Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Essays
Kath Evans
Annotated Bibliography
4/5/07
Farrell/College Prep Literature

Levi, Primo. “Atranquil Star.” The New Yorker New York City, SF: Condé Nast Building, 4 Times Square, New York, NY 10036 Feb. 12, 2007. Pages 73 and 74.
Primo Levi starts off by saying how insignificant words can be when comparing them to the heavens above such as “We have written ‘very far’, ‘big’, ‘hot’, ‘enormous’: Australia is very far, an elephant it big and a house is bigger, this morning I had a hot bath, Everest is enormous” but using these words to describe something as incomprehensible as the sky and start is just preposterous [Levi, 73]. Throughout the article Levi explains how the world has developed and few Europeans in early times even bothered to notice that the sky’s above them were actually changing right over their heads. The Chinese and Arab countries noticed, and even documented the change in the stars and celestial figures. Levi tells about a star called “Al-Ludra” and how it might have been for a planet seeking warmth from Al-Ludra when the star finally reached super nova and exploded “Within a quarter of an hour he would have been forced to seek useless shelter against the intolerable heat-” and Levi concludes by saying after ten hours, the entire planed would have been reduced to vapor [Levi, 73]. Levi then tells about an astronomer who witnessed the star explode. The author concludes by telling the astronomer’s story of how now that something had happened, he would have to cancel all plans and study the star patterns again.















Kath Evans
Beowulf Essay
4/5/07
Farrell/College Prep Literature

Choice A: Compare or contrast and elements of Beowulf with elements of the film Hero. for this essay, choose to site similarities OR differences between the two stories.

In the story Beowulf and the movie Hero there are a lot of things that are similar but there are also a lot of things that are different. Beowulf tells the back story very quickly and gets directly into the story where Beowulf, the hero, comes to defeat the villain, where as in Hero, most of the story is in fact, back story which is told once a lie by Nameless, the hero of Hero, once by the emperor, a close truth, and then the real truth by Nameless.
Beowulf is the main character of the story Beowulf, which is evident because of the title. Beowulf is said to have astounding super powers. One of such is stated that he has the strength of thirty men in each arm. Another would be his ability to hold his breath for a long amount of time. Beowulf is a skilled and brave warrior, he is fearless and when faced with a problem he takes it head on, not backing down for an instant. Beowulf has many good attributes other then the ones previously listed.
Nameless, the main character of Hero is also a very powerful person. He, along with Broken Sword, Flying Snow, Sky, and all the other ‘warrior’s’ have amazing powers. They can move at incredible speeds, have super natural abilities to defy gravity and walks literally on water. They all are amazing fighters with a sword and can be recognized by only their weapon. They are very powerful and feared by many
In Beowulf, the hero went to save the king of another land from a threatening fiend, defeated not only that fiend but it‘s mother, went home and defeated a dragon that plagued the land, but in Hero, the actual hero was an assign sent to kill the emperor because the emperor‘s army had killed the hero‘s family, made him an orphan and made him move into the emperor‘s territory. So where in there are many things that connect these two stories together such as the amazing super natural powers that the hero‘s of each stories have or the deeds they have done for other‘s instead of themselves, but there are things that make them contradictory to one another like the selfishness of one wanting to take revenge on an enemy where as the other wants to help all others and protect the land they own and the land of neighboring countries. Both are extremely excellent and should be read or viewed if at all possible.


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Monday, March 26, 2007

Foundling - A deserted or abandoned child of unknown parentage
Outlying - Relatively distant or remote from a center or middle: outlying regions
Scourge - 1. A source of widespread dreadful affliction and devastation such as that caused by pestilence or war. 2. A means of inflicting severe suffering, vengeance, or punishment. 3. A whip used to inflict punishment.
Tholed - A thole pin
Kenning - A figurative, usually compound expression used in place of a name or noun, especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry; for example, storm of swords is a kenning for battle.
Leniage - the history of ones family
Renowned - Having renown; famous
Bade - a past tense of bid
Prow - 1. Nautical The forward part of a ship's hull; the bow. 2. A projecting forward part, such as the front end of a ski.
