Botany of Desire
Thought log throughout Botany of desire
11/16/13
“Sweetness”
Today I arrived in Vietnam. I read a lot of Botany of Desire on the airplane. So far I think its really interesting. Sometimes the writing seems a little dry but the content and the facts keep my attention. Botany of Desire is about four important plants in human history; the Tulip, the Apple, Marijuana, and the Potato. The interesting part of this book is the concept of not only how these plants have shape us but also how humans have shaped the plants. This process is known as co-evolution.
The Botany of Desire traces the apple's journey from its origin in the ancient forests of Asia, across the Silk Road to Europe, and eventually to America. In the 19th century this is a much different process than we use today. It consequently produced a very different and unpredictable apple than we find today. Apple trees from seeds often made bitter apples. Although these apples weren't usually just eaten right off the branch they still had qualities that were perfect for something; alcoholic cider. It wasn't until after prohibition in 1900 that me learned how to grow apples as tasty fruit we know today. We did this by learning how to strip away the genetic variation apples process designed to protect against disease. We learned to only produce 4 of the many many varieties of apples that exist in nature.
11/19/13
“Beauty"
This section of the book focuses on tulips. I had no idea how special of a flower a tulip is to so many people. Some people dedicate their whole lives to grow and breed the most beautiful tulip. This plant is most popular in the netherlands. The most interesting and significant element to the obsession of this plant is that the only desirable quality of this plant is its beauty. It has no useful character other than its visual appeal. This is why it is so alluring to some.
11/21/13
“tulip mania”
Between 1634 and 1637 the Dutch became rich through their dominance of world trade and it became increasingly popular to cultivate impressive flower gardens. The dutch hit it big in the event called tulip mania. The most desired of them all was the very rare variety called Semper Augustus. Single bulbs of Semper Augustus were so desired that they were being sold for a price equivalent today to 10 or 15 million dollars.
My favorite quote from this section is “Flowers are exquisitely useless. They're this great froth of extravagance in our lives. But that there is a multibillion-dollar trade in these wonderful, useless, beautiful things is kind of great." I like this quote because Pollen is stating flowers are useless however that in itself explains why they are so intriguing to mankind. They are simply beautiful.
11/24/13
“Intoxication”
It seems no plant has more of a coevolution plant than Marijuana. This plant has been a part of human culture for centuries. In just america today 15 million Americans smoke Marijuana regularly. There are whole cultures and lifestyles devoted to this special plant. There is no doubt that it has affected our species but they effects we have on its species is even more profound. Through recent years the technology we have put into cultivating this marijuana to its most desired form is incredible.
11/26/13
Michael Pollan explains that humans have many while fruits produce sweetness and flowers produce beauty, some plants produce chemicals that have the power to alter human consciousness. And, like our craving for sweetness or love of beauty, the desire to change consciousness appears to be hardwired into humans.
Michael Pollan seems to focus a lot about the legal concerns revolving cannabis. It seems a little less relevant to the thesis of the book, which is co evolution. I can not tell if there is purpose to it or if its a sort of hidden apologies to the conservative readers.
Jitterbug Perfume
Summary and personal thoughts on Jitterbug Perfume
Part of humanities semester 1 honor is a "free choice book". This is a book that we get to choice to read through out the semester. My book chose me. One day when I returned from home I found a package on my door step with no return address and with my printed name on it. Within that package I found Jitter bug perfume. The mysterious and perplexing entrance of this novel ended up suiting it quite well and continued through out each chapter as a underline tone of this book.
Tom Robbins's work "Jitterbug Perfume" is a story about the quest for immortality. Robbins begins his story with a king preoccupied with aging. Before this, Robbins first introduces the object that will link time periods: beets. He explains that the "beet is the most intense of vegetables." They tend to be melancholy. Robbins proceeds to introduce human characters that all receive beets at their doorstep or in the mail. The beets link both modern and medieval times, which shift the novel to the latter where Robbins introduces King Alobar. One day he looks into a mirror and sees a gray hair. This motivates him to leave his kingdom to ensure his survival. He meets Kudra, a woman who ushers him into immortality. By the end of "Jitterbug Perfume," the king learns how to be immortal, moving from place to place and practicing this process throughout the rest of his life.
