Things Fall Apart

Okonkwo is a mad man who is out for revenge. He is trying to kill the oldest man in the clan, Ogbuefi Ezendu, because he feels that it was Ogbuefi's fault that he hahd a hand in murdering Ikemefuna. Okonkwo said that he wasn't going to allow the villagers to kill Ike anyway, he was just going to set them up and kill whoever had a part in the decision to kill Ike. However, Ogbuefi had to open his big mouth and challenge Okonkwo. Okonkwo being the man that he is didn't like to take orders or be considerate weak. So instead of killing the villagers, he killed Ike instead. He has been crying every night since he muredered his "son", and blames it all on Obbuefi. He was planning to kill him, until they aanounced him dead one day. Okonkwo was furios and didn't know how to get back at him. He thought the only way to do it was to kill his oldest son. At the funeral, Okonkwo never let him lose sight of the boy. While everyone was celebrating, Okonkwo fired a shot a the little boy and killed. He was pleased at a job well done but the village wasn't. They all decided to kill him, but he and his family left for his motherland. Well everyone except Nwoke who wanted his father dead.
While Okonkwo is in his motherland things change for his family drastically. Being "new meat" in another village makes him have to start at the bottom of the totem pole. He has no rank and is forced to give up his wives until he has a title. Being the man that he is , Okonkwo was willing to fight for his family. He was to fight the undefeated champ in the village; ironically, it was Amalinze The Cat. He was so excited that because he beat him once before and ran him out the village. This time, The Cat was ready and wouldn't stop until he had Okonkwo on his back. He defeated Okonkwo and took his family away. His family was kind of pleased because they were tired of the things that Okonkwo put them through. From all the beatings, to them having to leave town because of his actions. Thus, Okonkwo was sent away to the village where Ike was from, but they didn't want him because he killed Ike. He finally decided that he had to stop acting like his father, and fend for himself. He was tired of going from village to village looking for a home. Once he realized that that was something that his father would do he quit and came up woth a plan. He would live in the woods near his motherland untile he was ready to challenge The Cat for his family. While in the woods hunting for food, Ekwefi found Okonkwo dead, and ran back to tell the villagers of the tragedy. His funeral was held in his fatherland and everyone(including people from his motherland) were there. They all grieved over his death and even regreted sending him away. During his eulogy, Nwoye said that he died trying to avoid the one thing he hated most, being like his father. His death is stiil unknown, but it is said that he was killed trying to challenge a bear.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written By Himself

After reading Frederick Douglass autobiography, I had many questions and concerns. The question that I researched was besides being a part of the underground raiolroad and helping slaves escape, what else was he a part of that was significant to America. At first I thought that I wasn't going to find any information. Like most college kids nowadays, I first went to the Internet. I found quite a bit of information on Douglass on Yahoo, but not what I wanted. I looked my question up on Ask Jeeves and this is what I found:
Douglass’ also advocated the rights of women. He participated in the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls in 1848 and signed the Declaration of Sentiments. Elizabeth Cady Stanton later reported that the resolution calling for women’s suffrage was passed by that Convention to a great extent through Douglass’ efforts on its behalf. After the convention, Douglass published a positive editorial on "The Rights of Women," which appeared in the July 28, 1848 edition of the North Star. The History of Woman Suffrage notes that during the subsequent adjourned Women’s Rights Convention held in Rochester on August 2, 1848, "Frederick Douglass, William C. Nell, and William C. Bloss advocated the emancipation of women from all the artificial disabilities, imposed by false customs, creeds, and codes." In 1853, Douglass signed "The Just and Equal Rights of Women," a call and resolutions for the Woman’s Rights State Convention held in Rochester on November 30 and December 1, 1853. He also attended and spoke at that meeting.

"What I Learned"

After commenting on my peers blogs I learned a lot. One thing I found out was that we are all talented and still have our elementary school imagination. I really was impressed with some of the postings. Some of the students did a sequel, while the others retold the story. We only had two assignments and not that many characters, but there were no two blogs just alike. Many students had the same character and made him/her into a totally different person. I really like doing the blogs because it lets you become imaginative thinkers. You get to pour out all your feelings and emotions on your blog, and have people critique you. Cool!

