Reading Post

From the time of this summer to now at the end of my freshmen year, I feel like I am definitely a better reader. I have been able to accelerate my reading, so that I can read books faster and still comprehend what they are saying. This year in class we read Lord of the Flies, ATDPTI, Purple Hibiscus, and Macbeth. Outside of class I read Alex Rider: Skeleton Key.

So far in Purple Hibiscus we have seen how Kambili's and Jaja's lives have changed from before staying with Aunt Ifeoma in Nsukka and after their stay. Before Kambili and Jaja go to visit Aunt Ifeoma their lives are both dull and controlled. From the time Kambili and Jaja were born they had always lived under Papa's rules and known nothing different. Papa was extremely devoted to religion and God and he raised Kambili and Jaja the same way. Papa was very strict and Kambili and Jaja always had a schedule to follow. They were both expected to be the best in school and nothing less. If they ever disappointed Papa or sinned, Papa would beat them.
When they went to Aunt Ifeoma's house in Nsukka for a week, they realized how different life was their compared to life in with Papa in Enugu. Aunt Ifeoma is also a Christian like Papa, but not near as devoted to Christianity as Papa is. They find that Aunt Ifeoma's house is more lenient with religion than their house in Enugu. After staying with Aunt Ifeoma for a week they realized how much more enjoyable life is without all of Papa's rules. While they are there Kambili and Jaja find their own voice and when they get back to Papa they will fight for their own freedom.
In this response for Purple Hibiscus, I analyzed how Kambili and Jaja's lives changed after staying with Aunt Ifeoma.

Our class is currently reading Lord of the Flies. It is a very interesting and strange book. At first I thought the book was not going to be that enjoyable to me, but it has turned out to be an intriguing read. This book has been very surprising to me.
I find it interesting to see how these boys, no older than 12, are reacting and adapting to being stranded on an island, compared to how our class reacted to the given situation. Other things I find interesting are how the leadership role or chief title has been juggled between Ralph and Jack, Ralph and Jack's relationship, and the mystery of the beast. Originally, Ralph was named chief and ever since Jack has tried to strip Ralph of his title. At the start of the book it seemed like Ralph and Jack were friends and throughout the book they have grown farther apart. Ever since the first mention of a beast on the island, the idea was first ignored, and throughout the book it has become more believable and intimidating.
In this response for Lord of the Flies, I talked about how I noticed the change in leadership on the island and the emergence of the idea of the beast.