The Scottish Play

 Good Saturday! I have finished The Scarlet Letter, and am in the midst of writing about the rest of the novel. But, alas, I haven't the time to finish that entry right now. And I was thinking about other blogs and other stuff, and I was kinda bored, so I decided to post a video from YouTube! Cause I love YouTube! So here is one of my favorites from The Reduced Shakespeare Company. Enjoy, luvs!

                                              Reduced Shakepeare Company's Macbeth

Return to Pen...Figuratively, at Least

 Good morrow, readers! Once again I have returned after an abysmally long absence--over a year, if my calculations are correct. Tis too sad, really. But I have a reasonably good excuse for it, I promise!
  College.
  Yes, my first year of college scholastics has come and gone. >throw some confetti for old times sake< Freshman English was a nightmare, History of Civilization wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be, and I am taking summer school, dear ones! Early Brit Lit lasted a fantastic 4 weeks and I was sad to see it go.
  But, to try and prevent any more long, unexplained absences from the cyber-realm, I have come up with a plan. See, for the past year and I half, my main interests have been English, English, English, grades, sleep, and English. So I thought, why not try and use my blog (poor, neglected thing) as a forum for my English-y thoughts? I have been trying to talk English with everyone I come in contact with but, let's be honest, I am not surrounded by fellow literary enthusiasts. The only other English enthusiast I know is Katie, and (sadly) I cannot be constantly nagging at her with my deep college-lit thoughts (though she would let me if she could, bless her! Love you, bestie!). So I have decided to put the figurative pen to the figurative paper and write out my English-y thoughts to my heart's content. Who knows, I may actually think up something mindblowing and earns millions of dollars for my discovery....yeah, I don't really think so either. :)
 Anyway....

  In two weeks, I begin another session of summer classes, amongst which includes Early American Literature. To try and get ahead, I have already begun reading the required novel: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I have read through the 4th chapter thus far: 'The Interview'. I should mention that I will most likely be referencing lots of stuff that I have read in the story, so I guess they count as spoilers, even if they aren't that far into the book. If you have a sudden and overwhelming urge to read this novel for the first time, I highly recommend that you skip this part.

  I didn't have high hopes for The Scarlet Letter. I haven't really had the highest...appreciation for American Literature (because, honestly, British things are usually better on principle). I also started to read this book before, and I didn't get any farther than...the 4th chapter (irony...?). Plus, I already knew the story. What more did I need?  But reading (this far, at least) this time a round, I have been struck with Nathaniel Hawthorne's awesomeness as a writer. His descriptions of Puritan New England are amazing and vivid, especially of the Puritans themselves. I feel great sympathy for Hester Prynne, too. I guess that is the point of the novel, but really! Poor woman wasn't born to be a Puritan. She is described as having "an impulsive and passionate nature"--can you imagine being an impulsive and passionate Puritan? You would suffocate! Despite my compassion for Hester, I am more fascinated with the character of Roger Chillingworth, the unfortunate husband of the unfortunate Hester. He sent her ahead to the New World from Amsterdam, and spent about two years away; from what I can understand he had been travelling and living among the Indians. He comes to the Massachusetts colony to be ransomed from the Indians or something, and the first thing he sees upon entering town is his wife standing on a pedastal in the middle of the town with a scarlet A plastered on her chest and a baby that is most definitely not his. That alone would make me feel sorry for the poor guy. But in the 4th chapter, we get further insight into the character of Chillingworth.

  We learn that Chillingworth was already at least middle-aged by the time he married Hester. Born disfigured (one shoulder is higher than the other) and with a rabid scholastic fascination, he is not the best mate for the beautiful and vibrant woman who becomes his wife. But Chillingworth has this to say about his marriage:

 " 'True,' replied he. 'It [marrying Hester when he knew she did not love him] was my folly! I have said it. But, up to that epoch in my life, I had lived in vain. The world had been so cheerless! My heart was a habitation large enough for many guests, but lonely and chill, and without a household fire. I longed to kindle one! It seemed not so wild a dream--old as I was, and sombre as I was, and misshapen as I was--that the simple bliss, which is scattered far and wide for all mankind to gather up, might yet be mine. And so, Hester, I drew thee into my heart, into its innermost chamber, and sought to warm thee by the warmth which thy presence made there!'" (pg. 66).

