First Semester Reflection

The Count of Monte Cristo Quizzes

The Count of Monte Cristo Storyboard

Outline:
1) Edmond hugging his father from behind saying, “Father, my dear old Dad!”
2) Edmond running to Mercedes house crying, “Mercedes! Mercedes!”
3) Mercedes turning toward Fernand and saying, “If he is dead I too shall die.” Then exiting her house and running towards Edmond.
4) Edmond and Mercedes embracing, then holding hands and exclaiming, “All the preliminaries will be arranged with my father today, and tomorrow or the day after at the latest we shall give the betrothal feast at La Reserve!” Fernand in the background glaring and scheming.
5) Edmond and Mercedes holding hands at the wedding, looking at each other lovingly. The door gets kicked open in the background.
6) A police commissary followed by four armed soldiers and a corporal enter and drag Edmond away. Mercedes is left on her knees, reaching out and calling to Edmond. “Edmond Dantes, I arrest you in the name of the law,” says the police commissary. Everyone there stands in shock except for Fernand, Danglars, and Caderousse who stand there smirking.
7) Mercedes crying, Fernand caring for her.
8) Edmond father’s grave.
9) Edmond gets on his knees in his cell and pounds the floor. There is a scratching sound nearby.
10) Suddenly, the Abbe appears out of the ground and says, “I give you the treasure of Monte Cristo!”
11) Everything turns black and then shows the inside of the body bag from Dantes perspective. Dantes heart beats.
12) Two soldiers throw the bag off the cliff. There’s thunder and lightning. The bag sinks and Dantes struggles.
13) Dantes swimming towards the surface.
14) Dantes on an island looking around. He goes toward a cave.
15) Dantes finds the treasure. Revenge will be taken.
16) Dantes becomes the Count of Monte Cristo, his appearance changes, and he draws his sword.

The Count of Monte Cristo Character Mind Map

Information Literacy Training

Information Literacy

Information Literacy Umbrella

Definition:
Information literacy is the ability to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information (Presidential)."
The National Forum on Information Literacy lists seven basic information literacy principles:

1. Define 
2. Access 
3. Evaluate 
4. Manage 
5. Integrate 
6. Create 
7. Communicate 

These seven principles set a basic guideline for understanding information literacy, and a person's ability to carry out these principles is helpful in determining whether he/she is information literate.

What Information Literacy Means to Me:
To me, information literacy can be summed up as my ability to locate, check, and properly manipulate the information I find. I would consider it to be an invaluable skill simply because it directly correlates with a person's ability to learn. A great example is when I need to research topics for school papers or assignments. Being information literate helps to ensure that the information I find is authentic, appropriate, adequate, and current. It also helps in ensuring that I communicate the information I gather both lawfully and accordingly. In an age where technology is always becoming more prevalent and abundant information, both factual and fictional, is becoming easier to share and access, being information literate is even more important. Whether it's researching for school, looking up recipes, checking the news or weather, or even shopping at the grocery store, being information literate is key in finding, evaluating, and using the presented information.

Works Cited
IL Umbrella. Digital image. National Forum on Information Literacy. National Forum on Information Literacy, Inc., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2012. <http://infolit.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IL-Umbrella.jpg>.

"Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education." American Library Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2012. <http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency>.

"Information Literacy Skills." National Forum on Information Literacy RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2012. <http://infolit.org/>.

"Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report." American Library Association. American Library Association, 1989. Web. 05 Dec. 2012. <http://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/whitepapers/presidential>.

Faith

I really enjoyed the role that faith played in the relationship between Morrel and Valentine. Morrel had to place a lot of faith in Noitier in chapter 47. He could have easily decided to take matters into his own hands and elope with Valentine, but he decided to trust Noirtier and his promise to stop the marriage instead. Morrel risked everything, even his own life, through trusting in Noirtier. He stepped back, abandoned all of his ideas as to how to solve the problem, and allowed Noirtier to have full control of the situation. I think that it’s especially ironic that Morrel could place that amount of faith in the mute and paralytic Noirtier while I have trouble placing faith in my capable friends and even God. I believe that this kind of faith is one that today’s society is unwilling to have. It’s much easier to rely on your own strength and abilities than to place that all encompassing trust and confidence in another person. I find myself constantly doubting my classmates’ promises to complete assignments, my friends’ ability to keep secrets, and even the promises made by many of the politicians who were recently elected. Worst of all, I often doubt and forget about the God whom I know to be completely faithful, sovereign, holy, and good. This being said, I truly envy Morrel’s ability to give full control to Noirtier. I believe that it is still important to exercise discretion when dealing with imperfect man and human nature. However, if all Christians could apply that same faith in their relationship with God, I think that life would become so much easier and worry-free. Psalm 62:5 states this fact well. It says, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Exercising this type of faith, especially in my relationship with God, is something that Morrel has reminded me to work on. I believe that a mutual faith can help to create one of the strongest foundations that a relationship can have. Imperfect man will always fall short and fail, but it is comforting to know that we have a perfect God whose faithfulness is never-ending.

