Crucible Post One

The Crucible is a book of power hungry characters who are all battling each other for the most power in Salem. Parris, the reverend, is a cruel man that would sacrifice his own daughters life for a good reputation among the people in the village even though there are only a select few that actually side with him through hard times. There is also the five mischievous girls, Abigail the leader and her four followers Betty, Ruth, Mercy, and Mary Warren. All five of them are accused as witches but instantly take that power and turn it against every other woman in the village. Suddenly they have the power and they control over every woman in the towns lives. But in the shadows there lurks three other power hungry people. Goody Putnam, her husband Mr. Putnam, and Reverend Hale. The Putnam's, who are the richest people in Salem, are the first to accuse anyone guilty or not. They both are in it for the land, the money, and the power. Reverend Hale is the designated "witch finder" and is given the power to decide who is a witch and who isn't. But with great power comes great responsibility and with seven people after this so called power there are bound to be dastardly consequences.

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" Response

The reaction of the people when Jonathan Edward's sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was one that would be remembered throughout generations. Edwards preached of how God hated everyone on Earth. He hated them more than the people that were already in Hell. He spoke of God as if he were just waiting to kill each and everyone of them and drop he or she into the fiery pit known as Hell. One would think that Edwards would preach this with anger and frustration in his voice but it was actually the opposite. He spoke in a monotone voice, giving the people time to ponder each word and let the fear of all of their fates sink in. Not only were there men and women listening, but children as well. Jonathan Edwards went from town to town frightening entire cities with his sermon. Even today peoples reactions wouldn't have differed from those when the sermon was given. Readers of the sermon in the twenty-first century are still spooked by his chilling tales of fire and brimstone.

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" Post

In the video, “Sinners of an Angry God Introduction”, the narrators dark voice tells the story of Jonathon Edwards. Edwards was a man devoted to his God and spent his life trying to show his people the truth of hell and salvation. His sermon, “Sinners of an Angry God” frightened the population and changed New England forever. He believed hell was a place and that if the people did not seek salvation they would all be doomed. The sermon started controversy, divisions between religion, and Jonathan Edwards was thought of as almost insane. The sermon was so powerful it changed the face of New England forever.

The Introduction states that the sermon was delivered to try and show the people what hell would be like and how they needed salvation. Edwards must have threateningly spun tales of fiery walls and demons at every corner to frighten the people and show them what would happen if they did not repent and redeem themselves. The masses of frightened people must have gone around trying to repent and eventually changed New England with different religions and tensions within the religions towards one another. Jonathon Edwards frightened the people into changing their religious ways. Even though the narrator stated that Edwards was viewed as a kind, loving man, the impression the sermon gives shows no compassion but only the thought of striking fear into the hearts of the people. Jonathon Edwards’ intentions of scaring the people into salvation clearly worked. From then on it seems everyone had a drastic change in caring about their sins. They repented and begged for salvation all because of Jonathon Edwards’ sermon.

Descriptive Post

Your soaring through the air. You close your eyes, tilt your head back, and let the wind blow your hair back as you spin around and around and around. You feel like your flying and you forget about the hard red plastic seats and focus on the horizon of palm trees and blue sky whirling around you. The cement floor and turquoise steel gate are a blur underneath you. You put your hands up and grab the metal chains connecting you to the spinning base. You have completely forgotten about the long line you waited in. It's completely gone underneath you. The hedges that surround the gate with their small red flowers are a haze beneath your feet. The wind whips your blonde hair back and you let go of all your worries and let them fly into the wind around you. For the other people its just a carnival ride but to you, it's a way to let everything go.

Expectations for Honors American Literature Students

As Honors American Literature students, the expectations for patience, reading comprehension, and extensive writing skills are higher than ever before.

