Thursday, April 7, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Around The World In 80 Days- Good Reads Book Review #6
Around The World In 80 Days
Rate: 5 of 5
The planet Earth, a vast place filled with mysteries and adventure that we all can call home. Have you ever thought about traveling around it? Having an expedition in which you would travel completely around it, eventually landing back were you started? Well, an Englishman known as Phileas Fogg placed a wager on it, and he is about to take a journey of a life time in a novel called Around The World In 80 Days. Written by Jules Verne, it is a classical adventure novel that is a must read for anyone that is human. In fact, you should know that this book was first published in 1873 in the French Language and since then it has been translated and published in hundreds of other languages, such as English. (Which I read) It is now perhaps known around the world, (ha-ha, do you get it?) and it is a 192 page masterpiece! This probably took me about a good week to read (as I don’t have much time), but I bet you could possibly read this within a weekend. Now let me give you a tiny glimpse of what the novel is about.
Phileas Fogg is a very punctual Englishman living the great city of London. He is extremely wealthy, straight forward, and quite eccentric. "I've seen people at Madame Tussaud's as lively as my new master!" (Verne, Jules, pg. 9, 2004) This is how Mr. Fogg’s new servant thought of him as a first impression, and it gives you some insight of what he seems to be like. However, like any regular day, he walked to the Reform club, met with some associates, and in a conversation he places a bet of 20000 pounds, saying that he can travel around the world in 80 days. Of course, back then, this would have been nearly impossible to do, as they didn't have the technology we have today. If he fails to make it back to the club in exactly 80 days, he will lose half of his fortune. Accompanied by his new, but loyal, as well as trustworthy servant, Passepartout, they embark on a magnificent journey which takes them through Asia, and all the way into the United States. While on their journey, they rescue an Indian woman, Ms. Aouda, from a sacrificial ritual. Fogg has given his word to get the woman to safety in Hong Kong to her relatives. However, when they find out that her relative didn't live there anymore, she has no choice but to accompany the two on their journey. Back in London however, there has been a bank robbery, where the thief got away with a total grand amount of 50000 pounds! The police's suspicion arouses on to Mr. Fogg, who they think has made up an excuse to travel around the world in 80 days, in order to get away from the arms of law. Thus, a private detective is sent out to follow Phileas Fogg, gather evidence against him, and wait for an arrest warrant to throw him into jail. This of course delays Fogg's progress. Mr. Fogg who has little time to spare must now get back to the club within the given time, or he will lose half of his fortune, along with the other half which he has spent on his wild journey. With natural phenomena's and the investigator against him, he must use his punctuality to win the bet. Will he get back to the club in time? Find out by getting yourself a copy of this magnificent classic!
In this classical piece of literature, the main theme can be ascertained from the topic of the book Around the World in Eighty Days. Phileas Fogg, a stern and disciplined man claims that it is possible to go around the world in eighty days. He is challenged to accomplish this feat himself. Thus a major theme is the possibility/probability of going around the globe in eighty days, especially during that time, when it was near impossible. Fogg manages to prove that it is possible despite all odds against him. The mood of the book is that of adventure and the excitement that is always a part of “travel”. Phileas Fogg accepts the challenge to go around the world in eighty days and in accomplishing this feat he goes through various lands and meets with diverse adventures. Thus the book proceeds at a fast pace and there is always some excitement resulting from the various encounters. Also, there is a little element of mystery as well in the mood with the suspicion that Fogg might be the gentleman robber, guilty of a major theft at the Bank of England. Passepartout is told by Fix (The Detective) that his master is not what he seems and even though Passepartout tends to trust Fogg, there is a sense of tension that Fogg might just be the culprit. Even the reader wonders whether Fogg could be guilty and becomes curious about Fogg’s reality. In addition, another distinct element in the mood is that of challenge and struggling against odds. Fogg and his companions face seemingly impossible obstacles in order to go around the world at an incredible pace. Fogg leads them with his calmness and rationality. Whether it be while fighting the Sioux or rushing to London from Liverpool in a specially hired train. What the reader gets to read eventually is an exciting and truly adventurous tale. As you can see, a message that the author is trying to communicate would be that nothing is impossible, and that you should do what you believe you can. Like I said before, Fogg was going against all odds, in what is seemingly impossible, but nevertheless he accomplished it.
