him. Ever since this case came up seven months ago, everyone has been trashing him for helping me. I am almost ruining his family’s name. He just keeps his head with everything and calmly settles the issue.
My jail cell is nice. There haven’t been any people in recently so it is nice and tidy. The jailhouse is one cell wide and two cells tall. My cell has a dirt floor with a small cot hanging from the wall. Everyday Mr. Tate, the sheriff, slides a tray with a piece of bread and a water cup on it. Mr. Tate sure is nice. The worst part about jail is that I am so lonely. I keep worrying about my family and home. Mr. Atticus informed me that an offering was taken at my church, First Purchase, to raise 10 dollars for my wife Helen. I am so grateful that other folks are looking out for my family.
My trial is tomorrow. I wish I were infallible. Like I said, I was transferred to the Maycomb jail today. Mr. Atticus was worried there might be a riot tonight after I was transferred. Mr. Atticus decided to come sit outside the jail to protect me. Sure enough, a little after 10 when 4 cars pulled up. They had decoyed Mr. Tate with a fake emergency to get him away from the prison. Atticus would not let them in. By that time I was shaking. I could hear everything that was going on and I was just behind a thin wood door. I was so scared for Mr. Atticus. He was risking his life for me. There was no compensation for all he’s done for me. All of the sudden I heard a little girls voice. From Mr. Atticus’s reaction I assumed it was his son and daughter however I couldn’t acquire much information other than that. He told them to go home. Then the other kid, apparently his name was Jem, kept saying no. Then the little girl, Scout, started talking to this man named Walter Cuttingham. I assumed he was one of the leaders in the group. She continued trying to talk to him, talking about entailments and his son. He then told her he would say hey to his son for her then called all the men off. After I was sure all of them left, I emerged from my silence and asked Mr. Atticus, “They gone?” After that I decided to try to sleep after what had just happened. I should probably go to sleep now because tomorrows a big day.
Good Night,
Tom Robinson

Entry #4

Journal #4
Chapters 10-12
Perspective: Mrs. Dubose

Dear Diary,
Today passes on like everyday of my life. The usual, wake up, lie in bed, go to the porch, critique passing neighbors, and go to bed. Today when the Finch children passed by I assumed they were playing hooky. Those naughty children. Always trying to escape what they have and never realizing how grateful they should be. I would say the Finch children are the worst, always running around wild. They are always debating and contradicting me. I say, ever since their mother died that household has been out of control. Now with their daddy defending that black man, I say they are nothing better than the people Atticus is defending. I would hate if someone knew I was even acquainted with them. That is exactly what I told them. I say Jeremy’s body go ridged and I knew I had hit him in a sensitive spot. I didn’t care because those children needed to be told what they were turning into.
After that I went back inside for my medicine and to go back to bed. Later that night my serving girl reported that Jeremy had destroyed my garden. He took a baton and machete chopped all the heads off my beautiful camellias. Since I am trying to get off morphine I figured he should read to me to get my mind of things. I told him he needed to come for a month. He was very perplexed and frustrated to hear that. I on the other hand think it is an ingenuous idea. I know that he won’t kill my camellias anymore after dealing with me. It will be good for him to be taught a lesson with messing with me. I will write more if I wake up tomorrow.
Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose
Written by Jessie

Dear Diary,
Today was the last day Jeremy had to read to me. I think it really worked. It helped me not concentrate on my pain. I want to die morphine free and have nothing on nobody. I could tell that Jeremy was glad to be free. Everyday Jessie set my timer back a few minutes to ease me off my medicine. I’m not sure how much longer I will live but I am glad that I could help bring those crazy children up right. I want Jeremy to know that I meant well for him. I am having Jessie assemble a candy box to put one of my flowers in to entrust him with my gift.
Farwell,
Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose
Written by Jessie