Amidships - Midway between the bow and the stern.
Adorn - 1. To lend beauty to: "the pale mimosas that adorned the favorite promenade" Ronald Firbank. 2. To enhance or decorate with or as if with ornaments: "[He] requires the presence of titles to legitimate and adorn . . . his imperfect status" Cynthia Ozick.
Wall stead -
Renege - 1. To fail to carry out a promise or commitment: reneged on the contract at the last minute. 2. Games To fail to follow suit in cards when able and required by the rules to do so.
Rempant -
Harrowed - A borough of Greater London in southeast England. It is the site of the public school Harrow, founded in 1571. Population: 206,632.
Girdled - 1. a. A belt or sash worn around the waist. b. Something that encircles like a belt. c. An elasticized, flexible undergarment worn over the waist and hips, especially by women, to give the body a more slender appearance. 2. A band made around the trunk of a tree by the removal of a strip of bark. 3. The edge of a cut gem held by the setting. 4. Anatomy The pelvic or pectoral girdle.
Marauding - To rove and raid in search of plunder.
Anathema - 1. A formal ecclesiastical ban, curse, or excommunication. 2. A vehement denunciation; a curse: "the sound of a witch's anathemas in some unknown tongue" Nathaniel Hawthorne. 3. One that is cursed or damned.
Blundering - Characterized by blunders.
Wassail - 1. a. A salutation or toast given in drinking someone's health or as an expression of good will at a festivity. b. The drink used in such toasting, commonly ale or wine spiced with roasted apples and sugar. 2. A festivity characterized by much drinking.
Respite - 1. A usually short interval of rest or relief. See Synonyms at pause. 2. Law Temporary suspension of a death sentence; a reprieve.
Malignant - 1. Showing great malevolence; disposed to do evil. 2. Highly injurious; pernicious. 3. Pathology a. Threatening to life; virulent: a malignant disease. b. Tending to metastasize; cancerous. Used of a tumor.
Bothies - a hut/small cottage
Beset - 1. To attack from all sides. 2. To trouble persistently; harass. See Synonyms at attack. 3. To hem in; surround: "the mountains which beset it round" Nathaniel Hawthorne. 4. To stud, as with jewels.
Parley - A discussion or conference, especially one between enemies over terms of truce or other matters.
Reparation - 1. The act or process of repairing or the condition of being repaired. 2. The act or process of making amends; expiation. 3. Something done or paid to compensate or make amends. 4. reparations Compensation or remuneration required from a defeated nation as indemnity for damage or injury during a war.
Moors - 1. A member of a Muslim people of mixed Berber and Arab descent, now living chiefly in northwest Africa. 2. One of the Muslims who invaded Spain in the 8th century and established a civilization in Andalusia that lasted until the late 15th century.
Heathenish - 1. Of or having to do with heathens. 2. Uncouth; barbarous.
Affliction - 1. A condition of pain, suffering, or distress. See Synonyms at trial. 2. A cause of pain, suffering, or distress. See Synonyms at burden1.
Ply - 1. To join together, as by molding or twisting. 2. To double over (cloth, for example).
Canny - 1. Careful and shrewd, especially where one's own interests are concerned. 2. Cautious in spending money; frugal. 3. Scots a. Steady, restrained, and gentle. b. Snug and quiet.
Crags - A steep rugged mass of rock projecting upward or outward.
Undaunted - Not discouraged or disheartened; resolutely courageous. See Synonyms at brave.
Strand - thoroughfare in west-central London, England, running parallel to the northern bank of the Thames River and eastward from Trafalgar Square in the West End to the City of London. Among its well-known fixtures is the Savoy Hotel.
Hawser - A cable or rope used in mooring or towing a ship.
Stook - 1. (Agric.) A small collection of sheaves set up in the field; a shock; in England, twelve sheaves
Stoutness - 1. Having or marked by boldness, bravery, or determination; firm and resolute. 2. Strong in body; sturdy. 3. Strong in structure or substance; solid or substantial. 4. Bulky in figure; thickset or corpulent. See Synonyms at fat. 5. Powerful; forceful. 6. Stubborn or uncompromising: put up stout resistance to the proposal.