The character, Phileas Fogg displays a personality of calmness and rationality truly helps to demonstrate the author’s message. It is this personality that lets the story play out the way it did. If I were in his place, I would have panicked throughout the whole trip. In my head, I would think, “I am never going to make, it! This storm is going to make us late. OH NO!” However, Fogg keeps his cool the whole entire time. When there was a storm, he acted as if it wasn’t going to change anything. In the novel, the author of the states “The weather was bad during the latter days of the voyage... Phileas Fogg gazed at the tempestuous sea, which seemed to be struggling especially to delay him, with his habitual tranquility. He never changed countenance for an instant, though a delay of 20 hours, by making him late for the Yakohama boat, would almost inevitably cause the loss of his wager. But this man of nerve manifested neither impatience nor annoyance; it seemed as if the storm were part of his programme, and had been foreseen.” (Verne, Jules, pg. 85, 2004). This quote is an excellent example of how he handled a situation, and you can see his personality very clearly from it. He believed that it was all in the calculations of the trip. All of Phileas Fogg’s actions I admire, as I could never be able to do such a thing, especially if I had a wager on it.
I rate this book a complete 5 out of 5! Jules Verne truly lives up to his reputation of writing sci-fictional novels in this must read classic. His writing can truly captivate you, with vivid details and explanation you can literally draw a picture in your mind of what is happening. This thrilling read will keep you on the edge of your seat right to its exhilarating end, as Fogg pits his wits against the people and circumstances that conspire against his success. Existing today as one of the world’s favorite adventure stores, I would recommend it to people of all ages! Make sure you can understand most of the words however, because those details truly enhance the story. If you ever see it at your library, or book store, or lying around in your home, pick it up and give it a chance. You won’t regret it! I just might need to read more of Jules Verne’s books, and up next I may read A Journey To The Center Of The Earth. Stick Around for future reviews.
Foot Notes: Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in London, as well as around the world. Phileas Fogg is compared to people there, who are made of wax, so it describes his personality as quite calm, still and perhaps dull.
Rate: 5 of 5
The planet Earth, a vast place filled with mysteries and adventure that we all can call home. Have you ever thought about traveling around it? Having an expedition in which you would travel completely around it, eventually landing back were you started? Well, an Englishman known as Phileas Fogg placed a wager on it, and he is about to take a journey of a life time in a novel called Around The World In 80 Days. Written by Jules Verne, it is a classical adventure novel that is a must read for anyone that is human. In fact, you should know that this book was first published in 1873 in the French Language and since then it has been translated and published in hundreds of other languages, such as English. (Which I read) It is now perhaps known around the world, (ha-ha, do you get it?) and it is a 192 page masterpiece! This probably took me about a good week to read (as I don’t have much time), but I bet you could possibly read this within a weekend. Now let me give you a tiny glimpse of what the novel is about.