Patience has always been necessary in any English class. However, in Honors American Literature, students are expected to have more patience then ever used in any previous English classes. Patience is most needed when reading any of the numerous novels chosen for this class. Students are expected to be able to sit down, read passages of the novel, and dissect the passage as if they were having a conversation with the text. Taking the time to analyze the passage, annotate, and find a hidden meaning beneath the text us an extensive process only a truly patient mind can handle. Honors American Literature students are expected to have already acquired this great deal of patience. To gain this patience you must be above average in maturity. Honors students have this capability because as the more advanced portion of the student body, they know how patience can help strengthen the mind and make succession in Honors American Literature, as well as any other class, much easier.

With the many novels given in this class, reading comprehension is a necessary tool to succeed in Honors American Literature. To fully understand the task at hand, the student needs to be familiar with the writing style and rhythm of the novel. This skill comes with the time and effort of reading many different novels with changing styles so the student can familiarize themselves with any kind of reading material. The familiarization with different texts enables the student to comprehend the novel at a deeper level. With extensive comprehension the student can now dissect the passage and look at the authors structure of writing and the meaning of the text. This enables the student to get a deeper look at the novel. Every English students needs reading comprehension. Honors students also need reading comprehension but the capacity for it is much greater.

Every English student needs to have an above average writing ability. In Honors American Literature, students are expected to have a greatly extensive knowledge in writing skills. Writing is a key part of Honors American Literature. Students must be able to use different literary techniques and make them identifiable to the reader of the paper. Students must know proper usage for terms such as alliteration, personification, and onomatopoeia and use these skills within the writing along with the other numerous writing techniques. A Honors American Literature student is expected to not just insert quotes, but to embed them within the paper and make it flow along with the rest of the text. As an Honors student the expectations for writing is increased tremendously. It is as if the students are looked upon as young, future authors in the process of writing a novel.

All English students are expected to be great readers and writers. As a Honors American Literature student, the expectations are to be a superb and detail oriented writer, have a patient and thoughtful mind, and to read any text and comprehend it as if the student was discussing the novels darkest secrets. The students in the class have amazing literary abilities. That is why they are Honors American Literature students.

About Me

Hi! I'm Zoie Elizabeth Uznis :)

I'm 14 years old (baby sophomore SADDLE UP woohoo!)

have three 'adorable' little brothers (Jack Ben and Peter- PB&J)

danced since I was 2 years old (I danced before I walked apparently)

 and now GPS Varsity Cheerleader for the 3rd season in a row.

I was born in Royal Oak, Michigan and I lived there as a happy only child for two peaceful years until my little brothers were all born. By the time my youngest brother Peter was born five years after me, my parents decided Michigan was to cold for us so we moved all the way down south to West Palm Beach, Florida. I lived in Florida for eight nice, warm, years before my parents decided, "Hey, let's move back to Michigan!". So we packed everything up and moved to the lovely area known as Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Since then I've been a Bronco and now a Blue Devil :) I like high school a lot more than middle school but I mean who doesn't. My all time favorite class ever is, and always has been, English. No, I'm not trying to suck up here to Mr. Provenzano I always loved reading and writing since i was a little kid. In fact, as dorky as this may sound, I actually want to be an English teacher when I grow up. My favorite book of all time actually happens to be To Kill A Mockingbird. But besides school I love photography. I'm actually kind of addicted to Tumblr (it's the best website you'll ever go on trust me). If you don't know what it is it's a lot like Blogger but for pictures mostly. Check it out if you haven't already http://zoozy96.tumblr.com/. I love anything like artsy and pictures definitely go right into that category. I'm a cheerleader if you didn't know GO DEVILS!  I eat like I should be 5,000,000 pounds... seriously it's a problem ;) I would die if I didn't have music. I have my radio on 24/7 or at least have my ipod with me at all times. My favorite type of music and yes I'll admit it is probably country. My favorite song EVER is sung by my idol...Elvis Presley. 

Well that's everything about me that is remotely interesting! Haha I hope you actually took the time to look at the pictures, listen to the song, and learn something about Zoie Uznis that you never knew before!(: