Top 5 Presntation

Truth in Memoir

                I don’t think it matters what type of book it is; non-fiction or fiction, to a certain point, at least. There are both books, but some non-fiction books can put you too sleep because it actually is a true story. While fiction books can do the same you just expect it to be intriguing and interesting, since it was made up. While non-fiction books are a true story they should be a true story, not a 51% chance of true, but at least 90%. I mean you can change the character’s name, the setting, but the plot itself, should be mainly true.

 Originally I said it didn’t really matter what you label a book as, but the two main categories are non-fiction and fiction and then it goes into science fiction and fantasy. So I agree that non-fiction should actually be partially true because if it isn’t then it can easily slide into fiction and then we lose non-fiction as a whole, who would want that. That’s where we supposedly get are facts and biography’s.

However, Frey or Mortenson bent the truth to the max. First of Frey didn’t even do the things like run over a cop, be sent to a facility for problems, have tooth decay without medicine. I mean he stretched the truth all the way around the world, twice. His paper trail was found and they discovered that it was a lie. Mortenson as well took it to a new level and they found out that the picture was actually a picture with his protectors, not captivators. Shields is right, kind of. We do need lines between the genres because still they are both books, they are just different.  There needs to be a certain point when the truth is stretched far enough that it could be considered fiction though.

Exploring what a book is.

A book is a tangible item that is filled with pages that you can read. Nowadays books are replaced with Kindle and iPads, which ruins the effect of books itself. It’s not a book if it is read via technology. A book is something that lets the reader explore the characters and their journey chapter by chapter. Specifically a book possesses quality that can't be replaced, as you flip simultaneously through the book it’s like you’re starting out at sea for a sail. At first it's a little rocky, like coming up with a title, idea, and characters for the author or while reading you are a character yourself, being introduced to the world the book explores. Once you sail deep into the ocean you are becoming more comfortable and more aware of what is going to happen and how to steer your "book". Oceans are filled with dark secrets that man-kind hasn't been able to have the opportunity to explore yet. Writers explore the unknown by creating a masterpiece, but like all masterpieces they don’t come out of the blue. It takes natural creativity and imagination. They can also explore the unknown by breaking the regular "book rules": no one word sentences, even though they add effect to how the character or narrator feels. No one-lined paragraph. No more than one person speaking per paragraph because it might be confusing. No made up words. No irregular sentence structure. No conjunctions starting off the sentence such as: but, and, and. But for a while authors have been diving into the deep sea hoping to come back up for air, if the readers and critics enjoy it. A book is more than just a tangible item. It’s a story. An exploration at sea. As the captain, or the author, travels on the waved waters of the ocean, they keep on coming up with ways to break the rules and maybe take sail without steering to see where they end up. A book is no ordinary object. When you flip through the books, a breeze tangles your face into a smile because a book is much more than a book itself. Nancy Jo Sales said, “There’s something about the physicality of a book, the way it looks and feels and even smells--the notes written in the margins--that makes it a living, breathing companion (who, like yourself, is actually dying). I don't think books will ever disappear for this reason: We need them too much. They remind us that we exist; they show us how we have lived.” I agree, it’s hard to explain the feeling you get out of a book that you can’t seem to find in an e-book. Of course, I wouldn’t know because I haven’t yet tried reading off of one and I don’t want to. But it’s true what Sales said that, “they show us how we have lived.” For example, books like Cather in the Rye, How To Kill a Mockingbird, and Romeo and Juliet, which are required for school we write in the margins to take notes, I’m sure on a Kindle Fire you can do the same, but do you get the same feeling? Personally I still have the first book I have ever read by myself, Tacky the Penguin, when I was in preschool in 1999-2000. It’s been about twelve years and I don’t quite remember reading it, but I remember reading it to my younger brother and now he wants it. You see a book can’t quite be defined as an “object” or a “universal definition” Each person has their own personal definition of a book based on their own experiences. You don’t really hear people say, “Yea I remember my first Kindle”. You remember people saying, “My favorite book is…” A book is more personal and meaningful. A book is something that can never be replaced no matter how hard Amazon tries to sell Kindles long line of e-readers. As the captain can see the edge of the beach, the journey is almost finished. The author maybe made some incorrect turns out on the sea, but eventually the compass, or the characters, led him to his conclusion, at the base of the sea. On a shirt that I have it says, “When you see an ocean wave…wave back.” So “when you see how a Kindle reads…read a book.”