Phileas Fogg is a very punctual Englishman living the great city of London. He is extremely wealthy, straight forward, and quite eccentric. "I've seen people at Madame Tussaud's as lively as my new master!" (Verne, Jules, pg. 9, 2004) This is how Mr. Fogg’s new servant thought of him as a first impression, and it gives you some insight of what he seems to be like. However, like any regular day, he walked to the Reform club, met with some associates, and in a conversation he places a bet of 20000 pounds, saying that he can travel around the world in 80 days. Of course, back then, this would have been nearly impossible to do, as they didn't have the technology we have today. If he fails to make it back to the club in exactly 80 days, he will lose half of his fortune. Accompanied by his new, but loyal, as well as trustworthy servant, Passepartout, they embark on a magnificent journey which takes them through Asia, and all the way into the United States. While on their journey, they rescue an Indian woman, Ms. Aouda, from a sacrificial ritual. Fogg has given his word to get the woman to safety in Hong Kong to her relatives. However, when they find out that her relative didn't live there anymore, she has no choice but to accompany the two on their journey. Back in London however, there has been a bank robbery, where the thief got away with a total grand amount of 50000 pounds! The police's suspicion arouses on to Mr. Fogg, who they think has made up an excuse to travel around the world in 80 days, in order to get away from the arms of law. Thus, a private detective is sent out to follow Phileas Fogg, gather evidence against him, and wait for an arrest warrant to throw him into jail. This of course delays Fogg's progress. Mr. Fogg who has little time to spare must now get back to the club within the given time, or he will lose half of his fortune, along with the other half which he has spent on his wild journey. With natural phenomena's and the investigator against him, he must use his punctuality to win the bet. Will he get back to the club in time? Find out by getting yourself a copy of this magnificent classic!
In this classical piece of literature, the main theme can be ascertained from the topic of the book Around the World in Eighty Days. Phileas Fogg, a stern and disciplined man claims that it is possible to go around the world in eighty days. He is challenged to accomplish this feat himself. Thus a major theme is the possibility/probability of going around the globe in eighty days, especially during that time, when it was near impossible. Fogg manages to prove that it is possible despite all odds against him. The mood of the book is that of adventure and the excitement that is always a part of “travel”. Phileas Fogg accepts the challenge to go around the world in eighty days and in accomplishing this feat he goes through various lands and meets with diverse adventures. Thus the book proceeds at a fast pace and there is always some excitement resulting from the various encounters. Also, there is a little element of mystery as well in the mood with the suspicion that Fogg might be the gentleman robber, guilty of a major theft at the Bank of England. Passepartout is told by Fix (The Detective) that his master is not what he seems and even though Passepartout tends to trust Fogg, there is a sense of tension that Fogg might just be the culprit. Even the reader wonders whether Fogg could be guilty and becomes curious about Fogg’s reality. In addition, another distinct element in the mood is that of challenge and struggling against odds. Fogg and his companions face seemingly impossible obstacles in order to go around the world at an incredible pace. Fogg leads them with his calmness and rationality. Whether it be while fighting the Sioux or rushing to London from Liverpool in a specially hired train. What the reader gets to read eventually is an exciting and truly adventurous tale. As you can see, a message that the author is trying to communicate would be that nothing is impossible, and that you should do what you believe you can. Like I said before, Fogg was going against all odds, in what is seemingly impossible, but nevertheless he accomplished it.
The character, Phileas Fogg displays a personality of calmness and rationality truly helps to demonstrate the author’s message. It is this personality that lets the story play out the way it did. If I were in his place, I would have panicked throughout the whole trip. In my head, I would think, “I am never going to make, it! This storm is going to make us late. OH NO!” However, Fogg keeps his cool the whole entire time. When there was a storm, he acted as if it wasn’t going to change anything. In the novel, the author of the states “The weather was bad during the latter days of the voyage... Phileas Fogg gazed at the tempestuous sea, which seemed to be struggling especially to delay him, with his habitual tranquility. He never changed countenance for an instant, though a delay of 20 hours, by making him late for the Yakohama boat, would almost inevitably cause the loss of his wager. But this man of nerve manifested neither impatience nor annoyance; it seemed as if the storm were part of his programme, and had been foreseen.” (Verne, Jules, pg. 85, 2004). This quote is an excellent example of how he handled a situation, and you can see his personality very clearly from it. He believed that it was all in the calculations of the trip. All of Phileas Fogg’s actions I admire, as I could never be able to do such a thing, especially if I had a wager on it.