Entry #3

Blog #3
Chapters 8-9
Perspective: Uncle Jack


Dear Journal,

Merry Christmas! I’m staying with my brother Atticus and his two kids, Jem and Scout. They picked me up at the train station yesterday and I’ll be staying with them for a week. I am so excited to be staying with them over Christmas. The two of them have grown up so fast. When they picked me up last night little Scout started cussing. Then at dinner, she said it again. I can’t believe my little niece is beginning to have quite the dirty mouth. Of course I sat her down after dinner and told her to watch herself or she’ll be in a heap of trouble.
This morning we opened presents. I picked up two air rifles for the two of them. I think they are both really happy. It was unanimous that it was one of the best gifts they got. However, I didn’t get anything really special this year, just a few pairs of socks and some doctor gear. The best gift I got was a lesson. It was a lesson from Scout. It all started when we went to Finch’s Landing. After a fabulous dinner I was strolling around when I saw Scout punch her cousin, Francis, right in the mouth. She was tormenting him. Immediately I ran over to stop the fight. Francis told us that she had called him a bad word and then attacked him. Little Scout agreed. She tried to be evasive but I grabbed her. She teetered in my arms then started yelling that she hated me. It is awful to hear your own niece yelling such hateful words at you.
That night when we got home I came in to talk to her. She said I wasn’t fair. Then she came right out with it and said I don’t understand children very well. She told me that you always need to hear both sides of the story. You can’t just go off of one person’s view. Then she told me that Francis was calling my brother bad names because Atticus is defending a black man in a case. That Atticus was going to ruin the family name because he is helping a black person and that he lets Jem and Scout run wild. I can’t believe I just thought she was being malignant.
I was so in shock of what happened. Anger grew from within me knowing what horrible things had been said. My instinct was to call Alexandria and fix that boy right. Scout wouldn’t let me because she didn’t want her father to know what made her made. As hard as it was, I gave her my word. I’m writing this entry now after everyone got to bed. I should probably get a little sleep myself.

Write more soon,
Jack Finch

Entry #2

Blog #2
Chapters 4-7
Miss Maudie Atkinson

Dear Journal,

Today was another lovely summer day. I sat on my porch and watched the slight breeze brush the grass. The sky was the lightest shade of baby blue with the sun burnt town sitting right under it. My azaleas danced with the wind as it carried the martins soaring below the mimosa tree. There was not anything new that happened today. The sun still came up and went back down again. The worst part of the day was when I found another blade of nut grass. Of course I cleaned it up with my tin can and my pesticides. God should have never ever created such a horrible thing. One blade of grass could end up covering the entire county with those little monsters. It’s a good thing I am here to prevent my yard from having weeds take over this whole town.
Today Scout Finch came over. That silly little girl. She’s been comin’ over every day this summer. I think her brother and his friend Dill have made her the third wheel keeping her aloof. They are just stuck away in Jem’s tree house, planning all sorts of crazy things, except when I make cakes. I normally make a cake for me and three mini cakes for all of them. I holler, “Jem Finch, Scout Finch, Charles Baker Harris, come here.” That usually gets them runnin’. Plus, they also like to eat my scuppernongs.
Little Scout came over and asked if Boo Radley was still alive. I figured she would one day ask about that. I mean, gossip is all over the entire county about what really happened to the old Radley family. Honest to God, I sure don’t know what happened to them. They sure were never a real polite family. Always kept to themselves. Never went outside, even on church days. They just stayed inside. Mr. Radley would walk to town once every day but that was it. I can sometimes see shadows movin’ in there but my old eyes are faulty. I told the kid that Author Radley (also known as Boo Radley) liked to stay inside and that he was a foot washing Baptist. I had to explain what that was to her. Good gracious, do they teach children anything in school nowadays? One thing I told her that she was surprised to hear was that Author Radley was kind to me when he was a child. Poor child, even after all the things people said about him he was still sweet. I bet he’s crazy now, being cooped up in his house for so many years.

