A Thousand Cranes Reflection Paper

the play draws its readers to identify with Richard and thereby to participate in a

Our cohort is nearing the end of its secondary education and therefore it is important that we reflect on the ways in which it has shaped our attitudes, values and beliefs. For example, over the past five years, we have read, analysed and evaluated various literary works such as novels, plays, poems and films in our English studies. These texts have expressed various ideologies, explored interesting themes and introduced us to fascinating characters. These elements have left a lasting impression on our attitudes, values and beliefs. In addition to this, English literary texts have provided us with historical knowledge as well as a thorough understanding of the role that aesthetic devices

In Francine Prose’ paper, “I know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read”, Prose describes why many high school student dislike reading literature that the American education system has preached. The premise of her essay is that today’s high school English classes are largely flawed in both material and teaching method. Prose contends that these practices are damaging to the students’ understanding and appreciation of literature. She harshly critiques the quality of required reading in American high schools and suggests a reconsideration of the English curriculum. She challenges the audience to acknowledge the curriculum’s impact on high school students and urges the audience to consider how it may addressed. Prose crafts her argument by using an appeal to logos, asking rhetorical questions and employing negative connotation.

Another big point in Prose’s essay is the assignments associated with high school literature. She argues that teachers make students write around the books and not about the books they read. “No wonder students are rarely asked to consider what was actually written by these hopeless racists and sociopaths. Instead, they’re told to write around the book, or, better yet, write their own books,” (430). The assignments that teachers give these days are nto about the book or the story itself. They usually ask the student to rewrite the ending, or ask what the student would do if they were in the same situation as the character. Prose argues that high school students are seen as having the same experience as some of the characters they read about, such as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby. “And is it any wonder that

The play makes you think, whether for a split moment or a long time, about the idea of being aware while going about even the most menial of tasks.

My English Literature major has helped me to achieve an outstanding level of appreciation, enjoyment, and knowledge of both American and British Literature. As a high school AP English student, I struggled through great works like Hamlet and To the Lighthouse. My teacher’s daily lectures (there was no such thing as class discussion) taught me merely to interpret the works as critics had in the past. I did not enjoy the reading or writing process. As a freshman at Loras, I was enrolled in the Critical Writing: Poetry class. For the first time since grade school, my writing ability was praised and the sharing of my ideas was encouraged by an enthusiastic and nurturing professor. Despite the difficulty of poetry, I enjoyed reading it.

This play is about the experiences of a dying school boy, it is a celebration of life and the power to heal through gaining insight.

creates a play that illustrates not only the struggle of growing up in a prejudiced world but also

The overall dramatic meaning of this play has been successfully shown by the elements of drama. The

The five-minute warning bell goes off. I rush to my first class of my junior year, eager to see my classmates, who I was going to spend the rest of the 9 months with. I find myself stumbling into a classroom plastered with decorations of Denzel Washington with a Dr. Seuss book in his hand, a t and college flags galore. My AP English 11 class suddenly seemed so appealing to me. As a beautiful, curly haired short lady stood in front of me and said “Welcome to AP English 11,” I knew that I had found a treasure so much greater than just a pretty classroom. Little did I know, that short lady was going to inspire me throughout my challenge filled second-to-last year of high school.

changing attitudes toward life and the other characters in the play, particularly the women; and his reflection on the

The main theme of the play is to not fall prey to emotions and hasty suspicions. They are a bad combination and will ruin your life. If you ever get one of these you should try not to get the other or you are in trouble. So if you are ever having doubts about someone ask them, don’t listen to your friends. They might not know the truth or the whole

To begin with, in this play the author unfolds family conflicts that involve its characters into a series of events that affected their lives and pushed them to unexpected ways.

look at both of the aspects of the play. In my piece of writing I

Throughout the decades, issues, preferences, and events have changed making books of certain styles fade away into time. Few books have beaten the test of time and continue to have relevance in the present day. Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte, stands as a classic work of literature that has overcome time and is still being read after 168 years from its original publishing date. Even today readers can effectively connect to the plight of Jane and the social issues that Bronte attempted to illuminate. Combined with an eloquent writing style Jane Eyre continues to have a positive effect on the reform for children. Ender’s Game, written by Orson Card, utilizes the same qualities as Jane Eyre, although, putting a futuristic twist on the events