The Good Earth Trailer

 A book trailer project for the Honors Literature Class at Hanalani Schools, based on the award-winning novel by Pearl S. Buck. Please watch in 720p for the best quality. 

Actors, in order of appearance:
 Christopher T. as Wang Lung
 Mr. Arellano as the first son
 Paul A. as the second son
 Hannah J. as the Great Lady
 Laurie C. as O-lan
 Kacie H. as Lotus

 Citation: Buck, Pearl S. The Good Earth. New York, NY: Pocket, 2005. Print.

Edmond Dantès

Edmond Dantès Wordle

Modeling Dumas

The sun rose red and resplendent, its first rays tinting the fleecy clouds with many delicate and brilliant hues. (Pg.19)
I really love the picture that Dumas nearly 'paints' in my mind here. He uses unique vocabulary that truly depicts a magnificent scene in my head.
1) The crystal surface of the azure lake stood motionless, its face only reflecting the graceful flight of geese overhead.
2) The insignificant forest stood grounded as it marveled in the opaque glimmer of the innumerable realms above it.  
3) The storm swelled and stirred ominously, its relentless roars causing even the greatest mountains to quiver.

Good fortune is like the palaces of the enchanted isles, the gates of which were guarded by dragons. (Pg.21)
I really liked the unique description Dumas uses to summarize Dantès' good fortune here. He has a beautiful way with words that I can only hope to come close to imitating.
1) Love is like beautiful fields of blooming hemlock, the poison of which will strangle all those who treat it flippantly.
2) Joy is like a captivating congregation of butterflies; so beautiful, yet never found for it is sought out in the wrong places.
3) Peace is like a rainbow. Albeit right in front of you, it's always being hopelessly chased after.

The Good Earth Storyboard

The Good Earth Book Review

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck is a historical fiction novel that portrays life in early twentieth-century China. Although this book contains many characters, only a handful of their names are revealed.The main character in The Good Earth is a poor and humble farmer named Wang Lung. He lives on his small farm with his elderly father who is only referred to as Wang Lung's father throughout the entire novel. One of the most captivating and likable characters in the book is the hardworking and former slave O-lan who is sold to Wang Lung from the extravagant House of Hwang to become his wife. Throughout the book, many other characters such as Wang Lung's devious uncle, Wang Lung's six children, the kind and reliable neighbor Ching, the occupants of the House of Hwang, the prostitute named Lotus, and the young slave Pear Blossom are introduced and entwined in this powerful story as the reader watches Wang Lung's character evolve as he gains more land, wealth, and makes a name for himself.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book, considerably more than I was expecting to, and I would give this book a rating of four stars. I would give this book a four star rating for a couple various reasons. First, I thought that Buck's book was very emotionally provoking. I found myself getting angry at certain characters, and I also cried and sympathized with others. Buck does an amazing job of bringing the reader into the story and creating an emotional connection with the characters. Second, I thought that Buck did an excellent job in capturing the time period, people, and culture. As I read through the book, Buck's skillful writing and subtle details about the Chinese culture and social classes really captivated me. I felt that the characters were all very human, and that also allowed me to relate and even apply some of the lessons I have learned through following Wang Lung's story. Throughout the book, one can clearly see the extent of human depravity and true human nature. This being said, I also disliked certain parts and events that took place in the book, and I probably would have stopped reading part way had it not been required. However, I am glad that I finished reading the book, and I believe that it did have a positive impact on my life. This isn't a book that I would recommend to anyone, but I believe that it can be very influential to those who are willing to go into it with an open mindset of learning and acceptance. I have no plans on reading the sequels, but I am glad that this book has found its way into my life.

