Romeo and Juliet - Final Draft (REVISED)

In the book 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare, a street fight occurs between the Montague's and Capulet’s Prince Escalus comes in and breaks up the fight. But threatens them if they fight again. Romeo enters, very sad. Romeo is in love, with Rosaline, but is afraid that the woman he loves doesn't love him back. Later in the book, Mercutio, Romeo's friend and Prince Escalus's cousin, invites Romeo to accompany him to the Capulet's party, to try to get Romeo to forget about Rosaline. At the party, Romeo meets Juliet and they fall in love. Romeo changes in the story because at first, all he cared about Rosaline. But after he met Juliet, all of his thoughts about Rosaline vanished.

"Out of her favor, where I am in love." (1.1.173)

This quote shows that Romeo is truly, madly, deeply in love with Rosaline, even though he knows that she doesn't love him back. Because of this, Romeo is very depressed. And all Romeo talks about is Rosaline, and how she doesn't love him. But Romeo doesn't want to give up on her yet. In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo is complaining about how Rosaline doesn't love him the way he loves her. But this is before Romeo knows anything about Juliet. This quote also shows how committed Romeo is to Rosaline. Romeo doesn't care about how Rosaline feels about him. All he cares about is her. He wants to please her and do something to get her notice him, but she doesn't give Romeo any respect. That is why Romeo gives up on trying to please Rosaline. That is also why he agrees to go to the Capulet's party, in order to help him forget about Rosaline breaking his heart.

"What lady is that which doth enrich the hand. Of yonder knight?" (1.5. 41-42)

This quote shows that Romeo has forgotten about Rosaline and has finally noticed someone else. And Romeo has now fallen in love with Juliet and out of love with Rosaline. In Act 1 Scene 5, Romeo first spots Juliet during a dance and instantaneously falls in love with her. When Juliet first spots Romeo, she falls in love with him as well. After the dance is over, Romeo goes in search of Juliet. When he finds her, he startles her and greets her with a kiss on her hand. This is where Juliet begins to fall in love with Romeo. This is also where Romeo completely forgets about Rosaline. The two sneak off and get away from the crowd of people and share a kiss or two. But soon after, the two are separated and soon find out that they are sworn enemies. Even though they aren't supposed to be together, the two realize that they can't stand to be without one another.

"Th' exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine." (2. 2. 127)

This quote shows that Romeo and Juliet have very strong feelings for each other. After the party, Romeo returns to Capulet's mansion in search for Juliet, because he cannot stop thinking about her. When he arrives at the Capulet's garden, he overhears Juliet confessing her love for him. She makes a long speech about how she wishes they can be together, but they can't because they're sworn enemies. Romeo then speaks and startles Juliet. The two both confess their love for each other. After confessing their strong feelings, they decide that they want to be married and be together forever. Even though it's forbidden. Many people in Verona find out about the wedding, including Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Tybalt then battles Romeo but is killed in the process. When Prince Escalus and the Capulet's find out about Tybalt's death, they banish Romeo from Verona. But after Romeo is banished, he doesn't know how to act or control himself because he is so far away and separated from his beloved wife, Juliet.

In Conclusion, Romeo changes in the story because in the beginning of the story, Romeo was truly, madly, deeply in love with Rosaline. But at Capulet's party, Romeo spotted Juliet and fell in love with her. He also completely forgot about Rosaline. Juliet also fell in love with Romeo at the party. Later that night, the two confessed their love for each other and decided to get married, that way they could be together forever. The text relates to then world because it shows how two people, who care very much about each other, can make decisions for themselves. The text also shows that young people can make their own decisions. I think that the reader should think about how Romeo was able to quickly forget about all his feelings about Rosaline after he met Juliet. It shows the reader how strongly in love Romeo is with Juliet and how he cannot let her go. For example, when Balthazar tells Romeo that Juliet is dead, the first thing that Romeo does is race back to Verona, as fast as he can. So that he can see Juliet one last time.

