FINAL ASSESSMENT

English 10 with Mr. Neufeld was very interesting, because this is my first paperless class, and I enjoyed most of it like the freedom of the class and the fact that we hand in virtual assignments because I've had many incidents before that the teacher has misplaced my project. I've learned a lot about my capabilities as a student and my personality. I've also learned what I'm good at and what I need work on. I enjoyed English 10 but I guess now it's time to move on from it.

My self regulation in class is really good. I'm awfully quiet in class when I do work in a focused matter so if you see me in the back with a straight face with earbuds in, typing away on my phone, 98% time I'm doing work. The other 2% is responding to messages and social media stuff. But after that I usually snap back to work. I don't think I've missed a class this year. But I have missed a few assignments. For example, when I started writing this, I had a short story due Friday and I didn't work on it once over the long weekend. Yes, I do have a problem with doing work outside of class, and assignments end up coming in late, but that usually happens when my family, or myself, has an event over the weekend. Last weekend, I was at my cousin's all weekend with my family, and it's hard to watch a bunch of kids and the house and remember to finish the short story on time. It'll be submitted though. I hope. My seating location, I basically stuck with all year and I think everyone else did. It was a good seat, but some nearby classmates would distract me from time to time but it wasn't major. Except when we do group discussions. There's always that one kid in the group that would throw the group off and it's hard to stay on topic when that person does that almost every time. I don't need to point at names but if you could hear our discussions, you'd know exactly who it is. If I had a strength in English, it's sharing with others. Ideas, personal thoughts, and my ability to relate with others is the one thing I'm good at because I'm an extrovert, meaning I have the tendency to share things more often than an introvert. In my summative essay, I share an experience about how I instantly changed from someone's enemy to only friend when I found out about his problems in his life. 

"We then walked over to him and asked if he wanted to hang with us because after finding out that his dad beat him everyday, with no help, plus knowing that there are a bunch of kids who hate you at school, I said this was enough standing up and it's time to help up." - Summative Essay

My quality of communication skills is good around the oral area because I am now used to talking to big groups. In written, it's good but I need to work on writing formally which is the only reason why my essays can't get A's. My communication multimedia is fair. My ideas shared on Edmodo aren't always the best but when it comes to ideas in Blogger posts, they're helpful. Three things I do really well on in the PLO's are A1 because in class we basically do this all the time and we sit in groups. In terms of supporting each other, I see myself as one of the kids in class who encourages others well. B6 is kind of a second nature thing I've been doing since English 8. And C1 is another area of strength because sharing is in me to do, I do it often and sometimes I don't even mean to which can be seen in my "Tattoo Assignment"

My contribution to English is pretty good. My comments are positive and see the good things in mistakes like so:

And on Edmodo my comments shine light on what I think of things:

But then sometimes I comment things that aren't that useful and they are pretty silly:

I've learned that if you don't provide your ideas to the class, then you won't be able to learn as much as you do if you do out your idea after. I've also learned that no idea is a bad idea. Unless it's just stupid and promotes negativity. Those are bad ideas.

Throughout all of this semester, I think this class is one of my favorites because of the friends I have here and Mr. Neuf makes English... Interesting. I think I deserve a 82% for this class. I hope I do well on this provincial so it can bump up.

Short Story : The Window

I'm I chose Picture Number 1. Just getting that out there. 

"Terrence James Carter, go to your room!"

I hate going to my room. It sucks. My summer vacation sucks. First we move away from San Francisco to go to Seattle, then we don't even end up getting a house, but instead we're renting an apartment for a few months. And to make it worse, it's on the third floor. I hate heights, I'm a chicken when it comes to heights, I can't even climb the stairs without not closing my eyes.

But you know what really gets me? The fact that my room's walls, has a hawk wallpaper on them. My mom tries to reassure me and tell me they're doves but noooooo. Those are some killer, bird-brained hawks on my wall. Why are you so scared of Hawks you ask? Well when I was younger, six years ago when I was 4, I went to the San Diego Zoo with my family and we went to the birds section and there was a hawk. I went over to pet it and it started flapping around and screeching while I started jumping around and screeching too, which was total madness and traumatized me (Mr. Joey told the class what it meant even though I'm the only one who understood). That's why I hate hawks.