Screwtape Analysis (Revision)

The Inadequacy of Humans 

In his book, The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis uses a unique perspective in order to show readers just how weak and limited humans are. First, Lewis uses a unique demonic perspective in order to reveal how demons can use fleshly habits in an effort to tempt humans. In chapter one, Screwtape says that he desires for people to be, “attending to universal issues and withdrawing attention from the steam of immediate sense experiences” (Lewis 2). Here, Screwtape tells Wormwood how to use something as small and simple as an everyday distraction to keep his patient from more important things like God. In chapter three, Screwtape shares about “daily pinpricks” or daily annoyances and how they can be used to build an aggravating tension that demons can in turn use to cause man to fall to different temptations (11). Screwtape also explains how pleasures such as sex and alcohol can be used as a temptation in chapter nine. He tells of “being in love” and “pressing drinks as an anodyne when he is dull and weary” and how these can easily develop into something more and lead to easy temptations (44). Second, Lewis uses a unique demonic perspective in order to reveal how demons can use originally moral conduct and twist it into something unmoral. In chapter two, Screwtape shows Wormwood how he can twist the act of going to church. Screwtape teaches Wormwood that he can get his patient to be extra critical about the church and those who attend church with him. Through his patient being critical, Wormwood can easily cause him to be distracted from the true purpose and intent of church. In chapter four, Screwtape addresses prayer and tells Wormwood of how “…whatever their bodies do affects their souls” and how Wormword can apply this even to his patient’s prayer to keep him from wholesome prayers (16). In chapter six, Screwtape informs Wormwood on how he can cause his patient to sin through him using up any benevolence he may have in areas that are unseen by those around him; therefore leaving any malice within him to be more likely exerted upon those he knows. Finally, Lewis uses a unique demonic perspective in order to reveal how demons can use human emotion in an effort to tempt humans. In chapter five, Screwtape tells Wormwood how he can use fear as a means of tempting his patient. When a person is fearful of the effects of war or death, if properly used, demons can use this fear to cause various sins in their patients’ lives. In chapters eight and nine, Screwtape tells Wormwood of how he can use the various uses of the constant ups and downs of his patient’s life to his advantage. Through learning how to best tempt his patient during both the peaks and troughs, and causing his patient to either forget about God or deny Him, Wormwood learns he can effectively control his patient at any given time. In chapter eighteen, Screwtape shows Wormwood how to use the emotion of love to cause both lust and things such as polygamy or unfaithfulness. Throughout the book, Lewis effectively shows readers the different techniques and areas that Satan uses on a daily basis to tempt humans. By writing from a demonic perspective, Lewis allows his readers an especially unique view into the mind of Satan and the spiritual realm.

Works Cited

Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters. New York: Harper Collins, 2001. Print.

Screwtape Analysis

In his book, The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis uses a unique perspective, through the use of epistolary form, to grant readers a distinct view into the minds of demons. First, Lewis uses a unique demonic perspective in order to reveal how demons can use fleshly habits in an effort to tempt humans. In chapter one, Screwtape says that he desires for people to be, “attending to universal issues and withdrawing attention from the steam of immediate sense experiences” (Lewis 2). Here, Screwtape tells Wormwood how to use something as small and simple as an everyday distraction to keep his patient from more important things like God. In chapter three, Screwtape shares about “daily pinpricks” or daily annoyances and how they can be used to build an aggravating tension that demons can in turn use to cause man to fall to different temptations (11). Screwtape also explains how pleasures such as sex and alcohol can be used as a temptation in chapter nine. He tells of “being in love” and “pressing drinks as an anodyne when he is dull and weary” and how these can easily develop into something more and lead to easy temptations (44). Second, Lewis uses a unique demonic perspective in order to reveal how demons can use originally moral conduct and twist it into something unmoral. In chapter two, Screwtape shows Wormwood how he can twist the act of going to church. Screwtape teaches Wormwood that he can get his patient to be extra critical about the church and those who attend church with him. Through his patient being critical, Wormwood can easily cause him to be distracted from the true purpose and intent of church. In chapter four, Screwtape addresses prayer and tells Wormwood of how “…whatever their bodies do affects their souls” and how Wormword can apply this even to his patient’s prayer to keep him from wholesome prayers (16). In chapter six, Screwtape informs Wormwood on how he can cause his patient to sin through him using up any benevolence he may have in areas that are unseen by those around him; therefore leaving any malice within him to be more likely exerted upon those he knows. Finally, Lewis uses a unique demonic perspective in order to reveal how demons can use human emotion in an effort to tempt humans. In chapter five, Screwtape tells Wormwood how he can use fear as a means of tempting his patient. When a person is fearful of the effects of war or death, if properly used, demons can use this fear to cause various sins in their patients’ lives. In chapters eight and nine, Screwtape tells Wormwood of how he can use the various uses of the constant ups and downs of his patient’s life to his advantage. Through learning how to best tempt his patient during both the peaks and troughs, and causing his patient to either forget about God or deny Him, Wormwood learns he can effectively control his patient at any given time. In chapter eighteen, Screwtape shows Wormwood how to use the emotion of love to cause both lust and things such as polygamy or unfaithfulness. Throughout the book, Lewis effectively shows readers the different techniques and areas that Satan uses on a daily basis to tempt us. By writing from a demonic perspective, Lewis allows his readers an especially unique view into the mind of Satan and the spiritual realm.

