Dear Mr. Colbert,
I have come to a very scandalous chapter after just finishing the sports and religion chapter. Your view on that scandalous subject is humorous, but shocking. Your political views on just about everything are very to the right side, as in Republican. What I'd admire is that you are very sure of yourself and strongly believe in what you say, but some of the things you have to comment on I would have to disagree. I can't tell if you share these opinions to be sarcastic, but you constantly repeat these ideas so I am beginning to believe that you really believe it. One of the matters is homosexuals, and you seem to be very against the idea of them in your book. I honestly don't see what the big issue is about gay couples. Who cares? Well obviously you and many others do, but it's a waste of your time to worry about and comment about them. Another subject constantly brought up is the idea that all women belong at home. Honestly, I don't think that you really think so; I think it is more to be humorous, which it is, but it is just brought up a lot throughout the text.
I think it is really interesting that you keep bringing these subjects up, while I admire your tenaciousness( whoo hoo hoo. vocab word.)
sincerely,
Grace
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Outside Reading Week 3 Post A
VOCAB-
Larynx: Upper part of the trachea in humans; vocal box. n
Secularism: secular spirit; government which rejects all religion and worship.n
Cudgel: a short, thick stick used as a weapon.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE-
1)"...swinging their massive elbows like cudgels..." Here is an example of yet another simile. Colbert is discussing sports back-then and sports now, and he believes that today's sports are much better; except they should be allowed to take steroids for the purpose of our entertainment. This particular simile is talking about basketball players and their beastliness.
2) "It's what infests these hives of higher learning that is the source of the real poison." Here is an example of a metaphor. Colbert is comparing the anatomy of a bee hive, to the structure of modern day colleges.
3) "You can't spell 'Book' without 'Boo!'" This is an example of onomatopoeia. The "Boo!" is an exclamation that Colbert uses for attention.
THEME:
In this section Colbert expresses his opinion on higher education, modern sports. A new theme has not really developed since the last section. This is a book based on opinion, so there are really only reocurring themes.
QUOTE: "Admission is an arbitrary and demoralizing process, no matter how hard you work, the outcome is often determined by personal connections." It is agreeable that college is very difficult to get into, and even though Colbert is trying to be humorous, getting into college is very hard. And sometimes it can come back to your personal connections whether or not you get into college.
Larynx: Upper part of the trachea in humans; vocal box. n
Secularism: secular spirit; government which rejects all religion and worship.n
Cudgel: a short, thick stick used as a weapon.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE-
1)"...swinging their massive elbows like cudgels..." Here is an example of yet another simile. Colbert is discussing sports back-then and sports now, and he believes that today's sports are much better; except they should be allowed to take steroids for the purpose of our entertainment. This particular simile is talking about basketball players and their beastliness.
2) "It's what infests these hives of higher learning that is the source of the real poison." Here is an example of a metaphor. Colbert is comparing the anatomy of a bee hive, to the structure of modern day colleges.
3) "You can't spell 'Book' without 'Boo!'" This is an example of onomatopoeia. The "Boo!" is an exclamation that Colbert uses for attention.
THEME:
In this section Colbert expresses his opinion on higher education, modern sports. A new theme has not really developed since the last section. This is a book based on opinion, so there are really only reocurring themes.
QUOTE: "Admission is an arbitrary and demoralizing process, no matter how hard you work, the outcome is often determined by personal connections." It is agreeable that college is very difficult to get into, and even though Colbert is trying to be humorous, getting into college is very hard. And sometimes it can come back to your personal connections whether or not you get into college.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Week 2 Post B
Dear Mr. Colbert,
I have not gotten much further in your book, but I have read more about your thoughts on religion. Although it is quite hilarious, the intent of your book, when it is looked at critically and literally you are not politically correct, if I may. Your bluntness and straight up assumptions and stereotypes about religion are wise statements, wise as in bold as in you are bold to make some of these statements and show your disregard for other religions. Although, I will say even though this may sound contradicting to what I've just said you seem to be excepting of all religions in real life, and show a hint of it in your book. I do understand that you say these things for the entertainment of your reader, it is just very interesting when looked at with all seriousness.