I rate this book a complete 5 out of 5! Jules Verne truly lives up to his reputation of writing sci-fictional novels in this must read classic. His writing can truly captivate you, with vivid details and explanation you can literally draw a picture in your mind of what is happening. This thrilling read will keep you on the edge of your seat right to its exhilarating end, as Fogg pits his wits against the people and circumstances that conspire against his success. Existing today as one of the world’s favorite adventure stores, I would recommend it to people of all ages! Make sure you can understand most of the words however, because those details truly enhance the story. If you ever see it at your library, or book store, or lying around in your home, pick it up and give it a chance. You won’t regret it! I just might need to read more of Jules Verne’s books, and up next I may read A Journey To The Center Of The Earth. Stick Around for future reviews.
Foot Notes: Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in London, as well as around the world. Phileas Fogg is compared to people there, who are made of wax, so it describes his personality as quite calm, still and perhaps dull.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Great Gatsby- Good Reads Book Review #5
The Great Gatsby-By F. Scott Fitzgerald
I rate this book a 5 out of 5
The Great Gatsby, one of those classical American novels that the 20th century is known for. It is perhaps F. Scott Fitzgerald's greatest novel--a book that offers deep and insightful views of the American culture and dream. Like much of Fitzgerald's work, it is neat and well crafted. He seems to have had a brilliant understanding of lives that are corrupted by greed and incredibly sad and unfulfilled. The novel is a product of its generation, and if you haven’t ever heard of it or read it, you should within your lifetime. Told from the perspective of an outsider, Fitzgerald pulls the reader in with amazingly detailed descriptions of a world so few are a part of. For me, the first time reading this book was like wandering through the dark, and it took me a while to see what a true masterpiece this novel is. The Great Gatsby is a literary treasure that has much meaning behind it, but you might just need to dig deeper to find it.
The novel's events are filtered through the consciousness of its narrator, Nick Carraway, a young Yale graduate, who is both a part of and separate from the world he describes. Upon moving to New York, he rents a house next door to the mansion of an eccentric millionaire, Jay Gatsby. Every Saturday, Gatsby throws a party at his mansion and all the great and the good of the young fashionable world come to marvel at his extravagance. Despite his high-living, Gatsby is dissatisfied, desperate for love and to fulfill his own farfetched dream. Everything he ever did in his life was for the sole purpose of his dream, but Gatsby was eventually blinded from reality, seeing only an illusion of the real world. Is that the truth of the American Dream?
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.”“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”
(Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 1, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007)
This quote represents the foundation Nick Carraway’s morals and beliefs. This is the very opening of “The Great Gatsby” sets the tone for a book about society and class. We know immediately that Nick is privileged, and that he is painfully conscious of it. To me it means that if there is something you distaste about someone, you must understand that they were raised differently and may not think the way you do. They may not have had the same chances you were offered in life, or experienced the same things you have. This leads into another of Nick’s quotes; "Reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope." (Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 1, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007) He believes that people have the power to change who they are, and you should not criticize them, in hopes that they can and will change. However the reality of it all is that much people don’t change and they refuse to, so it is a matter of infinite hope that you believe that they will. This highlights one of the key themes of the book.
“Can't repeat the past?…Why of course you can! He cried incredulously” (Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 6, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007)
Gatsby himself makes this remark and this reflects his perception and hope. All his life he has been trying to get back the love of his life, even though in reality it is impossible. He harbors an infinite amount of hope that even Nick is astounded by. He believes that he can in fact do anything, especially with his money, but in actuality it is quite the contrary. Gatsby has an obscure view of the reality, trying to reach for something that is unobtainable. He felt as if he was so close to it, but he was still far, far away. Gatsby had put his trust in unstable things- wealth, social superiority, and his idealism and ambition made him reach too far for things he didn’t have. Gatsby then ended up losing what he did have.