Works Cited
Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters. New York: Harper Collins, 2001. Print.

Screwtape Conclusion

Screwtape 26-28

Chapter 26
If each side had been frankly contending for its own real wish, they would all have kept within the bounds of reason and courtesy; but just because the contention is reversed and each side is fighting the other side’s battle, all the bitterness which really flows from thwarted self-righteousness and obstinacy and the accumulated grudges of the last ten years is concealed from them by the nominal or official ‘Unselfishness’ of what they are doing or, at least, held to be excused by it.


Chapter 27
Don’t forget to use the ‘heads I win, tails you lose’ argument. If the thing he prays for doesn’t happen, then that is one more proof that petitionary prayers don’t work; if it does happen, he will, of course, be able to see some of the physical causes which led up to it, and ‘therefore it would have happened anyway’, and thus a granted prayer becomes just as good a proof as a denied one that prayers are ineffective.


Chapter 28
The truth is that the Enemy, having oddly destined these mere animals to life in His own eternal world, has guarded them pretty effectively from the danger of feeling at home anywhere else. That is why we must often wish long life to our patients; seventy years is not a day too much for the difficult task of unraveling their souls from Heaven and building up a firm attachment to the earth.
 

Screwtape 22-25

Chapter 22
The whole place wreaks of that deadly odour. The very gardener, though he has only been there five years, is beginning to acquire it. Even guests, after a weekend visit, carry some of the smell away with them. The dog and the cat are tainted with it.

Chapter 23
For a long time it will be impossible to remove spirituality from his life. Very well then; we must corrupt it.

Chapter 24
He must be made to feel (he’d better not put it into words) ‘how different we Christians are’; and by ‘we Christians’ he must really, but unknowingly, mean ‘my set’; and by ‘my set’ he must mean not ‘The people who, in their charity and humility, have accepted me’, but ‘The people with whom I associate by right’.

Chapter 25
The horror of the Same Old Thing is one of the most valuable passions we have produced in the human heart---an endless source of heresies in religion, folly in counsel, infidelity in marriage, and inconstancy in friendship

Chapters XVI-XVIII Questions

Chapter XVI
Church brings “...people of different classes and psychology together in the kind of unity the Enemy desires” (81)
I think that this statement is very true. Church is a place of gathering, and it can bring all types of different people together under one roof as brothers and sisters in Christ. Every person is created differently, and God has granted different people with unique abilities that makes everyone distinct. He desires to use everyone to their fullest extent and utilize their unique abilities. I find it so amazing how special every person in church is and how God creating each person with a different purpose in mind.

Chapter XVII
“...she never recognises as gluttony her determination to get what she wants, however troublesome it may be to others” (88)
I used to be very similar to this lady when I was younger. I used to be guilty of leaving “certain” foods on my plate and pass the excuse that I wasn’t hungry or it should go to someone else who was hungrier or liked the food more. It was indeed just me being selfish and being a picky eater. Unfortunately, I can now see how much of a nuisance I was to my grandma who always used to work hard to serve me only the foods I finished eating and seemed to enjoy.

“...all I want...” (Lewis, 88).  What are your reactions to this sin?
This sin of an inward focus really hits me hard this year as a society leader as I am trying to learn to become more servant-like. I find it so easy for me to always focus on what I want or on what would be best for me, and it’s a sin that I can overlook much of the time. It’s a sin that I really want to eliminate from my life this year, and I hope that I can eventually reach the point where I am subconsciously putting God and others before me.