Your book is such a silly book that it almost wants me to have a moment, a paragraph of seriousness. Your humor is so clever and is in every sentence that it is almost overwhelming and the reader almost needs a break from all the humor and references you make. It is quite enjoyable in small doses though.
Besides the tone of your book, there is quite a level of creativity and a relief from all the typical, standard books that are written. I am really looking forward to reading about your opinions on other hot topics, religion is not my favorite, but you are making it a bit more enjoyable.
Sincerely,
Grace
I have not gotten much further in your book, but I have read more about your thoughts on religion. Although it is quite hilarious, the intent of your book, when it is looked at critically and literally you are not politically correct, if I may. Your bluntness and straight up assumptions and stereotypes about religion are wise statements, wise as in bold as in you are bold to make some of these statements and show your disregard for other religions. Although, I will say even though this may sound contradicting to what I've just said you seem to be excepting of all religions in real life, and show a hint of it in your book. I do understand that you say these things for the entertainment of your reader, it is just very interesting when looked at with all seriousness.
Your book is such a silly book that it almost wants me to have a moment, a paragraph of seriousness. Your humor is so clever and is in every sentence that it is almost overwhelming and the reader almost needs a break from all the humor and references you make. It is quite enjoyable in small doses though.
Besides the tone of your book, there is quite a level of creativity and a relief from all the typical, standard books that are written. I am really looking forward to reading about your opinions on other hot topics, religion is not my favorite, but you are making it a bit more enjoyable.
Sincerely,
Grace
Week 2 Post A
VOCAB-
Filioque: Latin for, " and from the Son" (51).
Dogma: a system of principles or tenets, as of a church.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE-
1) This one is a little different as far as figurative language goes, I think, but here it is, "He took His apostle Simon and made him into a rock and built a church on him"(53). To me this creates a picture in my head of a man lying on a ground who's turned into a rock and a church is physically built upon him, but for those who know the story or know what he's trying to say you know that they mean that Simon was the foundation of which the church(as in the idea of church) was built on. But the way that Mr. Colbert phrases it it creates imagery of the visual meaning.
2) "They're a single Pope away from reaching their full potential"(53). To me this sort of comes off as a symbol of a sort. He uses the figure Pope to signify/symbolize Protestants reaching their full potential as a religion, which is a fairly strong statement, and he makes his point with the symbol of the Pope in this quote.
3)When Colbert is discussing "The Jesus Train," which would take a while to explain and isn't terribly important, he discusses different trains and one of them is "Crazy Train"by Ozzy Osmond. When Colbert is mentioning their origin for Ozzy He says, " Bum-Bum! Bum-bum, bum-bum, bum-bum! Ay! Ay! Ay!"(49). This is an example of an onomatopoeia. Maybe not your typical WOW! POW! or ZAM!, but it is in fact one and exemplifies Ozzy Osborne's personality and that his "train" is a song; it shows the instrument noise/beat.
QUOTE-
"Catholics have many advantages over Christians. One is marble. For the buck I put in the collection plate, I want some production value. That means a church, not some community
center that doubles as a basketball court"(53). Here's a strong statement about Christianity. You can obviously tell that Colbert is a Catholic, or so he makes it appear, because in this quote he makes it seem as though the Catholics have the most money and create the most elaborate churches. He mentions how when he puts the money in the collection plate he wants production to come from it which is showing how he uses his money to create more churches.
THEME-
Trough the religion chapter a theme of split religion and that we are not really one in the same as far as religion goes, with the exception of a few. He also mentions how Catholicism is more "correct," if I may, than that of Protestantism or any other religions although he does have respect for many others.
Filioque: Latin for, " and from the Son" (51).
Dogma: a system of principles or tenets, as of a church.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE-
1) This one is a little different as far as figurative language goes, I think, but here it is, "He took His apostle Simon and made him into a rock and built a church on him"(53). To me this creates a picture in my head of a man lying on a ground who's turned into a rock and a church is physically built upon him, but for those who know the story or know what he's trying to say you know that they mean that Simon was the foundation of which the church(as in the idea of church) was built on. But the way that Mr. Colbert phrases it it creates imagery of the visual meaning.
