2 pge letter

Chelsey Wilkins

Dear Joe,

Life is prospering out here. I enjoy this time we call the Common Era. New inventions are sweeping our time and it’s great. How are you??? I surely hope your town is booming over West as well as mines is. I’ve missed you, haven’t heard from you but hope to see you this summer. My hair has grown long and is currently jet black. On the bright side I still have yet to have any younglings running around, simply waiting and working to settle down eventually.

Society is admirable. People are happier on account of there are more jobs available making it easier to get some money to have a good time. No longer do us folks who make a hard days work, use horses we drive fancy automobiles. Movies, media, and music make my day worth while after a long day of work at the factory. You haven’t experienced joy until you’ve came up here to hear some of the blues and jazz artists. Scott Joplin and Louis Armstrong are amazing jazz artists; you should come enjoy their music with me sometime. I even took soon interest into rock n roll. Elvis Presley is smoking hot.

Mass production is used to create cars much faster and cheaper which is making the economy boom. Not only are boats used to transport goods and cargo but now we have cruise ships that go up and down major rivers such as the Mississippi River. You can even hear jazz music while taking that trip, but you have to have a bunch of saved money to afford that. I was almost tempted to go on the Titanic with one of my guy friends but I couldn’t miss work at the factory…oooooo lets be thankful I didn’t go. I even went to Brooklyn with my best friend after saving and hard working. The trip was plenty of fun and it was worth it. I traveled across the Brooklyn Bridge it truthfully is beautiful. It’s a work of art; if you get a chance go visit it you won’t regret it. These new improvements are working toward my advantage. Riding horses wasn’t my cup of tea of course, but now I was able to afford a nice ford car.

I have to say I’m really enjoying myself and the freedom I can have as a hard working woman. Birth control has become popularized and I feel better knowing that I can protect myself. Personal computers are fun. My father just bought me one, its work to operate but fun. I enjoy the luxuries in life. I mean I know not everyone’s father is rich like mine but I still work for things of my own. I keep my radio when I exercise; it makes it much brisker and easier. I also have a television in my front room thanks to my father… I have shelves full of collections of 8-tracks and cassettes.

I really hope you still plan to take that trip out here this summer. Like you have to love this life style. I couldn’t be happier. My father would probably love to pay for your transportation down here so you have to come visit. Hope life’s treating you well… miss you, love you…see you this summer.

5 summaries

Chelsey Wilkins
Five Article Summaries
AP English III
01/21/10

1. (2010). Airlines warned about manual handling training; Expert urges airlines to look at training methods after cutting one leading UK airline's lost time incidents by 68.75%. M2PressWIRE, Retrieved from Newspaper Source database.
a. This article talked about an expert engineer who proved that his methods of training airline employees. Proof of effectiveness comes from the UK airlines that after his rigorous training program decreased manual workforce incidents by 68.75% for twelve months. I believe the engineering comes in effect, with the pristine condition and how it is designed to help avoid natural, mechanical qualities of a human body. Overall, the article was very informative and showed me an aspect of mechanical engineering I was unaware of.
2. Janovich, A. (2009, December 17). Engineering students have designs on the future. Yakima Herald-Republic (WA), Retrieved from Newspaper Source database.
a. This article could be described as informative. A student Adriana Janovich of the Toppenish High School described classes, work, and projects that prepare her for her future career in engineering. She is enrolled in a class called introduction to engineering design of the pathway of engineering curriculum, Project Lead the Way. Now I’ve already completed this class and a couple after it, which made it easy for me to relate to Adriana’s appreciation to the needed practice. Project Lead the Way allows high school students to get exposure to future careers in the broad field of engineering.
3. (2010). BSD Medical Names Todd Turnlund as Vice President of Engineering. M2PressWIRE, Retrieved from Newspaper Source database.
a. This newspaper article wasn’t very long but it gave me an aspect of goals to set for myself and objectives that I should be prepared for in the future. It talks about a well-accomplished man, Todd Turnlund being appointed the vice president of engineering. This would be a huge honor because he’s not only president over mechanical engineering field but of all engineering fields. His achievements included a mechanical engineering degree for University of California at Santa Barbara, an MBA from Santa Clara University, his acceptance of twelve patents…etc His achievements really inspire me to further my journey to become a mechanical engineer and not to give up.

4. (2010, January 17). BRIEF: Inside Alaska business. Anchorage Daily News (AK), Retrieved from Newspaper Source database
a. This article was simply about a prospering engineering company, Coffman’s engineering Inc. The company received a federal grant with Alaska so they could to detect and test geothermal resource at Pike Ridge’s site for utility scale electric generation and heating supplies. The company offers many other services also. Including civil, structural, commercial/industrial mechanical, process piping, pipeline integrity management, electrical, controls, and corrosion control engineering as well as lighting design, project management, and commissioning. This article just simply showed me that engineering is a very broad field and I could have aspects of different fields in one occupation.
5. Tran, T. (2010, January 14). Technically speaking. Grand Forks Herald (ND), Retrieved from Newspaper Source database
a. This last article is not another success story but information about a student in engineering school and some of their initial projects.Iaan Pays was the individual who wrote about his college experience but he also mentioned how he was just laid back as they did some projects that he had completed or was introduced to in high school. Just that information makes me grateful to be open to any aspects of engineering making learning further in this field much easier. The article was kind of inspiration t those of us already interested in mechanical engineering because it reassures us that the work we are doing isn’t put to waste.

souls of black folk

Chelsey Wilkins
The Souls of Black Folk

1. The Souls of Black Folks tells the life of African Americans in the early twentieth century. Chapter 1 started the book heading straight to the core of the novel. It tells of the social and political mishaps that occurred during the pre through post civil war. Du Bois brings the critical question… “How does it feel to be a problem,” by telling the story of how he came to believe he is different from those he went to school with. “In the schoolhouse, the boys and girls bought gorgeous visiting cards-ten cents a package- and exchange them…the exchange was merry till one girl took a glance at mine and refused my card.” Du Bois used this credible story to show how being a “problem” can affect a person socially and emotionally. The effect of being a child discriminated against showed the severity of the term a “problem”... Du Bois notes that this is the first time he notices that he is different from others, a veil between them socially and never again would he try to blend in with society.
Another interpretation of a “problem” could be not African Americans as a whole but the burden they put on the government politically. Du Bois mentioned many government actions to assist African Americans beginning with Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation. Problem in the form of a noun, Bu Bois describes as something unavoidable. Falling under political efforts to assist the African American problems would be the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifthteenth amendments. As well as the freedman’s bureau and other federal bureaus set up to help the African American “problems.”
To conclude, Du Bios is crazy. The only difference I comprehend between the differences of the word problem would be one defined as the actual African American and the second definition would be all African Americans including their emotional, political, and social problems in a whole. Whichever way you understand him, he used personal feelings that allowed him the advantage of strong diction to help create the difference between being a problem as an African American and the African American problem as a whole.



2. The moment Du Bois came to know his white classmates see him as different and beneath them, set the base of the novel. I think a personal aspect or example is better than a story of someone else because credibility is important and it helped capture the essence of the life changing moment. Only Du Bois could describe his emotions as he felt left out or should I say masked by a “vast veil.” Du Bois uses this personal experience to capture pathos.
Pathos is affiliated in his rigorous goals to achieve over and above the whites. Including beating his classmates at examination-time, or even beating them at a foot race showed to me that obviously Du Bois felt the need to compete with his white classmate’s maybe to prove that he was of equal talent or altitude as white classmates. Unfortunately, Du Bois was proven insufficient. Although he could take a test as fast as white classmates could or maybe he was faster than they were, it did not matter because African Americans were still the minority race. Du Bois writing this excerpt in first person helps the audience become more in tuned with his emotions.
To conclude, Du Bios felt unfulfilled about being a minority race. Using personal experiences only furthered the effect of pathos throughout the novel. His intentions to prove to be of equal intelligence with white classmates was far past insuffient because African Americans no matter what abilities they occupied would still face racism.

Up From Slavery: An autobiography

Chelsey Wilkins
Up From Slavery: An autobiography
AP English III
01-12-10

Booker T. Washington has become world-wide known as a dominant figure in the African American community. As a well noted educator, being articulate worked as a benefit when Booker spoke. Booker T. Washington spoke out in the position of blacks in the Atlanta Exposition. Well populated by this speech, Booker is now a dominant figure.

Initially, the obvious use of ethos was displayed. Booker told of his speech toward African American roles in the southern society. The speech appealed relevant because it was written in first person. This event has actually occurred in his life and he wrote about it, which captures the essence of social realism because the chapter was a snap shot of what was happening at this time.

Booker T.W used numerous cases of figurative language in his autobiography. “The opportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth infinitely more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera house.” This quote is a type of metaphor Booker uses shows that for an African American to make a dollar are greater than spending one in an opera. Basically Booker’s point is that it is too hard for blacks to be looked at with social equality creating difficulty to acquire income. I also noticed similes were used to further distinguish Booker’s objectives. For example, “he seemed to be as careful to shake hands with some old colored “auntie” clad partially in rags, and to take as much pleasure in doing so, as if he were greeting some millionaire.” Booker T.W used this quote to express an example; of his gratitude toward Grover Cleveland. The simile showed me some of the characteristics of Cleveland and his respect toward the minority race. Another example would be, “he was as peaceful and patient in doing this as if he were putting his signature to some great state document.” This quote also expressed Grover Cleveland as being dignified, respectful, patient, most of all an admirable man.

To conclude, Booker T.W could be described as the leading black dominant figure. He spoke well-respected, articulately, was well respected, and had ideal goals for his race. Booker’s autobiography was actually a reasonable source and appealed to pathos and ethos mainly.

chapter 7

Chelsey Wilkins
Chapter 2pg.Lit.
01-11-10

W.E.B Du Bios wrote The Souls of Black Folk with a blatant goal to accomplish. The story was meant to give readers a glimpse of what life was like for African Americans during the civil war era. Du Bious gave reliable examples and credibility. Evaluating chapter seven, Du Bois’s obvious appeal to pathos was detected.

