Jane Eyre Chapters 7-9 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
September 26, 2012

Chapters 7-9

Summary: In chapter 7, Mr. Brocklehurst tells everyone in the school to stay away from Jane because she is nasty and a liar. In chapter 8, Helen calms Jane down and consoles her, the girls then go with Miss Temple and she tells Jane she has pardoned her after Jane tells Miss Temple her story. Miss Temple says if she receives a letter of agreement for Mr. Lloyd she will be publicly pardoned. In chapter 9, spring comes bringing a wave of sickness to the school and Helen dies of a coughing disease. Helen dies in Jane's arms. Jane also makes friends with Mary Ann Wilson and due to the sickness they have more freedom to be outside and play.

Quotation: "My Maker and yours, who will never destroy what He created. I rely implicitly on His power, and confide wholly in His goodness: I count the hours till that eventful one arrives which shall retore me to Him, reveal Him to me." (82).

Quotation Significance: Helen says this on the night she dies almost before falling asleep. She says that she can't wait to be restored back to God and be with him. She knows that He loves her and she will have peace in heaven.

Reflection: So far, it seems that Jane's problems with the Reeds are over. She has been fully pardoned for this, and she has even made some new friends, like Mary Ann Wilson. She is woring hard in school and in the spring she feels bad she hasn't visited Helen but she thought that Helen would get over this minor sickness. When she hears that Helen isn't doing well Jane goes at night to see her and Helen dies in her arms. Jane feels saddened at Helen's death. She thought of Helen has a great friend, someone to confide in. Her friend Mary Ann was great, bu according to Jane was only good for stories and gossip. Jane has lost her one  true friend at Lowood. Alhtough this tragedy occured, Jane still feels optimistic about her new life and chance to live in harmony and have friends. I think that Jane will have a pleasurable experience at Lowood.

Discussion Question: Do you think Jane's life is taking a turn for the better?

Jane Eyre Chapters 4-6 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
September 25, 2012

Chapters 4-6

Summary: In chapter 4, Jane is confined to a small closet to sleep in and confined to long days in the nursery. She is called down to the dining room to find out she will be going to school at Lowood. After Mrs. Reed tells the man who teaches at Lowood how awful she is,  Jane yells at her afterwards and Jane wins the argument and Jane wins the argument. Jane and Bessie bond and Bessie almost becomes her friend. In chapter 5, Jane arrives at Lowood, a strict boarding school. She makes friends with a new girl and so ends her first day at Lowood. In chapter 6, her friend Burns is yelled at for not washing her nails even though the water that morning was frozen. She is punished severely and Helen tells Jane to forgive John and Mrs. Reed and move on.

Quotation: "...I abhor the last; with this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation never too deeply disgusts me, injustice never crushes me too low; I live in calm, looking to the end." (57)

Quotation Significance: Helen says this to Jane about how she is always insulted and belittled by Mrs.Scatherd. She is saying that she never lets anything get her down too low and she lives peacefully looking to her death- when she will be in peace. 

Reflection: So far, this book has been very interesting but very sad. The school Lowood, seems very strict and very much like a prison. The girls have to get up early than dawn and are punished very severely for every small thing they do wrong. Helen is treated very badly by Mrs. Scatherd but has decided to forgive Mrs.Scatherd for this and decides it just isn't worth worrying about. She is just looking forward to getting out of school to get a good job and have a good life. Jane feels terrible for Helen and can't understand how she deals with it. Even though Helen has advised Jane to forgive John and Mrs.Reed she isn't sure if she can. I think next, Jane will become to the target of the bullying and will defend herself of something she didn't do and cause trouble for herself.

Discussion Question: Do you think Jane will be the next target of the teachers and students?

Jane Eyre Chapters 1-3 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
September 14, 2012

Chapters 1-3

Summary: In chapter 1, Jane is reading a book about birds in a adjoining room in the house. John Reed comes in, discovers her and slaps her and throws a book at her and she falls to hit her head. She insults John who then calls Bessie and another maid who takes her away to be punished. In chapter 2,  Bessie and the maid tell Jane that if she doesn't pray and behave she will be sent to the poorhouse, she is loacked in the red room when we learn that Mr. Reed has been dead for nine years. Jane reflects how sad and depressed she is, and how unfavored she is no matter what she does. She is made to stay in the red room for another hour until she is perfectly still and obedient. In chapter 3, Jane is sick and talkes to Mr.Lloyd about the ghost she saw and miserable she is. Mr.Lloyd convinces Mrs. Reed to send her to boarding school.

