Search Results

“There’s a small wooden cross staked into the ground on the side of the road with the date of his death written on it.” (Hoover, 1) Romance books have a reputation to be known as boring and mushy. However, ‘Reminders of Him’ is the exact opposite. "Reminders of Him’ has a mix of romance, mystery, and thrill. The mix of these genres allow the book to have suspense and a mix of emotion during the read. Personally I truly enjoyed ‘Reminders of Him’. Once I started it I couldn’t put the book down since every chapter left me in suspense. I have read many romance books where you can clearly see what the ending would be. However, in ‘Reminders of Him’ I had no idea what could or would happen at the end. I would highly suggest ‘Reminders of Him’ to fellow readers ,as It has a wide range of events that happen along with an incredible plot twisting storyline. The story continually changes the point of view allowing the reader to slowly figure out who Kenna truly is around the same pace Ledger learns. The way Colleen Hoover wrote ‘Reminders of Him’ was to allow the reader to feel anger, sorrow, disgust, and love for the main character throughout. This made the pace of the book to be extremely engaging. On Google 94% of readers liked ‘Reminders of him’ with a 4.8 star rating. These states allow the book to have a good rating status, showing that many people with different tastes and enjoyments have all mostly enjoyed the read. Colleen Hoover has also been awarded ‘#1 New York Times BESTSELLING AUTHOR’ which means she is a reliable and constantly enjoyed writer. Colleen Hoover has published 24 book series over the last decade. Her top 5 books consist of: ‘November 9’, ‘Reminders of Him’, ‘Ugly Love’, ‘Verity’, and ‘It ends with Us’. ‘Reminders of Him’ is ranked her 4th best book which statistically shows it is one of her best and most popular pieces of work. ‘Reminders of Him’ is an engaging, suspenseful, and heartwarming story. Once you pick this book up, you won’t be able to put it down. The high ratings, the author, and my personal experience points to this book being a ‘different’ and more enjoyable view on romance reading. Works Cited Fiorillo, Katherine. “The 17 Best Colleen Hoover Books, Ranked by Goodreads Reviewers.” Business Insider, 29 December 2022, https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/learning/best-colleen-hoover-books#1-it-ends-with-us-17. Accessed 15 April 2023. Hoover, Colleen. Reminders of Him. Montlake, 2022.

“Now that I’ve forgiven myself, the reminders of him only make me smile.” (318, Hoover) Forgiveness is a difficult act as it involves: emotions, trust, and empathy. The devastating actions that occurred in ‘Reminders of Him’ were unfortunate and depressing. Ledger aloud his closed judgment to open up and fully understand and sympathize with Kenna. The emotional connection between Kenna and Ledger allowed Ledger to rightfully forgive Kenna. Furthermore, the forgiveness allowed Kenna to forgive herself. Firstly, Kenna proves that she truly loved/loves Scotty proving she never wanted any harm to him. Furthermore, Ledger forgives Kenna’s lies when learning it was only because of pain and love. Finally, Ledger fell in love with Kenna allowing him to find the true person she was. Kenna continually proved that Scotty will always be her number one love no matter who else comes into her life. Kenna proved that she never expected there to be an ‘after’ Scotty. “There was before you and there was during you. For some reason, I never thought there would be an after you.” (248, Hoover) This quotation allows the reader to understand that Kenna expected herself to marry, love, and be with Scotty forever. This quotation allowed Ledger to realize how much it hurt him to lose his bestfriend, Kenna lost her true love. Even worse, Ledger realized the situation never allowed Kenna to grieve and heal from her loss. This relates to why Ledger had the right to forgive Kenna because she truly loved and mourned Scotty just like Ledger. Through the book Ledger sees Kenna become a mother through the videos he shows her. In these moments Kenna allowed Ledger to see her vulnerable. He expected her to be greedy, only wanting Diem. However, the pain, love, and care Ledger saw through Kenna’s eyes allowed him to feel sorrow and forgiveness for her. Forgiving her for her lies and actions. “It’s as if I’m witnessing her become a mother. It might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” (140, Hoover) This quotation shows how the beauty Ledger saw in Kenna’s