Write more soon,
Miss Maudie Atkinson

Dear Journal,

I can’t believe this just happened. Mr. Raldey shot at something because he heard something in his back yard. I always knew that man was crazy. All he is is a nut case who has been inside for too long. He said he would shoot at anything in the bushes if hears another sound. I sure hope the youngin’s stay out of trouble. He is not the person to mess around with. Oh, my cakes almost done in the oven!

Write more soon,
Miss Maudie Atkinson.

Entry #1

Journal #1
Chapters 1-3
Perspective: Ms. Caroline

Dear Diary,
My first day was horrible. The day started when I read the book about cats. It was a lovely tale and made me feel fresh and ready for the day. I began teaching the class the alphabet. This one child, Jean Louise, had already learned to read from her father. She kept making up these stories about how she was born to read. Clearly lying to my face. I can’t believe how some of these children here don’t know how to talk to a proper lady. Later, I caught that same little girl writing. What child in this little patch of nowhere already reads? Her father really needs to stop teaching her.
When we got to lunch it didn’t get much better. I gave this one little boy a quarter. He rejected it. As a teacher it is my duty to ensure everyone has a lunch. Some of the children don’t have as satisfactory things however at least they have something to eat. This poor boy was barely talking to me. Then Jean stood up and started giving me this lecture about how he couldn’t pay me back. I was in complete shock. This rude little child continues interrupting my class and tells me I am shaming this little boy. I had enough of it. I was at my max with her. She really irked me. I grabbed her and brought her up to the front. I gave her a good whippin’ then sent her to the corner of the room. I will not have first graders talk to me like that and I will definitely not have my class running a loose.
Once everyone left for lunch I began to cry. Everyone seemed so mean to me. I have never been talked to like that when I was in Winston County. I am trying to educate the young people by condescending all the way out here in this little patch of nowhere. I even brought my Dewey Decimal System to try to help the students, which is an eccentric plan. I want to give up. I just don’t think I belong here. However, since I am Miss Caroline Fisher I will persevere and not give up. My grandma wouldn’t be proud of me quitting. This is for you Grandma.
After lunch was the worst part of the day. I was standing in my classroom as this little boy walked in. All of the sudden this louse started crawling out of his hair. A live louse! This boy was not what you would describe as clean. He was worse than all the other children combined. His hair was a giant tornado. He pinched of the louse with his fingers. He was covered in dirt from head to toe. If you saw him from far away you would of thought he was that color. Even his fingernails were black to the nub. I told him to go home, like all other practical people would say. Once I said that he told me he wasn’t coming back. Apparently his family only goes one day a year. He began to talk back to me. He ended up leaving yelling, “Ain’t no snot-nosed slut of a schoolteacher ever born c’n make me do nothin’! You ain’t makin’ me go nowhere, missis.” That was just too much for me. It had been a horrible day and I just couldn’t handle it. The other children began to comfort me, which did help. Soon the day was over.
It was definitely not a good day. It is so hard not knowing everyone’s family. The children all know each other and their backgrounds but I don’t. They are all so indigenous here. I have so much to learn. I guess I’m not going to be the only one learning this year.
I think the Maudie Atkinson (the family I’m staying with) is calling me for dinner.
Write more later,
Caroline Fisher

Entry #3

NAME: Aubrey DATE: 2/16/10
BOOK: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
AUTHOR: J. K. Rowling PAGE: 571- End of Book
TOTAL PAGES THIS WEEK: 188

QUESTION 1:

17. If you could change one thing in the book, what would it be? Why would you change it?

RESPONSE 1:
If I could change one thing about the book I would make less death. I found that many people died especially in the 7th book. I think that it adds more feeling and emotion however I find it really sad that almost half of the characters die. I think that Dobby shouldn't die. He was one of my favorite characters and I almost cried when he died. Another character that I wished wouldn't die would be Mad-Eye because I thought he was a strong character and could of been of help for the other characters in the book.

