Through The Necklace: An Outcast Analysis

In “Outcasts United” written by Warren St. John we learn about the lives of multiple young children along with their families coming from broken homes that seek a better living, they are refugee. Throughout the book, the lives of the kids are described on how they learn to adapt to this new life. Luma Mufleh is introduced in the beginning. She is the creator of the “Fugees” a soccer team she started in order to give these boys a way to escape from their past. While learning the way these kids live their life, the theme that is portrayed to us would be teamwork.

My great-grandmother was the matriarch of my family. When I was in seventh grade, around thirteen years old, she passed away due to breast cancer. This misfortune created an extremely difficult time for me because, not only was I adjusting to the environment of junior high, but many other issues were occurring in my life; this was the third death that I was having to deal with. Unfortunately, one of the previous deaths (that I was still trying to hurdle through and come to terms with), had occurred almost exactly a year before the passing of my great-grandmother. The second death that I had gone through occurred only one or two months before my great-grandma has passed. All of this turmoil created numerous internal conflicts for me, but also taught me a key lesson to keep note of, for the rest of my life.

I was like any other normal human. I learned to read. I learned to write. I eventually learned the difference between good and bad, right and wrong. Sure I am taller than most humans. Sure I don’t speak English as proper as other humans. Sure I don’t look like other humans. But if that’s not enough reasons to remind myself of me not being human, the fact that humans call me monster and run in terror when they see me is surely enough. I’m already alone. I’m already an outcast. I’m already put on the top of someone’s hit list. What else can make me more of a monster?

What is an outsider? An outsider is, “a person not belonging to a particular group, set, party, etc.”(“outsider”).  Is this what you would define an outsider as? Many people have different opinions on what defines an outsider. Some people may think an outsider is simply a person who does not fit in. While others may think that an outsider is someone who is misunderstood or misjudged. If someone is seen as an outcast they will most likely be affected in some way.  Individuals deemed as outcast can especially be negatively impacted, both mentally and physically. Society places labels on outcasts in order to belittle them. If someone is called an outcast, that might alter the way they see themselves. This may result in them becoming introverted and shy, only because they are scared of what people will think about them. This will only cause more trouble for them, because they will now be considered even more of an outcast.

The Necklace Many people have various valuable items that they cherish, some only have a few but everyone has that one thing that hey hold close to their heart over everything. My one item happens to be a necklace that my papa got me for Christmas right after he was diagnosed with liver cancer. This necklace means so much to me because of the character behind it, the many feelings it gives me and the heartfelt memories behind this one simple gift.

My aunt whom just so happened to be one of my role models passed away. I was devastated. Not only was I confused, but I was lost as well. A woman I looked up to was gone forever. I missed a few days of school and starting falling behind on work. It took me awhile to process my aunt's’ death. I finally realized that I have to move on. I knew that she would not approve of me being sad. I started remembering all of the positive memories my aunt left behind. I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from her. Until this day, I carry what she taught me everywhere I go. I strive harder to make her

“Stop Being a Sugar Cookie” On May 11th 2013, my grandma passed away due to pancreatic cancer. A little later that year on September 25th, my mom received a call from my aunt in Guam that my dad had passed away in his sleep. Then on May 14th 2014, my grandpa passed from complications of an allergic reaction to a medication. So within a year, I was left to deal with three immediate family deaths, one right after another. Losing such important figures in one’s life could leave someone depressed and unmotivated to move on with their own life and to rise above those challenges is difficult, yet possible. During this time of hardship, I grew discouraged and saddened, but over time I became motivated to set aside these struggles and make a change.

Today we watch the world rage in war, bathe in chaos, and live in destruction. Where there is war families are being torn apart. Children watch family members be killed in front of them and many homes are destroyed. They are forced to leave their country and seek refuge in

In 2012, my cousin suffered a severe heart attack which lead to heart failure. After witnessing someone I love suffer a life-changing event, it was important to find ways in which I could help. During her time in the hospital I cared for her children, encouraging them to remain positive around their mother, explaining how important their presence was to her recovery. I assisted in organizing a fundraiser that provided financial benefits for medical expenses. An extended hospital stay can create a feeling of isolation, and the fundraiser served as a physical reminder of the amount of support she had behind her during this battle. Childcare and fundraising were both pivotal ways in which I made a difference, but being present with my cousin at

Just how unnatural or strange are humans? You think of the outcasts in society and wonder just why are they considered outsiders. Are they really outcast or are they simply just misunderstood human beings. Some of our most brilliant people in the world were outcasts and strange, but overall they

My grandfather's dementia had gotten worse with age. He had developed a habit of walking out of the house randomly. They lived alone in their apartment in Pakistan. One day he walked out the same way and did not return for a long time. We were later informed that he had tripped on his way and broke his hip. After surgery my grandmother called me, I was living abroad at that time, and said, "I don't think he will recover, he is in a lot of pain" I assured her otherwise. She said, "I can't live without him. I don’t want him to die." The helplessness and grief in her voice was agonizing. She would often call and cry, it became tough overtime as I was abroad and not fully aware of his progress. I am her oldest grandchild, and she treats me like

When given a “gorgeous Add-a-Pearl necklace”, she quickly losses it the following year. The tone that Sister has while recounting this memory is of disbelief and anger. There’s jealousy because Stella-Rondo has received a beautiful gift, but scorn when she “threw it away” as if it wasn’t worth her time. The principle literary device is this use of narrative for characterization, to establish who Stella-Rondo is, and to explain why Sister resents her sibling. This gives the reader an example of Stella-Rondo’s attitude, and these simple two sentences easily paints an image of a spoiled child who does not care for what they have received and to unappreciated

The podcast I chose to cover was Bill Burr's Monday morning podcast. The podcast was independently started by Bill Burr himself back in May of 2007 then in October 2012 it became a part of the podcast Network all things comedy which it still runs on today. Bill Burr is a very well accomplished comedian having any specials on HBO Starz and Comedy Central and also a recurring show on Netflix and also my favorite comedian so when I found out he had a podcast I had to tune in. Each podcast episode 1 hour where Bill will dive into past, current, and recent events Sports, interviews with guests, and my favorite segment is when he offers advice to listeners. The advice column is my favorite part because people always assume they know what Bill Burr will say or what advice he'll give on the

The podcast titled Allowance, Taxes and Potty Training was truly amazing to listen to. I feel that after I listened to the podcast I had taken a higher level of understanding of the subjects at hand. Throughout the podcast we heard from an Economist by the name of Joshua Gans and his daughter, as well as the hosts of the podcast. The main idea of this podcast was the idea of an economy that is made in the home of Joshua Gans, where he gives his kids different incentives for completing tasks.

(Yours truly, Honey) On July 10th, 2015 heaven gained one of the most fiercest angels ever. My grandmother may have left me physically, but I feel her presence more than ever before. This year has been difficult for me, but to be honest these last four years have been quite difficult for me. The person I loved the most had Alzheimer’s and couldn't be there for me. I lost an Aunt, Uncle, and the love of my life, My Grandmother. As a child she always told me “Honey, I pray the Lord keeps me to see you graduate from High school”. By the time my graduation came, she wasn’t able to talk or walk. Even though she couldn't tell me how she felt, after I left her nurses told me that she cried. That lets me know we’re connected on another level,