Song in a Minor Key

Blog 9
Week of 10/28/19

      For this week's topic on Space Opera and the New Frontier, I chose the short story, Song in a Minor Key, by C.L Moore. The story takes place on a clover-filled hill as the main setting. Northwest Smith, the protagonist, reflects on how at peace he is in that moment. After years of transgressions and being banned from taking a step on Earth, Northwest was able to come back home. On the hill he soaks in all he's missed out on and taken for granted. 

         Northwest realizes in that moment, as he is laying in the grass on the hill, all the small things he's missed out on. When I was reading the part about how he missed the feeling of the grass I found this to be a very insightful scene in the story. It got me thinking, even though it seems silly to miss such a trivial topic like grass, we as humans take stuff like this for granted. The little things in life like this that don't seem that important until we least expect it. This is happening right now with people not altering their life to fix the effects they are creating on the global warming crisis. Sadly, we as humans don't do anything about problems until it's too late.

Another scene I came across while reading that I found quite of an impact was Northwest reviewing all the sorrowful events in his life. Even though he has a lot of unhappy memories he knows he would never go back and change the past. The bad things that Northwest did lead him to his ultimate punishment, being banish from his home. But,without this punishment he never would have learned a valuable lesson. Which is never regret your actions because these are the moments in life that change us for the better. I agree with this statement made by Northwest because even though we all experience horrible things, it guides us to the individual were meant to become. 

Assessment

What was your reaction to what you just read?

My reaction to Blood Child was a mixture of confusion and intrigue. I was a bit confused at what the relationship that was going on in the household in the story. I wish there was more explanation of the history between the Tlic and the Terran. The relationship with Tlics and Terrans seem to be a norm which I found really interesting but crazy at the same time. I would not be so relaxed with the idea of being a host to another species offspring.

What connections did you make with the story you just read? Discuss the elements of the work you were able to connect with.

A connection I  made with the story is how Gan was conflicted with the commitment he made with  Gatoi. In life we all deal with making life decisions that will directly effect our futures. For anyone its hard knowing whether we're making the right decision. So, when Gan experiences first hand what will happen to him once an egg is implanted in him, he has a moment of doubt. When threatened by Gatoi about moving on to his sister instead he steps up and does his duty. I have had similar experiences for example trying to figure out what major I wanted to go into. Though, not as intense and altering as the situation in this story.

What changes would you make if you were adapting it into another medium? What medium? Why?

Some changes I would make if I was to adapt this story into another medium would be the background information on the norms of the world in the story. There needs to be more development of the history between the two species as well There are diffidently some holes in understanding the differences between the eggs the characters eat and the ones that are implanted. If I could adapt this short story into another medium I would choose a novel. I would choose this medium because I think there is a lot of opportunities to delve deeper into Octavia Butler's story plot.

What is the future look like to you in 15 years?

In 15 years I will have the job of my dreams! Which is to design collectible pins for Disney. I see the world having major technological advances. Also, I am hopeful that the disease (SMA) I have will have a cure.

What is the future look like to you in 50 years?

I will have had a successful career and retired. I'll have travel many places around the world. Maybe even live somewhere in Europe for a bit. Also, I'm hoping for cars to be able to fly by this time! And people living on Mars. I think cable TV will be non-existence and platforms like Netflix will be king.

City of Bones

 Blog 8

Week of 10/21/19

             For this week’s topic on contemporary urban fantasy, I chose the book, City of Bones. This is the first installment of Cassandra Claire’s series, The Mortal Instruments. During a night of supposed fun, Clary’s - our main character - life has changed forever. After witnessing a brutal murder, Clary’s concerns of getting caught out late are the least of her worries. This is due to the fact that she can’t explain to the police what had happened because the murderers are invisible to everyone else but her. As if her life hasn’t been turned upside down already, Clary finds out that she is a shadow hunter - half angel and human - while adding to the fact that her mother, has been secretly taking her memories and lying about who Clary is. With a little help from Jace, her love interest, and his fellow shadow hunters, they help open Clary’s eyes to a new and unimaginable world. A world where what was once known as a myth is now Clary’s new reality.

            We discover along with Clary that all the spooky stories of our childhood are real and the mythical creatures of the under world walk are among us without us ever knowing. In Clary’s world, shadow hunters are able to see these creatures and are able to keep them in check. In both fantasy and reality, we as humans can’t tell the difference from creature to non-creature. I found this part of the story very insightful. In both worlds, monsters have the ability and skill to keep themselves hidden. Whether hidden by glamour or nothing magical at all, anyone we walk by could be a danger to us all.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Blog 7
Week of 10/14/19

For this week’s topic on Spiritual Education I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, by J.K. Rowling. The main character, Harry Potter, had dealt with many issues and challenges during his first eleven years. His family, the Dursleys, were the direct cause to this. For example, they made him live in a closet under the staircase and be their personal housemaid. These situations have not stopped him from staying hopeful that one day things will get better. That day comes on his eleventh birthday when he discovers he’s no ordinary wizard.

Once Harry discovers that he is the famous young wizard that survived Voldemore’s evil Wizard powers, this did not inflate his ego. Instead, he stays humble throughout this intense but amazing life change. During his train ride to Hogswarts, he is given many chances to brag about his identity; fortunately, he continues to stay modest. This is a common theme in the book – the given opportunities to boast about himself. This is because it’s not in Harry’s character; he likes the simplicity of things and cares more about doing the right thing. He’s also concerned about being able to live up to the reputation of ‘the boy who lived’ and fitting into the wizarding world.

