Moby Dick and My Opinion

Summary of the First Chapter: First, we are introduced to the narrator, Ishmael. He lived in Manhatten and talked about various different cultures. Ishmael lives here and tells us about his life, and later on speaks about not wanting to go out to sea anytime soon. He was so interested in the docks, and the ocean, but he would have to pay to leave. He didn't wish to live because he had to pay, he wanted to just be a sailor on his own.

My Own Reaction: Al though the story had a slow start it was nice nonetheless. I love to meet new characters in stories, and this was a great time to learn about a new interesting character. I think I'd like the book, and I probably would give it a read right after To Kill A Mocking Bird. Moby Dick seems like a great story over all, "legendary" and judged by many critics. It also started using a well known legendary quote known as "Call me Ishmael" a well known quote, Moby Dick is also notorious for other well known quotes, and is one of the most talked about books in the world.

Author's Intent (Patterns of Organization): The author used sequencing of events to put everything in order, especially Ishmael's life. He narrates the story, saying things as they happen, and this is how I knew this was the pattern of organization that he used. Almost any stories that pertain to someones life have to be put in this organization pattern to allow the reader to understand the life this character lived. Authors use other things like comparison and contrasting for other texts, such as maybe comparing a house to another, with incredible detail.

To Kill A Mocking Bird and My Opinion

         I've read chapter one of To Kill A Mocking Bird, and the story seems to carry on a very "suspenseful" type of genre. The beginning introduces you to characters like Jem, Dill, Boo, and Radley. Boo seems to be a supernatural apparition, the kids speak about how he was seen "breathing on flowers and freezing them." He was a mystery to the kids, and they wanted to "summon" the monster.

         So far I've been extremely ecstatic to read more, it seems like an interesting book with some interesting characters that I'd love to introduce myself to, I can't wait to read more. The descriptive writing, like "..house had sagging shingles, and a drooping porch. The grass was too high and the paint had turned gray and dingy. Even in the long, hot summer, the doors were shut up.." (Chapter 1) with detailed explanation, flawlessly explained how the house looked. I love stories that have good explanations that allow me to imagine and create a world in my head, to me that's a phenomenal story.

         The story also included some great characters. especially the "monster" Boo, that seemed like a myth at first because of how they explained him, but eventually I learned that he was a kid as well that lived in a house with his father, I'm guessing these kids were just afraid of him for all these things that they've heard about him. In a part of the story the kids went up to the house and knocked, running away, showing a feeling of fear towards this house, or even Boo. In conclusion, the first chapter has already taken my attention and I can't wait to read and learn more. The style of notes you should take while reading a story like this might be outlines or maybe lists that can make sure you get only specific parts out of the story that you need. You have to make sure to make a summary as well and try to understand the somewhat "cryptic" writing that's introduced with these notes, the notes should help.