Part of humanities semester 1 honor is a "free choice book". This is a book that we get to choice to read through out the semester. My book chose me. One day when I returned from home I found a package on my door step with no return address and with my printed name on it. Within that package I found Jitter bug perfume. The mysterious and perplexing entrance of this novel ended up suiting it quite well and continued through out each chapter as a underline tone of this book.
Tom Robbins's work "Jitterbug Perfume" is a story about the quest for immortality. Robbins begins his story with a king preoccupied with aging. Before this, Robbins first introduces the object that will link time periods: beets. He explains that the "beet is the most intense of vegetables." They tend to be melancholy. Robbins proceeds to introduce human characters that all receive beets at their doorstep or in the mail. The beets link both modern and medieval times, which shift the novel to the latter where Robbins introduces King Alobar. One day he looks into a mirror and sees a gray hair. This motivates him to leave his kingdom to ensure his survival. He meets Kudra, a woman who ushers him into immortality. By the end of "Jitterbug Perfume," the king learns how to be immortal, moving from place to place and practicing this process throughout the rest of his life.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Literary Analysis: Their Eyes Were Watching god
The main character of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God was Janie Crawford. She was a beautiful young african american women in Florida in the early 20th century. Raised by her grandmother she was made to marry at a young age to a wealthy man named Logan Killicks. After a long, loveless, and abusive marriage, he falls ill and she finds herself middle aged and with a new sense of independence and freedom. She then gets involved with a man named Tea Cake. She feels a real connection for the first time and within 9 months they are married. They move away but he gets bit by a dog and gets infected with rabies. Several weeks later the illness makes him go insane and he begins to suspect that Janie is cheating on him. He gets very angry and aggressive and shoots at her. She is forced to kill him with to save her life and after a court hearing is not found guilty. She moves back to eatonville and although the people gossip and judge her situation she find herself at peace.
This novel uses a very unique use of language. Zora Neale Hurston uses what people describe as a “mastery of rural Southern black dialect”. For me the way this book was written is very hard to understand however every interesting. I found myself reading the first 5 pages over and over again until I got the hang of it. Most words, well they aren't even words, They are more of a sounded out version of words with very broken grammar that paints a picture of the time and people in this book. It puts you in the moment. It breaks the barrier of the reader and the actual language that would have been used in the era.
She uses many rich similes to colorfully depict the imagery of the story. “Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone. Dawn and doom was in the branches” (p. 8). This beautifully shows the reader that Janie has had a tough upbringing and a difficult life. This shows that she is happy with her life and sees that there have been both good and bad events, and she is hopeful for the future which is one of janies strongest characteristics. Through out the novel she never loses hope for things to get better. “Then you must tell ‘em dat love ain’t somethin’ lak uh grindstone dat’s de same thing everywhere and do the same thing tuh everything it touch. Love is lak de sea.” This quote is both a simile and an example of the use of language. She is explaining that their are all different kinds of love. If hrt love doesn't fit the standards for others expectation of what love should look like she doesn't care. Janie and Tea Cake’s love was exactly what Janie had been looking for, and even though everyone else didn't understand it, it was pure and true.
Symbolism occurs throughout the book. The most obvious is her hair. It is a sign of her beauty, her strength, confident, womanhood and most importantly her pass. Her hair is long and it has been with her throughout her life. It is sensual and alluring. It is something she is proud of. My favorite symbol used is the idea of the horizon that had been mentioned throughout the again and again throughout the novel. It is a concept that Janie holds onto tightly. It means that there is hope for the future and nothing is impossible. This idea defines her. It makes the difference between a sad story and a moving novel. Janie had a rough path for most of her life, although there were some moments of happiness. This really describes Janies inner beauty and innocence. She has the power talent to be optimistic.
