The Day of the Locust

This book was definitly different from your average read. It didn't follow the same structure that stories usually do where there is an obvious progression of events with a problem and a resolution at the end. With the exeption of a few scenes that I really enjoyed, the set up of the novel made me uncomfortable. Nothing really moved or porgressed; you just watched the characters in different scenes living thier miserable lives and nothing gets better. When I turned the last page and realized I was at the end of the book I kept flipping the page back and forth feeling I must have missed something because a story dosn't end like that.

Mr. Steiling described the book as a painting; your not looking at it as a story that progresses but rather something that sits there unchanging for you to observe as a whole. Hearing this actually made me a lot more comfortable with the story. Maybe because this is a form of observation that I am comfortable with even though it is not usually in the medium of text.

The Maltese Falcon

I really enjoyed everything about this book. Its a classic detective novel and was just plain fun to read. We've been talking about how books relate to movies and how people have grown so accustomed to the way films work. While I was reading the book I actually pictured Humphry Bogart as the main character Sam Spade immediatly after I heard the characters description. Today in class I learned that there was actually a movie made from the novel and that Huphrey Bogart did actually play the Sam Spade. It kind of weirded me out how what I was seeing was exactly what I had pictured in my head; the way he looked, the way he spoke, and interacted with the different characters was all exactly the same.  

Some of the differences that I was able to notice in the movie where kind of disappointing. For example before the movie even actually begins it gives you the history of the falcon and lets you know exactly what it is; it even shows you an image of it. In the novel you aren't told what the falcon is until maybe halfway through the book and it sort of adds to the mystery or the anticipation. Also, although most of the detail described in the book shows up in the movie its only there for a second; you can't really take it in. In the novel you can really savor the descriptions and immerse yourself in the story.

The Complete Metropolis

While the Metropolis was far better than any other silent film that I have watched, I did have to watch it in parts because I was having trouble staying awake. I found it really fascinating how much acting has changed since the time of silent films. I suppose when there are not many words to express what is happening or what the characters are feeling then more exaggerated acting might be necessary.

I found the theme to be some what similar to The Hunger Games. There was a huge separation between the upper and lower classes, and although it did not happen in the hunger games I have a feeling that in the later  books revolution takes place much like it did in Metropolis. In both stories there was also the different ideologies in the different classes where the upper class seems solely concerned with luxury while the lower class is concerned with surviving.

The Hunger Games

When I read the back cover of The Hunger Games I immediately recalled several similar stories in movies, books, and even ancient history. The idea of people being pit against each other, fighting to the death, and the last man standing wins, has been used over and over. Despite how familiar the story was I still found myself really enjoying the book and always eager to find out what was going to crop up next. Outside the gladiatorial aspect of the book there were other appealing angles such as the different social classes, the relationship between Katniss and her family, and her odd and confusing "love" interests.

Through the different social classes the author portrays opposing ideologies. Some of which I even felt like I could relate to. Naturally I don't think it too likely that I will need to be fighting for my life by killing other people in a sick and twisted game any time soon, but I do relate to other parts. In Katniss's hometown all of her time is devoted to hunting and gathering food to keep her and her family alive. Until she reaches the much wealthier capitol Katniss does not show much concern for anything outside of surviving. The population of the capitol however seemed to be concerned with nothing but luxury.

When I think about my future I do now wonder how nice my car or home will be but rather if I will have them. I don't just worry about wether I will be able to get a well paying job or not in my chosen field of graphic design, but worry if I will be able to get a job at all.