Chapter seven told a lot about the thriving population of African Americans in Georgia. Du Bios told the events that affected the African Americans socially and emotionally. Detailed diction was used in describing the unlovely villages in the unpopular state. The over-crowded population of blacks was not a sense of freedom because the book talked about how they were treated socially. Georgia was one of those states that took the law into their own hands and decided to continue allowing the flow of slave trade. Of course leaders had to rise to carry weaker slaves through the fate of slavery, and some overcame it by continuing their journey to the land of Creek Indians. When the land of the Creek Indians was referred to, it was described as luxurious, rich rolling, and well tilled, as Georgia was described as bare, monotonous, straggling unlovely villages. The distinct comparison between the two areas was to me meant to express the different emotions slaves felt while being in Georgia but thriving for the land of the Creek Indians. His comparison also hinted to me why this book is during the era of social realism, because just the African Americans feelings in two different areas were flashbacks of what life was like those very moments.

Figurative language was used throughout chapter seven. The source of imagery really helps put the reader in the shoes of African Americans during this era, which basically captures the essence of social realism. “The sun is setting, but we can see the great cotton country as we enter it, _the soil now dark and fertile, now thin and gray, with fruit-trees and dilapidated buildings…” This quote is a prime example of strong imagery pulling the reader in, to the point that I could even envision the sun setting beautifully darkening the soil and fruits. Another example would be, “For a radius of a hundred miles about Albany, stretched a great fertile land, luxuriant with forests of pine, oak, ash, hickory, and popular; hot with the sun and damp with the rich black swamp-land…” Once again the vision of a beautiful forest with big luxurious prospering varieties of trees growing. Du Bios’s dedication too this book shows brightly through his vivid imagery.

To conclude, chapter seven was more about the African Americans and how they handled themselves socially during the post civil war times. Pathos and figurative language were used in abundance. This chapter really showed me why this book would be characterized under social realism.

souls of black folk

Chelsey Wilkins
2 pg. Lit. Chapt. 3-4
01/7/10

W.E.B Du Bios’, “The Souls Of Black Folk” was a book dedicated to the life of African Americans. Chapters three and four focused on the times during and post civil war. Main ideas ranged from their role in society to the United States roles in their lives.

Slaves were major attribants during the civil war era. In the South they were used to produce and create supplies for those men who served in the army. Blacks were more than slaves because they were reliable in society and numerous in the war. The book talked about how after Lincoln approved his Emancipation Proclamation, slaves began to poor in the North as a stream would. For the North, the extra supply of soldiers would bring an advantage as well as a problem. Slaves played a huge role during this era from producing for soldiers to fighting for their own freedom as well.

Yet as the slaves started to flow in, they became problems. The North had to not only worry about the war but to find places of shelter and food for slaves of the rebels. The government took that responsibility and created one of the most known, The Freedman’s Bureau, which came to the aid of those freedmen. Followed by others such as the Freedman’s Aid society etc. I believe the slaves played a major role in bringing the North together, kind of a type of test to test their strength in dealing with tragedies.

As the chapter went on, it focused more on how the government dealt with the flow of slaves. Du Bios pointed out his opinion that if you are a soldier or a worker behind them...we are all humans and no ones opinion is above the others. Du Bios’s point of view toward slaves in society seemed rational. His writing looked down on any white man, not so much of thanked them but showed how blacks affected the white men in the north, and the measures that were taken to help them.

Too conclude, Du Bios wrote a book about the well-being of blacks. Chapters three and four referrers back to the time when blacks played and important role in society. The civil war era was a very important time for slaves in the rebel states. I believe the slavery issue shaped the civil war.

Daisy Miller

Chelsey Wilkins
Daisy Milliard: Two pg. lit.
12/6/09
AP English III


Henry James was a key figure of nineteenth century realism. As an American writer, James wrote about experiences between Americans and Europeans in Europe. One of his most valuable short novels was Daisy Miller. Written in the realist era, the novel speaks in first person, telling the tale of an appealing American girl and Winterbourne’s experience with her.

The rhetorical device, imagery, was used throughout the novel. James used imagery to draw the audience into the setting in Europe. “But after all he had no enemies; he was an extremely amiable fellow and universally liked.” This quote, found early in the novel, was one of the first senses of imagery the audience perceived because it gave an idea about what type of person Winterbourne is and what qualities he holds. “A pale complexion and sharp little features. He was dressed in knickerbockers, with red stockings, which displayed his poor little spindle shanks,” was yet another example of imagery. The quote not only uses imagery to give a mental image of what the small boy wore but also of the face expression on his face. Imagery set the mood of the realist novel.

Undeniable pathos was appealed to. Winterbourne was obviously high strung over daisy. A sense of passion and courtesy came as he fixed himself for her arrival. “The young lady inspected her flounces and smoothed her ribbons again; and Winterbourne presently risked an observation upon the beauty of the view.” The quote not only establishes the tension between Winterbourne and Daisy but also tells of his feelings towards her and how he admires her beauty. As well as, Daisy’s, desire to stay as neat and as beautiful as possible while in Winterbourne’s prescience. The development of the burning passion and suspense keeps the audience attracted.