Daddy said that he'd change my wallpaper and paint it white when he gets enough money. So for now I have to deal with the Hawks everywhere.

It was really hot in my room so I opened the window and a nice breeze came in, the sun was just setting, and the sky was nice and orange and something about the breeze made me feel... relaxed. Then I fell asleep. When I woke up, I wasn't in my room. But I was in a grass field. And the sun was shining. And there were... TWO LITTLE PEOPLE STANDING ON BOTH OF MY SHOULDERS!

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHH! WHAT ARE YOU GUYS?!?" I screamed.

The guy in white said, "Fear not, young child, we don't mean any harm."

The guy in black said, "Well I do, those pants make you look like you're 50. HAHAHAHAHA."

"I'm so sorry, my partner is a little... crazy."

"You're crazy."

"Shut up Dämon."

"Whoa wait, who are you guys?" I finally said. They seemed really familiar though...

"Oh yes, my name is Angelo, I'm your guardian angel. And this nut is-"

"Dämon, prince of evil, you can say I'm the Devil's son."

"Yeah, um we are basically your angel and your devil." He continued.

"Like in cartoons?" I asked

"Yes young Terry, like in cartoons." said Angelo. "We're here to guide you through your journey."

"Wait, what journey?" I asked

"Basically when you opened that window to let in the air, you didn't pass out because it was like looking in the mirror and fainting at your ugliness, but the 'Mad Shadow' has taken your soul, and he wants you to complete a journey in your head, and if you succeed, you'll get over your fears." said Dämon.

"And if I don't?" I said.

"You'll still be scared of your fear. I believe it is heights and hawks?" Angelo said.

"Oh no, do I have to...gulp...face my fears?" I said slowly sinking into the grass.

Then a hawk screeched. I saw a large shadow shoot through the sky.

"That better not be..." I paused in shock as I obviously hoped it wasn't. "a giant Hawk?"

"Alright here's the deal. This isn't a test set by the Mad Shadow, the Mad Shadow has invaded your world. You're not the only kid here. There are more kids from around the world also taken by the Mad Shadow's breeze. Those who succeed wake up from their dreams. Those who fail stay asleep. Forever." Angelo said quietly. "The only way is to succeed the Mad Shadow's challenge. To face your fear and use it. Many have failed and only 17 out of a few thousand kids have succeeded. So basically, you've got a small chance."

I froze. Then I fell to my knees. Why me? Why did he make me do it? Come on! What did I do? And why did I get these two nuts with me?

"You know we can hear your thoughts Terrence." Angelo said.

"We're here to guide you through this stuuupid journey to free your sorry soul. I usually don't encourage people, but I hope you don't get eaten by that hawk. That would be nasty." Said Dämon as i squirmed a bit. "Plus we'd get eaten with you."

"Dämon don't scare the boy!"

"He has to face his fears. He already is scared up his-"

"Ah ah ah! No cursing in front of the boy. You want me to tell Satan you've been helping people?"

"Alright I'll shut up."

I could tell that this journey wasn't gonna be fun. 

"Ok where do I go to face my fear?" I asked.

We looked around. Then all of the sudden some signs and a fork of paths.

Some signs said "This Way for Ground Fears" others were "This Way for Jungle Fears" and finally I saw "This Way for Sky Fears"

"Oh God no. Here we go." 

Then all of the sudden a horse appeared.

"Did I tell you we can also create whatever, whenever?" Said Angelo.

"That's sick!" I said as we hopped onto the horse.

We rode up to the top of a mountain, and we waited for a while. And then it happened.

SKREEEEEEE!

A hawk appeared and it was gigantic. A door then appeared behind the hawk. It seemed like he was being controlled by a man. But not any ordinary man. His head was replaced with a lion's.