Chapter XVIII
Why would God want “complete abstinence or unmitigated monogamy” for us?
I believe that God wants this for us in order to not only protect us, but also in order to prepare us for our future spouse. The act of sex forms a new and irreversible bond between two people and joins them together. God wants for us to abstain and practice monogamy in order for us to be able to enjoy a wholesome and loving relationship with the partner that he has provided for us. It is a show of devotion, especially to a future spouse, and I know that is what I would desire of my future husband and what I want to provide him with.

Define “being in love.”
Being in love is to be in a faithful, lasting, and trusting relationship with a person. It is much more than just a simple feeling or desire, and I think that it can entail much more than just one’s relationship with a spouse or potential partner. Being in love is much more than a just a bond, and I think that it also requires a person to first have and continue to have a love of God, authorities, peers, and others.

Chapters XII-XV Questions

Chapter XII
What is the “safest road to Hell” (61)? Do you agree or disagree?
Screwtape says the gradual road to hell is the safest one. I agree with Screwtape. I find it very easy in my life to simply fall into a life that’s very uniform and tiresome, and just that kind of lifestyle can put me on a path that is going away from God. Small sins that occur frequently in my life are enough to keep me on that path for long periods of time. I believe that if I were to commit a “big” sin, it may even prove to help me go back to God.

What is the role of “nothing” (60) and “small sins” (60)?
What does that mean for you? I believe that keeping Christians on a path of becoming numbed to the gospel and the Holy Spirit is the role of “nothing” and “small sins”. Much of the time, I can find just being tired and wanting to lie in bed or sit in a chair watching TV can be a distraction from time that I should be devoting to God. This is exactly what the devil wants to use to keep Christians from growing closer to God and developing a relationship with Him.
I think that “nothing” is something that I can see during a lot of my life. When I think back on the years of my life, I can now see the many times in my life where I wasted away and did meaningless things. I know that working on spending my time wisely and constantly looking towards God is something that I need to improve upon and continue improving upon for the rest of my life.
I believe that, in God’s eyes, sin is sin no matter how big or small it may seem in our world. Even though certain sins like murder can have serious consequences in our world, God still views it just like any other sin. Just because a person commits one big sin, it doesn't mean that another person would have to commit many smaller sins to reach the same level as the person who committed the bigger sin. Sometimes I think that I’m better than someone else because I don’t lie as much or curse out loud, but, in reality, I’m the same sinner in God’s eyes.

Chapter XIII
What does the following section mean to you? “Remember always, that He really likes the little vermin, and sets an absurd value on the distinctness of every one of them. When He talks of their losing their selves, He only means abandoning the clamour of self-will; once they have done that, He really gives them back all their personality, and boasts (I am afraid, sincerely) that when they are wholly His they will be more themselves than ever. Hence, while He is delighted to see them sacrificing even their innocent wills to His, He hates to see them drifting away from their own nature for any other reason.” This section means a lot to me. Through reading this section, I can really see how much God cares for me as an individual. Even though He wants my entire being and devotion, that doesn’t mean that, once I decide to give myself to Him, He’ll turn me into some robotic Christian that chants the Bible all day. When I give myself to Him, He wants to use me as an individual. He wants to use the special gifts and talents that He’s given me to perform certain tasks that He has given to me as an individual.

What is one simple thing that you truly enjoy? “The man who truly and disinterestedly enjoys any one thing in the world, for its own sake, and without caring twopence what other people say about it, is by that very fact fore-armed against some of our subtlest modes of attack.”
I love the ocean. I think that the ocean in one of the beauties that God has blessed me with. Whenever I think of or am able to look at the ocean, I truly think of how amazing it is. It connects the entire world together. I always think of the people on the other side who might be enjoying a nice summer day at the beach or even trying to survive. It makes me so grateful for the life that I have been given and the many comforts that God has allowed me to have. It is also just something that is just extremely beautiful to look at. Especially on a nice day with clear blue skies, I love simply relishing in the movements of the waves and the beautiful sounds of them crashing on the sand.

Chapter XIV
“...the most repellent and inexplicable trait in our Enemy; He really loves the hairless bipeds He has created....” (72). How does this make you feel?
This quote really makes me feel humbled to be loved and cared for so dearly by such a superior and magnificent God. I often find myself forgetting the very God who created me and the rest of the universe as I move about my daily life, but I know that He is always there and always loving me even if I don’t always have Him in mind.