QUESTION 2:

12. Do you think you would read another book by this author? Why or why not?

RESPONSE 2: I would like to read another book by this author because I really like her writing for a couple of reasons. One, I really enjoy reading fantisy. It is my favorite type of genre. Another reason would be because most of the books she has written has been based around Harry Potter. That way when I read them I would have back ground information. Also, there are many magical creatures in this book that other people write about as well. However, these creatures are often given different names. That way when I read the book, all the creatures have the same names. Overall, I have heard great things about her books and would like to read them.

Entry #2

NAME: Aubrey DATE: February 5, 2010
BOOK: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
AUTHOR: J. K. Rowling PAGES: 284-571
TOTAL PAGES THIS WEEK: 287

QUESTION 1: 10. What advice would you give to a particular character? Why?

RESPONSE 1: I think that if I could give advice to anyone it would be to tell Harry Potter to be careful what he says. There are a few times when Harry got really angry and got himself in trouble. An example would be when he yelled at Ron. Just because he lost his temper and said a few wrong things, it changed the entire book. I also think that some of the things he said to Lupin could be really offensive. Not only that but I think it would really hurt the friendships between the characters. I think that would be the biggest piece of advice I would give.

QUESTION 2: 9. What is confusing in this book? Why? (Be specific)

RESPONSE 2: One of the most confusing parts of this book is that the book sometimes refers to the past six books. I think there are a few different highlights and low lights about that. Sometimes I find it annoying when a book writes pages about what had happened in previous books. However since I have not read the rest of the series recently, some parts are a bit confusing. For instance, they mentioned something about Dumbledore destroying some ring, but that's all they said about it. I found it slightly confusing because it didn't make much sense.

Entry #1

NAME: Aubrey DATE: February 2, 2010
BOOK: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
AUTHOR: J. K. Rowling PAGES: 1-285
TOTAL PAGES THIS WEEK: 285

QUESTION 1: 5. What was one of your favorite lines (or sentences) in what you read today? Copy it down and tell why you liked it. (It can be more than a sentence if you like, but not too long—you still need to write words of your own!)

RESPONSE 1: "There was a large bed with a carved wooden headboard, a tall window obscured by long velvet curtains, and a chandelier thickly coated in dust with candle stubs still resting in its sockets, solid wax hanging in frostlike drips. A fine film of dust covered the pictures on the chandelier and the top of the large wooden wardrobe..."

I thought that this paragraph was very descriptive. I felt like I could really see the room. One of my favorite parts was how they described the candles. I could see a clear image in my head of a dusty candle holder with wax dripping down the sides. Another part I liked was how the author described the dust over the room. The author wrote that there was a fine film of dust over everything instead of saying it was just dusty. Overall, I thought that this paragraph was very detailed and gave the reader a picture of what the room looked like.


QUESTION 2: 6. Explain how the author creates suspense in this book.

RESPONSE 2: “And then he saw the door of number twelve, Grimmauld Place, with its serpent door knocker, but before he could draw breath, there was a scream and a flash of purple light; Hermione's hand was suddenly vicelike upon his and everything went dark again.”

I think the main thing J. K. Rowling creates suspense is by creating cliff hangers at the end of chapters. For instance, the quote above was the end of a suspenseful chapter. Harry, Hermione, and Ron had just broken into the Ministry of Magic. There was a big scene at the end of the chapter and they had almost gotten caught. Then the author ends the chapter by having everything go dark. I felt like after reading about the battle and then I just ending there wanted me to read more. I think that having such a sudden ending really makes the readers want to see what happens in the next chapter.

Free Choice Reading Pick

For my reading book choice I would like to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows written by J K Rowling. I have read this book before and I really enjoyed it. There have also been very good things said about the book.