The main character of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God was Janie Crawford. She was a beautiful young african american women in Florida in the early 20th century. Raised by her grandmother she was made to marry at a young age to a wealthy man named Logan Killicks. After a long, loveless, and abusive marriage, he falls ill and she finds herself middle aged and with a new sense of independence and freedom. She then gets involved with a man named Tea Cake. She feels a real connection for the first time and within 9 months they are married. They move away but he gets bit by a dog and gets infected with rabies. Several weeks later the illness makes him go insane and he begins to suspect that Janie is cheating on him. He gets very angry and aggressive and shoots at her. She is forced to kill him with to save her life and after a court hearing is not found guilty. She moves back to eatonville and although the people gossip and judge her situation she find herself at peace.
This novel uses a very unique use of language. Zora Neale Hurston uses what people describe as a “mastery of rural Southern black dialect”. For me the way this book was written is very hard to understand however every interesting. I found myself reading the first 5 pages over and over again until I got the hang of it. Most words, well they aren't even words, They are more of a sounded out version of words with very broken grammar that paints a picture of the time and people in this book. It puts you in the moment. It breaks the barrier of the reader and the actual language that would have been used in the era.
She uses many rich similes to colorfully depict the imagery of the story. “Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone. Dawn and doom was in the branches” (p. 8). This beautifully shows the reader that Janie has had a tough upbringing and a difficult life. This shows that she is happy with her life and sees that there have been both good and bad events, and she is hopeful for the future which is one of janies strongest characteristics. Through out the novel she never loses hope for things to get better. “Then you must tell ‘em dat love ain’t somethin’ lak uh grindstone dat’s de same thing everywhere and do the same thing tuh everything it touch. Love is lak de sea.” This quote is both a simile and an example of the use of language. She is explaining that their are all different kinds of love. If hrt love doesn't fit the standards for others expectation of what love should look like she doesn't care. Janie and Tea Cake’s love was exactly what Janie had been looking for, and even though everyone else didn't understand it, it was pure and true.
Symbolism occurs throughout the book. The most obvious is her hair. It is a sign of her beauty, her strength, confident, womanhood and most importantly her pass. Her hair is long and it has been with her throughout her life. It is sensual and alluring. It is something she is proud of. My favorite symbol used is the idea of the horizon that had been mentioned throughout the again and again throughout the novel. It is a concept that Janie holds onto tightly. It means that there is hope for the future and nothing is impossible. This idea defines her. It makes the difference between a sad story and a moving novel. Janie had a rough path for most of her life, although there were some moments of happiness. This really describes Janies inner beauty and innocence. She has the power talent to be optimistic.
The Great Gatsby
Four question throughout The Great Gatsby
Question 1)
As Randy mentioned today in class there were many different titles F. Scott Fitzgerald was considering and it wasnt until the last moments and a heavy influence from publishers he had changed it. I looked it up and here are some of the other names he was thinking of.
Among Ash-Heaps and Millionaires
Gatsby
Gold-Hatted Gatsby
The High-Bouncing Lover
On the Road to West Egg
Trimalchio
Trimalchio in West Egg
Under the Red, White, and Blue
What do you think these names mean? Which do you think is the best title for the book and why?
Question 2)
It got brought up in class today that Nick was shy and possibly a follower. He seems to let others do a lot of the talking. I think this conclusion was mostly based on the second chapter. Do you think Nick was just a little out of his element in a social situation where people were drinking and with his cousins husbands mistress? or is he shy, passive, and afraid of Tom?