soul further pushed him to forgive her and allow his judgment to be fragmented. By Colleen Hoover adding Ledger's viewpoint it allows the reader to feel Ledger grow trust and love for Kenna. This relates to the idea that Ledger had his reasons for falling into trust and forgiveness for Kenna. Finally, Ledger fell in love. The love that grew for Kenna wasn’t easy - he fell for the girl he was meant to hate. This proves that who she truly was, took over who he was meant to see her as. Ledger loved Kenna for himself but also for her, for Diem, and for Scotty. He forgave Kenna for Scotty. He stopped being selfish and allowed himself to love Kenna for Scotty. “It'll be hard to read. But I'm not asking you to read it because I'm in love with Kenna. I'm asking you to read it because your son was in love with her.” ( Hoover) This quotation allowed the reader to further understand why Ledger was risking his relationship with Diem for Kenna. He always stated Diem would be his first priority, which shows that he believes that Kenna being in Diem’s life is what is most important. This quotation showed that his love for Kenna was as Scotty’s. Kenna loved Scotty, Ledger, and Diem and Ledgers forgiveness for Kenna made him realize she needed her daughter and her daughter needed her. Forgiveness isn’t something you can force so Kenna gave Ledger reasons for him forgiving her. The love Kenna showed Ledger that she is human just like him with: love, empathy, and grief. Moreover, Kenna showed the beauty of motherhood and how painful she was without Diem. The mothering she showed to Ledger proved how she only wanted the best for Diem - which was exactly what Ledger wanted. Finally, Ledger loved Kenna. He fell in love with who she truly was. If Ledger never opened up to forgive Kenna, Kenna would have never: became a mother, Forgive herself, and created peace with Scotty's parents. When Scotty died his parents lost their son, Ledger lost a best friend, Diem lost a dad, but everyone forgot that Kenna lost her lover and best friend.

Colleen Hoover’s 2022, 1.1 million copies sold book ‘Reminders of Him’ talks about many serious topics. Covering topics such as grief, blame, forgiveness, depression, and love. Colleen Hoover thoughtfully focused on grief and depression through heavy topics such as death and child custody. These events are events that happen in the real world, so the importance of Colleen Hoover bringing truthful and unsugarcoated awareness was very important. Depression is a major topic within ‘Reminders of Him’. Major Depression approximately affects 17.3 million American adults. (National Institute of Mental Health “Major Depression”, 2017) Depression is the cause of two thirds of suicides yearly. (White House Conference on Mental Health, 1999) These statistics show why talking about depression within books in a real way is very important. The best ways to help with today's depression crisis: Spreading awareness, Being aware, and providing resources of self-help. ‘Reminders of Him’ covers all three of those. ‘Reminders of Him’ also focuses a lot on grief. Complicated grief is something that affects 10%-20% of grievers. (Krull et al.) Complicated grief occurs when one isn’t able to fully experience the levels of grief. Making the individual get stuck in denial, depression, anger, or shock. This was the case in ‘Reminders of Him’, Kenna due to her imprisonment and blame got stuck in a deep depression. Kenna continuously blamed herself until she was able to forgive herself and realize that her thoughts of her late lover weren't sad but happy. Colleen Hoover did an amazing job at representing depression, grief, and pain through her writing in ‘Reminders of Him’. Books are a big ‘therapy’ for many people so this book definitely was a safe spot for many. If you're looking for other books written by Colleen Hoover covering similar topics there are: ‘Without Merit’, ‘It ends with us’ , and ‘Verity’. Works Cited “Depression Statistics.” Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/depression/statistics/. Accessed 21 April 2023. Krull, Erika, et al. “Grief By The Numbers: Facts and Statistics on Grief in Adults and Children.” The Recovery Village, 26 May 2022, https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/grief/grief-statistics/. Accessed 21 April 2023. Stewart, Sophia. “PW 2022 Notable: Colleen Hoover.” Publishers Weekly, 16 December 2022, https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/people/article/91165-pw-2022-notable-colleen-hoover.html. Accessed 19 April 2023.