Entry #11

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 12- Cry of the Hunters
“Savage Beasts”
Perspective: Ralph

Dear Diary,
Today was the worst day that I have spent on this island. After Piggy fell off the cliff and was force to run into the woods because everyone was throwing spears at me. I ran as far away as I possibly could but I had no idea if I was safe. Samneric got captured by Jack so I wanted to go back and save them. I was hidden the bushes but I could still see Castle Rock clearly. I was so upset when I saw Samneric keeping watch. So that's it. They're in Jacks tribe now and I am an outcast. I climbed up the rock and tried to talk to Samneric. They told my to leave and to not come back. They told me that Roger has prepared a spear with points on both sides. I don't know what that meant. It sounds kind of familiar but I am not sure. They also told me that the tribe is going to line up and go across the entire island until they found me and killed me. I was really frightened. Samneric heard someone coming and shoved a piece of meat at me tell me to leave. That time I knew I had to leave. That night I decided to hide in the bramble. I thought it was a fool proof plan, I would get a chance to stab them first if they tried to crawl through and it would take them a week to make a path through the thick branches. I was wrong. They diddled me. They eventually forced me from my hiding spot. I should get some credit though because it took them a couple times before I was forced to leave. At first they tried to knock rocks off and have the rocks scare me out. I narrowly avoid them but I stayed where I was. They also tried stabbing spears at me however I could get to them first. Their last plan was to light the thing on fire. The smoke was suffocating me so I had to leave. I tried hiding in different places however I eventually ran to the beach. The entire island was on fire, I had no where else to go. I tripped, rolled down the sand, and when I looked up I saw a Naval Officer. He had pure white drill and many epaulettes on his uniform. I think that was the biggest surprise in my life. Jack and his hunters slowly appeared among the beach. Percival, the kid who knew his entire name and street, tried to introduce himself but he had forgotten his name. When the Naval Officer asked who was responsible for everything I said I was. I know I was putting all blame on me but I knew that Jack would plan innocent. The Naval Officer was very disappointed in us, he thought we would be more civilized. I tried to tell him that it was different but I realized that we were now a bunch of savages. I am writing this from the boat that we're sailing home on. Oh, Captain is calling, write more later.
Ralph

Entry #10

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 11- Castle Rock
“Nothing Goes Right”
Perspective: Aubrey

#1 Piggy told Ralph to blow the conch. To blow it long and hard. In the book they said it was like the very first time when they had first found the conch.

#2 Piggy would go to Jack and tell him that he isn’t as smart or as good as Jack is but he wanted the glasses back to be fair and because “what’s right is right”.

#3 When they wanted to go and talk to Jack, Ralph wanted everybody to be all neat. He wanted their hair combed and everybody bathed. He wanted them to be civilized just like they were before they crashed.

#4 When Ralph, Piggy, Sam, and Eric approached castle rock Roger was at the top asking them who went there. When he started blowing the conch more savages came out from behind the rock.

#5 Jack was out hunting when the boys came. He heard the conch and came back to defend his castle. There was a cessation of noise when he appeared.

#6 Ralph calls Jack a thief for stealing Piggy’s glasses. Jack gets mad and starts yelling at Ralph telling him to call him a thief over and over again.

#7 After the fight Jack tells the savages to tie up Samneric. The boys beat them up. I think that Jack did that just to show how powerful he is to Ralph now and that the boys are on his side.

#8 While Piggy was holding the conch that acted like a tailsman and trying to talk sense into the boys Roger kept throwing rocks. They went close to the boys but never hit anybody.

#9 I think that it was Rogers fault. He was clearly on top of the rock and pushed the lever down. Jack was on the bottom getting ready to charge so the rock would be swept clear. Jack was definitely intending on doing something however I don’t know if anyone would have died. Jack never gave any orders for Roger to push the lever and I think that he was surprised to have that happen. Roger was clearly delirious and was truculent when he did it. Overall, I think that it was Roger who killed Piggy.