  It is a long quotation, I know, but it captures the man's hopes precisely. Poor Roger Chillingworth! However, Chillingworth will not be the type of guy to languish in agony of spirit. Though he might have had deep affection for Hester, it is apparent that if that affection isn't entirely gone it is going to be pushed under the proverbial rug in the quest to ruin Hester's lover. When I was reading the passage when he is discussing the matter with Hester I actually got a few goosebumps. His matter-of-fact, even almost pleasant tone in the passage is chilling (pun slightly intended). Bear with me: I am going to put down one more somewhat lengthy quote--my favorite in my reading thus far. After Chillingworth makes Hester swear to keep his identity a secret, they end their interview in this way:

  " 'Why dost thou smile so at me?' inquired Hester, troubled at the expression of his eyes. 'Art thou like the Black Man that haunts the forest round about us? Hast thou enticed me into a bond that will prove the ruin of my soul?'

  'Not thy soul,' he answered, with another smile. 'No, not thine!'" (68).

 Gah! One might be tempted to feel sorry for Hester's lover (whose identity I won't mention in this entry). Yet despite the creepiness of Chillingworth's implied revenge, I think I like him best of all. However, I shall have to continue reading to find out if this first opinion holds.

 Goodnight, my readers! Pleasant dreams, pleasant reading (if you like to read, anyway...whatever).

Bibliography:

   Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter . New York: New American library, 1999. Print.

 

Another Year Over...ish

I come to my blog on my sister's laptop today. Yes, Jenni, John, Hunter, and Emmi are here. They have been here for about a week now, having come down for Christmas. I don't know what I am going to do when they leave on this coming Saturday. My niece and nephew are adorable, John is funny and vexing, and Jenni...is my sister. I love her to death. I doubt that, after school resumes, I will have much time to dwell on their absence. But, the point is, I am glad that they are here.
Christmas was wonderful. Jenni was feeling under the weather (dreadful invalid and all that), but we managed. Everyone got a good haul. The kids had a good time. I had a good time. Everyone was suprised by their gifts, which is important in this family. We have a thing with being suprised with gifts. Dad managed to control his grumpiness, probably because we had company. A good Christmas. My gifts included such things as Jane Austen PJs (squeee!), a Barnes and Noble gift card (squeee!) and a new fantabulous orange watch (squeeee!). I hope that, if you celebrate it, you had an awesome Christmas, readers.
My Grandma sent me money for Christmas, and with it I purchased Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It was actually pretty good. I mean, for a parody. Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy actually insulted the women irritating them, there were lots of zombies, and ninjas, and Wickham got his in a spectacular way. It was good in an over-the-top way. I like it. But I do understand how purists would feel about it. You know, *zombies* in JANE AUSTEN's BEST WORK?!?!?! (arguably). I guess that you need to have a special sort of humor to tolerate such works. I am extremely interested now in finding Mansfield Park and Mummies. I have always held a fondness for Ancient Egypt, so the prospect seems quite delightful. ;)
Speaking of new Jane Austen, have you heard about the new BBC Emma movie that is coming out? I am very eager for that as well. I have great hopes for it, and my friend Katie and I plan on (somehow) watching it together.
When school resumes, I shall be beginning my last semester of schooling. Normal schooling, anyway, not counting college. Celebrate!!!! >confetti, balloons, obnoxious noise-makers, and cupcakes galore< Just think, I am graduating from high school. And then, two months later, I will be turning 18. Wow. It seems freaky to me. I am growing up. After a fashion. I don't know how I am going to get used to it. But, it seems like I shall get used to it, eventually.
I think I should close. We are planning a girls' day out today. Yay! I love when we have girls' day out-s. Farewell, dear readers. Enjoy the beginning of this New Year. 2010. How odd that looks and sounds! May it be a good year for all of us.
Adieu!

Novembers.