Question 3)
Did any one noticed the romantic way Nick would describe Daisy? He goes into such detail about her actions and speaks of her so beautifully. At first I was confused because they are cousins and it sounded like he was in love with her. As I continued reading I came to the conclusion that the author wants the reader to fall in love with her. (Personally I have. I read on other post that she sounds conceded however I think she is just a impulsive speaker and its part of her care free allure.) What do you guys think?
Question 4)
Do you guys think Myrtle deserves any of this because she is sneaking around with a married man behind her husband back primarily for his money? Or do you think she is a victim for being talked to poorly and slapped regardless of her behavior?
Question 1)
As Randy mentioned today in class there were many different titles F. Scott Fitzgerald was considering and it wasnt until the last moments and a heavy influence from publishers he had changed it. I looked it up and here are some of the other names he was thinking of.
Among Ash-Heaps and Millionaires
Gatsby
Gold-Hatted Gatsby
The High-Bouncing Lover
On the Road to West Egg
Trimalchio
Trimalchio in West Egg
Under the Red, White, and Blue
What do you think these names mean? Which do you think is the best title for the book and why?
Question 2)
It got brought up in class today that Nick was shy and possibly a follower. He seems to let others do a lot of the talking. I think this conclusion was mostly based on the second chapter. Do you think Nick was just a little out of his element in a social situation where people were drinking and with his cousins husbands mistress? or is he shy, passive, and afraid of Tom?
Question 3)
Did any one noticed the romantic way Nick would describe Daisy? He goes into such detail about her actions and speaks of her so beautifully. At first I was confused because they are cousins and it sounded like he was in love with her. As I continued reading I came to the conclusion that the author wants the reader to fall in love with her. (Personally I have. I read on other post that she sounds conceded however I think she is just a impulsive speaker and its part of her care free allure.) What do you guys think?
Question 4)
Do you guys think Myrtle deserves any of this because she is sneaking around with a married man behind her husband back primarily for his money? Or do you think she is a victim for being talked to poorly and slapped regardless of her behavior?
Slaughterhouse 5
Final Thoughts of Slaughterhouse 5
As my second Kurt Vonnegut Novel I can defiantly say his voice as a author is growing on me. While I found the first book I read by Vonnegut alright I don't think I fully understood his style yet. I had decided before I read Slaughterhouse 5 that I wouldn't like it because it was about war and I typically find war sad and unassuming. By the end of this book I had the exact opposite option. In fact I loved it because it was about war and specifically the things it choose to highlight from it. It did not glamorize nor patronize all the people who are part of war. It simple described the nasty, vulgar, and tragic things that occur during war. It does so in a way that is not offensive to a veteran or a peace activeness. It is blunt and straight forward. I really appreciated this because war is a topic that is almost never looked upon straight forward. It is usually skewed to make it seem completely righteous or unpurposeful and totally unnecessary. This book just shows us war as it simply is through the concept of total fate.
As my second Kurt Vonnegut Novel I can defiantly say his voice as a author is growing on me. While I found the first book I read by Vonnegut alright I don't think I fully understood his style yet. I had decided before I read Slaughterhouse 5 that I wouldn't like it because it was about war and I typically find war sad and unassuming. By the end of this book I had the exact opposite option. In fact I loved it because it was about war and specifically the things it choose to highlight from it. It did not glamorize nor patronize all the people who are part of war. It simple described the nasty, vulgar, and tragic things that occur during war. It does so in a way that is not offensive to a veteran or a peace activeness. It is blunt and straight forward. I really appreciated this because war is a topic that is almost never looked upon straight forward. It is usually skewed to make it seem completely righteous or unpurposeful and totally unnecessary. This book just shows us war as it simply is through the concept of total fate.
Running with Scissors (Honors)
In Running with Scissors, Augusten Burroughs tells the story of his adolescence. The memoir begins with the end of his parents' marriage. Due to Augusten's mother, Deidre, suffering from mental illness, the marriage falls apart. Deidre also seeks therapy from one Dr. Finch.