Resolute - Firm or determined; unwavering.
Formidable - 1. Arousing fear, dread, or alarm: the formidable prospect of major surgery. 2. Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder: "Though a true hero, he was also a thoroughgoing bureaucrat and politician, a formidable combination" Mario Puzo. 3. Difficult to undertake, surmount, or defeat: a formidable challenge; a formidable opponent.
Moreover - Beyond what has been stated; besides.
Renounce - 1. To give up (a title, for example), especially by formal announcement. See Synonyms at relinquish. 2. To reject; disown.
Harrowing - Extremely distressing; agonizing: a harrowing experience.
Stalwart - 1. Having or marked by imposing physical strength. 2. Firm and resolute; stout.
Courtesies - 1. a. Polite behavior. b. A polite gesture or remark. 2. a. Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence: They call this pond a lake by courtesy only. b. Willingness or generosity in providing something needed: free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
Affliction - 1. A condition of pain, suffering, or distress. See Synonyms at trial. 2. A cause of pain, suffering, or distress. See Synonyms at burden1.
Mettle - 1. Courage and fortitude; spirit: troops who showed their mettle in combat. 2. Inherent quality of character and temperament.
Loping - To run or ride with a steady, easy gait.
Spurned - 1. To reject disdainfully or contemptuously; scorn. See Synonyms at refuse1. 2. To kick at or tread on disdainfully.
Baleful - 1. Portending evil; ominous. See Synonyms at sinister. 2. Harmful or malignant in intent or effect.
Ravening - Greedily predacious; voracious or rapacious.
Quailed - 1. Any of various Old World chickenlike birds of the genus Coturnix, especially C. coturnix, small in size and having mottled brown plumage and a short tail. 2. Any of various similar or related New World birds, such as the bobwhite.
Fens - A lowland district of eastern England west and south of the Wash. Early attempts by the Romans to drain the area were abandoned by Anglo-Saxon times. Modern-day reclamation of the Fens began in the 17th century.
Scud - 1. To run or skim along swiftly and easily: dark clouds scudding by. 2. Nautical To run before a gale with little or no sail set.
Surge - 1. To rise and move in a billowing or swelling manner. 2. To roll or be tossed about on waves, as a boat. 3. To move like advancing waves: The fans surged forward to see the movie star. 4. To increase suddenly: As favorable reviews came out, interest in the software surged. 5. To improve one's performance suddenly, especially in bettering one's standing in a competition. 6. Nautical To slip around a windlass. Used of a rope.
Coffers - 1. A strongbox. 2. often coffers a. Financial resources; funds. b. A treasury: stole money from the union coffers. 3. Architecture A decorative sunken panel in a ceiling, dome, soffit, or vault. 4. The chamber formed by a canal lock. 5. A cofferdam. 6. A floating dock.
Bulwark - 1. A wall or embankment raised as a defensive fortification; a rampart. 2. Something serving as a defense or safeguard: "We have seen the necessity of the Union, as our bulwark against foreign danger" James Madison. 3. A breakwater. 4. The part of a ship's side that is above the upper deck. Often used in the plural
Halter - 1. A device made of rope or leather straps that fits around the head or neck of an animal and is used to lead or secure the animal. 2. a. A rope with a noose used for execution by hanging. b. Death or execution by hanging. 3. A halter-top.
Undismayed - to keep calm
Dismayed - 1. To destroy the courage or resolution of by exciting dread or apprehension. 2. To cause to lose enthusiasm; disillusion: was dismayed to learn that her favorite dancer used drugs. 3. To upset or alarm.
Dismal - 1. Causing gloom or depression; dreary: dismal weather; took a dismal view of the economy. 2. Characterized by ineptitude, dullness, or a lack of merit: a dismal book; a dismal performance on the cello. 3. Obsolete Dreadful; disastrous.
Slouching - 1. To sit, stand, or walk with an awkward, drooping, excessively relaxed posture. 2. To droop or hang carelessly, as a hat.
