The Garden of Thoughts

In order to better understand this poem, the following is given as context: “ . . . An Asian-American college student was reported to have jumped to her death from her dormitory window. Her body was found two days later under a deep cover of snow. Her suicide note contained an apology to her parents for having received less than a perfect four point grade average. . .” (Kirszner and Mandell, 367). Below is my unguided understanding of the poem. How many notes written . . . ink smeared like birdprints in snow. not good enough      not pretty enough      not smart enough The speaker has handwritten countless academic notes in pen which have been smudged by their stressful stirrings or tears, leaving marks that are akin to bird prints. But regardless of how many notes that are taken, all of it is not enough for something that must be important to speaker. Take note the repetition of the words “not” and “enough.” This will be a constant theme as the...

In this world, and in literature, there are children who suffer from poverty, unattainable expectations, isolation, and innumerable other afflictions. The struggling child archetype is defined by a child that continuously faces conflicts, which are often external, that bring them close to absolute destruction. But out of their struggles, they are able to clench onto life and find a way to grow into something significant. Emily from Tillie Olsen’s “I Stand Here Ironing” and June from Amy Tan’s “Two Kinds” fall under the struggling child archetype in how they live out each of their respective childhoods in terms of their pain, how they act in situations of conflict, and relate to other children in both American and Chinese cultures. The defined characteristics of this archetype are evident throughout various stories and individuals. Those who fall under the struggling child archetype, whether in literature or real life, tend to look for ways to escape their difficult situations, seek ...

A person or character is often defined by their personality, thoughts, and actions. Luna Lovegood, a character from the Harry Potter series , goes to Hogwarts, a school for witches and wizards alike, as a peculiar yet exceptional student who would be defined as a unique and helpful friend. Luna, and her cool-headed, logical, and caring nature, would fall under the Sean Archetype. Luna Lovegood is calm and collected in situations many others would be angered by, or distraught in. As Harry and a couple of his friends, including Luna, were captured by a number of death eaters, Luna worked together with Dobby to free Harry and the others, all while doing so with a collected composure. Hermione, while being tortured, was of course crying out in pain as the others struggled to keep calm. At the same time, they were all under the threat of being killed at any moment. Many other individuals would have broken down in such a scenario, but Luna remained focused, having the resolve to help get ...