The Story Of Elena Retli: A Fictional Narrative

When most people hear my full name , “Joann Botani," they automatically assume I'm Italian, but truth is I am actually Middle Eastern. From what I know my dad does have a little Italian in his blood but the name “Botani” actually comes from a city in Turkey. I come from an upper-middle class house hold and I have two younger siblings, a brother and a sister. Being the oldest has its challenges because there is so much expected from me whether it is school, work or social life. I tend to think my younger siblings have it easier because I am the one who pushes the boundaries with my parents and because of that my siblings usually get to do what ever the want because it is not as extreme as what I do. It has always been easy for my younger sister because she is the “princess” of the house but I am my dad’s favorite while my brother is a momma’s boy. My family is very competitive when it comes to school and grades, my little brother and I were always duking it out

Dawn revisited is a poem about the new ideas one could have in life and how it is easy to start again if things don’t go too well, as the poem starts with ‘imagine you wake up with a second chance’ which automatically introduces the topic to the reader. The poem is laid-out in a way that – especially ‘hawks his pretty wares’ - gives us an unimaginable image of the beauty of dawn, a description that would want people to manage their time in order to see it. The poet states ‘if you don’t look back the future never happens’ which shows us that one could only learn by making mistakes and that she perhaps learnt from experience and does not want people to miss out on the beauty of nature just like she might have done previously. She suggests

Growing up in chicago during the 50s and 60s, mallen streaked Catherine Salemi was surrounded by her tight knit Silesian heritage and her family's unyielding values and tradition. She had inherited a rare hair disorder in which a mallen streak is formed. In other words, she had a unique streak of non pigmented white hair, which was in great contrast to her otherwise jet black hair color. Her skin was smooth with an olive tone and had luscious, thick charcoal hair with curiously defined round brown eyes. Furthermore, she also spent the majority of her childhood in Chicago IL, however she spent roughly a year living in California on the account of her father's job. During her time in California, she developed a great interest in dancing, specifically

She knew that by giving up the food she could possibly die, but still did it anyway just so her children could fill their stomachs up. Elena was very courageous throughout the novel and was loved by many of the other prisoners because of what she had done for

According to Mirasol Eating Disorder Recovery Center, 20% of people with anorexia nervosa die if they do not get treatment or professional help. This eating disorder is 12 times higher than any cause of death for females 15-24 years old. Furthermore, 10-15% of males have anorexia, so it is not only women who have it. How would you feel? Wanting to know a certain number and maintaining that number so you can feel great about yourself, but slowly hurting or maybe killing yourself by doing it? Elena Dunkle goes through this everyday; knowing that a certain number on a scale will make her feel beautiful. In Elena Dunkle’s memoir, Elena Vanishing, Elena, who has anorexia nervosa, shows the reader the struggles, the fighting and the demons that

Its been two weeks since she fully explained things to Bonnie, and things were going pretty well. Now she was in her room reading a century old book in German. Looking out her window it was pitched black. Elena and Bonnie were in deep sleep. Getting up and heading to her mini fridge deciding to get something to drink.

A quote that supports this is, “I could see the white snow falling like a lace veil over its face. I did not look down to see it turning gray as it touched the ground below” (Cofer 36). This quote supports my claim because it shows how Elena had learned to focus on the good things, and the pretty things, instead of on the sad and dull things. The Story, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” supports the claim by having the main character learn that life is not about things one receives, but the lessons one has learned.

Rose Ricciardelli has written a book entitled Surviving Incarceration, which explores and reveals the various dynamics inside Canadian prisons. Essentially, it is a research done by the author, who incorporates a male sub-sample of Canadian federal prisons, while collecting data via 1-on-1 interviews with these inmates. Ricciardelli states early in the book that she will be focusing on prisoners and their experiences with federal prison; not on discussing why prisons exist or whether they are punitive or rehabilitative. Thus, although the title is misleading since Ricciardelli does not actually write about ‘surviving prison,’ she makes it clear early on for what readers can expect. Also, the author will look at the effectiveness of policy and legislation changes. With this in mind, one can assume that the title was simply for marketing purposes. Additionally, although Ricciardelli has set the focus on the Canadian prison system, she does not disclose further information or a history in this regard. For instance, throughout the readings, Ricciardelli does not provide statistics that would be curious to know in the minds of readers. This can include the statistical difference between federal and

Catherina stopped, gaping trying to process the comment. “You are insane. You know nothing about this mess. You are as innocent as poor Ilsa. This isn’t a game. Reis.”

There’s no me without Dora” (Schumacher, p.60). This quote explains how Elena feels without her sister Dora: that she is nothing at all without her; so all she wants is to bring her back and not actually try to give her the mental support she needs. When Dora was in the hospital Elena used to write her every time, but she never asked if she was getting better or not. She always used to ask her: when she is getting out or if she hates it there, “I scribbled back. Are you excited to leave?” (Schumacher, p.77). In other words Elena wanted her sister to be back, but her selfishness might have costed her: her sister physically and

In many ways, Elena Gilbert is the product of all the traumas that have occurred to her over the course of the last two years of her life, starting with her parents' deaths. All the big and little things -- all the friends and family she has lost, all the times her safety or the safety of those she loves has been violently threatened, the times her body and her blood has been used without her consent, the times she died -- have all built her into the person she is: Someone wracked with survivor's guilt, who has on multiple occasions accepted and even welcomed her own death, who will cut herself off from her own humanity rather than feel all the pain that exists in her. Because of all of these traumatic experiences, Elena has become fiercely,

The killing was something Elena now felt conditioned for. Like she had been made to destroy humans, watch that special light leave their eyes, their chest heave that one last breath. To an everlasting darkness that Elena, herself, would never have to experience. She got to live forever and others would pay for her life…they’d give their own and the blood would rest upon her opened

And now it had all come crashing down. Smoke burned her lungs, but she didn't move, couldn't move.

The sunrise also represents knowledge and new beginnings. She is also proud to accomplish her GED. This fall term, she wants to complete her classes. Her goal is to accomplish her

Two hours escaped without notice, however it felt like centuries for the girl. She never fell into sleep again. The first weak rays of light penetrate the dark sky signaling the approach of dawn. The sun had just broken the horizon and then peeked over. The dark sky was now tainted with a mixture of yellow and orange. As the sun gradually ascended, the room was lit up, bring a sense of life. Although, the girl was not in the sunshine, the warm light of nature's own coloring lit up her eyes and gave a bright flush to her cheeks, and deep red to her lips. The sunshine was a make-up artist who helped the girl look much