James wrote Daisy Miller in first person. The act of writing in first person only made the story more reliable, appealing to ethos. James used very vivid diction and imagery that more than drew his audience in but made the story seem as if it was one of his own personal experiences, which is the whole point of a realist writer.

To conclude, James wrote Daisy Miller. Writing in the realist era, James wrote in the first person to appeal to his audience. Throughout the novel. James appealed to pathos, ethos, and imagery. Daisy Miller is a short story not only about the experience of an American man in Europe but also his growing passion with a blunt unsophisticated flirty young girl. I personally liked the story and feel that the imagery gave me a further understanding of the novel.

The Celebrating Jumping Frog

Chelsey Wilkins
AP English III
The Jumping Frog… 2 pg. lit.
11/30/09

Mark Twain is a famous writer of the late nineteenth century. Writing in the realist era, he created short stories about events in everyday life. During his early years of writing, “the Celebrated Jumping Frog helped establish his reputation as a humorist. “The Celebrated Jumping Frog,” was a short story told by a bartender in a tavern, about a compulsive gambler.

Mark Twain used imagery throughout his short story. Introducing the bartender as... “I found Simon Wheeler dozing comfortably by the bar-room stove of the old, dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Boomerang,” immediately gave the audience a mental picture of Simon Wheeler. The short story also stated that he was fat and bald-headed which also allowed the audience to have a visual idea about his qualities as well as his characteristics. From the opening imagery, it left the audience to believe maybe Simon was a drunk, and possibly very unattractive. Twain used very vivid imagery to describe the setting and how the story of Jim Smiley was told.

Mark Twain used very vivid diction when it came to describing Jim Smiley. He used numerous examples to show the extent of Smiley’s gambling. “If there was a horse-race, you’d find him flush, or you’d find him busted at the end of it; if there was a dog-fight, he’d bet on it; if there was a cat-fight he’d bet on it; if there was a chicken fight, he’d bet on it….etc.,” these were all examples used to show how gambling was a must for Smiley. To further the extent of gambling, Twain also told some examples of weird animals Smiley had and bet on. Twain even mentioned how Smiley bet on the life of Parson Walker’s wife.

I noticed the irony of this short story. Twain noted the purpose of the trip to the tavern was to inquire information about Leonadis W. Smiley, and how he doubted the existence of this man. I don’t understand why one would go through so much to hear a tale about another man. Why not go to the tavern and ask about Jim Smiley? I really didn’t understand what was so special about Jim Smiley.

To conclude, Mark Twain wrote in the realist era. He wrote a short story about the gambling life of Jim Smiley. “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” wasn’t the best short story but showed Twain’s passion for writing.

The Custom House by John Franzosa

Chelsey Wilkins


The Custom House

John Franzoa’s, “The Custom House,” was basically an editorial review of the original book, “The Scarlet Letter.”The short stories broke down the different methods used in the book and what they symbolized. Even though Hawthorne disagreed with some of his ideas, the “editorial” appealed to rhetorical and literary devices.


In the short story, diction stood out. John was obviously very passionate about his editorials and really took the time to break down the symbolism used in, “The Scarlet Letter.” John used vivid describing words that helped express his descriptions. Words such as corruption, partisanship, compels, and venerable were of the more sophisticated vocabulary and really helped the meaning of his ideas.

Secondly, John used the sense of imagery to technically base his short story. Imagery was in tact at the very first sentence when John gave his audience a sense of setting when the editorial was published. Another example of imagery, “as the Scarlet Letter opens, throng of beard men… inter mixed with women ..,” gives the audience vivid imagery. It allowed the audience to picture what a group of anxious people look like waiting.

Lastly, the rhetorical device pathos was used. John had to have some type of dedication to his work in order to annotate “The Scarlet Letter.” The fact that John even risked the resentment of another author in order to express his opinion, contributed to strong sense of pathos. Not pathos in the sense of romanticsm but John’s eagerness and dedication to his work.

To conclude, John Franzosa likes to criticize other writings. He did mention some of the good qualities used in “The Scarlet Letter,” but mostly used rhetorical devices to break down the symbolism used. Pathos in the form of dedication, diction, and imagery was used most.

The Minister's Black Veil

Chelsey Wilkins

The Minister’s Black Veil

Like many of his other short stories, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote the short story during the era of Puritanism in a small village, Milford. Once again, the short story takes the theme of secret sin. “The Black Veil” was written in a more gothic writing style, which is common in Hawthorne’s works. The story compares the flaws of a man, Mr. Hooper, who is aware of his sins, to those fellow Puritans who’d rather point fingers and criticize others before they accept the sins that are self induced.


The very first thing that stood out to me was the community’s inability to adapt to change. No one cared to ask if it was something wrong with Mr. Hooper’s face they were just quick to pass judgment. Rather than the community coming together to help him, they come together to shun him, and create rumors about him. I believe this says a lot about the characteristics shared within the small town of Puritans which all relates back to the theme of secret sin.