Quotation: "'Wicked and cruel boy!' I said. 'You are like a murderer- you are like a slave-driver-you are like the Roman emperors.'"(5).

Quotation Significance: Jane says this to John after he hurls a book at her and she falls and hits her head on the door. She has had all this anger bottling up inside her and needed to let it out after being habitually bullied by John.

Reflection: So far this book was been very interesting but depressing. This girl Jane has depression issues and none understands her or will talk to her. John bullies her and Eliza and Georgiana don't talk to her at all or care about her. Jane is only still at the house because of a promise Mrs. Reed made her dying husband. Jane feels unwanted, and hated but she knows she can't leave unless she wants to be poor and beg, which she does not want. Mr.Lloyd seems to understand her and knows what she is going through. I'm hoping that when she goes to boarding school things will be different for her.

Discussion Question: Why does John harass and bully Jane? Do you think Jane will find calmness and comfort at school?

Much Ado About Nothing Act V Scene 3-4

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period  Five
9/19/12

 Act V Scene 3-4

Summary:  In Act V Scene 3,  Claudio goes and sings to Hero at he tomb and gives her a poem and sings her a hymn. In Act V Scene 4, Claudio thinks he is getting married to Beatrice but Hero takees off her mask and reveals herself to him. They both get married and Benedick and Beatrice do as well. Don John is caught running from Messina, and everyone dances and rejoices.
Quotation: "Done to death by slanderous tongues was the Hero that here lies. Death, in guerdon of her wrongs, gives her fame which never dies. So the life that died with shame lives in death with glorious fame."
Significance of Quotation: This is the epipath that Claudio says to Hero. This means that here lies Hero, who was killed by words. Because of this, she will gain fame by Death. So that her shameful end, lives on with fame. He is wishing Hero a good life of fame in the afterlife despite the reason for her death.
Reflection: This book was very interesting and good. I'm glad that Beatrice and Benedick knew they were tricked but still stay together. Hero and Claudio live happily ever after and Leonato and Antonio live through the joy of their daughters. Don John is captured and will be punished by Benedick for his actions. Overall, I liked how the book turned out and became a happy ending. I also like the comedy that was in the book, which includes Benedick, Beatrice, and Dogberry. This book was interesting, funny, and an overall good read.
Discussion Question: What do you think will happen to Don John?

Much Ado About Nothing Act 5.1-5.2 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
September 18, 2012

Act 5.1-5.2

Summary: Leonato and Antonio challenge Claudio to a duel because he thinks that Hero was falsely accused, and Benedick challenges Claudio to a duel on Beatrice's behalf. Borachio and Conrade confess their crimes to Leonato and Don John flees the city. Claudio pleads to Leonato for mercy and Leonato tells him to pray and write a poem to Hero and sing it to her, and they next morning he will have to marry Beatrice to gain Leonato's forgiveness. In Act 5 Scene 2, Benedick iw writing Beatrice a poem and sends Margaret to get her. Beatrice and Benedick talk about Claudio and Hero and Beatrice syas she is sick when Ursula comes in to tell them that Hero is innocent and Don John is responsible. 

Quotation: "If such a one will smile and stroke his bread, bid sorrow wag, cry "hem" when he should groan, patch grief with proverbs, make misfortune drunk with candle-wasters, bring him yet to me, and I of him will gather patience. "

Quotation Significance: Leonato says this while talking to his brother Antonio. He is saying that if there is a happy man who should be grieving and isn't, Leonato wants to learn from him and how to handle his own grief. 

Reflection: So far, this play has been very interesting. Right now, Don John has run away, which is proof to the family that Don John was at fault for ruining the marriage. Beatrice and Benedick are still in love and haven't realized the trick that was played on them. Claudio feels so guilty for hurting and killing Hero he feels like he can't live any longer. But he wants to seek Leonato's forgiveness, even if this means marrying a different woman. It looks like Borachio and Conrade are guilty and have realized what they have done to Claudio and Hero is very wrong. I think that next Hero and Claudio will see wach the next morning and get married.

Discussion Question: Do you think that Benedick and Beatrice will get married?