Chapter XV
What does it mean to have “...nearly all vices are rooted in the future” (76)?
The quote, “nearly all vices are rooted in the future”, is referring to the fact that most sin comes from dwelling on future. For so many people, including myself, it’s easy to place all your hopes, dreams, and happiness on what’s to come. I find it so easy to focus on trying to place all my efforts into my future happiness that I often forget how happy and thankful I should be in the present. Our future is never guaranteed and I often find myself forgetting that fact. I can become so wound up in the future that I end up forgetting God and His will in my life and just immersing myself in that sort of sinful lifestyle.

Chapters IX-XI Questions

Chapter IX
Why do our “trough periods” make us so vulnerable (43)? Is this applicable to you?
I believe that “trough periods” make us so vulnerable because, being at such a low and depressing time, we crave pleasure and want a break from all of the stress and sadness. Yes, I think that this quote is very applicable to me. When something bad happens or I become overly stressed, I can easily fall to the point of just wanting to give up and indulging in something pleasurable. A simple example in my life is when I find myself rushing to finish a big project. Sometimes, it can become so late, and I can become so tired; but, I know that I personally have to focus and get things done before I can finally sprawl out on my bed.

What beautiful truth about pleasure does Screwtape share? Make a list of pleasures.
Screwtape shares that God made pleasure.
My Pleasures:
• Relaxing in a warm bath at night
• Sleeping in my comfy bed
• Walking with my dogs
• Hanging out with friends
• Drawing/Art

Chapter X
What are your thoughts regarding “parallel lives” (51)? What does this mean to you?
I believe that parallel lives are something that can almost be subconscious at times. It’s a bit scary to think about, but I think that I do act differently and can put different fronts as I interact with different people. I think that, for me personally, I act very differently when I’m with my parents than when I’m in a classroom. I can find myself back talking to my parents when they ask me to do some chores at home, but I can find myself voluntarily doing the same chores at school. I think that parallel lives can be a serious issue, especially when it comes to faith. If I were to be a picturesque Christian in a school or church setting, but not be the same at home, I think that would be a big signal to evaluate my life and what I really believe.

Chapter XI
What are your thoughts on music and joy after reading this chapter?
After reading the chapter, I feel as if music and joy can indeed cause a reaction that the devil should be weary of; but, at the same time, I also believe that certain forms of music and joy can be very harmful to Christians. I agree with Screwtape and believe that music is somewhat of a sensual experience; however, I think that certain forms of music can hurt a Christian’s walk. Lyrics, in my opinion, can be especially harmful. Some songs can be very appealing to the ear but have lyrics that are very corrupt when looked at alone. I truly believe that what you put into your eyes and ears will eventually be reflected in the way you act and the things you say; therefore, if you constantly listen to music with immoral lyrics, I believe that you will be appealing to the devil and what he wants. As for joy, I also believe that certain forms of joy can hurt a Christian’s walk. Sometimes I can be joyful for the wrong reasons. If something bad happens to a person that I dislike, I can find myself being joyful as a result. In that sense, I think that both music and joy can actually be appealing to the devil.

Chapters V-VIII Questions

Chapter V 
What is Screwtape’s idea on the best way for humans to die? Why?
 Screwtape mentions that it would be so much better if all humans died in nursing homes among lying doctors, nurses, and friends who promise life. In Screwtape’s mind, it would be best if everyone died when they least expected it. When a person thinks about death, one of the most important questions he thinks about is where he is going to go after he dies. If a person were to die whilst still believing that he had a long life ahead of him, he would probably never have had a reason for thinking about his destination after death.

Chapter VI 
How does “...malice thus becomes wholly real and the benevolence largely imaginary” (28)? How does this apply to your life?
Screwtape wants the malice inside of us to be shown to the people we have direct contact with; however, he wants any benevolence within us to be used in a way that can’t be seen by the people around us. One example is when I pray for and participate in events to support disasters such as the earthquake in Japan. I can seemingly be actively participating and sending out my heartfelt prayers and messages to all of those people I do not even know; however, the same night, I may backtalk to my parents or complain about dinner. Screwtape wants me to use any good will I have on people that I do not personally know, and then reveal the malice inside of me to those I do know in real life.