"MY NAME IS LEONE! I AM THE MAD SHADOW'S SERVANT AND I WAS SENT HERE TO TEST YOUR BRAVERY!"

"Say it, don't spray it dirtbag!" Said Dämon.

"How dare you insult me useless creature! Don't you know who I am?" Said Leone.

"Nope. That makes you irrelevant doesn't it?" Dämon said as he laughed. 

"I AM THE KING OF THE JUNGLE! LEONE!"

There was an awkward silence.

"You know, Leone meaning lion in Latin. And my head's a head of a lion. And lions are the royalty of a jungle." he awkwardly said.

"No. Please. Just don't." Angelo added.

"WHATEVER! Get ready to face your fear Terrence James Carter! RAPTOR! ATTACK!" boomed Leone.

SKREEEEEEE!

Raptor flapped his wings fiercely which knocked us off our feet. Then all of the sudden time started slowing down. My mind kind of blacked out because all I saw was black until I saw my dad. 

"Be observant Terrence. You'll solve any  problem if you're observant." He told me this when I trained for Ultimate Frisbee.

Then I noticed that the door behind Leone and Raptor had a lock on it, and Leone had chains on his neck. And they had keys on them. I also noticed that Raptor had a key in his neck which probably kept him moving. So I thought quickly. And I had a plan!

"ANGELO!"

"WHAAAT?!?"

"GIVE ME A SHIELD AND A HELMET!"

"WHAAAT?!?"

"A SHIELD AND A HELMET YOU BIG-"

SKREEEEEE!

"OH OKAY!"

All of the sudden I had a shield on my left arm and a helmet on my... right hand?

"DARN IT ANGELO, MAKE ME DO ALL THE WORK." As I put on the helmet.

"I'M SORRY MAN I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE." Angelo yelled back.

"Y'all need to say it not spray it." Dämon said.

"SHUT UP DÄMON!" Angelo and I both yelled. 

Now that I had my shield to throw at Leone to knock him off Raptor, I needed a distraction. Cue the lightbulb thingy.

"Dämon!" I yelled.

"What is it..?"

"I want you to distract Raptor and Leone by talking smack to them and being a straight up jerk towards them."

"Now that's something I like!" Dämon said as he dispersed from us.

"HEY BIRDBRAIN!!!" Dämon yelled at Raptor and Leone.

"LOOK AT ME I'M A WORM!" Dämon said as he transformed into a worm.

Raptor then lunged towards Dämon. But then Dämon became a blob of lava inside Raptors beak which spit him out and made Raptor go berserk.

I realized that this was my cue to throw my shield at Leone to knock him off Raptor. Which I did. I nailed him which knocked him off Raptor.

"HASHTAG CAPTAIN AMERICA!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

It turns out I knocked out Leone. And I had to face Raptor to take out his key. Probably the only part I didn't know what to do.

I walked up to Raptor and stood eye to eye with him. I froze in shock. I was sweating like I was right beside the sun. He looked me straight in the eye. And I swear, he grinned then turned around. Then he lunged towards my as I stood there in shock. I thought that this was it. This was the end.

Then it hit me. But not Raptor. Angelo. He knocked me out of the way somehow, and he was hit by Raptor. I looked at Angelo as he laid there. Then he looked at me and said,

"Dad would've been proud of you little bro."

I stood there in shock as he slowly disappeared. I saw Dämon. And he was... crying. I was... crying. And then I felt... anger. They were... my brothers? I THEN SCREAMED AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS AS I CHARGED AT RAPTOR.

"You'll PAY FOR THIS!" I boomed as I magically had a sword in my hand. I looked over at Dämon and he was wearing white. He became an angel like Angelo. And he gave me the sword.

I slashed at Raptor as he stood there, seeming unaffected. Then Dämon slashed at Raptor which stunned him.

"TERRY GET THE KEY!" He shouted.

I then leaped towards Raptor and took his key. And Raptor exploded.

It was over.

Dämon then created a hawk. And I looked at it. And I was fine.

"Looks like you overcame your fear. Little brother."

