Dangerous and Idle thoughts
A tragic tale, yet true as in nature, spiders are expected to trap their prey and eat them! This poem is about a young fly, being flattered by idle words and is slowly being lured to her death by a spider. Like our conscience speaking to us about right from wrong, warnings from beyond the grave, her dead parents warn her not to listen to this evil spider. A first, she listens to these warnings and tries avoiding his traps. In the end, the spider’s flattering words got to her. She came back to his little parlor and the inevitable happened. She never escaped from her grave….
This poem is pretty straightforward. The instincts and the relationship between a spider and a fly relates to human life. The main theme of this poem I think is to never ignore your conscience, or the warning signs appearing before you. Just like the spider’s flattering words drowned the fly’s inner ear, people can also hardened their hearts and numb their conscience. Being aware of what is potentially dangerous can pretty much save your life!
What made this poem appealing to my imaginary sense (and is why I chose it) was the rhyming scheme it had (AABB). The rhythm it had a fairly medium pace, moving it in a quiet slow, and mysterious pace. It was almost like the pulse, rhythm of the spider’s sly and cunning mind itself, unraveling into new ideas of how to lure the fly into its web. The following stanza appealed to me and was the warning itself.
“And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.”
The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt
“‘Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show when you are there.”
“Oh no, no,” said the little fly; “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.” “I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high.
Well you rest upon my little bed?” said the spider to the fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest a while, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
“Oh no, no,” said the little fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!”Said the cunning spider to the fly: “Dear friend, what can I do
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome - will you please to take a slice?
“Oh no, no,” said the little fly; “kind sir, that cannot be:
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”“Sweet creature!” said the spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings; how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
If you’d step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say,
And, bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the fly;
Then came out to his door again and merrily did sing:
“Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple; there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer grew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes and green and purple hue,
Thinking only of her crested head. Poor, foolish thing! at last
Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast;
He dragged her up his winding stair, into the dismal den -
Within his little parlor - but she ne’er came out again!And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words I pray you ne’er give heed;
Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the fly.
Surviving the Harsh Reality and the Truth Unheard
Loads of suspense!!!
Rating: (5 stars)
The book The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle consists of action, suspense, and unexpected revealing twists! This novel by Avi starts off by a thirteen year old girl, named Charlotte Doyle, which is a relatable character, for I am too a thirteen year old girl, explaining her inevitable journey to Rhode Island in a journal. A prim, proper girl of the 1830’s, she sets off in a ship to Rhode Island from England to reunite with her family. The adventure starts from there when two of her guardians did not appear and was unable to be with her during the trip. One unusual thing led to another and Charlotte Doyle found herself questioning herself if this was a really safe place for a young lady to be. Such event was the scene when someone gave her a dagger for her own safety, and later was used against her to accuse her for murder. That left me hanging off my seat from there, and questions left unanswered until the end of the book was lingering in my head! This one scene has left me with this urge to continue. I sometimes felt as if I was her, and occasionally, I felt a little bit of fear and excitement creeping up my throat. It was really weird. For a thirteen year old girl like me, living in the 21-first century and someone telling you to keep a potentially deadly weapon for protection would have freaked me out! And being accused of murder would make things worse in my world! Yet I found it quite interesting for a girl like Charlotte to handle it quite well with such dignity and integrity. Anticipation and suspense was building up throughout the whole book. In fact, I found it hard for me to stop reading this book! Somehow, it has grabbed my attention. I would recommend this book for mature middle school students who would just be wiling to sit down, and enjoy an adventurous, suspenseful book. Although it had a very interesting plot, I found it quite hard to understand their old English. Chapter one may leave you impatient but those who are patient enough to see the results will definitely find this book worth reading, just like I did. By Laica Magcamit
Comparing and Contrasting- Johnny Tremain
This movie did not reflect the book quite accurately. One of the major differences was in relation to the characters. About four of the characters that were mostly mentioned in the book were missing. This includes Issanah, Dove, Mrs.Lavinia, Pumpkin, and Dorcas. Dorcas’s name was mentioned in the movie, but her face was not shown in the movie. The characters Issanah, Madge and Dorcas weren’t acknowledge as one of Mr. Lapham’s relatives or the fact that they live in the same roof. In the movie, they have only shown Cilla as Mrs. Lapham’s only child and because of that, the movie was unable to show Cilla’s devotion to Issanah or Issanah’s role in Johnny’s life. Descriptions of the character’s appearance were also inaccurate, for in the book; Johnny was described as a thin boy, with fair skin and light, limp hair. Yet in the movie, his skin tone appears to be quite dark, somewhat like Rab’s, and his hair did not seem limp or light. Character traits were also not exactly represented like in the book. In the book, Rab was mysterious, unpredictable and had these qualities that were unknown yet kind and pleasant. Bottom line is that the movie did not emphasize Rab’s odd ways like it did in the book.
Despite these differences, a few similarities were reflected off the book. Quotes from the book were used in the movie such as: “This meeting can do nothing more to save this country,” and Cilla’s insult about the meek and what Johnny will inherit from the earth. The event when Johnny burned his hand and the Boston Tea Party was also shown in the movie, just like it was shown in the book. Though some parts were not in the book and some scenes from the book were missing in the movie, these main events were acknowledged in the movie. Johnny being a horse boy and revealing Goblin’s fear of white sheets were also in the movie. These events match the book, even though the sequence of the event and how Johnny got to the point of being a horse boy was not accurate.