Well, here I am again, gentle readers. Somewhat into my last year of high school, settling nicely into my new home, and otherwise doing quite well.
Most things are the same, really. Still get up, do school, take care of the dog and the chores, fight with my dad, have fun with my mom. Readreadreadread tons of books. But now, as I am sitting here writing in this, my blog, and with you, my own readers, I feel a sort of nostalgia. God knows tisn't for being back in Illinois in that Life-Sucking House Trap. No. Never. Even though, my totally Goody-Goody girl side comes out saying, 'Oh, it wasn't that bad!'. And it may not have been. But I digress. Or maybe I can't digress because I never really had a point in the first place. Ah well. I did expect the missing of Jenni, and John, and Hunter, and Emmi, but at least they can come for Christmas. For two weeks. >extremely happy dance<
I find that tonight, I am filled with November thoughts. November is usually associated with sadness and time passing, the cold and the meloncholy. The depressing prequel to the heady gaity of December. I don't think of November that way. It, weirdly, reminds me of Wuthering Heights, for some reason. You know, the windswept, desolate moors, with the grey colors and the dusky purple-gray of the heather. A depressing romance about all-consuming love and the slow decay of being trapped in time. That is November for me. Except I get crunchy, windswept leaves instead of heather. But I don't mind the 'desolate-ness' of this month. I know, kinda weird.
Anyway, after that lengthy and just a little pointless rabbit-trail, my point: November thoughts. I am sure you have them too. The thoughts that are slightly depressing and homesick, even if you are home. I am rather filled with them tonight. I am not explaining them very well. Perhaps a subject change?
So, news. I have recently visited 2(two) of my city's public libraries. The very large, very posh, very grand G-ville Library, and the small, cozy local library. The G-ville library was, as I mentioned, very posh. It was *huge*. I could have lost myself for hours in the bookshelves and still look at new choices. I liked it. The librarians (isn't that a female term? what about the male ones? Are they librarions?) seemed rather stressed out and harried, though. Anyway, we got our cards (my mother had to come in and sign for it for us. Something about she is responsible for all our materials. Ridiculous, I say. Not to mention making the teenage populace feel like toddlers and insects.), and some books (of course) and said that all in all, twas a very enjoyable trip, and we wouldn't say nay to knowing it better. Except for the fact that we had to pay for parking!!!! I KNOW! HOW snobby is THAT? Making the hapless taxpayers have to PAY to recieve the books that are their link to LITERARY GREATNESS?!?! Scandalous.
Anyway, when our books had to get back, we decided to visit our local branch, because twas more convenient. Well, tis only 6 or 7 minutes away >beams beautifically<. That is always a plus. It is a pleasant, library-ish building. When we pulled up, Mom said that we wouldn't like it, because it looked small. We went in anyway, of course. And what a diamond in the rough it was! It was *tiiiiiiineeeee*. But twas so comfortable! So cozy! I got a large stack of books. And the librarians/librarions! They were so relaxed and affable! We are quite fond of it. So, all in all, we have 2(two) very pleasant libraries to visit.
My latest activity of usefulness is writing HP fanfiction. I am writing a novel/novella. Yay! It is on harrypotterfanfiction.net. My username is Writrchick. The story is called (this is a pretty lame title, but twas the best I could do.) To Catch A...Sibling??? I know, sucky title. It is also my NaNoWriMo project. Thus far I have about 7000 words on it. (a big thing for me). I think I somewhat despair at reaching 50,000 words. Oh well. I shall do my best, and see what comes of it. Anyway, if you like that kind of thing, go check it out. :D
Let's see. Music. Colbie Caillat. Love her. Mourning Tree by Leave's Eyes. Memories by Within Temptation. Ever Fallen in Love by Thea Gilmore. Forever by Chris Brown.
I must go. Farewell, dear ones! I hope to write soon. Take care of yourselves in the oncoming winter chill.
Lots of Love!

Home Again Home Again....