"I guess." I said

"Dämon?"

"Yeah?"

"Why did you... why did you guys leave home?" I asked. "Why did you leave us at home?"

"I'll tell you later, but it's time to wake up." He said.

He unlocked the door and a blinding light shone at my face. And then I woke up. There he was at my door. He came back.  But there were things that seemed off... he had blood on his shirt, there was a red handprint on his face and there were red, white and blue lights flashing outside.

I looked out the window, and there were two bodies laying in pools of red outside.

Then I woke up. On the ground. In my room. At Seattle. And my parents were calling me to the living room. 

"TERRENCE JAMES CARTER!"

As I walked out of my room, I noticed some thing's. The walls no longer had Hawks, the window was now closed, and that there was a dark figure at the window. It looked like a shadow...

Short Story Sentences

Plot

-introduction - When the narrative character (The Narrator) is describing the setting. "It was getting on toward six o'clock so I thought I'd buy myself a beer and go out and sit in a deck chair by the swimming pool and have a little evening sun."



-conflict (man vs man/man vs himself) (internal/external) - Man vs Man (Sailor vs Gambler), Man vs Self (Sailor vs His Thoughts), and Man Vs Self (Vacationer vs His Thoughts)


-rising action - When the sailor lights the lighter 8 times in a row.


-climax - When the lady walks in. "Eight!" I said, and as I said it the door opened. We all turned and we saw a woman standing in the doorway, a small, black-haired woman, rather old, who stood there for about two seconds then rushed forward shouting, "Carlos! Carlos!"

-falling action - When the lady reveals who the Cuban guy really is.


-denouement - When the lady grabs the keys to her Cadillac and you see her fingers.

Character

- protagonist (main character) - The Narrator and Sailor because of the conflicts present in the story.

- antagonist (force opposing the main character) - The Gambler and The Narrator and Sailor's thoughts. "There was a silence then, and I could see that the little man has succeeded in disturbing the boy with his absurd proposal. He was sitting there very still, and it was obvious that a small tension was beginning to build up inside him. Then he started shifting about in his seat, and rubbing his chest, and stroking the back of his neck, and finally he placed both hands on his knees and began tapping his fingers against his knee-caps. Soon he was tapping with one of his feet as well. 'Now just let me check up on this bet of yours,' he said at last. 'You say we go up to your room and if I make this lighter light ten times running I win a Cadillac. If it misses just once then I forfeit the little finger of my left hand. Is that right?'" (This part being his thoughts kicking in about his pinky.)

-static (remains the same) - The British Girl because she doesn't speak much and she only talks about how stupid she thinks the bet is stupid. 


-round (complex with many characteristics) - The Gambler because we know the most about him, like how he's not actually rich, and the fact that he collects fingers.

- flat (single or simple characteristics) - The British Girl again because she doesn't do much in the story. 

- stock character (stereotype) - The Sailor because "Americans will risk anything for their greed"

- dynamic (changes throughout) - The Gambler, he goes from chilled, nice guy to crazy and weird psychopath.

Setting

-time - The time is evening which is mentioned in the intro.

-place - The place where the story takes place is at a hotel in Jamaica

-atmosphere - the atmosphere goes paradisal to unsettling and a little strange (entering the hotel room)

Theme

Not to gamble or trust a stranger. You never know who they truly are.

Point of View

-first person - The narration of the Referee throughout the story is in first person because it uses words like "I"


-third person (omniscient, limited omniscient, objective/limited) -

Foreshadowing

When the sailor lit his cigarette and the Referee's cigarette, he then started having thoughts that his lighter is working, which it did during the bet but it was interrupted.

 

Perspective

Everyone has had that moment, whether you think so or not, where you kind of judged someone but didn't know their whole story, find out something and think, was I wrong? I've had that moment numerous times. I believe that after walking a mile in someone else's shoes you don't understand, your perspective of them and probably yourself will change.