Pages to the big screen

Specific challenges that a filmmaker would have in adapting The Help into a movie would be to incorporate the character looks as described in the book. In the movie, they did a great job by not leaving out important scenes and details. In the book they described Hilly as chubby and Skeeter as ugly, whereas in the film it was just the opposite. Three specific scenes that are essential to keep and not change in order for the adaption to work is when Hilly first brings up the “bathroom” situation, the first meeting to write the book with Aibileen and Skeeter, and when Skeeter’s mom finally tells her what happened to Constantine. The “bathroom” situation with Hilly was first introduced when they were at a bridge club meeting. Aibileen asks Elizabeth to use their bathroom and Hilly basically says no. She describes that it is unsafe for families with the help because they carry different diseases than they do. She came up with the Home Health Sanitation Act. It gave the help their bathroom outside. This scene is essential to the movie because it is just one of the examples of how during that time white people thought they were so different than the blacks. It also is a reason as to why Skeeter plans on writing her book through the eyes of the help. Another scene that is essential is when Skeeter and Aibileen first meet to discuss the book. It shows how their friendship grew because at first they were uncomfortable, since it wasn’t allowed and different. They were both scared that they were going to get caught so their voices were shaky. During the scene, Skeeter began asking the questions and at first Aibileen takes time to respond. After the first meeting Skeeter only got a little information about how Aibileen was born and forced to be a maid to help pay the bills. However in the book Aibileen cuts the meeting short and to do it another time and it isn’t until a few weeks later that Skeeter hears from her again. In the movie they incorporate how they felt, but eventually the ice broke a little. The third scene that is essential to the movie because Skeeter kept bringing up how she didn’t think Constantine quit without saying goodbye. Her mother explains that the headmaster of some society was over and that Constantine was embarrassing her by being old and slow. After Rachael entered, and the headmaster gave her mother a look she knew that if she wanted to remain a part of the club that she would have to fire Constantine.  Skeeter’s brother went up to Chicago to get her back, but she was already dead. This scene is important because it finally gives Skeeter an answer she didn’t want to hear; the person who was there for her and raised her was gone. In the movie the actors and director showed the same emotion that was brought out in the book. Three specific parts of The Help that I would have to cut if adapting it into a movie would be Skeeter’s whole relationship with Stuart, Skeeter’s trips to the library for book for Aibileen and when Skeeter gets pulled over. Skeeter’s relationship with Stuart isn’t really related to the main theme of the book besides when he dumps her because she told him that she wrote the book. Other than that it doesn’t impact the ending, but shows a relationship destroyed because they have different views. Another part is the trips Skeeter takes the library so she can give books to Aibileen. It shows their friendship, but I think there were enough prime examples in the book that you could easily incorporate into the movie. Also when Skeeter gets pulled over by the police on her way to Aibileen’s house would be cut because even though it describes the danger of that time, there are other ways to show it. Overall for how the flimmakers adapted the book to the movie, was very well described and they choose the right scences, characters and location to flim the movie.

When Homer Met Matilda

                Homer Wells was an orphan all of his life at St. Clouds. He decided to stay there to be of use and help out. Matilda comes from a family that mine as well be her foster parents. She comes across the magical power where she can control items with her eyes and hands. An unwanted orphan and an unloved magician. When these two characters meet, metaphorically speaking of course, they take on the journey of uncovering their true self, in hopes of a better tomorrow.

                Family is the biggest difference in these two characters. Homer, after spending many years at St. Clouds, he decided he wanted to go out and explore the patiently waiting world. He wasn’t accepted as an orphan, so St. Clouds became his only true home. Living in a secluded environment where adoption and abortions take place, he needs some fresh air. Homer chooses to leave his only home and explore the innocent world awaiting. He is faced with people discouraging him from leaving, that he wouldn’t make it out there on his own. On the other hand, Matilda isn’t shown any aspect of affection from her eccentric family where their values are watching television while eating dinner. At a young age Matilda realized that she and her family different except the last name and their genes.               Towards the end of her journey, she ends up being adopted by her favorite teacher, Mrs. Honey, the only person who she relates to.

These two seemingly different characters express qualities that the express their similar qualities. For instance, both involve unloving parents, who don’t even try to love. As well as two characters who are tired of the same daily routine and want to be off track and on their own.