Diction was a rhetoric device that was used to uphold the gothic style writing type. Hawthorne, similar to other short stories, used words to describe ideas he was trying to get across in a kind of negative way. Words such as black veil, corpse, coffin, sad, and sin were used to spread the intended ideas widely. These gothic toned words helped attribute to the theme of secret sin.

Lastly, the story to a certain extent seemed ironic. All the Puritans of the village were just sure that there had to be something wrong with Mr. Hooper, some even started rumors about so call supernatural activity. However, as Mr. Hooper is on his death bed, he offends all the people of the community by unmasking their known personal veils. He emphasizes the idea that instead of him being the weird, extraordinary one, could it be a mental problem of the Puritans and their obsession with jumping to the most negative outcome. All of the Puritans tendency t judge and point out flaws of others led back to the possibility of having a black veil on each of their faces.

To conclude, Mr. Hooper wore his black veil till death. I thought it symbolized the sin that many tried to deny and left secret. The gothic type of diction helped better understand the theme of secret sin. The actual reason for the veil still haunts me, yet I understand how the irony of the black veil and his fellow Puritan’s invisible veil.

Young Goodman Brown

Chelsey Wilkins

Young Goodman Brown

The battle between good and evil was in true affect during the late seventeenth century. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote, “Young Goodman Brown,” which contained the problems choosing between Christ and the devil that occurred frequently in Salem, Massachusetts. It became surprising to find out the very people Goodman thought were god –loving Christians ended up being the hypocrites who met to worship the devil. The gothic based story showed many litary devices, leaving a deeper understanding of the text.

While examining the short story rhetorically, symbolism was used sufficiently. The very beginning of the story used symbolism on account of Goodman not only leaving his wife; Faith becomes a tragedy but it symbolizing him losing his faith in God in the future. Also the male figure that Goodman met with left the essence of the devil. Not only did the male figure lead him into the forest but he contradicted all his ideas and beliefs about God. Another example of symbolism would be the forest itself as a whole. In the gothic-toned story, the forest really gives the audience a sense of doubt, fear, darkness, maybe even the agony Goodman has yet to face.


Pathos, a rhetoric device, was appealed to throughout the story. First, pathos in the form of romanticism, as Faith hesitates to let her husband leave, yet share their love and deepest feelings in hopes of being reunited. The main quote that stood out to me was, “my faith is gone! Cried he, after one stupefies moment. “There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. “ Come devil…….” The quote is not on significantly emotional because the inner feelings Goodman is releasing, but also I believe this becomes the very moment that not only loses his wife but also all of his Faith, his dependence on God.

Lastly, the diction used in the story significantly lead to the era of gothic. Hawthorne used repeatedly words that more of favored the presence of the devil, such as dull, draery, devilish, gloomy… and so forth. I believe the choice in words really accompanied the theme relating to those who have come in to close of contact with the devil (spiritually speaking), to those who have chosen to cross over and worship the devil.

To conclude, the fight between good and evil has been fought numerous times. Hawthorne wrote a short story, “Young Goodman Brown” that emphasized on the prescience of the devil in Salem, Massachusetts during the late seventeenth century. What captured my attention most was why wouldn’t Goodman just turn around and save himself from all the deception and agony? Was it the devil luring him into the witches’ meetings to worship him? What would make Goodman want to meet in the middle of the forest and journey with an old creepy man? Just ideas that haunt my mind about the gothic style short story.

the devil and tom walker

Chelsey Wilkins

The Devil and Tom Walker

Washington Irving wrote a short story that revolved around the darkness and evilness of the devil. Unlike other suspense stories, the story was written in a pure Gothic style. New England, known for its history of tales of witches and evil spirits, was an excellent choice of setting for this so called mythical story.


To begin with, diction was set in a gothic like tone. Mostly all of the descriptive words were negative. For example, the words dark, horrid, treacherous, and evil were used throughout the story. The use of such negative words kind of hinted to me that maybe the area they were in was not, good or even foreshadowed an unfortunate event. “Cautiously through this treacherous forest,” is another example of the diction used to appeal to the gothic tone?

Figurative language was used throughout the story to help further the extent of certain actions. “As articulate as the bars of a gridiron,” used the comparison to give a further explanation of how the miserable horse’s ribs were. The similes used by Irving in this piece helped me get a more detailed aspect about the point he was trying to get across rather than just thinking it’s articulate, he compares it with the bars of the gridiron which allows so many more possible definitions of the intended subject.

Lastly, while trying to analyze the story rhetorically, I really didn’t think it appealed to pathos nor ethos on account of he never stated he was there, Irving just told a story that could have been made up or simply a folktale. However, I did notice the constant reference to the devil. I actually believed that the devil had taken over Tom’s spirit when he found out his wife had been killed. I mea n who could say something insulting about a dead spouse, I don’t think it’s possible which left the influence of the devil to control him.