"Romeo and Juliet" is a love story, considered to be the best love story, and there is a moment as a reader of the play where I was placed in someone else's shoes and thought, maybe that person kind of has a reason to be that way.  Lady Capulet, Juliet's mother, is a drinker and she doesn't stand up for her daughter like in Act III, Scene IV when Capulet flips out at Juliet. Well in Act 1 Scene III, Lady Capulet mentions that she had Juliet younger than how old Juliet is. So, she had Juliet when she was younger than 14, and that's probably why she doesn't really do mother-like things with Juliet. She probably just wasn't ready altogether. Imagine you're a 12 year old girl, going through the process of giving birth, and then raising the child. That's probably why Nurse was hired.

In class, we read a novel "The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-time" written by Mark Haddon about a young autistic boy, Christopher Boone and his parents separated. Mr. Boone, his father, was left to take care of the autistic child on his own. That is tiring enough, but add in a job as a maintenance man and the occasional emergency jobs. Later in the book, Christopher then finds out his mother is not dead, his father killed the dog next door, and he lied to him, which meant he couldn't trust him. So he ran off to London to live with his mother. She then had to go a few weeks taking care of Christopher and she then felt how Mr. Boone felt, taking care of an autistic kid while trying to maintain a job. Through this, Mrs. Boone did what Mr. Boone did for a few weeks and saw that, it's hard to take care of young Chris, but it's harder to do that on his own.

My final example is a personal experience, this happened back in fourth grade and it really proves my point because this was a real life situation. Back in fourth grade there was a kid on the playground, he was basically the bully of the playground. He picked on anybody he saw. Even some of the kids from older grades didn't mess with him. One day he decided that I was the perfect victim. I was going through a lot that time though, my dad's uncle passed away and he was a fun guy to be around, my brothers were so annoying at home so when this bully started messing me and asking for a fight, I gave it to him. We both got beat, and for the rest of the year until summer vacation we had those moments where we had our crews at different sides of the room, or in this case the playground, and we always had problems between each other. I guess my friends and I were the first ones to stand up to him and that's why he was always worrying about me. During summer though, I was walking around the neighborhood with my friends and we saw him thrown out the door by an older man. It turns out that he was having problems at home, his dad was really abusive. Imagine witnessing beatings almost everyday and getting beat, and your mother couldn't do anything to prevent it. That's what this kid was going through and he bullied others to make himself feel like he has power over people. We then walked over to him and asked if he wanted to hang with us because after finding out that his dad beat him everyday, with no help, plus knowing that there are a bunch of kids who hate you at school, I said this was enough standing up and it's time to help up. His problems were worse than mine and I started thinking, "Did I really need to blow out and fight back because my brothers were really annoying at home and that my grandfather could finally go to heaven?" This kid had thoughts of suicide everyday and it was the guy who was bullying kids. After befriending him I ended up leaving the next year but my friends now are close with him, and I just hope right now he's okay because if I went through what he did, I probably wouldn't survive all the pain and pressure.

Walking a mile in somebody else's shoes does change your perspective on them. I truly believe in this because not only is it in books, but I had a legitimate real life experience. It made my actions toward someone change from hostile to hospitable. And that's a pretty big change if you ask me.

Who Killed Wellington?

Mr. Boone Killed Wellington

Motive, affair with Mrs. Shears then argued.

Opportunity, they're literally across the street and it happened at night, an ideal time to commit a crime. And he periodically drinks, he could have been drunk at the time of the killing.

Means, if having an affair with Mrs. Shears, at some point he could have received the key to her shed, having access to the tools.

Who Killed Wellington?

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a book about an autistic young boy, Christopher John Francis Boone, who tries to find out who killed his neighbour's dog, Wellington. With all of my thinking and all of my investigating, I conclude that Mr. Boone, Chris' father, is the one who killed Wellington.

There are a few things that made me suspect that Mr. Boone killed Wellington. He doesn't like Chris mentioning Mr. Shears, for maybe whenever "Shears" is mentioned, he's reminded of his crime. It's a possibility for an inexperienced killer to crack when they hear the name of their victim. Also when Christopher saw his father crying and drinking, Chris asked if he was sad about Wellington, and he replied "Yes Christopher, you could say that. You could very well say that." But in the car ride back he said that the dog wasn't important and he didn't care about the dog.