The doctor advises Augusten on very personal matters in growing up, including his sexuality. Soon, Augusten moves in with the Finch family for an extended visit while his mother receives intense treatment from Dr. Finch.
Despite the doctor's extensive treatment, Deidre does not get the mental stability that she seeks. Eventually, the stress of raising a teenage boy becomes too much for her. Without any warning, Deidre signs over custody to Dr. Finch.
For the remainder of his teen years, Augusten splits his time between the Finch household and his mother's. At thirteen years old, he "comes out," admitting first to the Finch's, then to his mother that he is gay. Through the Finch's, he meets 33 year old Neil Bookman, who quickly becomes his boyfriend. Their relationship, though, suffers from selfishness and anxiety. After two years, Neil takes a train into New York City and never returns.
Life in the Finch household causes much drama. The doctor believes that the children need much freedom to develop themselves. There appear to be few if any rules. The house, though in a nice neighborhood, remains filthy all the time. The children experiment with drugs and alcohol. They come and go as they please and speak rudely to one another and their parents.
However, Augusten feels alone and trapped in his life after a few years. He realizes that the lack of rules also leads to a lack of guidance. He longs for someone to advise him in how to act.
The member of the Finch family that Augusten become closest to is Natalie, the third daughter. Natalie encourages Augusten to apply for a part time job, though on Natalie gains employment. Eventually, Natalie and Augusten move out together and begin college courses.
Shortly after this move, Deidre confesses to Augusten that Dr. Finch sexually abused her during her treatments. Natalie refuses to believe such allegations. Due to the stress that this puts on their friendship, Augusten moves out. While living on his own, having also failed out of college, Augusten realizes that his life, though hard, prepared him for a richer life as a writer in the city. Given all he overcomes, such endeavors fail to scare him any longer.
Throughout the memoir, Augusten dreams of many careers, from hair stylist to professional singer. He resists writing however because that is his mother's career. He fears that writing and mental illness go hand in hand. Ironically, that is the very profession in which he succeeds.
The doctor advises Augusten on very personal matters in growing up, including his sexuality. Soon, Augusten moves in with the Finch family for an extended visit while his mother receives intense treatment from Dr. Finch.
Despite the doctor's extensive treatment, Deidre does not get the mental stability that she seeks. Eventually, the stress of raising a teenage boy becomes too much for her. Without any warning, Deidre signs over custody to Dr. Finch.
For the remainder of his teen years, Augusten splits his time between the Finch household and his mother's. At thirteen years old, he "comes out," admitting first to the Finch's, then to his mother that he is gay. Through the Finch's, he meets 33 year old Neil Bookman, who quickly becomes his boyfriend. Their relationship, though, suffers from selfishness and anxiety. After two years, Neil takes a train into New York City and never returns.
Life in the Finch household causes much drama. The doctor believes that the children need much freedom to develop themselves. There appear to be few if any rules. The house, though in a nice neighborhood, remains filthy all the time. The children experiment with drugs and alcohol. They come and go as they please and speak rudely to one another and their parents.
However, Augusten feels alone and trapped in his life after a few years. He realizes that the lack of rules also leads to a lack of guidance. He longs for someone to advise him in how to act.
The member of the Finch family that Augusten become closest to is Natalie, the third daughter. Natalie encourages Augusten to apply for a part time job, though on Natalie gains employment. Eventually, Natalie and Augusten move out together and begin college courses.
Shortly after this move, Deidre confesses to Augusten that Dr. Finch sexually abused her during her treatments. Natalie refuses to believe such allegations. Due to the stress that this puts on their friendship, Augusten moves out. While living on his own, having also failed out of college, Augusten realizes that his life, though hard, prepared him for a richer life as a writer in the city. Given all he overcomes, such endeavors fail to scare him any longer.
Throughout the memoir, Augusten dreams of many careers, from hair stylist to professional singer. He resists writing however because that is his mother's career. He fears that writing and mental illness go hand in hand. Ironically, that is the very profession in which he succeeds.
