Olga-Julissa’s Comments (group member since Jul 28, 2015)

Olga-Julissa’s comments from the AP Language & Composition ELA III - John H. Reagan ECHS group.

Unlike the chaplain, Meursault is aware of his fate; he isn't "living like a dead man." He knows death is promised and chooses to accept it without the "consolation of God" (mostly because he doesn't believe he is real). I don't know if I am the only one, but I really can relate to this. I'm not sure what life is going to bring me or what/who I will become, along with anyone/everyone else, but the one thing that is for certain is that death awaits us. Dying is something that happens to tons of people every day, yet it is something that most of us avoid thinking about. When we do think about it, we run for some form of comfort. We are afraid of becoming nothing, so we believe in an afterlife. We are afraid of a world without meaning or religion, so we believe that God will be there when we die to guide us. I don't know if this makes me an "absurdist", but (much like the author/Meursault) I really find no point in relying on or believing in a transcendent idea. I don't find life any more meaningful, or death any less scary, just because people believe that God is the reason behind our existence.
(I'm not trying to make anyone agree with me or talk down those who do believe, this is just my thought on something from my book.)

Alyssa wrote: "I find it very interesting that people are getting from Kirida's book cover the same type of vibe! They are interpreting similar things! And that just comes to show you that everyone judges a book bye its cover (literally), and when authors incorporate illustrations on their covers, that I believe allows more "judging" and I see pros and cons with having illustrations! My book on the other hand has no illustrations, nothing to hint to you what the book may be about. I feel that the author did the right thing, because that way you have nothing to sway you, or distract you from the book! You can just read the (really good) book! And focus of her words! And without the cover art you are also able to interpret the book in your way! For example this can also connect with music!
How many of you have really liked a song but once you saw the music video it messes everything up for you and you can't hear the song the same way! Because of those visuals it made you see it differently, or sway your idea of the song! Same thing with books!"

I downloaded an ebook version of The Stranger rather than getting a hard copy, so before reading my book, I had no way of judging the it (besides reading summaries online). I had a love/hate relationship with this. I loved it because, same as you, there was nothing to really distract me from the book; I hated it because I couldn't really analyze it before reading it.
I think that book covers should be something really thought out because they're like first impressions and are what intrigues a reader, and whether or not the book has one is equally as important. The audience judging the book before actually reading it could be either a good or bad thing, depending on their interpretation of the illustration(s).

(ps- I never would have thought to compare the cover of a book to the music video of a song, but I can relate)

Erik wrote: "at the end of the book it says ," they will know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind. For the ones who cannot out." do you think it is always good to remember where you came from?
I think its always good to remember because without memories there is no growth and there is no character. "
I agree that it's a good thing to remember where you came from. When you "make it to the top", you'd want to know what you have sacrificed, how many times you have failed, or how hard you worked to get to where you are at that point. Similar to what you said, I believe that there is no growth or character without the failures and successes of life. Although you continue living without them, your roots are what keep you, you.

This really caught my attention. You don't have to know what the book is about to understand what it is that this character is saying. Like Meursault (the narrator), I have never really given this much thought, but I find it quite interesting.

This quote kind of reminds me of something from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury; "'I sometimes think drivers don't know what grass is, or flowers, because they never see them slowly....My uncle drove slowly (40 mph) on a highway once..and they jailed him for two days. Isn't that funny, and sad, too? . . . Have you seen the 200 ft long billboards..? Did you know that once billboards were only 25 ft long? But cars started rushing by so quickly they had to stretch..out so it would last?'"

After reading both of these quotes, I'm sure that I am not the only one who sees a connection. It seems to me that both characters have come to the realization that everyone is living their lives at a fast pace and no one actually takes the time to make real observations or live in the moment. Not only is there a connection between books, but there is also a connection between these two quotes and our real lives. A lot like these characters, rather than seeing and enjoying life for what it is, we're in a huge rush to just get everything over with.

the stranger by albert camus

Although I haven't done much of it lately, I like to read during my free time. I enjoy reading poetry, but am not the best at writing it. What I think I'm good at is writing persuasive or informative speeches (even though I don't like presenting them). Another thing I enjoy reading about is world/national problems (like human trafficking, police brutality, etc.). I am also very interested in getting involved in my community and am always up to hearing people's opinions when it comes to politics. I really look forward to getting back into reading this school year and getting to know a lot of new people, including y teachers.