Romeo and Juliet - Final Draft

In the book 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare, a street fight occurs between the Montague's and Capulet’s Prince Escalus comes in and breaks up the fight. But threatens them if they fight again. Romeo enters, very sad. Romeo is in love, with Rosaline, but is afraid that the woman he loves doesn't love him back. Later in the book, Mercutio, Romeo's friend and Prince Escalus's cousin, invites Romeo to accompany him to the Capulet's party, to try to get Romeo to forget about Rosaline. At the party, Romeo meets Juliet and they fall in love. Romeo changes in the story because at first, all he cared about Rosaline. But after he met Juliet, all of his thoughts about Rosaline vanished.

"Out of her favor, where I am in love." (1.1.173)

This quote shows that Romeo is truly, madly, deeply in love with Rosaline, even though he knows that she doesn't love him back. Because of this, Romeo is very depressed. And all Romeo talks about is Rosaline, and how she doesn't love him. But Romeo doesn't want to give up on her yet. In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo is complaining about how Rosaline doesn't love him the way he loves her. But this is before Romeo knows anything about Juliet.

"What lady is that which doth enrich the hand. Of yonder knight?" (1.5. 41-42)

This quote shows that Romeo has forgotten about Rosaline and has finally noticed someone else. And Romeo has now fallen in love with Juliet and out of love with Rosaline. In Act 1 Scene 5, Romeo first spots Juliet during a dance and instantaneously falls in love with her. When Juliet first spots Romeo, she falls in love with him as well. After the dance is over, Romeo goes in search of Juliet. When he finds her, he startles her and greets her with a kiss on her hand. This is where Juliet begins to fall in love with Romeo. This is also where Romeo completely forgets about Rosaline. The two sneak off and get away from the crowd of people and share a kiss. But soon after, the two are separated and soon find out that they are sworn enemies.

"Th' exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine." (2. 2. 127)

This quote shows that Romeo and Juliet have very strong feelings for each other. After the party, Romeo returns to Capulet's mansion in search for Juliet, because he cannot stop thinking about her. When he arrives at the Capulet's garden, he overhears Juliet confessing her love for him. She makes a long speech about how she wishes they can be together, but they can't because they're sworn enemies. Romeo then speaks and startles Juliet. The two both confess their love for each other. After confessing their strong feelings, they decide that they want to be married and be together forever. Even though it's forbidden.

In Conclusion, Romeo changes in the story because at first, all he cared about Rosaline. But after he met Juliet, all of his thoughts about Rosaline vanished. In the beginning of the story, Romeo was truly, madly, deeply in love with Rosaline. But at Capulet's party, Romeo spotted Juliet and fell in love with her. He also completely forgot about Rosaline. Juliet also fell in love with Romeo at the party. Later that night, the two confessed their love for each other and decided to get married, that way they could be together forever. The text relates to then world because it shows how two people, who care very much about each other, can make decisions for themselves. Also it shows that young people can make their own decisions. I think that the reader should think about how Romeo was able to quickly forget about all his feelings about Rosaline after he met Juliet.

Blog Post Number Six - 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins - Eden's Story (Blog Post Number Five) REVISED

"When I am, God forgive me, I want to know what it means to give myself to him so completely. Want to know what it's like when it's absolutely right."

In the book 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins, I think that Eden wants to try certain things out and go to a different side of humanity, because her mother and father are over protective and very religious so they won't let her date anyone who isn't going to be her future husband or isn't Christian. I also think that Eden wants to try out the other side of humanity because she has no teen girl experiences. Such as her first kiss, or her first boyfriend. Before she met Andrew, she would just live her"normal" boring life that she is sick and tired of. When she met Andrew, she became as bright as the sun, and she was always happy when she was around him. But she had to keep him a secret, away from her parents. But when her parents found out, they thought that she was possessed by demons and sent her to The Tears of Zion, to think about what she has done and to try and get the demons out of her.