Princely - 1. Of or relating to a prince; royal. 2. Befitting a prince, as: a. Noble: a princely bearing. b. Munificent; lavish: inherited a princely sum.
Brehon - . An ancient Irish or Scotch judge. Brehon laws the ancient Irish laws, - unwritten, like the common law of England. They were abolished by statute of Edward III.
Bequeath - 1. Law To leave or give (personal property) by will. 2. To pass (something) on to another; hand down: bequeathed to their children a respect for hard work.
Horde - 1. A large group or crowd; a swarm: a horde of mosquitoes. See Synonyms at crowd1. 2. a. A nomadic Mongol tribe. b. A nomadic tribe or group.
Hewed - Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Daunted - To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay.
Whetted - 1. To sharpen (a knife, for example); hone. 2. To make more keen; stimulate: The frying bacon whetted my appetite
Fetters - 1. A chain or shackle for the ankles or feet. 2. Something that serves to restrict; a restraint.
Fettle - 1. a. Proper or sound condition. b. Mental or emotional state; spirits: was in fine fettle. 2. Metallurgy Loose sand or ore used to line the hearth of a reverberatory furnace in preparation for pouring molten metal
Belch - 1. To expel gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth; burp. 2. To erupt or explode. 3. To gush forth.
Vile - 1. Loathsome; disgusting: vile language. 2. Unpleasant or objectionable: vile weather. See Synonyms at offensive. 3. a. Contemptibly low in worth or account; second-rate. b. Of mean or low condition. 4. Miserably poor and degrading; wretched: a vile existence. 5. Morally depraved; ignoble or wicked: a vile conspiracy.
Wake - a. To cease to sleep; become awake: overslept and woke late. b. To stay awake: Bears wake for spring, summer, and fall and hibernate for the winter. c. To be brought into a state of awareness or alertness: suddenly woke to the danger we were in. 2. To keep watch or guard, especially over a corpse.
Havoc - 1. Widespread destruction; devastation. 2. Disorder or chaos: a wild party that created havoc in the house
Virulent - 1. a. Extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous. Used of a disease or toxin. b. Capable of causing disease by breaking down protective mechanisms of the host. Used of a pathogen. 2. Bitterly hostile or antagonistic; hateful: virulent criticism. See Synonyms at poisonous. 3. Intensely irritating, obnoxious, or harsh.
Hoard - A hidden fund or supply stored for future use; a cache.
Swinged - To punish with blows; thrash; beat.
Swathed - 1. To wrap or bind with or as if with bandages. 2. To enfold or constrict.
Vaults - 1. a. An arched structure, usually of masonry or concrete, serving to cover a space. b. An arched overhead covering, such as the sky, that resembles the architectural structure in form. 2. A room or space, such as a cellar or storeroom, with arched walls and ceiling, especially when underground. 3. A room or compartment, often built of steel, for the safekeeping of valuables: a bank vault. 4. A burial chamber, especially when underground. 5. Anatomy An arched part of the body, especially the top part of the skull.
Barrow - The northernmost point of Alaska, in the northwest on the Arctic Ocean. The nearby city of Barrow has research and government facilities. Population: 4,460.
Unavailing - Not availing; ineffectual or useless. See Synonyms at futile
Suppurating - To form or discharge pus.
Surges - 1. To rise and move in a billowing or swelling manner. 2. To roll or be tossed about on waves, as a boat. 3. To move like advancing waves: The fans surged forward to see the movie star. 4. To increase suddenly: As favorable reviews came out, interest in the software surged. 5. To improve one's performance suddenly, especially in bettering one's standing in a competition. 6. Nautical To slip around a windlass. Used of a rope
Rampart - 1. A fortification consisting of an embankment, often with a parapet built on top. 2. A means of protection or defense; a bulwark. See Synonyms at bulwark.
Heirloom - 1. A valued possession passed down in a family through succeeding generations. 2. An article of personal property included in an inherited estate
Kindled - 1. a. To build or fuel (a fire). b. To set fire to; ignite. 2. To cause to glow; light up: The sunset kindled the skies. 3. To arouse (an emotion, for example): "No spark had yet kindled in him an intellectual passion" George Eliot.