I stood there just watching my family die. 15 years alone on a planet with no family, friends, or idea of reality - it changes the idea of the meaning of life. My parents sent me to Planet Z when I was 5 years old. Planet Z is a massive, supernatural, calm planet. I know my parents did this to protect me but when I think of them it's a dark fog. A fog that you fight to even see through. My only memory of them is when they dragged me to the launchpad. “Rosa…” my mom teared.She hugged me so tight it felt as if she was choking me. She handed me my favorite rugged teddy bear and a black and white photo of our little ‘content’ family. My dad pulled her away, closing the shuttle. All I remember after that is crying and screaming from both ends. The last moments at home will always be my worst and best memory. Today is my birthday. I turn 20 today. Every year I go to the one spot on Planet Z where I can see my home. Today is different, though. Today is the date my mom wrote on the back of our photo in her fancy writing, writing that doesn't even fit our family. I stood there, I watched, I waited. BOOM My home is gone. I am now really alone. I stand there silent. my mom, my dad, my home are all gone. Deathly emotions run through my brain, unable to catch onto one. Was that even my home? Are they even my family? Why am I here? I quickly run back to my ‘camp’ scrumiding through all my belongings. I find the photo… Tears escape my tired eyes. I pull the cut up photo to my face, crying. “Mom, how did you know?” I scream “How did you know!” I angrily rip the photo in half revealing a note. I cautiously pull out the tiny note. “Dear Rosa , You're 20 today! Happy birthday! I'm sorry I couldn't have come with you. I'm sorry I left you alone. I’m sorry we died, but you didn’t. I can promise you even though you feel alone, punished, and abandoned your not. You are our savior. This isn't the end. It is your beginning! Search and you will find what is beyond. Love, Mama”

Bam! Drew slammed his tiny and old apartment door shut, blocking out the piercing screams of his mom. Drew always had a thrill for danger, leaving him in the hands of the police bots on many occasions. Today, he was dragged home for spray painting a colorful and joyous mural in a dark and depressing city. All Drew wanted was for color to return into his life, which his mom would never accept since life was meant to be routine. Drew ran from home as though the world was chasing him. He finally stopped at his dad’s old building, looking up. He wiped his tears away, fighting to speak aloud to himself, “Dad. Why did you have to leave me?” He slowly made his way to the rooftop of the building. He looked out at the city. The city was awake, but dead. The city lights shined bright, the noise of the trains rumbled, but no matter how hard you searched no one would be loving, laughing, living life. Drew screamed at the top of his lungs hoping that everything and everyone would disappear. He screamed and let out every ounce of emotion in his body. “Drew?...” Drew turned around but saw no one. “Drew, it's all going to be okay.” Drew threw his hood swiftly off his head, letting his curly hair fall on his shoulders. He looked in every inch of darkness but no one was there. “Dad? Dad please tell me that's you”. Drew fell to his knees, feeling a hand on his shoulder “I’m sorry Drew. I’m sorry I left you, I'm sorry I wasn't able to take you away from this horrible place.” Drew let the tears run down his cheeks “I love you dad.” Drew felt a warmth roam his body as though his dad was hugging him “Son, Look out at that city and remember whoever tries to stop you can’t. You will escape and before then you will turn your home colorful and lively again.” Drew stood up walking to the edge, he was alone again but deep within he knew that this city wasn’t going to control him anymore.