To conclude, by analyzing the story rhetorically I came to the conclusion it was consumed around the devil. I felt the story was fictional, and maybe was used to like scare younger children out of stealing and things of that sort. “The Devil and Tom Walker” was written by Washington Irving and fell into the direct category of a gothic toned story.

The Fall of the House of Usher

Chelsey Wilkins


The Fall of the house of Usher

Generally speaking, most are familiar with the works of Edgar Allen Poe, on account of his passion, for suspenseful short narratives. “The Fall of the House of Usher” was a creepy story about a somewhat cursed family. In this short story, Poe didn’t give any references to setting simply, wrote in a type of gothic-tale. The rhetorical devices that were used mainly surrounded the idea of ethos.


Imagery was dominant in this short story. Not only did everything have a Goth –like tone to it but Poe describes the house and the people in full detail. Poe used descriptive words such as dull, dark, and soundless that gave his audience an image of the creepy mansion on top of the suspense of a Gothic story.

The analytical rhetorical device, ethos was appealed to throughout the entire short story. The story would not appeal to suspicion as much if Poe did not write in first person telling his audience that this event has happen and it’s true because I witnessed it. I think that the background on Poe’s relations with Roderick also adds an extra advantage to the credibility of the story.

Lastly, I belive that this story, like others, has shown irony. The suspense of the story makes it the better, on top of the disadvantage of knowing a deep understanding of the history between Poe and Roderick. Why Poe was contained in the house is still question that haunts me about the story. Poe entering the house immediately left me believing he would die in that house but ironically he didn’t. Nevertheless, did I think to realize that the crack represented the collapse of the house at the end of the story?


To conclude, Edgar Allen Poe writes short creepy stories. He was part of the American Romantic movement, but best known for his stories of mystery. He wrote a mysterious story about the falling of a house and the death of those inside,” The fall of the House of the Usher. ”

The Pit and Pendulum

Chelsey Wilkins

Edgar Allen Poe is a nation-wide known author. He has been accounted for contributing to the literature of short stories, however to spice up his accomplishments, he writes numerous spine-tingling short stories of horror and suspense. “The Pit and the Pendulum” was written during the time of the Spanish Inquisition, which would explain the capital punishment Poe was doomed for. Beyond his accomplishments, he was a man who believed death is not the end of man, simply survival of death means life is just an interpretation of your true spiritual existence.

Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, different from many, lacks supernatural elements. Thus, making the way he described the place and condition he was in more interesting. Sensation, a fiction-writing mode for portraying a character’s perception of senses, is the main form of imagery appealed to. Poe notes how the dungeon is airless and unlit, not because he read about it but because maybe breathing had become more difficult for him, and how he is unable to see a stitch of light. His sensation allowed his audience to envision what position he was in, and what was around him. Sensation also reminded Poe about the possibilities of dehydration and starvation in the torture chamber.

Poe could be described as an analytical person, which made appealing to logos almost automatic to him. Before taking action, Poe takes the time to analyze possible outcomes of where he is, what he could be in, or what could possibly be around him. Poe, accompanied by logic, was able to advance from his theory of being in a tomb to actually figuring out he is in a torture chamber. Observing his surroundings, led him to know that the pendulum was decreasing, which left his logic to consider like hey eventually this swinging pendulum will crush me. Logic was the single-handed reason Poe was able to tell his story today.

Irony could be described as a literary or rhetorical device, in which there is discordance between what one says or does compared to what will actually occur. I found the short story to have suspense that made you have to keep reading, to end ironically with Poe’s survival. I thought as the story went on, the more we found out about his where abouts, alongside the barriers of death, his survival chances were slim to none. Fortunately, I was proved incorrect, just when I thought there was no other way out, that this must be the end, the ironic appearance of the French general proved me incorrect. This type of suspense and irony is what makes the story so good.

To conclude, the Spanish Inquisition was known to be bloody and brutal. Little did I know about the great aspect of history, Edgar Allen Poe wrote about it. The short story was filled with suspense and rhetoric devices. I enjoyed reading the short ironic story about overcoming a torture chamber, but most of all reading the views of someone who thought they could overcome death.

"Story of an Hour"

Chelsey Wilkins


The Story of an Hour
Regression seems to be the theme that sets the mood of the story, "The Story of an Hour.” Written by Kate Chopin, the story tells the unfortunates of a woman living her last hour of life. Early in the story Mrs. Mallard is pronounced to have a heart problem which implies that there will be pathos used, most likely in the form of sympathy. Ironically, the story seizes to emphasize her disability, but to point out the difficulty of marriage in the late nineteenth century.

Diction was a definite point hit from the analytical rhetoric triangle. Chopin used a lot of open-ended words that could have duplicity of meaning behind them. For instance, Chopin used the word open frequently. “Facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair,” the quote uses the word open to describe desire in Mrs. Mallard’s life. It most nearly means that maybe she is trapped, leaving the chair near the open window to cope with her feelings of imprisonment. Chopin also repeatedly used the words escaped, abandoned, and even free which all indicate containment in some form.