Grappled - 1. a. An iron shaft with claws at one end, usually thrown by a rope and used for grasping and holding, especially one for drawing and holding an enemy ship alongside. Also called grapnel, grappling, grappling hook, grappling iron. b. Nautical See grapnel. 2. The act of grappling. 3. a. A struggle or contest in which the participants attempt to clutch or grip each other. b. A struggle for superiority or dominance.
Rigged - 1. To provide with a harness or equipment; fit out. 2. Nautical a. To equip (a ship) with sails, shrouds, and yards. b. To fit (sails or shrouds, for example) to masts and yards. 3. Informal To dress, clothe, or adorn: The costumer rigged out the actors in peasant clothing. 4. To make or construct in haste or in a makeshift manner: rig up a tent for the night. 5. To manipulate dishonestly for personal gain: rig a prizefight; rig stock prices.
Mail - 1. a. Materials, such as letters and packages, handled in a postal system. b. Postal material for a specific person or organization. c. Material processed for distribution from a post office at a specified time: the morning mail. 2. A system by which letters, packages, and other postal materials are transported. Used in the plural with the. 3. A vehicle by which mail is transported. 4. Mail or messages sent electronically; e-mail.
Phantoms - 1. a. Something apparently seen, heard, or sensed, but having no physical reality; a ghost or an apparition. b. Something elusive or delusive. 2. An image that appears only in the mind; an illusion. 3. Something dreaded or despised.
Gallant - 1. Smartly or boldly stylish; dashing: a gallant feathered hat; cut a gallant figure at the coronation. 2. a. Unflinching in battle or action; valiant: put up a gallant resistance to the attackers. b. Nobly or selflessly resolute: made a gallant attempt to save his friend's reputation. 3. Stately; majestic.

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Sunday, November 19, 2006

   Welcome?
Hello, my first day here... actully no I've had other accounts, they've just failed horibly so I have this one now! Uhm... nothing's really happened with me lately, I just finished reading "Angels And Demons" By Dan Brown, it was good and now I'm reading "The Da Vinci Code" also by Dan Brown. I wrote a report for "Angels And Demons" because I had to read it for a calss so I guess I'll post it and that will be all... enjoy!

Angels and Demons written by Dan Brown was copy-righted in 2000 and published by Anchor Books. A plot layout of the book was written by Dan Brown as follows. “When world-renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol -- seared into the chest of a murdered physicist -- he discovers evidence of the unimaginable: the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati... the most powerful underground organization ever to walk the earth. The Illuminati has surfaced from the shadows to carry out the final phase of its legendary vendetta against its most hated enemy... the Catholic Church. Langdon's worst fears are confirmed on the eve of the Vatican's holy conclave, when a messenger of the Illuminati announces he has hidden an unstoppable time bomb at the very heart of Vatican City. With the countdown under way, Langdon jets to Rome to join forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and mysterious Italian scientist, to assist the Vatican in a desperate bid for survival.”
Some of the many topic’s that pertain to Crime and Punishment from this book would be many counts murder, theft, arsine, breaking and entering, armed robbery, illegal tap wiring, and auto theft. The main crime is the eleven counts of murder. Though this book is, as written on paperback, 710 pages long, the time span of this entire book is about two day’s in total. Every person who had committed a crime was punished in the end either with the loss of someone they knew and loved or cared for, or their own death.
In the beginning of the book, Robert Langdon, a world-renowned Harvard symbologist, was woken in the middle of the night by one Maxamillion Kholr to be flown to CERN, a scientist research lab in Geneva, Switzerland. Kholr called Langdon because he had found one of his employee’s and friend, dead in their office. Leonardo Vetra, the father of Vittoria Vetra, was killed by having his head spun 180 degrees, his eye gouged out, and the word “Illuminati”[1] burned onto his chest in perfect symmetry. His eye was stolen because he had, with his daughter, been working on a secret project dealing with matter’s complete opposite, antimatter. Robert is sent with Vittoria to Vatican City to try and solve the mystery of who killed Leonardo Vetra.