Harry is not as perfect as he seems, after all he is an eleven-year-old boy.  He still has a lot to learn, such as knowing what he wants in life. Throughout the book, we witness moments of greed with many characters, for example, his cousin, Dudley. A pivotal moment in the book we learn about differences between needs and wants. This is when Harry comes across the mirror that reveals one’s deepest desires. For him it is wanting his parents to still be alive and with him. It is such a magnetic experience that he does not want to leave its sight. Professor Dumbledoor allows Harry to come to his senses and advises Harry to not seek out the mirror again. Dumbledoor assures Harry that his desires are not harmful but there can be consequences, where many who fixate on their deepest desires can lose sight on life.

Troll Bridge

Blog 6
Week of 10/7/19

For this week’s topic of Heroic Journey, I read the short, Troll Bridge, by Terry Prachett. It’s a short story that is not your average tale of a hero’s journey. Prachett’s story reflects some elements of a classic journey of a hero but in other ways it does not. Cohen the Barbarian is called to do a final journey - defeat a troll in battle. He’s been wanting to do this his whole life and had always promised himself this journey before he dies. Since he is getting up in age this pushes him to finally make the journey. This is quite different from your average hero story. The main character is usually young or inexperienced in what entails in a journey. In this case, Cohen the Barbarian is in his older years and a very experienced journey man.

In heroic stories, the hero is in denial at first and wants nothing to do with the proposed journey ahead. In this case the Barbarian, is the one who instigates the journey. For him, it is a rite of passage that has been passed down from father to son for generations. Another aspect of a hero story is there are usually obstacles throughout journey. Cohen and his horse get to the troll bridge without anything going amiss. Once the main character reaches his destination, he will experience a great battle. During this battle, the hero works out all his external and internal conflicts. Afterwards, after almost dying, the world is at peace and the hero finally knows his place in the world. In Cohen the Barbarian’s case, he is dealt with a great let down. The troll and the Barbarian alike have been waiting their whole lives to battle each other’s kind but they soon come to conclusions as to why they backed out. He doesn’t fight the troll because he and the troll realize the world they live in is not the same as it once was. The world has changed in ways they don’t even recognize anymore. This causes them to realize there is no need to always repeat others’ past actions. Just because things have always been done in a certain way, sometimes a sign appears to show that it’s time for a change.

A Discovery of Witches

Blog 5
Week of 9/30/19

For this week’s topic I choose an alternative book to read called A Discovery
of Witches by Deborah Harkness which is the first installment in the All Souls
Trilogy. There’s no witches flying on their broomsticks or making potions for the
main character, a college professor, Diana Bishop. She wants nothing to do with
witch craft ever since her parents were murder for being witches. Ignoring her
true nature comes to an end when she calls up the book Ashmole 782. She soon
realizes that she has unlocked a spell that has kept its secrets hidden within the
book. A book that no one has ever been able to find. The secrets inside Ashmole
782 that everyone in the supernatural community has been wanting to know for
centuries. This causes Diana to be danger for she is the only one who has the
power to open it.

There were a few archetypes of witches that I came across while reading.
The one most noticeable and that happens frequently is moving things without
touching them. An example of this occurs when Diana is reaching for a book in the
library that is just out of reach. Without meaning to the book glides down right
into her hand. We also get a glance of the power of foretelling the future from
one of Diana’s aunts. Another archetype is witches having abilities based on the
four elements. As Diana tries to get a hold on her powers to protect herself, she
soon realizes she has been suppressing a variety of powers. These elemental
powers include water and fire. She learns most of her powers on accident but
usually when her emotions are high. Diana discovers her witchwater ability when
her romance interest, Matthew, leaves her to deal with a dangerous situation.
Worrying about his well being causes her distress and her tears turn out of
proportion to match how she is feeling inside.

A character that represents the way culture models women with power in
the book is the forbidden love interest and vampire, Matthew Clairmont.
Matthew is a 1,500 years old so you could say he’s a bit old fashion. As a vampire
he becomes attached and very protective of Diana, who didn’t ask for it. This
relationship between Matthew and Diana is a great example of how society marks
women with power not being able to handle it. Time after time throughout the
book Matthew tries to shelter and prevent her from touching a finger on the
many dangers that occur. As he believes she won’t be able to handle it but she
always exceeds his expectations.

Annihilation

Blog #4

Week of 9/23/19

What does weird mean? When thinking about this, the words “odd” and “not normal” come to mind. When you Google the definition of weird, it states, “suggesting something supernatural; uncanny”. To dive deep, in all things weird and unusual, I choose the novel, Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer.

This story is surrounded by all kinds of weird but the main one is the mysterious environment, we are introduced to. Unlike other books, where the main focus is on how the characters develop throughout the story, this one is all about Area X. This location has caused great mystery for years. After eleven failed attempts to discover the origin of the odd mutations that have engulf the land, there is more mystery than there are answers. The government agency, the Southern Reach, will not give up and are sending out their twelfth, a group of all female specialists. The importance of Area X to Vandermeer is evident from the start because the reader is given a detail background history of a mutant land but the main character remains anonymous and is referred to as, the biologist.

 You think that’s weird? Well, it gets weirder because the group is also in the dark of their teammates names. This tactic is to keep them on the task at hand because the world they have entered is a cause for distraction in its self. For example, they come across a type of plant that has imitated its self into the shape of the human figure. After reading this scene in the book it got me thinking that whatever is causing the mutations in Area X is curious about the human world. This curiosity has cause it to create and imitate things that are recognizable but at the same time unrecognizable. The plant life is not the only thing that is changed. The farther one enters into Area X the more a person is not who they once were. There is also this sudden attraction that happens between the biologist and the environment. At first I thought it was her interest in finding out what happened to her husband but it develops into some unexplained relationship with Area X. Or perhaps a spell. Which leads me to think that whatever is causing these weird unexplained events must have powers that are other worldly.