Much Ado About Nothing Act 4.1-4.2 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
September 17, 2012

Act 4.1-4.2

Summary: Claudio accuses Hero of sleeping in another man's bed right before they get married. She has no proof to prove them wrong, and Claudio decides not to marry her and they leave as Hero faints. Claudio, Don Pedro, and Don John leave, and the Friar tells them he believes she is a virgin and Leonato wants his daughter to die for her sins. They decide to find more proof and suspect Don John, they plan to pretend Hero died to see if Claudio shows remorse that she died and if not, she can go into hiding. Beatrice and Benedick tell each other I love you, but Beatrice is mad because Benedick won't help to kill Claudio for his wrong accusations of Hero. He agrees to help hide and protect Hero though. In Act 4 Scene 2, the trial to find out if Borachio and Conrade are guilty comes, and the men are found guilty and to be taken to Leonato.

Quotation:  "Out on thee, seeming! I will write against it. You seem to me as Dian in her orb, As chaster as is the bud ere it be blown. But you are more intemperate in your blood then Venus, or those pampered animal that rage in savage sensuality."

Quotation Significance: This quote is saying that that Hero seemed worthy to Claudio, as beautifully as blossoms about to bloom. But to him, in reality, she is a pampered animal, allowed to run around and  cause and do terrible things. 

Reflection: So far, it seems that Borachio and Conrade are caught, but not Don John- although Benedick, Leonato, and Beatrice suspect him. Leonato wants to believe his daughter is innocent but he knows he can't discard the words of three or four men. Beatrice is mad at Benedick and ven though she loves him, she is hurt that he won't help her. Benedick is torn because he knows he needs to help Claudio and Beatrice. Who are at this moment, on opposite sides. Hero feels hurt because she is wrongly accused and forced to pretend to be dead and lay in hide from a sin she did not commit. 

Discussion Question: Do you think Don John will be found out as a traitor?

Much Ado About Nothing Act 3.2-3.3 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
September 13, 2012

Act 3.2-3.3

Summary: Don Pedro and Claudio have a discussion and argue whether Benedick is in love or not with Beatrice.  Don John walks in and talks to Claudio telling him that Hero is unfaithful and if he watches her bedroom window at night he will see her unfaithfulness.  In Act 3 Scene 3, Dogberry an Verges leave men on guard duty when Borachio and Conrade walk in, and talk about how Borachio has been paid to be a criminal by Don John and the watchmen listen in. They hear how Margaret pretended to be Hero and was seduced by Borachio. The wathcmen order them to stop and take them to Constable Dogberry.

Quotation: "Benedick's heart is like a bell, with his tongue as the clapper: everything his heart thinks, his tongue thinks."

Quotation Significance: Don Pedro said this about Benedick when him and Claudio argue over whether Benedick is in love. They are saying everything in his heart is what he says out loud. They are basically saying he talks about what he feels and he is very easy to read.

Reflection: The two watchmen caught Borachio and Conrade talking about ruining Hero and Caludio's marriage. This means that this story isn't a tragedy and that Don John's evil plans will not work out and Claudio and Hero will get married. In these two scenes Don Pedro and Claudio decide that Benedick is in love with Beatrice and even though they both have flaws they have been tricked into falling in love with each other even though they both swore they would never marry and fall in love. I think next that somehow Conrade and Borachio won't escape but Don John will go on with his plan alone and Claudio and Hero will not find about Don John's involvement in the plot until right before it is too late.

Discussion Question: What do you think will happen to Conrade and Borachio? Do you think that Don  John will still continue his plan?

Much Ado About Nothing Act 2.3-3.1 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
11 September 2012

Act 2.3-3.1

Summary: In Act 2 Scene 3, Benedick talks to himself and tells himself what kind of women he wants in life and he hides when Don Pedro, Balthasar, and Claudio walk in and talk about how they are going to serenade Hero at her window the next night. Don Pedro and Claudio say that Beatrice is in love with Benedick because they want the hiding Benedick to hear, and how Beatrice is planning to write a letter to Benedick. Benedick falls in love with Beatrice and they plan to have Hero and her servant talk to Beatrice about Benedick. In Act 3 Scene 1, Beatrice overhears Ursula and Hero as they trick her into believing Benedick is in love with her. Beatrice falls in love with Benedick.