Chapter VII 
How do you picture the devil? What does this chapter challenge you about regarding the spiritual warfare over your soul?
When I truly think about the devil, I picture a fallen angel. He is still beautiful as an angel, but he is tainted with sin; however, unconsciously, I know that I can think of him as a yet untainted angel. If I truly thought of him as a sinful creature all of the time, I would not be able to fall into his temptations as easily. I would realize how sinful he really is, and how I need to always be on my guard. This chapter challenges me to always remember Satan and his goal to cause me to fall into sin. I truly need to always think on whether an action is sinful or not. There are certain sins such as complaining that can already be subconscious that I also need to remember. Satan is a master tempter and I can get often caught off guard.

Chapter VIII 
What is the “law of Undulation” (37)? Give an example of this in your life.
The law of Undulation says that human life will constantly be changing and going through periods of ups and downs. It says that human life will never be just one continuous peak of good or bad times. An example in my life would be when I am having a great day at school, only to realize that I forgot a piece of homework at home. Something small like that can make me forget the wonderful day I was having and put me into a bad mood for the rest of the day.

“Our cause is never more in danger, than when a human, no longer desiring, but intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys” (40). What are your thoughts on this?
I believe that this quote is very accurate. Once a Christian reaches the point where he or she wants to fully trust and obey God in the hardest of times or the lowest of peaks, he or she has reached a point in his faith where it would be very difficult for Satan to cause him or her to fall into temptation. I believe that once a Christian reaches the point where he strives to fully follow God during the hardest of times, he should be able to easily follow Him during the high peaks as well. Satan realizes this, and he strives to entangle new and growing Christians before they can reach this point; however, I think that reaching this point in a Christian walk is extremely challenging. Especially in today's society, it can be easy to forget God's presence during the high peaks in our lives-- only to remember Him once he places us through a trial. Even during trials, it is easy to complain and wonder why these things are happening to me. Overall, I believe that this quote displays a point that all Christians should be striving to reach in their walk with God; although, reaching that point is definitely not an easy feat.

Chapters I-IV Questions

Chapter I 
Give an example or two about situations in which you are "...attending to universal issues and withdrawing...attention from the stream of immediate sense experiences" (2).
One recent example that I can think of is when I decided to clean my room before school started. I was doing very well and making good progress until I reached the last third of my room where my computer is located. I noticed that I had received a message from a friend and decided to respond. Unfortunately, I quickly found myself engrossed with my computer and spending nearly an hour on trivial things such as Youtube videos. Two-thirds of my room had been cleaned efficiently, but the last third had to wait until the following morning to be cleaned.

What does Lewis mean by “real life” throughout the chapter?
“Real life” in this chapter is talking about the tangible features and events that we experience each day. It is the immediate world around us that does not involve voluntary, deep, or spiritual thoughts. Real life is what we can see, hear, smell, touch, and taste. It is what the devil can use in any situation to distract us and keep us from more important thoughts or actions. It can be as simple as the sound of a phone vibrating while reading a daily devotion.

Chapter II 
What do you think about the following quote? "The Enemy allows this disappointment to occur on the threshold of every human endeavour" (7).
I think that this quote is very true, and that God does allow trials to be placed into our lives. I believe that God places these disappointments in our lives in the hopes of giving us instructions and ultimately bringing us closer to Him; however, when we forget that God is always good and knows our own individual limits and capabilities, it can also be a risky time and provide the devil with a perfect opportunity to attack our hearts and lead us astray. I believe that Screwtape understands this detail very well and knows that it will become harder to tempt a person once he or she has overcome these trials.

Chapter III 
What are your "daily pinpricks" (11)?
 For myself, spiral paper eats at something deep inside me. My biggest daily pinprick is when I see people outside of the supermarket bringing a cart full of groceries to their vehicle and then carelessly leaving the emptied cart in the middle of the sidewalk or on the grass somewhere in the middle of the parking lot. I wonder why they can’t take one extra minute of their time to return the cart to a dedicated spot. Much of the time, these designated spots are less than ten seconds away. The laziness and lack of thought that some people have, especially on windy days, is something that has always bothered me. Another daily pinprick is when I go walking with my dog and see or smell another dog’s droppings left in the grass off to the side of the sidewalk. If I have to be a responsible dog owner and pick up my dog’s droppings during walks, I believe that other people should have to do the same. I find it both disgusting and irresponsible.

