Connections to Wallflower

As I delve more deeply into my independent reading book, I find that I am more like the character then I thought. He has developed relationships with people older then him, and I find myself almost like the people he is friends with. I have a lot of younger friends that I am really going to miss when I graduate, ones that have changed me and made an impact on my life. I can only imagine what he is going through right now, having all of his friends leave him, he is left to recreate himself again. I guess you could almost say that it's his fault for making older friends, but we cant chose friends, it just happens. On page 173 Charlie the main character is talking about how he is an outcast again, his friends left and now he is forced to be alone. The main character has really grown since the beginning of his school year, and I think he is okay with being alone and eventually he will make freinds again like he did before. The worst feeling for some people is being alone, while to others it is the best. I feel as if Charlie once enjoyed being alone, not having experienced friendship and companionship. I really hope the book turns out well and he makes new friends, because being alone is the worst feeling once you know what it's like to have friends.

Graduation

Seeing as there are already a million valedictorians there wouldn't really be much to say after them. I think that the best thing to say would be good luck and have a great time at college. Graduating high school is a really big deal, even though school sucked really bad all four years, we have been surrounded by the same people for so long, its hard to say goodbye. Through the friendships and the ridiculous amount of work and the stubborn teachers we've put up with for the past century, it is all coming to a close. I think that it's not goodbye, it's just good luck until we meet again.

Characterization

From what I've read so far, the characters in this book are all individually unique but also they have many similarities. The main character charlie has adapted himself to his friends in mostly a physical sense. I think that he has taken his surroundings and morphed them into himself. I think that by trying to put past his mental and emotional stress and being able to gain friends has turned him almost into a different person.

I think that some of the controversial topics mentioned in this book are what really make it a good read, I initially expected it to be about something different. I also do not like to make predictions about what will happen to the characters at the end of the book because following their paths throughout the book has been really difficult because they all went through so many experiences and changes.

Amir's Atonement

I think that Amir has a slight chance of achieving atonement in his life. He witnessed something that scarred him for life, and he is in bitter resentment that he witnessed it at all. I think that apologizing to his friend for not sticking up for him would be a great atonement for himself. Or admitting that he was a bad friend to Hassan and should have treated him better, and somehow made it up to him would prove as atonement. Amir seeks atonement by letting out the secret he holds about Hassan, and also all the wasted time he spent worrying about everyones opinion of him, especially his father.

I do not think that atonement exists, only personal relief that a problem was resolved that happened in the past. I think that when more then one person is involved in this wrong doing or mistake, you cannot makeup for it by masking it with apologizes or some gesture to make the sinful situation disappear. I think that a mistake you make stays buried in the past, but I also believe that not making that mistake in the future is a type of atonement. You can make all the promises in the world to never cheat on your spouse again, you can prove yourself loyal, but atonement is something that can never be reached because a mistake that large is unforgivable and you cannot possibly make up for it when another person is involved. I believe in personal atonement, in a way that you give yourself satisfaction as well as ease your consience for a mistake you made.

My Cheating Mistake

I remember in fourth grade, I had reading problems and it took me a lot longer then everyone else to comprehend tests because I was "special" and learned differently, (not really but I was a really shy kid that didn't like to talk- ever). This one particular test was really important, it actually counted for a grade. I remember that I wasn't sure if my answers were correct, and I hesitated to turn in my test. Walking up and handing in my test, I suddenly realized that I had forgotten to put my name on the line in the right corner of the paper. I took it back out of the silver wired bin and brought it back to my seat to write my name on it really fast. Then my teacher called me out on it, in front of the whole class, and accused me of cheating.
I felt so ashamed of myself and I wanted to cry. If that wasn't bad enough, she then proceeded to take me out of the classroom and yell at me about whether I cheated or not. She was my favorite teacher, so hearing her yelling at me made me feel like I was on some type of bad trip. I confessed to her that I was unsure if my answers were correct, but I would never cheat. She checked over my answers, and seeing as I probably failed I most likely was telling the truth. She then helped me work out the answers and I got the test back a week later with a B. I feel like I learned a few lessons that day; never make a foolish mistake that can lead to accusations,always write your name on every paper you get - ever for the rest of your life, and also not to be afraid to ask for help. I feel like asking for help was one of my greatest weaknesses in life.

Creative Story

This solider was on the run for nearly a week, trying to find his troupe for he had lost his way.
With only his backpack, the solider has been dodging and fleeing attacks in this foreign country for what seemed like forever. The end is near, the food in his bag is running low; he is faced with a decision;to starve or to risk getting killed are his only two options. He once heard a story that where there are insects there is water, so following his gut he decided to head in the direction the insects were buzzing to. Little did he know what was waiting for him at the end of his journey:A tent filled with terrorists. Armed only with his bullet-less rifle, the solider began to panic. There was no turning back, he had entered onto their territory, he had to face the consequences. With every step the soldiers heartbeat quickened it's pace. The only way around the tent was to jump off a cliff, to face death in the quickest manner, if there were not water running in that deep crack in the land. Taking the biggest risk of his life, the soldier found himself skidding down the side of the cliff, alive. He made it to water finally, but all he could do was run as far as he could away from that tent, away from his fears and into the jungle of mystery.

The Triumph of Evil

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing.
- Edmund Burke

I think that this quote is really powerful, and I disagree as well as agree with it. I think that evil only exists if a person is weak and is able to be overpowered by it. I agree with this quote because if the good and unevil people of the world did something to stop evil from spreading, there would not be a problem. As long as good exists, evil will as well.