Quotation: "She values her wit more highly than anything else, which looks weak by comparison. She’s so in love with herself, she’s incapable of loving anyone else. She can’t even imagine what “love” is."

Quotation Significance: This was said by Hero during their trick in the graden to make Beatrice fall in love with Benedick. They think that she is so in love with herself that she can't love any one else. She can't get past herself to know what love really is.

Reflection: So far, it seems that everyone's trick to make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love is working. They are in love with each other and when they were eavesdropping on Don Pedro and Caludio and Ursula and Beatrice, they realized their own horrible behavior and decide to turn their ways around and the only way to redeem themselves was to be in love with the other person. Benedick realizes that Beatrice has all the virtues of the perfect women, and Beatrices realizes that Benedick is the perfect man. They fall in love with each other to redeem themselves of how they've treated each other and everyone else around them. I hope that they will stay in love, because I think that this way everyone will be happy. 

Discussion Question: Do you think that Benedick and Beatrice will stay in love and figure out what everyone else did to trick them?

Much Ado About Nothing Act 2.1-2.2 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
September 10, 2012

Act 2.1-2.2

Summary: In Act 2 Scene 1, Beatrice tells the family she doesn't want to ever get married and the masquerade ball is set-up and couples dance, the Prince woos Hero and Don John goes up to Claudio (in a mask thinking he is Benedick) and asks him to appeal to appeal to the prince to have Claudio marry Hero. Claudio thinks the Prince is stealing Hero, and Beatrice dances with Benedick not knowing it's him. Claudio and Hero are going to get married and everyone agrees to try to match Benedick and Beatrice together. In Act 2 Scene 2,  Borachio and Don John prepare to destroy Claudio and Hero's marriage. They plan to have Margaret stand at the window at an indecent hour with Borachio pretending to be Hero and Claudio to prove to the prince that Hero is a whore.

Quotation: "If we can do this, then we will steal Cupid’s glory. We will be the supreme love gods! Come inside with me, and I will tell you my plan."

Quotation Significance:  Don Pedro (Prince) says this after Benedick and Beatrice leave. They all believe that they can match Beatrice and Benedick together, even though Beatrice has promised to never marry, and they both fight so much. Because of their differences and clashing personalities, to match them up together sucessfully they would steal Cupid's pride.

Reflection: So far, this play has been very intriguing and exciting. Claudio and Hero are together, but the threat of Don John and Borachio is looming over them. I hope that since this play is not a tragedy that they will figure out what is going on and stop Don John. Benedick and Beatrice seem like an unlikely match, but sometimes when a man and woman fight it means they like each other. I hope that this is the case. They both seem like very nice people who tend to bring out the worst in each other.

Discussion Question: Why do Benedick and Beatrice's personalities clash so much?

Much Ado About Nothing Act 1.1 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
9/5/12

Act 1 Scene 1

Summary: Deonato is having Don Pedro of Aragon and his soldiers stay at his home for a month. One of the soldiers, Claudio, loves Deonato's daughter Hero and Don Pedro plans to put on a mask at the upcoming ball and pretend to be Claudio and tell Hero his feelings. Another soldier, Benedick, and Deonato's niece, Beatrice have a battle of wits and Beatrice talks about how much she hates Benedick.

Quotation: "With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love. Prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s pen and hang me up at the door of a brothel house for the sign of blind Cupid."

Quotation Significance: Benedick says this after finding out Claudio is in love with Hero. Benedick is saying that be sick with anything other than love and you will turn out okay. Love to him is a disease and something to be avoided. Benedick also says that if he ever gets lovesick to hurt him until he comes back to his senses.

Reflection: This chapter was very interesting. It gave me an insight into the character's emotions and feelings. Beatrice is confused and she doesn't know what to think of Benedick, and probably doesn't realize that most likely is in love with him. Hero is calm, collected and much more mature than Beatrice and has a deep wisdom Beatrice does not. She doesn't yet know Claudio's feelings for her. Benedick is afraid to fall in love, he pretends he doesn't like women but this is most likely an act to cover up his true feelings. Don Pedro is ready to help and assist Claudio in his love life. This story has gotten off to a great start, and I believe that Claudio and Hero will get together and hopefully Benedick and Beatrice.

Question: What do you think is the real reason Benedick doesn't show his true feelings?