To be completely honest, at first I was a little hesitant picking this book up and reading for class because it just didn’t seem to suit me. It also just seemed to bore me at first, but you know what they say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. That saying was very true indeed and I later realized what a true masterpiece this novel is. In less than 200 pages, Fitzgerald creates a world so rich in detail, extravagance, and inhabited by characters of such a careless nature one has trouble believing they are all part of the same book. It's a small snapshot of human nature one hopes is never a reflection. They are simple creatures who care nothing more than about themselves and what they can get out of anyone and any situation. The novel overall reveals the extravagance and corruption of the 1920’s. His descriptions are fabulous and words are magnificent in choice. He gives life to very small things -- curtains, the air moving a dress in the breeze. In addition, the symbolism is impeccable, representing much more than a reader could possibly imagine. I rate this book a complete 5 out of 5, recommending it to anyone that would like to read one of the America’s most treasured classical novels. Next time you are at the library, or the local book store, pick it up, or at least attempt to read it. I can almost guarantee you won’t regret it! At times you may not be able to piece things together, but once things click together in your mind you can see the true artistry in it. After all, it’s one of most well-known pieces of literature in the world.
The Great Gatsby, one of those classical American novels that the 20th century is known for. It is perhaps F. Scott Fitzgerald's greatest novel--a book that offers deep and insightful views of the American culture and dream. Like much of Fitzgerald's work, it is neat and well crafted. He seems to have had a brilliant understanding of lives that are corrupted by greed and incredibly sad and unfulfilled. The novel is a product of its generation, and if you haven’t ever heard of it or read it, you should within your lifetime. Told from the perspective of an outsider, Fitzgerald pulls the reader in with amazingly detailed descriptions of a world so few are a part of. For me, the first time reading this book was like wandering through the dark, and it took me a while to see what a true masterpiece this novel is. The Great Gatsby is a literary treasure that has much meaning behind it, but you might just need to dig deeper to find it.
The novel's events are filtered through the consciousness of its narrator, Nick Carraway, a young Yale graduate, who is both a part of and separate from the world he describes. Upon moving to New York, he rents a house next door to the mansion of an eccentric millionaire, Jay Gatsby. Every Saturday, Gatsby throws a party at his mansion and all the great and the good of the young fashionable world come to marvel at his extravagance. Despite his high-living, Gatsby is dissatisfied, desperate for love and to fulfill his own farfetched dream. Everything he ever did in his life was for the sole purpose of his dream, but Gatsby was eventually blinded from reality, seeing only an illusion of the real world. Is that the truth of the American Dream?
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.”“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”
(Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 1, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007)
This quote represents the foundation Nick Carraway’s morals and beliefs. This is the very opening of “The Great Gatsby” sets the tone for a book about society and class. We know immediately that Nick is privileged, and that he is painfully conscious of it. To me it means that if there is something you distaste about someone, you must understand that they were raised differently and may not think the way you do. They may not have had the same chances you were offered in life, or experienced the same things you have. This leads into another of Nick’s quotes; "Reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope." (Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 1, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007) He believes that people have the power to change who they are, and you should not criticize them, in hopes that they can and will change. However the reality of it all is that much people don’t change and they refuse to, so it is a matter of infinite hope that you believe that they will. This highlights one of the key themes of the book.
“Can't repeat the past?…Why of course you can! He cried incredulously” (Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 6, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007)
Gatsby himself makes this remark and this reflects his perception and hope. All his life he has been trying to get back the love of his life, even though in reality it is impossible. He harbors an infinite amount of hope that even Nick is astounded by. He believes that he can in fact do anything, especially with his money, but in actuality it is quite the contrary. Gatsby has an obscure view of the reality, trying to reach for something that is unobtainable. He felt as if he was so close to it, but he was still far, far away. Gatsby had put his trust in unstable things- wealth, social superiority, and his idealism and ambition made him reach too far for things he didn’t have. Gatsby then ended up losing what he did have.