I have acquired many skills throughout ENG2D: Linking to context, reflecting on my writing, Aristotles theory for tragedy characters, and Putting my thoughts into words on a page. Coming to the end of this course I have gained much more confidence in writing an essay and linking back to the main thesis. Since the beginning of this course I have dramatically improved my writing abilities and have learned many more skills. In addition, throughout the course my reflection paragraphs have improved extravagantly. Looking back at my first reflection piece, I have learned to link to my writing more and learned how to confidently talk about structure of a piece. This was important trait to learn as it is what allows a writer to grow and learn from what they've written. Additionally, at the beginning of the term, I wasn't properly linking back to the context within an essay, but I have since learned how to confidently link what I'm writing back to the main thesis. This was important to learn, so that the reader remembers what the main objective truly is. ENG2D has focused on growing my reflection, communication, and connection skills. These are skills that are all needed throughout all of high school, university, and daily life. The skill of reflection will help me to realize what I've done good and what needs improvement, Communication is a skill needed in every job and every schooling course, and connection allows me to understand why I do what I do. These skills will help me with my dream job of a Lawyer. I am grateful for everything I have learned in ENG2D as I know these are forever useful skills. The following 5 articles are the pieces I am most proud of. 'Macbeth' Essay The 'Macbeth' essay was an analytical writing piece. This piece was about the relationship between the two tragic characters. This piece allowed me to learn/work on: Referring, Annualizing, and Supporting. Even though I initially struggled on these skills within this piece I grew to understand how they were correctly done. The 'Macbeth' essay allowed my confidence to grow for annualizing books and movies for essay's and reviews. Specifically, this piece allowed me to properly support the evidence, if it is a quotation, stage direction, or structural analysis I have chosen from within a book with my thesis. Furthermore, I really enjoyed writing this essay as I really enjoyed the book Macbeth. With this writing piece having my passion, new knowledge, and confidence it allowed me to receive my highest writing mark of the term. 2. Writing a New Scene for 'Macbeth' This assignment required me to write a new Scene for the play 'Macbeth' whilst using the same writing style as the author, William Shakespeare. I was very excited about this assignment as it had me analyzing the way Shakespeare used metaphors and similes. This piece allowed me to be expressive and experimental with different language feature usages. After I completed this assignment I was very proud of the outcome. I believed this creative writing was a very unique piece to me and this allowed it to reflect with an outcome of a 93%. 3. 'Shrek' Discussion The 'Shrek' discussion was by far the most enjoyable 'project' to complete. However, it wasn't just the joy that made this one of my favourite pieces. This discussion allowed me to grow with the skills of adding onto others ideas along with linking my thoughts and ideas back to the main question asked. From the first discussion I gained a lot more confidence while adding onto others ideas. This piece allowed me t reflect and learn from my goals, doing this allowed me to get my highest mark of the term - being 98%. 4. ISP (2 page writing piece) This assignment had my full attention. After learning that the ISP surrounded identity I had a lot of inspiration and excitement. I spent many hours straight planning, drafting, and writing. After finishing the 2 written pages of the book I was extremely satisfied. I used a lot of skilled I learned throughout ENG2D including but not only: Poetry structure having a meaning; Metaphors to describe feelings; and having my story link back to Identity and Aristotle's tragic character theory. This whole project felt as everything new I learned was linked into this, and it made me feel confident in my writing skills as I did well on this project. 5. I Love the Land analysis I was very proud of this assignment as I was able to have a different point of view of World War 1. I was able to research more about indigenous soldiers and looked deeper into poetry. For instance I used my learning of structural analysis and language features. This piece of work allowed me to learn and grow from it. This piece is what allowed me to know what I have to work harder on which was linking to context and how to analyze structure and language features. The knowledge I learned from this is what makes me respect and thank this piece. My Website has been a work in progress since ENG1D. I have been adding and editing it as much as possible. It is enjoyable to be able to look at one place and be able to reflect on my past writing pieces. My whole site has a very peaceful feeling that is perfect for reading, I used dark, pastel, and overall relaxing backgrounds to really express how I feel during writing and reading. Moreover, The about me section helped me learn how to introduce myself briefly within a writing piece. I have grown to enjoy everything about my website: the backgrounds, the photos, and my work. However, my favourite aspect of my website would have to be the "My work" section because it has all my writings in one spot.

ACT 5, SCENE 5 SEYTON The queen, my lord, is dead. MACBETH The Serpent lady deserved to kick the Bucket. The queen anon lays burning with the devil, as nay god wouldst take someone as poisonous as h’r. Days with h'r went slow and made me realizeth the lady held me back; this is nothing f'r thee to hear. Leave betimes. Exit SEYTON MACBETH What may I have done to des’r’vd this? Am I full of sins? Are the hags right? Do I Fear Macduff? Nay! I can’t start humor pow'rless. I w'rk'd hard to best where I am. I can't - and won't w'rk backwards. I beath thee king and th’ dominant man! Do I eve’ dare to look for the one who has given up her ghost? A king without a queen is still a king, just without toxins in his wine. Her euthinasia is thanks to thee and only thee. My hands are full of red, yet I dare to regret any. I am but a tyrant. My title calls of only brave, proud, and manly Macbeth. My manliness will make Macduff bleed under my finger tips. His head! Yes, his head! Macduff’s head willeth be framed upon thee fireplace. Macbeth finishes bombard of wine and throws t’gainst mure leaving shards everywhere Macbeth grabs shard of glass and slits his hand whilst laughing MACBETH I might not but draweth my own blood first so I can picture how Macduff behold’s on his adventure to his eternal reward. Macduff's head will be heavy in my hand. Enter Servant SERVANT Macbeth? Lord you seem unwell, thee hand is bleeding from oneself? May you back down and go get some shuteye? MACBETH The king, you filthy pig ask to back down? Where has your birther gone wrong? Unless the trees come to slay me, I will stand my ground. Macbeth Withdraws his dagger Servant falls to floor dead. MACBETH This is my world and any man birthed from a woman won’t stop me! Messenger Enters MESSENGER The wood began to move. REFLECTION In Act 5, Scene 5 of Macbeth Shakespeare expresses how Lady Macbeth dies, and the audience see’s how Macbeth is more annoyed than Upset about his wife's death. In my adaptian of this scene I wanted to show how the death of Lady Macbeth pushes Macbeth that much further and leads him to fear how much power he truly wants. His fear is clearly shown in this quotation “What may I have done to des’r’vd this? Am I full of sins? Are the hags right? Do I Fear Macduff? Nay!” This quotation was important for my adaptation to represent my idea of Macbeth not wanting to even answer or think about all the possibilities of him not being in control. A metaphor is then added to express the hatred Macbeth was feeling towards Lady Macbeth “The queen anon lays burning with the devil, as any god wouldst take someone as poisonous as h’r.” Using the Devil was very important because during a very religious time anyone who ‘worked’ with the devil was executed, foreshadowing Macbeth later being killed. Moreover, The metaphor “This is my world and any man birthed from a woman won’t stop me!” is relevant to express how the witches earlier mentioned how to fear a man born not from a woman. This also allows my audience to understand just how greedy he became. However, Macbeth stays greedy and confident, the last line reads “ The wood began to move” which is actually a line within Macbeth to cross one check off of the witches prophecy. My scene consists of important soliloquies. The soliloquies allow the audience to get more understanding of the characters thoughts and intentions and with this allows them to see how Macbeth is motivated for more all caused by his anger from his wife's death. My adaptation is meant for the audience to get a more understanding of how his wife's death led him to a craze for even more power and blood. Work Cited SparkNotes. Macbeth: No Fear Shakespeare: Deluxe Student Edition. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated, 2020.

What may I have done to des’r’vd this? Am I full of sins? Are the hags right? Do I Fear Macduff? Nay! I can’t start humor pow'rless. I w'rk'd hard to best where I am. I can't - and won't w'rk backwards. I beath thee King and th’ Dominant man! Do I eve’ dare to look for the one who has given up her ghost? A king without a queen is still a king, just without toxins in his wine. Her euthinasia is thanks to thee and only thee. My hands are full of red, yet I dare to regret any. I am but a tyrant. My title calls of only Brave, Proud, and Manly Macbeth. My manliness will make Macduff bleed under my finger tips. His head! Yes, his Head! Macduff’s head willeth be framed upon thee fireplace. Reflection In Act 5, Scene 5 of Macbeth Seyton informs Macbeth about Lady Macbeth’s death. Macbeth expresses no remorse and continues on about no meaning of life. In my adaptation to himself he truly was upset. More upset about the situation being a curse on him than actually losing his loved one. He quickly overcomes this with a craziness within his brain about being a man. His craziness is expressed clearly when I use the words “My manliness will make Macduff bleed under my finger tips.” I had Macduff talk about his manliness killing Macduff referring to Macduff not being a true man. A metaphor is then used to express Macduff lying to himself about how he feels “My hands are full of red, yet I dare to regret any.” I used this metaphor as for earlier in the play he felt no water would ever clear his sins of murder, but now it dosen’t matter. Furthermore, rhetorical questions are used to emphasize the fighting within his brain “What may I have done to des’r’vd this? Am I full of sins? Are the hags right? Do I Fear Macduff?” This quotation adds to how Macbeth was never mentally stable and how his wife changed his thought process. This writing is written as a soliloquy because it allows the reader to understand how he truly feels. This is important to see how Macbeth is really unstable and crazy. Work Cited SparkNotes. Macbeth: No Fear Shakespeare: Deluxe Student Edition. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated, 2020.