Now, in every mystery, there's always a red herring, which acts as a fake clue, a clue that has nothing to do with the actual mystery. Like when Mr. Boone said that "Mr. Shears is evil" I started thinking that Mr. Shears might have something to do with the murder, what if he moved out because of the affair between Mr. Boone and Mrs. Shears. Maybe he was angry at Mrs. Shears. BUT. Why would you kill the dog two whole years later? It just doesn't add up because most crimes are consistent events.

Now for me to prove that Mr. Boone DID KILL Wellington. He is so protective of the subject. After picking Chris up from the police station, Chris starts asking questions about Wellington. What does Mr. Boone do? He flips out. He tells Chris that the "dog isn't important" but if it isn't important, why be so protective of the subject? He constantly tells him to "leave it" And sure maybe he's just trying to keep Chris out of trouble but he doesn't tell him that does he? And also, he states that "Mrs. Shears is not a friend anymore." Because he just committed homicide on her dog. Why would they not be friends anymore? An affair? Most likely...

With this evidence, I can prove that Mr. Boone killed Wellington, because of suspicious sayings, and the fact that it's totally possible that he had an affair with Mrs. Shears. Because to a guy like Mr. Boone, perfect revenge is killing the one last thing that she loved. 

Proud by D-Pryde (2013 - Canal and Richvale)

So the song Proud by D-Pryde is song by Russell "D-Pryde" Llantino that was dedicated for his mother that is fighting through cancer and for all the kids going through rough times for his first Commercial Album and sixth Mixtape, "Canal and Richvale" Track #3. It talks about his minor success as an artist and that he does music to try to make his mother proud of him. But it also talks about regular problems for kids and teens like bullying, discrimination, and overall, being put down for being unique.

I chose this song because I'm a huge fan of the artist, and it speaks to me and gets my mood up.

"I used to be the youngin' that would dream
but everybody said that he don't up to nothing.
Got picked up and threw down, wasn't part of the cool crowd.
Now my crowd is huge and it's a different month, new town,
still haven't made it yet
I've known I gotta work...
even if my shoe game is not berserk
they still kick it with me, I ain't got fat pockets
I just reppin' for kids that deal with mad problems."

This is basically a stage I went through growing up. For being the short kid a lot in school, people thought they had complete control over me. And I let them do things to me. Was jumped, beat up, and didn't really have anywhere to go. I met some friends and they boosted me up, and when I moved to Surrey, my cousin showed me around and now my circle of friends blew up. "Got picked up and threw down (bullied), wasn't part of the cool crowd (no one really thought I was "cool"). Now my crowd is huge (who's successful now?) and it's a different month (after Burnaby days), new town (Surrey)." Basically, this part of his verse is about not fitting in and how it sucks. It's not cool to not be accepted, right? And I always was scared to not be accepted in something I do like I was before.

"Care about your family," this is another line which is pretty straightforward. If you know me this is all I care for and it puts pressure on me because I'm constantly ditching things to help my family out.  And being the oldest, I have a lot of pressure setting an example for my brothers.

[Verse 1:]
I used to be the youngin' that would dream
But everybody said he don't up to nothing
Got picked up they threw down wasn't part of the cool crowd
Now my crowd is huge and it’s a different month
New town still haven't made it yet
I’ve known I gotta work... even though my shoe game
Is not berserk they still kick it with me
I ain't got fat pockets I’m just reppin for the kids
That deal with mad probs... man music is all I really know
Couldn’t ace a test even if it saved my life
I’m just an fearing that i would grow up to be my father
But my momma keeps me up but I know that because she raises me right
I said I got her, I'm hungry, I’m getting malnourished...
Forget a chain, I’m more concerned about a house purchase
Now I'mma do it cause they said it would be impossible
Through every common obstacle
I’ll make you proud i got you all yeah!