To be completely honest, at first I was a little hesitant picking this book up and reading for class because it just didn’t seem to suit me. It also just seemed to bore me at first, but you know what they say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. That saying was very true indeed and I later realized what a true masterpiece this novel is. In less than 200 pages, Fitzgerald creates a world so rich in detail, extravagance, and inhabited by characters of such a careless nature one has trouble believing they are all part of the same book. It's a small snapshot of human nature one hopes is never a reflection. They are simple creatures who care nothing more than about themselves and what they can get out of anyone and any situation. The novel overall reveals the extravagance and corruption of the 1920’s. His descriptions are fabulous and words are magnificent in choice. He gives life to very small things -- curtains, the air moving a dress in the breeze. In addition, the symbolism is impeccable, representing much more than a reader could possibly imagine. I rate this book a complete 5 out of 5, recommending it to anyone that would like to read one of the America’s most treasured classical novels. Next time you are at the library, or the local book store, pick it up, or at least attempt to read it. I can almost guarantee you won’t regret it! At times you may not be able to piece things together, but once things click together in your mind you can see the true artistry in it. After all, it’s one of most well-known pieces of literature in the world.
Project Time With Jacky! New Blog!
I have realized how immensely popular "Project Time With Jacky!" has become, so I have decided to create a new blog for all my project adventures! Check it out! The link is in the side bar >>> under my blog list! The current posts will be repost there!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Project Time With Jacky! Day 2
Today folks, I am just going to read the book "Around the World in 80 Days" by- Jules Verne to further my understanding of the topic. If you like you could read along with me as I read about the adventures of Phileas Fogg! Heres a link to the online text! :) http://www.literature.org/authors/verne-jules/eighty/
Monday, March 14, 2011
Project Time With Jacky!
For this post and future posts, I will be sharing my research about the topic of Traveling. I am currently doing a major project that explores in depth this subject and how it relates for many aspects in our lives!
When you think of traveling what is the the first thing that comes to mind? A vacation trip to the tropics? An adventure through the amazonian jungle? A cruise to the Bahamas? A flight to France? These are all great examples of traveling, but it can be much more simple than that. In the dictionary travel is defined as "To go from one place to another, as on a trip; journey". This place could be from your house to your friends house. When you are traveling now a days, there are multiple ways to do it. You could be fancy and fly a jet plane to your friends house, or drive a car, or ride a bike. If that doesn't float your boat, you can do it old-school and just walk there. Walking would be in the very beginnings of travel, it is the simplest way for us humans to do so. However as time went on we advanced to find easier ways to travel. It is kinda a hassle to walk 50 miles don't you think? Instead of walking on feet that distance, we could perhaps ride a animal to speed and process and make it less of a hassle. Humans started to use animals like horses for traveling purposes, then it advances more into machines and boats. We would use boats and ships to travel over great distances over seas, but you couldn't travel much on land with a boat. With an automobile you could travel all over your continent, but you can't drive on the ocean. Now we can travel through the skies with our airplanes, this certainly would have helped during the age of exploration. During Age of Exploration many countries had the desire to travel this very reason. God, Glory and Gold. People wanted to spread the word of god, conquer news lands to find glory, and also search for the riches of the world, becoming wealthy. Traveling also has to do with some cultures, such as Native Americans. Their tribes were always moving around the country, and these people are known as nomads. It also varies with cultures, like in Egypt and desert areas, they use camels to travel, while in America they would use horses.
This is some of the research I conducted today to gather information for my project.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Taking Down The Christmas Tree
Oddly enough today, my family has decided to finally take down our Christmas tree. It has been up since before Christmas, and now its months past, that we are taking it down. People have come over to my house, only to question why we still have it out. The reason is unknown, but it is going to be put away today. To convey my thoughts about it, I have composed a short rhyming thing about it.
Although many months have past,
My Christmas tree still stands tall and vast.
Not wanting to go back in its box,
it somehow stayed out sly as a fox.
The holiday season has been over for a while,
I hope the tree didn't scratch up my floor tiles.
Now I must go, as there is much to do,
cleaning up the tree is not that easy, unlike 2+2.
I hope you liked it, and I seriously need to start cleaning up. Does your family wait a long time to clean up Christmas stuff or do they do it right away?
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