My Dream Vacation
My dream vacation is to get anywhere in the world, just as long as I get out of Saudi Arabia. The reason why is that I’ve been to nowhere really. Maybe I’d go to Europe, Spain, or Rome!!!!! Seeing things I have never seen before and experiencing other things would be my dream vacation. I do not have a specific place of where my dream vacation would take place. If I did, it would just be wild thrilling and just plain exciting! I would just Rome around the streets of Paris see huge monuments and check into this really expensive, fancy hotel. I’ll take a picture in front of the Eiffel tower, as proof that I did went to Paris! Meeting someone famous, watch a really popular ballet show; see up close of how the ballerina’s really dance. That would be really nice. Anyway, next stop, I’ll to go Iceland, Norway, or one of those icy countries up the northern hemisphere. I have always wanted to experience snow, all my life I also wondered how it felt to be in this white beauty!! Go ice skating, eat shark meat or whatever sea food they have, even visit my second cousins living there! Then, I’ll travel to Rome and maybe see that ancient gladiator stadium, see ancient ruins and stuff. Walking on a land rich in history would be awesome. Next stop Tibet!!! This is the part of my trip to where I’ll just get away from cities, and modern technology. I would like to enjoy the beautiful scenery, to just relax, chill and meet the native people.
In reality, its all about the money and time that prevents this desire from happening!! I just couldn’t get enough for this trip to happen!!
My Dream Vacation
My dream vacation is to get anywhere in the world, just as long as I get out of Saudi Arabia. The reason why is that I’ve been to nowhere really. Maybe I’d go to Europe, Spain, or Rome!!!!! Seeing things I have never seen before and experiencing other things would be my dream vacation. I do not have a specific place of where my dream vacation would take place. If I did, it would just be wild thrilling and just plain exciting! I would just Rome around the streets of Paris see huge monuments and check into this really expensive, fancy hotel. I’ll take a picture in front of the Eiffel tower, as proof that I did went to Paris! Meeting someone famous, watch a really popular ballet show; see up close of how the ballerina’s really dance. That would be really nice. Anyway, next stop, I’ll to go Iceland, Norway, or one of those icy countries up the northern hemisphere. I have always wanted to experience snow, all my life I also wondered how it felt to be in this white beauty!! Go ice skating, eat shark meat or whatever sea food they have, even visit my second cousins living there! Then, I’ll travel to Rome and maybe see that ancient gladiator stadium, see ancient ruins and stuff. Walking on a land rich in history would be awesome. Next stop Tibet!!! This is the part of my trip to where I’ll just get away from cities, and modern technology. I would like to enjoy the beautiful scenery, to just relax, chill and meet the native people.In reality, its all about the money and time that prevents this desire from happening!! I just couldn’t get enough for this trip to happen!!
Inside Cilla Lapham’s Heart
Cilla Lapham
I am selfless and loyal
I wonder if Johnny and I will ever open up and confess our concealed feelings for each other
I hear the sound of wedding church bells, harmonized with drums of freedom
I see my feelings, bottled up in my reluctant heart
I want to see myself breaking away from Mrs. Lavinia’s house, along with the breaking her cruel spirit
I am selfless and loyal
I enjoy the satisfaction of laughing, it’s tingling sensation I feel when I’m around Johnny and Rab
I feel a cloud of suffocation and the weakening bond between Issanah and I
I worry that Issanah’s presence will not be there and that I will never see Rab or Johnny again
I believe that someday; will finally get what I want
I cry when I realize that I had lost Issanah
I am selfless and loyal
I understand Johnny’s care for me, and the burden he will feel when he knows that I hate living with Mrs. Lavinia
I say to myself that I should speak up
I dream of revealing my affection and hidden love towards Johnny instead of covering it up with my insignificant insults
I try to control myself, like an urgent, settle cry when I’m around Mrs. Lavinia Lyte
I hope to move my stubborn, unwilling heart and make it fly
I am selfless and loyal
By Laica Magcamit
Sacrifices that were Meant to be Made
This war of independence has its disadvantages and its advantages. At the end of the war, Mel Gibson and the Patriots have won the war. From this war, the whole country has gained their independence. Although it was the whole country that has its benefits, individual gains and loses occurred to individuals like Mel Gibson. These gains include friendships, trust, and supporters from the war. Friendships and allies such as the French, and even an attraction towards Charlotte, his wife’s sister was gained and developed. Even though his courage, beliefs, and spirit weren’t “gained” from the war, it was justified by his gains and was kept strong.
The loss that had occurred to him was more than he can bear. Because of helping the wounded troops, his son Thomas dies. He probably didn’t expect it and was the first complexity of war he had confronted during the war of independence. Somehow, I noticed that the loss he had experience created this somewhat ripple effect and had caused him to gain something. Since he lost Thomas, his vengeance towards colonel Tavington has somewhat strengthen his spirit to fight in the war. When Gabrielle died, his anger towards the British starts accumulating and this helped him win the war which gained the country’s independence. Without anger towards the British, he probably wouldn’t be as brutal as he was at the movie.
In all the wars, they all have one thing in common that will mark among the lives of the soldiers: “when you lose something, you gain something.” This answers the question, that gains do outweigh the loss. It was worth fighting for the cause he believed in, because in the end, the whole country gets its independence, even though he knows the there’s a chance he will lose his son or even his own life.
