The Host

One underlying theme that i found while reading the host is to just let things go. In the story, the character Kyle just can't get over the fact that Wanderer has become apart of their society in the caves and to some ( Jeb, Jamie, Ian) she's become a beloved friend, family member, and potential love. Kyle anger and hatred for Wanderer (a.k.a. Wanda) consumed him to the point where he attacked her with the attentions of killing her; this little act cost him the love and respect of his younger brother Ian who is falling in love with Wanda. This part of the story is connected to real life in the sense that people so seldomly just let the past go. More often than not, humans tend to hold grudges for so long(sometimes even forgetting the original reason why they were mad-Family Feuds come to mind) when they should have simply let the situation leave their mind and hearts long ago. Holding a hatred or even a lider anger for so long is bad for the soul- as proven by the movie the Grudge. It takes so much energy and time away from the individual keeping the grudge; while the person they are mad at is continuing on with their lives happily, here they are spending time that could be put on achieving their goals and happines, being mad. Of course it is not the easiest thing to do, to simply let the feelings of anger, betrayal, humilation, and grief go (feelings i assume contribute to the emotional make-up of the grude), and certanily you'll always rember the event somewhat making total reconciliation almost impossible but letting it go is the best thing to do for you physical, mental, and emotional well being.

Do you think Kyle's reasons for hating Wanda are justified?

The Host

In the story the character Wanderer (the soul inhabiting Melanie's body) begins to love Melanie's brother- Jamie and falls in Love with Melanie's boyfriend, Jared. I couldn't help but to question her love for them. Wanderer didn't naturally develop these feelings all on her own, but rather felt Melanie's emotion as she roamed melanie's memories. BY constantly seeing and feeling the memories Wanderer eventually loved them just as strongly as Melanie. When Jamie develops an attachment to Wanderer it only because she looks like his sister, and even though Wanderer cares for him she never develpoed a real relationship with him prior to their encounter in order to really care for him: never talked to him, never held him when he was scared, nothing; if she never did any of these things then it cannot be real love. The same applies to her feelings toward Jared. Its like when teenagere are "in love" with some movies star : most only like the actors because they played a funny, sensitive, and brave guy in a movie or two but do not really KNOW how their personalities are in real life. Wanderer was already in love with Jared before she laid eyes on his actual form and Jared despises her. Even if she wasn't an alien he only ever loved Melanie and still loves her.



Do you think Wanderer's feelings of love toward Jamie and Jared are genuine or just an influence of Melanies stong human emotion?

The Host (2nd Section)

As the souls in the story spend more time in their human hosts, they are gradually becoming influenced by the human emotions. Souls are experiencing feelings that are uncommon to them like love, anger, and even dislike (borderline hate). The seekers (the souls that find hosts for the rest of their kind to be inserted into) have even become a sort of militia on Earth; hunting and killing humans, the seekers have gone against their original benevolent behavior. It seems like the souls will eventually become just like the humans they eliminated, who were “unappreciative” of beautiful Earth. Even though these emotions go against the nature of the souls, they enjoy them more than simply being tranquil.

If the souls both like and perform human emotions/tendencies do they really have the right to annihilate the human race? Can they still say they are the better kinder species?

THe Host

The Host by Stephenie Meyer is a Sci-fi novel about aliens (or souls as they’re called in the book) taking over human bodies. As scary as and unjust as this sounds I found myself siding with the souls in the beginning chapters. Their reason for invading Earth and taking over was that they were making it peaceful. With humans in charged there was endless violence, wars, death and pollution. The souls are a peaceful race who once in control of earth never had to lock their doors or pay for anything. Everyone just naturally helped one another and were kind. In their minds they created a world of peace after all (or most) of the humans were taken over, and in some aspects I believed they did.

Do you think the soul’s justification for invading Earth is Valid?

What Happened to Lani Garver

What Happened to Lani Garver is a story that emphasizes the theme of non-conformity. By being yourself you can develop the strength to overcome obstacles. The main character Claire has just overcome cancer and with a new outlook on life, doesn’t have the same feelings about the things her and her friends use to do. She starts to hide characteristics and interests she’s developed (like playing the guitar) from her friends. She only shares them with Lani Garver and with his help by the end of the novel she’s not afraid to be herself or be a social outcast.

Why do you think Claire’s friends were so upset with her for being friends with Lani?

A Child Called It Themes

A Child Called It is a shockingly lamentable true story of the author David Pelzer’s life. Like any other nonfiction text, the novel had numerous themes, simply because it is an account of true life; life itself is an amalgamate of issues which author’s exploit to create stories. A Child Called It consists of six themes: Self-Determination-reliance, Conformity, The struggle to fit in, Holding secrets, Quest for freedom, and Ambition/Honor. As a young boy, David Pelzer was determined to survive and eventually escape from his unstable mother’s clutches. While enduring his mother’s torment, David constantly wanted to be like others- other children, other families, his other siblings (who weren’t given the type of “special treatment” by their mother as he was) - and hence struggled to fit in as best he could. The book also deals with the theme of Appearance vs. Reality: David and his family kept the abuse he received a secret (as best they could) from the rest of the world, thus creating two identities for the family. The average loving one that they showed others and then the true horrendous one they experienced every day with one another. His desire to be free of his mother is what allowed David to last until he was saved by the authorities.


How/Why do you think the themes in the book will inspire others?

Coinciding with the first question, do you think the fact that the story is true(nonfiction) will effect reader more than if it wasn't?

Full Frontal Feminism: Section 1

Jessica Valenti's novel entitled " Full Frontal Feminsim" humourosly addresses issues that young women as well as the feminist movement itself, faces in today's modern society. Valentini discusses three issues in the first section (chapters 1-4) : the -anti myth feminism is steroetyped with, the conflicting messages society sends about sexuality, and on a more serious note sexual harrassment/rape. Feminism is usually characterized with the word anti, "anti-sex, anti-men, anti-everything." and feminsits are generally thought to be ugly or lesbians. Well according to Valenti femism isn't all about the antis but rather about makings ones life better, feeling good about yourself and as defined in the dictionary the "belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes". Valenti also comments on society's message and portrayal of women sexuality. Society says to be sexy but remain virginal, wear revelaing clothes but not so revealing you look like a hooker. These mixed messages confuse young women and often leave them with a warped view of sexuality. The last subject dscussed in this section is how women are often blamed for rape due to wardrobe(skirts, etc.-), aleged flirting, and not being aware of their surroundings. The phrase commonly used in these instances is"she should have known better". All three issues in the first section of the book greatly effect the modern day woman and feminism gives a new look and solution to the problems that more often than not leaves tthe inidvidual happy.

Tone: Humouros/Informative

Rhetorical Devices: Logical appeals-statistices, laws,and quotes
Humor

Fabulous 40: Cultured

If you don't call yourself a Feminist out loud are you still considered one if you hold feminist beliefs?