Give an example or two of situations in which you have neglected the obvious (12).
One situation in which I neglected the obvious is when I forgot to move my wallet from my school bag to my purse. I had just gotten home from school one day and needed to go to the supermarket with my mom to buy some school supplies. I put down my bag and grabbed my purse, but I had completely forgotten that I put my wallet in my school bag in case I needed to buy something at school.

Chapter IV 
What does Lewis suggest when he says “...whatever their bodies do affects their souls” (16)?
I believe that Lewis is suggesting that, even though God doesn’t require some type of robotic position or ritual when we pray, we can take the fact that we can pray at any time, place, or in any position for granted. One problem that I faced for many years was praying as I lay on my bed and falling asleep in the middle of what I believed to be a heartfelt prayer. Thinking back, I do not believe that those prayers were indeed focused and heartfelt like God desires. Even now, I need to take care that I do not put myself in situations that would interfere with my prayers. It is still possible to pray at any time, place, or in any position; however, those variables can still drastically affect one’s prayer.

What are your thoughts on prayer? Compare your prayer life to this chapter.
I believe that prayer plays a vital part of any Christian’s life and that it is a means of communication that God has provided us with to talk directly with Him. Just like God can speak to us through the Bible, we can use prayer to talk with God. I think that prayer is a key part of a sort of invisible “lifeline” connecting us with God. As I read through this chapter, I realized that I am guilty of some of the things Screwtape mentions. At times, I can pray in the hopes of producing a “feeling” that I have been forgiven or a “feeling” that I can indeed pass a test that I have not properly prepared for. I am also guilty of praying to God whilst creating some sort of image or representation I created with my own mind. Instead of praying to the true God that IS, I end up focusing too much on simply what I think He is.

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Some Thoughts on the Second Day

1. I believe that writing is one of the many tools that a person can use to express himself. I used to be very active in writing various fictional stories when I was in junior high school. I used to write because it was enjoyable. I enjoyed being able to create my own unique characters and stories. At the time, I would also find myself creating drawings to go along with my stories. Once I hit high school, however, I leaned more towards expressing myself through visual arts such as sketching and painting. I do still feel the urge to type small journal-like entries on my iPod every so often nowadays, though.

2. I believe that reading is a great way of gaining insight into nearly any place, time, or emotion. I think that it provides access to an inconceivable amount of knowledge, and that it can greatly affect one’s learning. The last book I have read would be a book on Japanese Art. I spent a good amount of my summer reading about different aspects of Japanese culture in the hopes of doing well for the Japan Wizards team this year. 

As a child, I didn’t take many trips to the library on my own time; however, I was required to go the school’s library every so often. Whenever I went to the library as a child, I would always go to either the animal or mystery sections.

My favorite novel would have to be The Call of the Wild by Jack London. I can still clearly remember the first time I picked up the book at the library of the school my dad worked at. I used to have to pick a book from the library and read it while my dad worked on things. After reading, I also clearly remember having to write small book reports on whatever I had just finished reading. 

3. I believe that technology is an amazing and advanced tool that can be used for innumerable amounts of different purposes, both good and bad. I tend to lean more towards PCs and Windows due to their enhanced ability to be customized; however, my family owns both Macs and PCs. I am an avid gamer, and I tend to spend a good amount of my free time playing a wide range of different online games. I am not active in social networking sites right now, because I currently do not have an interest or see a need for them. Another reason I am not active in social networking sites would definitely have to be the security issues. Even though technology can be an amazing tool, I hear all too often how dangerous it can be on the news or even from my friends.

4. I am most definitely a kinesthetic learner. I have always had a love of puzzles, and I used to always play with things such as Legos as a kid. I love to put things together, and I am also the go-to person when it comes to repairing various things around the house. I tend to enjoy and perform better on projects and book reports where I can take my time and work on things at my own pace. I really dislike tests and quizzes. Though they provide a person with a glimpse of where they are at, I personally find them very stressful. 

5. I want to take this class for a couple of reasons. First, I really like the idea of an online class. It's definitely has a different feel to it because you don't physically have to go to a classroom, and you can access all of the class information and work from pretty much anywhere. Second, I wanted to take a more challenging English course this year and develop a renewed respect for reading. The classic books that this class goes through definitely interested me too. Overall, I believe that this class will prove to be very beneficial to me and help me work on my technological, organizational, and time management  skills.