2) "They're a single Pope away from reaching their full potential"(53). To me this sort of comes off as a symbol of a sort. He uses the figure Pope to signify/symbolize Protestants reaching their full potential as a religion, which is a fairly strong statement, and he makes his point with the symbol of the Pope in this quote.
3)When Colbert is discussing "The Jesus Train," which would take a while to explain and isn't terribly important, he discusses different trains and one of them is "Crazy Train"by Ozzy Osmond. When Colbert is mentioning their origin for Ozzy He says, " Bum-Bum! Bum-bum, bum-bum, bum-bum! Ay! Ay! Ay!"(49). This is an example of an onomatopoeia. Maybe not your typical WOW! POW! or ZAM!, but it is in fact one and exemplifies Ozzy Osborne's personality and that his "train" is a song; it shows the instrument noise/beat.
QUOTE-
"Catholics have many advantages over Christians. One is marble. For the buck I put in the collection plate, I want some production value. That means a church, not some community
center that doubles as a basketball court"(53). Here's a strong statement about Christianity. You can obviously tell that Colbert is a Catholic, or so he makes it appear, because in this quote he makes it seem as though the Catholics have the most money and create the most elaborate churches. He mentions how when he puts the money in the collection plate he wants production to come from it which is showing how he uses his money to create more churches.
THEME-
Trough the religion chapter a theme of split religion and that we are not really one in the same as far as religion goes, with the exception of a few. He also mentions how Catholicism is more "correct," if I may, than that of Protestantism or any other religions although he does have respect for many others.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Outside Reading-post 1B
Dear Steven,
I am at the beginning of your book in just the first couple of chapters. So far, so good. I am immensely entertained by your thoughts and ideas on very general subjects in life. Your honesty about everything is really appealing and I think you are just saying what most of us are thinking, or at least for me it is. Also, it is a relief to read something that isn't so deep and serious. This is the first time in a long time that I have laughed out loud while reading a book. Well done.
You truly went all out to make every aspect of the book entertaining. For instance, you have many notes in the margarines of your opinion on your opinions. That and you also include games, stickers, clippings to hang on your front door to let firemen know how many copies of I Am America(And So Can You!) are in your house, and letters you and "your fans" wrote. Not only those but there are brief autobiographies periodically throughout, which are interesting and informational. I think it helps when you reference back to your childhood; then I know what you're actually talking about.
Another element I noticed are the constant references you make to pop culture. The reader has to be quite knowledgeable to understand the point or pun you are making. I think this is an effective way to relate to the reader, especially because they are references that most Americans know and don't have to be that intelligent to understand, I personally feel sort of cool for knowing what you are referencing to. So far your book has been very impressive, the writing may not be your Franz Kafka or Charles Dickinson, but it is your personal style that makes it so enjoyable.
Sincerely,
Grace
I am at the beginning of your book in just the first couple of chapters. So far, so good. I am immensely entertained by your thoughts and ideas on very general subjects in life. Your honesty about everything is really appealing and I think you are just saying what most of us are thinking, or at least for me it is. Also, it is a relief to read something that isn't so deep and serious. This is the first time in a long time that I have laughed out loud while reading a book. Well done.
You truly went all out to make every aspect of the book entertaining. For instance, you have many notes in the margarines of your opinion on your opinions. That and you also include games, stickers, clippings to hang on your front door to let firemen know how many copies of I Am America(And So Can You!) are in your house, and letters you and "your fans" wrote. Not only those but there are brief autobiographies periodically throughout, which are interesting and informational. I think it helps when you reference back to your childhood; then I know what you're actually talking about.
Another element I noticed are the constant references you make to pop culture. The reader has to be quite knowledgeable to understand the point or pun you are making. I think this is an effective way to relate to the reader, especially because they are references that most Americans know and don't have to be that intelligent to understand, I personally feel sort of cool for knowing what you are referencing to. So far your book has been very impressive, the writing may not be your Franz Kafka or Charles Dickinson, but it is your personal style that makes it so enjoyable.