Chopin left a somewhat hidden message throughout her story that tried to be sympathetic to the thought of death yet to show the discomforts of marriage. At the beginning of the story, Mrs. Mallard isn’t really given an identity. She was continually referred to as Mrs. Mallard which says a lot about how she is treated in her ordinary life. She is referred to as her husband’s property rather than a woman. Yet, later in the story, after the news about the death Chopin now gives us a name for Mrs. Mallard, Louisa. The changes in recognition lead me to believe that Louisa now felt free, free from the imprisonment of living for her husband instead of herself. The feeling of discontentment relates back to the views of the author and how she truthfully feels that marriage in the late nineteenth century was a trap.

“She sat with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair, quite motionless, except when a sob came up into her throat and shook her, as a child who has cried itself to sleep continues to sob in its dreams.” Figurative language became a must in the story. Chopin used the simile to compare her plain, slumped way of sitting in the chair, yielding her tears as a child does after crying themselves to sleep. The simile gives you an image of what she looks like as she sits in the chair looking out the window. Another example would be, “she was striving to beat it back with her will- as powerless as her two white slender hands would have been.” In comparison to the last simile quoted, Chopin used the simile to link Mrs. Mallard’s inability to beat the thing that was coming with her will. Chopin’s use of similes gave further description of the domestic problems Mrs. Mallard faced.

To conclude, Kate Chopin is a romantic, realist writer. Chopin wrote, “The Story of an Hour,” to tell the story of a woman suffering from heart problems, yet she is devastated and imprisoned in her marriage. Ironically, Mrs. Mallard dies as soon as she finds freedom. The story showed Chopin’s opinion on marriage in the late nineteenth century, which obviously she believes is a form of containment and will lead to regression.

Aren't I A Woman?????

Chelsey Wilkins


Aren’t I A Woman?

Sojourner Truth has been remembered in history as an anti-slavery activist. In her speech, “Aren’t I a Woman,” she questions the distinction between the equality of men and women. Truth uses parts of the rhetoric triangle to break down her views regarding the equality of men and women. Every time she uses the quote, “Aren’t I a Woman,” she’s comparing her accomplishments to those of men.

“I have plowed, and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me and aren’t I a woman?” The quote appeals to credibility. Its saying like I can build, plow dig, move, all the above that you so called man do, aren’t I equally as significant as you are. Truth uses her personal life experiences to prove that she is equal to any men. She had the barriers of being a former slave, leaving stress on her emotionally and physically. Her wisdom as an older woman that has already experienced these events on top of her once being a slave makes her a pretty reliable source.

“I have borne thirteen children and seen them almost all sold off into slavery…” This quote also appeals to credibility yet has a deeper meaning. In some sort I would consider the quote a metaphor. It shows Truth’s human side in comparison to those of maybe a white man or woman. She’s saying she is capable of performing the same duties of a white woman while still being an active slave bringing the rhetoric question Aren’t I a woman?

Lastly, Sojourner Truth stated the obvious by appealing to logos. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense-common sense. If a woman can have the qualities of all white women, while also being forced to complete duties men do, wouldn’t she be considered a woman? Another example of logos was when a man in her audience said women can’t be equal to men because God was not a woman and she replied, “Where did Christ come from?” Logically, Christ had to be birthed by a woman, which would put her above him leading back to Truth’s theory on the equality of men and women.

To conclude, Sojourner Truth has been recognized in history for many accomplishments. She was an attribuant to the abolishment movement and is considered to be an anti-slavery activist. By breaking down truth’s speech according to the analytical rhetoric triangle, I thought “Aren’t I a Woman,” appealed to logos, pathos, and ethos. “Aren’t I a Woman” was used every time sojourner could compare herself to a man, in my opinion, which made them of equal significance.

Incidents in the life of a slave girl

Chelsey Wilkins


Incidents in the Life of a slave Girl


The narrative recalls the unfortunate events that occurred in the life of a slave girl. Linda was born into slavery but unlike some other slaves, she was lucky enough to be raised in a family that didn’t really make it obvious that they were slaves. The book could almost be called an autobiography on account of she wrote these events as they occurred in her life. The story appeals to the rhetoric triangle starting with pathos.

To begin with, the story appeals to ethos. Linda is a reliable source because she writes about these events as they happened to her during her life... Early in the first chapter, she mentions she was born a slave and told us about how her parents worked for a mistress, when you consider credibility that’s better to tell you about an experience then someone who has not only seen it happen but been a part of it. For instance, Linda tells story about how even her grandmother belonged to a mistress, and how her father would pay his mistress two-hundred dollars on top of his work to keep his children, shows the credibility is accurate.

Pathos was expressed distinctly in the story. Linda shows emotions when her mother dies. She says, “Who’s going to take care of me,” which shows that most likely Linda and her mother had a really close relationship. Not to mention her feeling of emptiness when her mother, father, friend, and mistress had all died. Quotes such as “how earnestly I had prayed” showed the definite need for her family in her life and the future pain she would suffer without them. . Besides Linda, her grandmother also showed a lot of emotion toward the work she did. Her grandmother had passion and dedication to being a well respected person and also a good servant.