Hello, my loverly readers! I return from beyond the vast distances of space and internet to write to you once more!
Seriously, I feel like I have returned from beyond a vast distance. Since I last wrote, I have dealt with normal family issues (Return Episode of Jenni-the-Invalid {lol, sorry, hun, couldn't resist} and other familial stuff), a frickin MOVE! that featured the Bog Beings from Outer Space, settling into the new house (Canaan, or the Promised Land, to those who know their Bible), and starting school (senior year WOOOOOOOOOOT!) Gah. Nevertheless, I return. That is the important thing.
So, to begin with, I shall recount for you the perilous story of Hannah and the Bog Beings from Outer Space, or Death in a Crypt. O_o It all started when some people came to look at our house. Okay, typical enough. Until Twoo Wuv, or True Love, set in. Yes, those people fell in love with our house. And guess what?!?! Miracle of miracles, they put in an offer that was actually an offer and stayed put! Bliss reigned in the kingdom for about a month. Vague stirring beneath the earth were felt, but nothing was thought of them except by the philophers and scientists. Finally, the eve of that most blessed Event, the move, was upon them, and they were settling in last minute preparations for the Event. But woe! Alas! At the last minute, on the very eve of the Event, the phone rang. The deal could not go through. The Bog Beings had burst forth, complete with their King, who had not completed his taxes for the past two years. The house was unsold. Great Sorrow fell upon us, and great stress, as the phone continued to ring. The Bog Beings, hell-bent upon their nefarious plot, dilly-dallyed, giving us hope and then squashing it flat. Such was the stress that my Mother had something happen with pains in her chest and she had to go to the hospital. (Seriously, THAT was an experience and a half. Hope that never happens again. I swear. It was awful. Thankfully, it was only for one night and she is still strong and kicking. :})
Anyway, after an abominably long period of reign by the Bog Beings, their plot gloriously failed! And the deal went through. We were really moving. We quickly crossed the state line before the Bog Beings could regroup, and here we are, safely installed in Canaan. And besides a few skirmishes on the border, we have been very well.
How do I like my house? Oh, I am very fond of it. In fact, I think I love it. It is homey and cozy, has creaky wood floors, a fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and my sister and I get the entire lower level (like a one bedroom apartment) to ourselves. No, we aren't sharing a room (thank God). But we shall put up a wall for Sarah's privacy. But I do love the house. I am glad that I do, and that it seems like home so quickly. I think that we shall all be happy here. Dad should be, with his big yard (with many mature trees, which I love. You can actually here them singing right in our yard) and the riding lawn mower that the previous owners were so good as to leave. He drives it like a true Northerner, however, not slowly and sedately, but fast, like a Chicagoan. (spelling?) Mothers should be, with the homey aspect and the fact that we can actually settle, and not focus on selling. Sarah should be, with her corner of the lower level decorated precisely towards her liking (private, secluded, and cave-like). And I know I shall be happy here. The mature trees and the bench swing beneath the one closest to the house. The lower level. The girly sitting room that is precisely that--GIRLY. Meaning, Dad has his own...elsewhere. The fireplace. The creaky wood floors...now I am repeating myself. But in any case, we are doing well here.
Hmmm...have I really read anything? Well, I into Harry Potter at the moment. Again. I also have the pleasure of reading Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. Sarah gags everytime I mention it, but there it is. And yes, you read the title right. And Sea Monsters. It is basically, like the famed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (which I really *must* read), the Jane Austen story combined zombies, or in this case, Sea Monsters. I didn't know how I would like it, seeing as I truly love the original novels, but I think of it as very like yet very unlike fanfiction. It has all of her lines and story plot, just with the added hilarity of those nautical menaces. I am just at the part where SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Willoughby leaves SPOILER ENDED!!!!!!!!!!, but it is very good so far. I would recommend it to all my aquaintance. Even Sarah, who considers it an abomination. Oh well. >impish grin<
Songs? Need by Hana Pestle. I loooooooooooooove it. You must listen to it directly. I insist. Go. Now. On youtube. Quickly. I plan on buying it with my birthday money.
OOOOOH! That is what else happened! My birthday!!! Your authoress is officially 17. Go me!!! Yay! >confetti throwing< Basically, I got Mario Kart Wii game and money. Sweet. :D
Anyhoo, what else was I doing? Oh yeah, entertainment. Oh! Any one seen Vampire Diaries??? Huh? Huh?? Don't deny it! Anyway, I love it. I think it is good. Especially Stefan....>dreamy sigh< (Oh my word, that happened literally as I was writing it! That is a slightly freakish fangirly thing of me to do! Oh well.) But I do like it. I think that you should watch it. If you have read Twilight than it looks a little like fanfiction, which I don't think it actually can be because I think Vampire Diaries is based on a book series of the same name which came out before Twilight, but in any case I find it enjoyable. Go watch it.
Can I think of anything else? Not in particular. So I should sign off. I am going to call my best friend Katie in a few minutes...so....
Adiue, fair ones! Enjoy school! Protect yourself against the pig flu or whatever it is called! Fairwell.