Cats Cradle (Honors)
Summary
The main character and narrator of this novel is John. It all begins with the idea of bokonon. John is a Bokononist (former christian). He believers in Karasses which is a group of people that have a similar destiny as his and will appear throughout his life. John is a writer and is on a mission to write a book about the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima from the human experience exclusively. The book is titled “The Day the World Ended.”
He begins his research with the children of Felix Hoenikker, one of the scientist who invented the atomic bomb. John claims that these characters are part of his Karass. He first writes a letter to Mr. Hoenikker, the youngest son Newt. He asked Newt, who is now a failing medical student at Cornell. In the letter he ask him if he remembered anything from the day the bomb was dropped.
He wrote back explaining he was only 6 when the bomb was dropped. He remembers him playing on a rug and noticing his father in his study twirling a string around his fingers and looking stressful. He describes his father as a ugly old man who didn't like people very much. He says on that day his father came to him and wanted to play for the first time in his entire life. He began by making a cats cradle with the string. John esd do close to his face he could see every poor and his big ears and he was so ugly he got scarred and ran away crying. He ran into the front yard and discovers his older brother under a bush. He had a jar which he collected bugs in, to fight John instantly stops crying. His sister, who fills the mother role of the household, finds them and ends up getting into a fight. Their father looks out the window and then goes back to work.
One of my favorite part so far is a story Newt tells about his father. When working on the bomb one day Felix became fascinated with turtles. He quite working on the Manhattan project to investigate his new interest. As everyone else in the lab became very worried they asked Angela, his daughter, what to do. She told them to take away the turtles. The next morning Flexis arrives to work to find his missing turtles. He says nothing and just begins working on the bomb again.
We start to find out more about Newts present day life with the exchange of letters. It turns out he is a 4 foot tall little person. He is engaged to Zinka, a Ukrainian little person who is a famous dancer.
John arranges an interview with Dr. Breed an old coworker of Flexi. He arrives in Newts hometown with a night to kill before the interview. He goes to the local bar where finds more information about the hoenikker family. While drinking he starts talking to a prostitute and the bartender who both went to high school with Frank the middle child in the family. They told John his old nickname was “Secret agent X-9” because how secretive and strange he was. They both give him a person story of the day the bomb dropped. The bartender shares a funny story of a homeless man asking for a free drink for the end of the world so the bartender made him a “End of the World Delight”.
t San Lorenzo, John learns that the island's current dictator, "Papa" Monzano, is dying of cancer and Frank Hoenikker, Felix's eldest child, is his successor. But Frank offers the job of President of San Lorenzo to John instead. Why? Because Frank doesn't want the job, so it might as well go to someone. And, hey, why not John? He accepts the job kind of to help the poor people of San Lorenzo but mostly so he can marry the beautiful Mona Monzano.
Once the line of succession is secure, "Papa" Lorenzo kills himself by consuming none other than ice-nine. John forces the Hoenikker children to confess that their father created the substance, and they've given the stuff away to get what they wanted from life. John and the Hoenikkers attempt to clean up the ice-nine mess to cover up its existence, but a freak accident during a flight demonstration destroys the castle, sending "Papa" Monzano's corpse into the sea.
What happens next is an instant ice age spreading the entire globe.
Initially, John and Mona stay in Monzano's oubliette to escape the ice-nine apocalypse, but after Mona commits suicide, John shacks up with Newt, Frank, and the Crosbys. While deciding what exactly to do with his life now that the world has ended, John meets up with the legendary Bokonon, who suggests someone should write a book on the history of human stupidity
The main character and narrator of this novel is John. It all begins with the idea of bokonon. John is a Bokononist (former christian). He believers in Karasses which is a group of people that have a similar destiny as his and will appear throughout his life. John is a writer and is on a mission to write a book about the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima from the human experience exclusively. The book is titled “The Day the World Ended.”
He begins his research with the children of Felix Hoenikker, one of the scientist who invented the atomic bomb. John claims that these characters are part of his Karass. He first writes a letter to Mr. Hoenikker, the youngest son Newt. He asked Newt, who is now a failing medical student at Cornell. In the letter he ask him if he remembered anything from the day the bomb was dropped.
He wrote back explaining he was only 6 when the bomb was dropped. He remembers him playing on a rug and noticing his father in his study twirling a string around his fingers and looking stressful. He describes his father as a ugly old man who didn't like people very much. He says on that day his father came to him and wanted to play for the first time in his entire life. He began by making a cats cradle with the string. John esd do close to his face he could see every poor and his big ears and he was so ugly he got scarred and ran away crying. He ran into the front yard and discovers his older brother under a bush. He had a jar which he collected bugs in, to fight John instantly stops crying. His sister, who fills the mother role of the household, finds them and ends up getting into a fight. Their father looks out the window and then goes back to work.
One of my favorite part so far is a story Newt tells about his father. When working on the bomb one day Felix became fascinated with turtles. He quite working on the Manhattan project to investigate his new interest. As everyone else in the lab became very worried they asked Angela, his daughter, what to do. She told them to take away the turtles. The next morning Flexis arrives to work to find his missing turtles. He says nothing and just begins working on the bomb again.
We start to find out more about Newts present day life with the exchange of letters. It turns out he is a 4 foot tall little person. He is engaged to Zinka, a Ukrainian little person who is a famous dancer.
John arranges an interview with Dr. Breed an old coworker of Flexi. He arrives in Newts hometown with a night to kill before the interview. He goes to the local bar where finds more information about the hoenikker family. While drinking he starts talking to a prostitute and the bartender who both went to high school with Frank the middle child in the family. They told John his old nickname was “Secret agent X-9” because how secretive and strange he was. They both give him a person story of the day the bomb dropped. The bartender shares a funny story of a homeless man asking for a free drink for the end of the world so the bartender made him a “End of the World Delight”.
t San Lorenzo, John learns that the island's current dictator, "Papa" Monzano, is dying of cancer and Frank Hoenikker, Felix's eldest child, is his successor. But Frank offers the job of President of San Lorenzo to John instead. Why? Because Frank doesn't want the job, so it might as well go to someone. And, hey, why not John? He accepts the job kind of to help the poor people of San Lorenzo but mostly so he can marry the beautiful Mona Monzano.
Once the line of succession is secure, "Papa" Lorenzo kills himself by consuming none other than ice-nine. John forces the Hoenikker children to confess that their father created the substance, and they've given the stuff away to get what they wanted from life. John and the Hoenikkers attempt to clean up the ice-nine mess to cover up its existence, but a freak accident during a flight demonstration destroys the castle, sending "Papa" Monzano's corpse into the sea.
What happens next is an instant ice age spreading the entire globe.
