Henry IV and the big Q

Shakespeare seems to be a fairly optimistic poet,and in Henry IV Prince Hal is given the charge of changing the world. As well as changing his world in order to become king, Hal changes the tone of the war and assumes the role of a great and successful king. His choices influenced the world, and in return, influenced his world.

Ghosts and that BIG q

Can one man change the world?
Ghosts author Henrick Ibsen seems to believe so. In the novel, the dead father drastically changes the lives of his wife and son. He changed dreams as well as realities, and perhaps forever altered the course of life for his kin.

The Big Question

My big question is as follows-
Can one man really change the world?

Oedipus seems to answer this question in a fairly pessimistic way. Although Oedipus tries his best to change the way his world is meant to turn out, fate follows him and allows his own worst fears to come true. In this sense, Oedipus is a story about how nothing you do matters, and in the end you can change nothing. Too bad, cause I was hoping for something that says "yes the only thing that does change the world is someone dedicated." Such is not the case in this ancient tragedy.

Summer Reading Reviews

1984 by George Orwell- 5 stars

This book is a necessary read for everyone, and is rightfully a classic. The ideas and questions raised in the story are applicable today as well as in the past, and it is so thoughtfully written that it can not help but make you really reevaluate your beliefs in society and our government. If the plot seems a little dry at times just take a step back and look at the bigger picture and the messages that Orwell is sending to the reader. All the topics covered and things criticized make up for any lack of plot creativity. I believe everyone should read this, whether for a school assignment or just leisure, it is a necessary book that needs to be explored and discussed again and again.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte- 3 stars

The length of this book is certainly a turn off to some, at times the plot seems to drag, however when something interesting is going on it becomes much more of a page turner, adventurous and interesting. I found it hard to keep reading past a certain point just because of the sheer length of the book but page number aside the plot and characters were well developed, it has a more classic plotline than 1984. Less of a thriller and more about the characters and their journeys, for some people this could be a great story... just not for me.

Summer Reading

Between Jane Eyre, and 1984, the two books I read over the summer, 1984 was far better and delivered a far more powerful message than Jane Eyre did. 1984 is a story of struggle and survival, keeping one's individuality and own thoughts through the most trying times. It is quite relevant in today's times and I often find myself comparing things in our world to the world of 1984. On a personal likeability scale, I give 1984 an 8, and I understand completely why it is such a classic read in our society today.
Jane Eyre took a classic approach, a more proper story, however it holds its fair share of dramatic and adventurous events it does not touch on any topic as great as 1984. Dealing with relationships between the rich and poor, and relationships between two people as well, the book is interesting but does not deliver as powerful a message as 1984, and is hardly as memorable as Big Brother. I would personally give Jane Eyre a 4 on my scale of likeability.