Entry #9

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 10-The Shell and the Glasses
The Loss of Hope
Perspective: Simon

Dear Diary,
I never thought my life would end so soon. Jack murdered me. Today I watched what has happened since I died. I know I am a ghost, but I still want to be on the island. I heard Ralph and Piggy talking about why I died. Ralph thinks it was murder. It was! I was trying to tell them about the dead aviator but they jumped on me and stabbed my to death. It was the worst thing I ever experienced. Piggy thinks it was an accident. He said they were all scared and tensions were high. It was also at night during a storm, which only makes it worse.
Later that day I went to see what Jack was doing. With him in power it is horrible! He is treated like a king and only thinks of himself. Ralph always thinks about the littluns and cared for others, but Jack only wants his way. I heard that he was going to beat up poor little Wilfred only because he was mad. Wilfred was tied up for hours just waiting for Jack to beat him up. I think I am glad that I am dead and I don’t have to deal with Jack. Plus, he thinks that I was the beast disguised and doesn’t even realized that he is a murderer! While I was there they also talked about attacking Ralphs tribe that night. I wish I could tell Ralph. Maurice, Roger, and him are going to steal fire. They are staying on the sand in case the “beastie” attacks. I wish I could have told everybody that the beast was fake.
I watched what happened when the boys attacked. It was horrible! Every one was fighting and hurting each other. Jack and his tribe are all savages. Eric got his face all bloodied up by Ralph because they had no idea who they were hitting. Jack and his hunters soon left after getting what they wanted. Instead of fire, they took Piggy’s glasses, the only thing he can see with. Now poor Piggy has to be hand led. This situation is just going horribly wrong. Everyone is so mean to each other!
That’s it for now,
Simon

Entry #8

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 8 and 9
Gift for the Darkness
A View to a Death

In the chapter Gift for the Darkness, horrible things happen. I think the worst part is when they hunt the pig. The boys decide to go for the fattest pig that there is. The poor pig has its own piglets to look after. They hurtle the spears at the sow only injuring it. She let out a blood curling scream and limped off. That began the most blood thirsty hunt. Trampling through the forest the boys follow the trail of blood. I think that it is horrible that the hunters go crazy at the sight of blood. They track the sow to a peaceful meadow. She lay in the meadow, gushing blood everywhere. The hunters jumped her. Stabbing their spears where ever they saw flesh, the butterflies danced above. In the book the author says, “She squealed and bucked and the air was full of sweat and noise and blood and terror.” Jack found the throat and tore at it with his knife. The blood spurted all over the wrestling mound. At last the pig layed still. Jack, taking his knife, slammed down and slit off the sows head. He then took a spear, stuck it into the ground, then jammed the head on it. “This head is for the beast. It's a gift,” Jack declared. With the blood dripping down the spear, the boys left the meadow. I think that this part is horribly descriptive. This is my least favorite part because the images in my head are terrifying. Overall, this part is vividly descriptive of a horrifying part.

I think that Jack and his hunters were responsible for Simon's death. The book says, "Jack leapt on to the sand. "Do or dance! Come on! Dance!" This was right at the time when the storm broke out and Jack was getting uneasy. By him starting up his dance the boys went crazy. They started chanting, "Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!" The boys were unstopable. They wanted to kill anything that was in the middle. Jack was all a part of this too. He was the leader in the dance. Even if he did realize what he was doing, there was no way in stoping the chanting boys. In conclusion, Jack inspired his tribe to hunt down Simon.

Entry #7

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 7- Shadows and Tall Trees
“Kill the Beast”
Perspective: Ralph