Lastly, diction describing Lind’s grandmother stood out to me. From the text, I assumed that Linda admired her grandmother. While speaking of her grandmother, she didn’t use negative words, but words of admiration. For example, Linda said the fellow neighbors all knew of her grandmother because she was a loyal servant or even how her grandmother always stood outside by the sidewalk waiting to give her granddaughter food symbolizes her dedication to her family and Linda’s admiration for that reason.

To conclude, credibility is a significant factor to a good story. Linda Marie Childs wrote a book about her life as a child including all the deaths she had to face and the cruel masters and mistresses. Luckily, Linda was able to look at the admirable actions of her grandmother and was enslaved by her family. Numerous accounts of pathos and ethos were shown in the story.

Desiree's Baby

Chelsey Wilkins


“Desiree’s Baby”

Kate Choplin wrote a very emotional short story about the difficulties that can occur in an once happy home. The presence of slavery set a time frame from maybe the seventeenth or eighteenth century, which also made me aware of the role of women during that time. Choplin appealed to the rhetoric triangle mostly through emotion and figurative language.

To begin, Choplin’s diction gave infinite meaning to the ideas she was trying to express without exaggerating the short story. Some of the vagueness she used showed either the need for no explanation or maybe just how formal they were during this era of the story. At first I wasn’t even aware if Madame Valmonde was a mother, grandmother, godmother, sister, or even just a friend on the account of she was rarely referred to as mother rather than Madame Valmonde. I also noticed that the quote on quote “baby” never really received a formal name. The little boy was just referred to as the baby which kind of foreshadowed to me that maybe this baby isn’t going to stick around too long. This related right back to Choplin’s choices in vague diction that yet explained a lot.
“The roof came down steep and black like a cowl, reaching out beyond the wide galleries that encircled the yellow stuccoed house.” This sentence applied to a different part of the rhetoric triangle, figurative language. The sentence is an obvious simile comparing the roof with an untamed animal. This of many similes used in the piece give an extra piece of imagery to the short story. The quote “the blood turned like ice in her veins, and clammy moisture gathered upon her face,” is another example of a simile used is this work comparing how her tears gathered on her face to ice in her veins. Choplin’s use of figurative language gave a fiercer mind- grabbing thought of how hurt she felt.

Above all, Choplin appealed to pathos. There was no limited amount of pathos in the short story; throughout the whole short story Choplin expressed an infinite amount of emotion. Choplin showed how dedicated and committed Desiree was to her husband. Choplin also noted the love to “the baby” because she used vivid imagery expressing hoe Desiree would sleep or even rest with the baby right in her arms prompt against her chest. On account of the pathos shown, Desiree’s lean toward suicide was not surprising yet unexpected. It made me think about how her need for no life if the one she lived for didn’t accept or love her any more.

To conclude, Kate Choplin wrote a mind-grabbing short story about what love can do to a person. It most likely took place in the seventeenth or eighteenth century. The short storey appealed to many parts of the rhetoric triangle mainly including pathos. I thought this short story was very interesting unlike most of our other essays. It kind of opened my eyes like hey don’t fall in love that much that’s just too far for me.

oooops

mrs. brown is it ok if i do the wiz assignment thiis weekend because i never seen it before neither did i get to watch enough in class to complete the assignment so i was going to try and get the movie this weekend if thats ok with you

Spontaneous me

Chelsey Wilkins


The poem “Spontaneous Me” was written by Walt Whitman. The first expression from the poem was that this person didn’t know what to write about yet he managed to appeal to parts of the rhetoric triangle. This poem is very general but yet self-explanatory.



Whitman had interesting choices of diction. He used many nouns and adjectives but just not by their selves yet together with a time of day or a place. For instance, “the wet woods through the early hours.” The phrase kind of brings a little imagery to my mind like what wet wood would look like at this time of day. Another example is, “the limpid liquid within the youngman.” Not only does Whitman describe the liquid but he’s like hey this is what the liquid is like you could find it in a boy not just any but like a young man.


Whitman appealed to an infinite amount of figurative language in this poem. Everything he talks about is compared to something either using a metaphor or a simile. Now his choice in figurative language kind of gave me an idea about his characteristics as a person. To me Whitman comes out as a detailed poet maybe someone who likes to include a lot of details, which could possibly be the reason why he uses so many comparisons in his work.


Lastly, Whitman showed pathos. The poem comes across as maybe just a list of things that you may observe if you look hard enough but I don’t believe that’s the only message here. Whitman most likely listed the beautiful things in life one may notice if they just stopped in looked. It’s like not a list of things you could do to go to hell or anything like that, but a detailed list about beautiful things in life, where they are, what time, and what time they are there.


To conclude, Whitman is an emotional person. From his work, I assumed that he tries to look at the brighter things in life. Whitman appealed to a couple points of the rhetoric triangle mainly pathos. I thought that Whitman was a bad poet but came to find out he is a very detail oriented person and notices some of the appealing things in the world that most don’t.