"Mother's Blues"

My sons are really making me turn over in my grave. I am looking down on them and they are about to make me come back and beat them. While riding the subway on the way to teach those grown high school students, my oldest son, Johnny, has just found out that his youngest brother, Sonny, is locked up. He is feeling really bad because he promised me that he will take care of his brother. Johnny was reading a newspaper when he found out about Sonny. Sonny is locked up for doing drugs. I am really upset because I told him about hanging out with the wrong crowd. Johnny has been thinking about him all day, and he hasn't been able to teach class. And then that little ragedy friend of Sonny had the nerve to show up at Johnny's school, as if Johnny hasn't found out. He is the one who got Sonny into this mess , but he is free and now my baby is caught. Sonny and Johhny hasn't spoken in a long time and now that they are wrting each other they feel better. After my first granddaughter Gracie died, Johnny and Isabel has just been terrible. I guess that he felt that he had to make his relationshgip with his brother better.
So as Johnny began to write his brother, he remember the day when I told him about his uncle. I sensed that I was about to die so I could no longer keep this story a secret. I told Johnny that if he couldn't do anything else, he had to promise to take care of his brother. I told him about the time his father lost his brother and how he hasn't been right since. "Well Johnny, it all started when your daddy and his brother was walking to the nearby park and they were just walking and talking. They did normal stuff kids do like, chase each other, play tag, flip, etc. all down the hill. When out of nowhere a couple of white dudes in this red car came speeding down the hill. Your uncle pretended to be a rock star and began playing his guitar in the middle of the street. The dudes obviously didn't see him and within 1 second your uncle was hit." I begin to cry as I was telling the story thinking baout my husband and his brother. Now that I see them up here together again, it's just like old times. Johnny and Sonny finally reunited and they became closer than ever. Johnny became interested in Sonny's music career and begin to go to his concerts. I fgigured both had the same interests because Johnny became a musician also. I knew that he never wanted to be a teacher, he was just forced into it. After seeing them reunite I canm finally rest in my grave.

"Sonny's Blues"

This short story is very appealing. From the beginning of the story, the author has us asking questions. We want to know who is the narrator and how does he relate to Sonny. After jotting down a plethora of comments and questions, I read on and answered many of my questions. Sonny is the little brother of the narrator, a high school teacher, who is in trouble. He was dealing drugs and was put into jail for it. Him and his brother has not been in contact in a long time. I understand that Sonny is his own man but being the oldest, the narrator should have looked out for his brother. Just before their mother died he promised to let nothing happen to me. I know he tried all he could, but if I was him I would have done more to protect my little brother. I haven't read the whole thing but Sonny is finally out and they have reunited. We will see how this is gonna go from now on.

Darkness Before Dawn

"Darkness Before Dawn" is a good book. As a matter of fact, all the books in the trilogy are good. This book is about Keisha and her life after the death of Andy. This book also tells us about the other characters and introdroduces new ones as well. I really enjoy this book because it answers some questions that I have from "Tears of a Tiger". Specifically, I wanted to know how Keisha's mom felt when she found out that Andy committed suicide. Also, I know that there is something up with Jonathon because he is too sneaky. I really think that he is a pervert. And Angel's eating habits about to drive me crazy. I believe that she is anorexia. Well, I'll write back after I have read the whole thing. It's becoming more interesting as I continue to read.

The Ending to "Forge by Fire"

The ending to this book was interesting. After Jordan was sent to prison, life was much better for the kids. Angel was so excited that she had started the dance classes that she dreamed about. After Jordan got out he seemed to have changed but I know he didn't. I knew that it wouldn't take long for him to mess up again and end right back up in jail. To me, what happened to Jordan was better than jail. Jordan died doing something that he had no business doing, about to rape Angel. I knew all long that Angel wasn't his daughter, and I am certain that Monique knew too. Also, I am so happy that she came to her senses. When I did my imaginative response about Monique, I knew how she felt that way all along. Well, all in all, the book was good and I can't wait to read "Darkness Before Dawn".