Dear Journal,
Today I got to go hunting with Jack. It was so much fun. I am starting to realize why Jack always wants to hunt. It is so thrilling! I was terrified and excited when I saw the pig. I hit it! I didn’t get it but I hit it on the nose! I injured my very first pig. I hope the pig was impervious because it looked like it would of hurt. We weren’t originally planning to go hunting; we were looking for the beast. We gave up but then the pig came running through. Even though we didn’t kill it we still had fun. Then we played this game. Robert pretended to be the pig and we all circled in on him. That’s our strategy. We surround the pig so there is no hope of escaping. Then we closed in and started stabbing Robert with the dull ends of out stick. We chanted, “ Kill the pig, cut his throat. Kill the pig, bash him in.” At first I wished were all dun when we went hunting the beastie but in the end I was completely pumped up. I wanted to play the game again. Jack said we could have someone dress up and then we could pretend to hunt it again. Robert said we needed a real pig because we had to kill it. Jack threw out the idea of using a littlun. I think it was a joke but I am not so sure. Jack doesn’t like the littluns very much so they could potentially be in danger. Jack, Rodger, and I went hunting for the beastie at night. We saw it budge. It was so scary. I tried to be brave in front of Jack though. I can’t let him know I am weak. I was looking at ourselves today and we are gross. Our hair is long and messy, our nails are overgrown, and we all have brine and dirt on ourselves. We do not have any hygiene at all. We are absolutely discussing! I really want to go home. Have a clean bathroom so I can wash up. I want to be with my family in our little cottage on the end of the moors. Maybe play a rugger game. I am trying to be sagely so we can get back but I can’t stop thinking about home.

Entry #6

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 6- Beast from Air
“Our New Fort”
Perspective: Jack

Someone just landed on our island. I think he crashed from the war. He looks like he is a dead pilot. It is funny because Ralph was just saying how he wanted a sign from the adult world. I am not sure that happened but I think it did. No one else knows about it because he crashed at night. I don’t think anyone was awake to see it crash. Plus it was dark out so we couldn’t see him fall. We also didn’t find the plane so no one really knows for sure. Not many of us are thinking about the outside world right now. We all want to survive it is like we are not actually in WWΠ. Sam and Eric think they saw the real beastie. Them two were on fire duty last night and they said it was right there. They tried to run away and it chased them. They barely got away. They said it was a huge beast with long claws and sharp fangs. They said it was flailing its wings. Maybe that is how the beastie is getting around. It’s flying. Once I heard the beast was out there I wanted to kill it! I wanted to run to the rocky bridge and stab it with my spear. All the other boys wanted to come to. Ralph wanted to think it out. He always wants to think. Think, think, think, that’s all he does! I wanted to kill. I am sure there is a beastie, why wouldn’t there be? I remember that one littlun who got lost. I want to go hunt it down and show everyone else that I am the best! I want power on this island. The hunt was embroiling but I was excited. Ralph is the head chief right now so I am stuck behind him. He always makes up these stupid rules and is worried about the conch. When we went hunting for the beastie, we found this fort. It is in a rock castle cover in guano. It is so cool. We can push rocks off the top on our enemies. It is so much fun there. Ralph doesn’t like it. He wants to make us leave, but he can’t. Ralph was waxy. He thinks we're mutinous. He can’t control me. I am a hunter and I am important.

Entry #5

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 5- Beast From Water
“The Split”
Perspective: Simon

Dear Diary,

Today was a disaster! It all started with a meeting. Ralph was really mad that the fire got put out. After a while all the anger boiled up inside of him and he called an assembly. He was incredibly mad at Jack. There is definitely a lot of tension between them. So we all went to the platform and one of the first things he said was, “This meeting is no fun and games. It’s to learn what’s what?” He started talking about using the bathroom all over the place. He reinserted himself as chief and declared that everyone has to use the bathroom behind the rocks by the ocean. He also said that we weren’t filling the coconuts with water any more and that we should be doing that. Oh ya, he made a new rule. All fire must be kept on the mountain so if you want food you must take it up the mountain. One of the other things he was talking about was the huts. He wants more people to be working on the huts so they can protect from the rain and the beastie. Nobody still knows what it is. Ralph says the littluns cry at night but I think that we are all scared. Percival, one of the littluns, think the beast comes from the water. He is the effigy of fear that is spreading throughout us. He burst out in lamentation. Also, another littlun saw me last night when I went to my secret place. I hope no one finds out where I go. Anyways, the main reason he called the assembly was about the smoke. Ralph said that is the most important thing on this island, to keep the smoke signals going. Ralph went rambling on but that is when the trouble started. Jack thinks that the most important thing is hunting. There is a major problem. They both are thinking in two different ways. Jack is for hunting when Ralph thinks the fire is most important. I asked what was the diritesty thing there was. I think it is how everyone is so competivitve and how it’s all about power. The entire group thought the question was ludicrous and laughed. Jack blew up and the end of the meeting and just left. He does not have decorum. The hunters went off and started chanting with Jack. The hunters are turning wild. Now it is them against Ralph, Piggy, and I. All I can say is that things aren’t getting better.
Write more later,
Simon