One conflict that Eden faces is that her parents are extremely religious and won't let her go out and see the world. In the beginning of the book, Eden wonders about what other teen girls her age do (sixteen year old girls). She would like to think the way that they think. And have normal, teen experiences. But she knows that she can’t because of her parents.

"No, not at all. Andrew is pretty much perfect. Not gorgeous in a male model kind of way, but he is really cute, with crazy hair that sometimes hides his eyes, dark chocolate eyes that hold laughter, even when he's deadly serious.

... 

No, he's not even a little wrong for me except maybe - maybe! - in the eyes of God. But much, much worse than that, he's completely wrong for my parents."

I thought that Eden was really into Andrew and even she knows that she can't be with him because of her over protective parents. I think that her parents should at least let loose, just the slightest bit. Because what girl like her, isn't going to go behind their backs and try and get the guy anyways?

Another conflict that Eden faces is that she has to have a secret relationship with the man of her dreams - Andrew. Eden and Andrew's relationship has gotten VERY serious. They actually care and love about each other. And they never want to be apart. Andrew knows that Eden can't tell her parents about them, but that doesn't stop Andrew from telling his family! Eden doesn't mind and neither does Andrew's mother. In fact, she's glad that they're together. Eden wishes that her parents could be as flexible as Andrew's mother. But Eden knows that, that could never happen. I think that Eden and Andrew are really meant to be because, he is very protective of her and cares about her so much. And she is the same exact way about him.

"... I tense waiting for his response. It's swift. Oh God, Eden, I love you too. How did I ever live without you? It's like I was missing a huge part of me. ..."

I think that Andrew really meant what he said because he says it a lot in the book, before she got taken away. I also think that Eden and Andrew are the perfect couple because they take perfect care of each other. For example, when Eden's mother got very mad at Eden, and she called Andrew straight after, he came right away and asked her what was wrong. He took care of her. And I thought that was really sweet.

Another conflict that Eden faces is that her parents find out about her and Andrew's secret relationship and splits them up and puts her into an isolation camp, Tears of Zion, in order to get the "demons" out of her. Since Eden's parents don't approve of her relationship with Andrew, they send her to The Tears of Zion, where they send girls who disobey God. Eden's parents don't believe that she should be dating someone if they aren't to wind up becoming her husband. Especially is the boy isn't Christian! At the Tears of Zion, she is trying to break out. But in order to do that, she must sleep with one of the workers there, Jerome. Everyday, when the two see each other, he gives her a small gift such as food or shampoo. And after they sleep together, Eden scrubs it all off, to try and make it go away. But of course, it never does.

"... The second time takes longer, but when he's finally done, he says, I'll think about it. After he leaves, I lie in an aura of hope. Say a little prayer to Mary Magdalene."

I thought that Eden was very smart to come up with a plan like this. But it all must come with a price. Eden still must sleep with Jerome whether she likes it or not. It takes a while, but eventually, Eden escapes but with Jerome. But she must escape again. And thankfully she does. She travels to Vegas, in hope of reuniting with Andrew. Eden winds up going to a Teen Prostitute Helping Center that deals with other teens that have similar problems that Eden has faced in the story.

In Conclusion, in the book 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins, I think that Eden wants to try certain things out and go to a different side of humanity, because her mother and father are over protective and very religious so they won't let her date anyone who isn't going to be her future husband or isn't Christian. In the beginning of the story, Eden is very curious and wants to have a boyfriend. And she eventually does. The two are madly in love. But when Eden's parents find out, the couple is separated and Eden is taken into a isolation camp in order to get rid of the "demons" inside of her. She eventually escapes the camp, in hope of reuniting with Andrew, but instead is taken into a Teen Prostitute Helping Center that deals with the different problems that she has faced in the story. I think that Eden has had her experiences, but with the wrong people - Jerome. I also think that if her parents hadn't found out about Andrew, Eden would have been much happier and the two would have lived happily ever after. But all good things must come to an end.

Blog Post Number Four - 'The Drummer Boy of Shiloh' by Ray Bradbury

"He smelled as all fathers should smell, of salt-sweat, tobacco, horse and boot leather, and the earth he walked upon."

