"Babylon Revisited" - Fitzgerald

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. At first it was hard for me to understand half-awake at 12 am. But after reading a summary of the story it all fell into place and made sense! 


To me, I take it as the story of an addict. Someone who had hit a hard place in life, a struggle with drugs and alcohol, the death of his wife and the loss of his daughter. 
Throughout the story, I believe Lorraine and Duncan represent Charlies past. They are what Charlie used to be. And they pop up quite a bit throughout the story; even ruining Charlies chances of bringing his daughter home with him. I also believe that they pop up so often as to represent what a recovering addict goes through for the rest of their life. That constant urge to use, and the constant fight against the urge.


I recommend this story to anyone who has had an addiction, or is a recovering addict, or even a successful person who was an addict in the past. 


It is kind of a sad story, but if shows the harsh reality of what living that type of lifestyle will do to you, and how it can go about haunting you for many years to come.  

Amy Tan "A Pair of Tickets"

I recommend "A Pair of Tickets", to anyone who has is having trouble figuring out "who they are" in regards to culture and heritage.


The story is about Jing-Mei Chinese woman whose mother had recently passed. She has just found out about the twin half-sisters which she has in China. She and her father decide to go visit the twins and other family in China. During her journey in China, Jing-Mei ends up feeling like she has "become Chinese", something she had struggled to accept her entire life.


I myself have an issue with my heritage; I don't know what it is! My mother is adopted and my father abandoned the family when I was born. So I have no idea what my heritage is.


I almost feel like Jing-Mei was taking her heritage for granted for a very long time!

"The Cask of Amontillado"

I really enjoyed re-reading Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado".  I read this tale in High School and it was nice to revisit and re-analyze the text. I am thinking that I want to base my Short Story Essay on the story.


When reading about Poe I realized that he died at age 30! So when he was writing most of his stories he was in this 20s; the same age as me! This fact makes me want to explore more into Poe and his life. Why was Poe such a dark writer? Was was he depressed so early on in life?


I am thinking of basing my Short Story essay on the Symbolism in "The Cask of Amontillado"  in regards to Montessor's regret of the situation.


The Thesis I have so far is:


In Edgar Allen Poe's, "The Cask of Amontillado", symbolism is used to express the conscious feelings of regret Montresor has in his intentional killing of his friend Fortunato.  


I would love any feedback!

My New Blog!

Hi All!


This is the new blog I have created to share my journeys through Mrs. Wilson's Comp 2 class! 


Enjoy!


-Jessica