The Illuminati had been a satanic group of scientists who wanted to get rid of the catholic church. Langdon had even written a book about them but had thought they were dead. Now he feared he was wrong and that in fact they were still a living, breathing group. Entering the Vatican, Robert and Vittoria hunted down four cardinals, who had been kidnapped right before the papal elections began to take place. “Il perfetti” or, “The perfect ones” were the four cardinals who were the most likely candidates to become the new pope after the last one had died, 15 day’s prior of a stroke. Each one was taken and on every hour, one was killed. Robert and Vittoria search the Illuminati path to find the ’Church of Illumination’ . The four cardinals were branded and killed in the way of the four basic elements. Earth, Air, Fire, Water. Each element had a stature created by the Illuminati‘s sculptor, Bernini. Each coincided with an element and each pointed to the next element to where the next victim would be found. [2] Earth, killed by having dirt shoved down his throat. [3] Air, lungs punctured by a blade. [4] Fire, hung like a crucifix and burned, set aflame, till death. [5] Water, thrown in a fountain and weighed down by heavy chains. Langdon followed each path to the next, the four elements creating a [6] cross over Vatican City, till it led him to the ‘Church of Illumination’.
When Langdon reached the church, which in fact was actully more of a dungeon then a church, he ended up killing the assassin who killed the cardinals and Leonardo Vetra. But there was one more thing, the late pope’s secretary, a great man, was going to be killed by Janus, the leader of the Illuminati. Robert and Vittoria rushed to The Sistine Chapel to try and save him. Kholr had, in the last hour before midnight, flown to Vatican and gotten a meeting with him, confronting him. Kholr was shot and killed, and the late pope’s secretary was branded with the [7] ‘Illuminati Diamond’ . The secretary found the canister of antimatter, which, with one milligram of it could be more explosive then a nuclear war head, and rushed it towards the waiting helicopter. He and Langdon flew out over the nearest sea, left the canister there, and jumped from the helicopter. Both, miraculously, survived the crash from hundreds of thousands of feet in the air. Langdon landed in the Tiberina River, where he was taken to the closest hospital and patched up. When he was up again, he went back to The Sistine Chapel to confront the secretary because Langdon had figured out that he, was actully Janus, referring to the two-faced Greek god. He confessed in front of the assembled cardinals and then, took himself up to the balcony from the pope’s office and burnt himself to death. Langdon and Vittoria stayed, after their entire ordeal, at the Hotel Bernini, a fitting place Langdon thought. The book ends with Robert Langdon and Vittoria Vetra, going to bed together, having formed a bond so strong through the whole day and a half they had known each other.
A scene that is very memorable would have to be the prologue. Despite it’s shortness, it was extremely memorable. It was the first murder. “ Physicist Leonardo Vetra smelled burning flesh, and he knew it was his own. He stared up in terror at the dark figure looming over him. "What do you want!"
"La chiave," the raspy voice replied. "The password."
"But…I don't-"
The intruder pressed down again, grinding the white hot object deeper into Vetra's chest. There was the hiss of broiling flesh.
Vetra cried out in agony. "There is no password!" He felt himself drifting toward unconsciousness.
The figure glared. "Ne avevo paura. I was afraid of that."
Vetra fought to keep his senses, but the darkness was closing in. His only solace was in knowing his attacker would never obtain what he had come for. A moment later, however, the figure produced a blade and brought it to Vetra's face. The blade hovered. Carefully. Surgically.
"For the love of God!" Vetra screamed. But it was too late. ” This one scene set up tension and brought the reader further into the book. Just this one part could make the reader hooked in an instant.
Angels and Demons was an astounding book. If you have the chance to read this, I would highly suggest for you to pick it up and read. There is so much action and drama that it just goes from one high point to another.
Each reader reads something differently. Some have said that if you read Angels and Demons before reading The Da Vinci Code , also by Dan Brown, you will get more into the book. I personally am glad I read Angels and Demons first, seeing as it’s the prequel to The Da Vinci Code. If you can, read both books, but in order. After finishing Angels and Demons I’ve moved right into reading The Da Vinci Code and I couldn’t be happier. [Pictures labeled 1-7 are not avaliable to show]
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