In the short story 'The Drummer Boy of Shiloh' by Ray Bradbury, I think that the General is a good father figure because he convinces Joby that he plays an important part in the war. Before the General came, Joby would cry and hide where he couldn't get caught and wouldn't be found. Joby just wanted to get out of there and go home. But he couldn't. Because he had a role to play in the war. Because Joby IS, The Drummer Boy.

One conflict that Joby faces is that he has no weapons and he cannot protect himself. In the beginning of the book, Joby is very timid. For example, when a peach pit fell from the tree and landed on his drum, Joby woke startled from sleep and afraid of what might happen next. But when he realized that nobody and nothing was there, he tried to fall back asleep. But he couldn't. So he just started counting. Until he heard footsteps and whispering in the distance. The noises came from the passing soldiers. Joby couldn't exactly make out what they were saying, so he made up his own dialogue from their conversation instead,

"Me, I'm the one of all the rest who won't die. I'll get through it. I'll go home. The band will play. And I'll be there to hear it."
 

I thought that it was good for Joby and the soldiers to feel confident for themselves. Because they are in a war, and they might not survive it.

Another conflict that Joby faces is when the General finds Joby and starts talking to him. And making Joby start to think about his role in the war. Before Joby thought that he meant absolutely nothing to the war. And now the General is starting to persuade Joby into thinking that he is just as important as everyone else in this war.

"You, boy," said the general quietly. "You are the heart of the army."
 

 I thought that this was a very important quote in the story because it really shows how the General is a good father figure to Joby. By the General telling Joby how important he is, Joby sits p a little straighter and is much less tense than he was earlier in the story. I thought it was good for Joby to finally realize what he means to the war because he felt so unimportant that he shouldn't even be there. But now, he is starting to feel as proud as the soldiers were when they were recruited to the war. I couldn't believe that such simple words from the General could be so strong and symbolic to Joby. But I think that what the General said to Joby meant a lot to him because Joby is just a kid. And he doesn't know what to do, or how to fight for himself in this bloody war.



 

Another conflict that Joby faces is when the General leaves, and lets Joby think about his strong, symbolic words of hope, and wisdom. But as the General leaves, Joby knows what he must do. He knows how to play his part in the war now. And it's all thanks to the General. And his fatherly figure. I think that at that time, Joby thought of the General as his own father. Because when the General first met Joby, he put his hand on Joby's chest and told him that he was one of the good guys. And to not be afraid of him.

 

"He could only be, and was, the general. "What's your name, boy?" he asked.
"Joby, sir," whispered the boy, starting to sit up.
"All right, Joby,don't stir." A hand pressed his chest gently, and the boy relaxed..."

I thought that was an important part of the story, when the General and Joby first met. Because it shows what manners Joby has for the General. And how Joby first reacted to the General. It also shows how the General first reacted to Joby. But it's after the General speaks to Joby and leaves him is very symbolic,

 

"Joby lay therefor a moment staring, but unable to see where the man had gone. He swallowed. He wiped his eyes. He cleared his throat. He settled himself. Then, at last, very slowly and firmly he turned the drum so it faced up toward the sky."
 

I thought that was when Joby fully changed what he thought of himself in the war. Because in the beginning of the book, he was ashamed of being the drummer boy, and he would hide behind his drum for protection. But now, he is as proud as can be to be the drummer boy, and he sets it, so that it faces up toward the sky, with pride in his job.

 

In Conclusion, in the book 'The Drummer Boy' by Ray Bradbury, the General is a good father figure because he convinces Joby that he plays an important part in the war. But in the beginning of the story, before Joby met the General, Joby would hide from everything and everyone - anything to protect himself. Because he has no protection. All he has is his "drum and two sticks to beat it." But when the General finds Joby in the middle of the story, he makes Joby think about his job and the role that he plays in the war. And at the end of the story, Joby has finally made up his mind on what he wants to do. Joby is "the heart of the army." He is, The Drummer Boy of Shiloh.