Initially, John and Mona stay in Monzano's oubliette to escape the ice-nine apocalypse, but after Mona commits suicide, John shacks up with Newt, Frank, and the Crosbys. While deciding what exactly to do with his life now that the world has ended, John meets up with the legendary Bokonon, who suggests someone should write a book on the history of human stupidity
Breakfast at Tiffany's (Honors)
Summary
The book Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote is a book about a writer telling of a friend. It excels in imagery and has a point of view from an interesting perspective of an outsider looking in. The book is the story of Miss Holiday Golightly from the Narrator’s perspective. She is a woman of mystery to everyone in her life, and the narrator can only learn about her life by watching her through a “window” and can only see what is on her surface. The only person less reliable is Holly herself. The narrator is told this earlier on from a longtime friend of Holly. As the narrator begins to learn more, more the reader knows of Holly lies. Holly lies because she wants no responsiblitiy or ties to people or things. She wants to “Golighty” through life. Things in her apartment are left packed and she shows her disconnection with her cat by not naming it and the narrator by not calling him his real name, only her estranged brother’s name, Fred. Holly will not settle down until she has found home. It has to be as stable and luxious as Tiffany’s. This becomes her goal for her life. Besides her telling the narrator about her brother, Holly confesses one more thing her weekly visits to a gangster, Sally tomato, who is held in the Sing Sing prison. The narrator can easily observe Holly’s relationships with her social life friends are unstable and soon even theirs falls apart as Holly insults the narrator’s writing and he insults her way of life. The reason of Holly’s social life because clear when her brother dies. She falls apart and the author realizes then why Holly doesn’t let people get too close. Her brother’s death changes Holly. She begins to stay home and settles down with Jose. She gains weight, starts cooking and finishing her apartment. She and Jose plan their move to Brazil to begin their life and find a home when Holly finds out that she is pregnant. On Holly’s and the narrator’s last day together the narrator is injured in a horse-back riding accident. Holly is comforting him when the police arrive. Holly is arrested for conspiracy with the gang because of her visits with Sally Tomato, the prisoner in Sing Sing. Jose leaves her and her inner social circle disowns her only the narrator visits her. Holly tells him she has lost her child, but plans to escape to Brazil. The narrator helps Holly escape. Holly lets go of her cat and leaves her life. The narrator will never see Holly Golightly again, only a postcard to say that she has found a home in Buenos Aries. Holly is a phony she hides herself behind interesting lies and an eccentric lifestyle. She keeps disconnected and unloving for the freedom of her feelings. Understanding describing her and revealing mysteries of her life is the challenge that has to be met by the narrator, it proves his worth as a writer.
The book Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote is a book about a writer telling of a friend. It excels in imagery and has a point of view from an interesting perspective of an outsider looking in. The book is the story of Miss Holiday Golightly from the Narrator’s perspective. She is a woman of mystery to everyone in her life, and the narrator can only learn about her life by watching her through a “window” and can only see what is on her surface. The only person less reliable is Holly herself. The narrator is told this earlier on from a longtime friend of Holly. As the narrator begins to learn more, more the reader knows of Holly lies. Holly lies because she wants no responsiblitiy or ties to people or things. She wants to “Golighty” through life. Things in her apartment are left packed and she shows her disconnection with her cat by not naming it and the narrator by not calling him his real name, only her estranged brother’s name, Fred. Holly will not settle down until she has found home. It has to be as stable and luxious as Tiffany’s. This becomes her goal for her life. Besides her telling the narrator about her brother, Holly confesses one more thing her weekly visits to a gangster, Sally tomato, who is held in the Sing Sing prison. The narrator can easily observe Holly’s relationships with her social life friends are unstable and soon even theirs falls apart as Holly insults the narrator’s writing and he insults her way of life. The reason of Holly’s social life because clear when her brother dies. She falls apart and the author realizes then why Holly doesn’t let people get too close. Her brother’s death changes Holly. She begins to stay home and settles down with Jose. She gains weight, starts cooking and finishing her apartment. She and Jose plan their move to Brazil to begin their life and find a home when Holly finds out that she is pregnant. On Holly’s and the narrator’s last day together the narrator is injured in a horse-back riding accident. Holly is comforting him when the police arrive. Holly is arrested for conspiracy with the gang because of her visits with Sally Tomato, the prisoner in Sing Sing. Jose leaves her and her inner social circle disowns her only the narrator visits her. Holly tells him she has lost her child, but plans to escape to Brazil. The narrator helps Holly escape. Holly lets go of her cat and leaves her life. The narrator will never see Holly Golightly again, only a postcard to say that she has found a home in Buenos Aries. Holly is a phony she hides herself behind interesting lies and an eccentric lifestyle. She keeps disconnected and unloving for the freedom of her feelings. Understanding describing her and revealing mysteries of her life is the challenge that has to be met by the narrator, it proves his worth as a writer.