Sincerely,
Grace
Monday, November 12, 2007
Outside reading-post 1A
Vocab-
Pertinent: relating directly and significantly to the matter at hand; relevant
lyricism: lyric character or style, as in poetry.
Figurative Language
1) " I'm like Lucy trying to keep up with the candy at the chocolate factory"(vii). This is an interesting simile because it refers to a classic television show from way-back-when and you would have to know that show and the particular episode. I personally do know that he is talking about the show" I Love Lucy" and the episode where she gets a job at the factory and convinces the boss that she is a quick worker, although she is not, and fails to keep up with the production line so she ends up shoving the chocolates in her mouth. Quite a comical episode. Just like Steven Colbert's book.
2) "Now that I've pulled the wool off your eyes about animals..."(38). Steven creates an unusual personification here while in his discussion of animals. He compares the wool of animal to the eyes of a human which, to me, would be a comparison between a non-human like thing to a human-like quality. I know it is a human like quality because it is clear he is referring to the reader, which I hope, is a human.
3) " Anyway, even though seniors can't make out most if the words in this book, I thank them for reading it"(21). Here is a decent example of irony. The reason it would be considered ironic is because he thanks the old people for reading his book even though they most likely cannot read the font, and Steven even recognizes and comments on it. So it is ironic because he thanks them for something they won't be able to know he thanked them for.
Quote-
"Bam! That's me off the cuff. Blunt and in your face. No editing. I think it. I say it. You read it. Sometimes I don't even think it, I just say it"(viii)
To me this comes off as somewhat significant. Majority of Steven Colbert's quotes are his thoughts and his opinion on a specific subject. This is significant because it shows his bluntness, even though he says that he's blunt, which actually makes it blunt. Also, it just shows that throughout his book he says whatever comes to mind or out of his mouth, which shows a large part of his personality. Lastly, it's funny.
Theme-
I Am America(And So Can You!) is a string of thoughts and opinions of Steven Colbert. This is really the large theme right now. It's very unclear and general, but so far, his thoughts lead you to assume that he is very conservative and that what he says is going to come from the point of a conservative.
Pertinent: relating directly and significantly to the matter at hand; relevant
lyricism: lyric character or style, as in poetry.
Figurative Language
1) " I'm like Lucy trying to keep up with the candy at the chocolate factory"(vii). This is an interesting simile because it refers to a classic television show from way-back-when and you would have to know that show and the particular episode. I personally do know that he is talking about the show" I Love Lucy" and the episode where she gets a job at the factory and convinces the boss that she is a quick worker, although she is not, and fails to keep up with the production line so she ends up shoving the chocolates in her mouth. Quite a comical episode. Just like Steven Colbert's book.
2) "Now that I've pulled the wool off your eyes about animals..."(38). Steven creates an unusual personification here while in his discussion of animals. He compares the wool of animal to the eyes of a human which, to me, would be a comparison between a non-human like thing to a human-like quality. I know it is a human like quality because it is clear he is referring to the reader, which I hope, is a human.
3) " Anyway, even though seniors can't make out most if the words in this book, I thank them for reading it"(21). Here is a decent example of irony. The reason it would be considered ironic is because he thanks the old people for reading his book even though they most likely cannot read the font, and Steven even recognizes and comments on it. So it is ironic because he thanks them for something they won't be able to know he thanked them for.
Quote-
"Bam! That's me off the cuff. Blunt and in your face. No editing. I think it. I say it. You read it. Sometimes I don't even think it, I just say it"(viii)
To me this comes off as somewhat significant. Majority of Steven Colbert's quotes are his thoughts and his opinion on a specific subject. This is significant because it shows his bluntness, even though he says that he's blunt, which actually makes it blunt. Also, it just shows that throughout his book he says whatever comes to mind or out of his mouth, which shows a large part of his personality. Lastly, it's funny.
Theme-
I Am America(And So Can You!) is a string of thoughts and opinions of Steven Colbert. This is really the large theme right now. It's very unclear and general, but so far, his thoughts lead you to assume that he is very conservative and that what he says is going to come from the point of a conservative.
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