Entry #4

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 4- Painted Faces and Long Hair
“The Meanie”
Perspevtive: Piggy

What things are you having trouble adjusting to on the island that are different from your life at home in England?
The teasing was bad back at school but now it is worst! Jack punched me right in the gut. It hurt so badly! I wish I were impalpable. He is so full of belligerence. I was so mad at him. Then he threw another punch at me, which knocked my specs off. He broke my specs! He is so mean! Anger just boiled up inside of me. Then he imitated me and dance around like me, because I was in pain. I wanted to cry! I want to go home. He was acting so malevolently.
How do you feel about the littluns?
The poor littluns, they must miss their parents something awful. I wanna go home but this is completely new and scary for them. Since I am older I feel responsible to protect them. They don’t do much to help though.
What do they do with their time?
They aren’t very helpful. They spend most of their time playing. They are very blatant. Playing in the sand or with other boys, they just can’t see to help out much.
Why do you all paint your faces?
I think the face paint looks ridiculous. I didn’t use any yet. The hunters think it will unable the pigs from seeing them but I think the idea is crazy. They look so weird with it on their faces. There is now a swarthiness to their faces.
What does this foreshadow?
The hunters are getting almost wild. They now have this crazy paint and are chanting things about blood after they kill a big. Yes, they killed a pig! I was so hungry for some meat I couldn’t wait to eat. Jack didn’t give me any. Simon gave me his. Since Simon was nice to me now Jack hates Simon. I am so sorry for Simon. He is so nice and trying to keep peace but now Jack doesn’t like him.
Why doesn’t the passing ship see you on the island?
The smoke went out. We were so excited about going home but stupid Jack and his choir boys went hunting and left the fire. Jack and Ralph had a fight today. Jack thinks hunting is more important when Ralph isn’t getting the respect he should get as a leader. They are now not willing to work together as a group. With the two main leaders gone, this will fall apart. I think their will be a lot more arguments and more fights. I am scared for what lays ahead now that our two leaders don’t agree.

Entry #3

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 3- Huts on Beach
“We Have Got To Work Together”
Perspective: Ralph

Dear Diary,
I am stuck to work on the huts with all the boys. We need to make a shelter. If another storm comes, like when got here, it is a good idea to make a shelter. Plus, I don’t want to say this to many people but everyone’s scared of the beastie. The littlun’s are scared. I lay awake at night and listen to them scream. I need to protect them. As the hunters went hunting I said that all the boys should work hard until the huts are done. Everyone went off and started working hard but after five minutes, they stopped and did other things. There are many vicissitudes to making the huts. They just wont stand up. We have only gotten two up so far and they are terribly shaky. Plus, none of the boys, except Simon, helped. Simon is an inscrutable boy. He is very small and frail with black hair but works incredibly hard. He works with rapt attention. He has done as much of work as I have. Jack got back from hunting today. He was thirsty. He keeps leaving and not helping with the work. Yes, we do need meat, but he is not getting anything! I think we should get the shelters done first then worry about the meat. Its sounds great but he is just wasting time. I can tell he is getting angrier. He sometimes gets this opaque look in his eyes that are almost wild. He thinks that hunting is more important than shelter. He just doesn’t get the responsibility that I have as the leader. I really want to get off the island. It is hard and most of the boys are getting lazy. Even Piggy, who was trying to act so responsible, isn’t helping. I don’t even know if the fire plan will work. I hope it does.
Got to go,
Ralph
P.S. The tendril in the jungle is creeping me out!