[Hook:]
As I live my life... I’m living out my dreams
Now it will be alright... I love you
I just wanna make you proud of me
I have this aiming life... success is what I need
And it will be alright... I love you
I just wanna make you proud of me

[Verse 2:]
Now yeah, want a Porsche like Phillip
Jason told me, kill it so I gotta rhyme and preach
Throwback Rozay I push it to the limit
Even though I clean it I still can homicide a beat uh
Kicked it out of the littlest room, that 50 cent make is all I’m listening to
Told me I be the biggest goggles when these Asian cats on
After that I knew that I would last long
The bullies would pull you down, But your heart will be hard as steel on the real
Care about your family and dollar bills
Like a dollar dollar bill y’all speaking and think
You don't need stiches in your stomach
Buy munease you would admit to all those dudes
Who made fun of me saying that i was dumb beat?
Yet those 15000 other rappers yet there is only one me
Now ima do it cause they said it would be impossible
Through every common obstacle
I’ll make you proud i got you all haah!

[Hook:]
As I live my life... I’m living out my dreams
Now it will be alright... I love you
I just wanna make you proud of me
I have this aiming life... success is what I need
And it will be alright... I love you
I just wanna make you proud of me

[Bridge]
Proud of me
Proud of me
Proud of me
Proud of me
Proud of me
Me, Me, Me

[Hook:]
As I live my life... I’m living out my dreams
Now it will be alright... I love you
I just wanna make you proud of me
I have this aiming life... success is what I need
And it will be alright... I love you
I just wanna make you proud of me

(lyrics from RapGenius :D)

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Relationship Essay (Topic A)

"A) Romeo and Juliet is widely considered one of the greatest love stories of all time. Decide if Romeo and Juliet's love is "real". Provide specific quotes from the play, use "real world" or personal examples, as well as any research on biology or relationships you do to support your position. Can we define love? Are there different kinds of love? Is one better or more "real" or valuable than another? Why? Is committing suicide for each other romantic? Can it be "true love" in the middle and NOT romantic in the end?"

     Romeo and Juliet is often referred to as the greatest love story ever created but there has been an argument on Romeo and Juliet's relationship with each other. Romeo and Juliet's love is real.

     Romeo and Juliet met at a Capulet party which is Juliet's family and Romeo's family's sworn enemy. Two days later, they got married. Before that, Romeo was in love with Rosaline, who didn't love him back and he was heartbroken. Yet when he saw Juliet, he forgot everything he said and thought of Rosaline. This is shown in these lines from the play in Act I Scene III, "Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night" Juliet was a Capulet, which hated the Montague family, Romeo's family.

     Romeo and Juliet may love each other, but their relationship seems more creepy than romantic. It is creepy, but it is still real. In Act III Scene I, Romeo kills Tybalt, Juliet's cousin and as shown in Scene II, she says she'd rather hear that Tybalt is dead than hear that Romeo is alive, well, and banished from the city. She'd rather weep for her husband than weep for her cousin, "‘Romeo is banished,’ to speak that word, Is father, mother, Tybalt, Romeo, Juliet, All slain, all dead. ‘Romeo is banished!’ There is no end, no limit, measure, bound, In that word’s death;" and also, they committed suicide for each other. That may be creepy and seem wrong but that's what brings me to my next point.

     Romeo and Juliet, despite all differences, would do anything for each other. In Act IV, Juliet goes through faking her death, and being laid in a tomb with her dead, rotting, ancestors just to be with her banished husband. And in the end of the play, Romeo kills himself to be in Heaven with his beloved Juliet only to be revealed that she was still alive, and then when she woke and saw that Romeo had been killed, she then commited suicide "for my love" They are willing to end their own lives, leaving behind family and friends for someone they met about a week ago. And that may be creepy, but that shows how much they would do for each other, and that's what really matters in true love.

     Romeo and Juliet's love is real because they still loved each other with all those differences and complications in play, they still loved each other, and surely some things in their love isn't so romantic, but their proving of what they would do for them is beyond your average dating relationship. Thus concluding that their love is real.

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