Love, true love is a hard thing to find from within or from others. Even when vowing to ‘love’ this person through sickness and health, hard times and easy it may not be true or pure. Love can be used as opportunity, safety, and even puppetry. Within the play Macbeth Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both express an untrue love. Interestingly, Shakespeare must have known these troubles within marriages and used it within his work. Furthermore, the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is represented as a very toxic and un-trustful relationship leaving them as a dangerous duo. Firstly, Lady Macbeth is shown to be a manipulative wife and results in cruel actions on Macbeth’s behalf. Furthermore, it is shown that they only care for the power given from each other but not actually about each other. Finally, it is shown how Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's relationship was their fatal flaw. Lady Macbeth was a cruel woman and constantly demeaned her own husband. She was a manipulator and convinced Macbeth to become what she wanted him to be and put an un-trustworthy strain between the two. In act 1 Lady Macbeth expressed how she truly felt. “Look like th’ innocent flower, But be the serpent under ’t.” (1,5,67) This quotation expresses how Lady Macbeth acted proper and kind on the outside but within and with her husband she was careless and dangerous. Her behavior gaslighted Macbeth into this serpent ideal as well, leaving this manipulative couple fatally dangerous. Furthermore, using the word “serpent” links back to the representation Shakespeare decided to portray for this couple. Shakespeare lived through a very religious time period and Snakes/Serpents within the Cathlioc and Christian religion were associated with lies, evilness, and temptation. Interestingly, knowing this allows the reader to put context to how much more evil and manipulative it was for Lady Macbeth to ask Macbeth to become a serpent. Moreover, Lady Macbeth asked Macbeth many rhetorical questions. She used this manipulative strategy to guilt Macbeth into doing the ‘manly’ thing, killing King Duncan. “Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,” Like the poor cat i’ th’ adage? (1,7,41) Shakespeare would have used this language feature to emphasize the need and want that Lady Macbeth has for Macbeth to complete this action. This toxic manipulation showed how Lady Macbeth put an image in Macbeth's head and forced it to become his own. In addition to this Shakespeare uses the structure of soliloquy to clearly represent Lady Macbeth's true intentions after hearing how the Witches told Macbeth he would be king. “Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round,” (1, 5, 24) This soliloquy links back to the idea of Lady Macbeth being manipulative as she flat out expresses how she was going to persuade Macbeth into following through with the foul actions so he can become king. This action portrays Lady Macbeth’s love for Macbeth as a lie hidden for other intentions. Nonetheless, Some may see Lady Macbeth as just a caring wife looking for the best intentions for her husband. However, for that time period a good wife would also stay quiet, not give her opinion ,and never question her husband's masculinity. Shakespeare would have meant to write Lady Macbeth as not a ‘proper’ wife to represent just how much more evil and ill-intent she was. Manipulation within a relationship causes toxicity and takes away trust. The relationship between these two characters was filled with guilt, vile, and danger. Together they weren't just danger to each other but danger to others. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both only cared for the power gained from each other but not actually for one another. In act 3 Lady Macbeth gets frustrated when Macbeth is feeling guilty about the murder. “Using those thoughts which should indeed have died With them they think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard. What’s done is done.” (3, 2, 12) This quotation expresses the idea that Lady Macbeth didn’t care about Macbeth's feelings and emotions. She was being selfish and she didn't want to feel the guilt he was feeling. She wanted no more talk of the situation so she didn't have to think about it any more. If Macbeth was unable to talk with his wife it would have created an un-trustworthy bond filled with anger and selfishness. Additionally, Macbeth responds with an eerie and unsettling term “Better be with the dead,” (3, 2, 21) This adds to the idea that even though Macbeth was very distraught from earlier events Lady Macbeth didn't care. She didn't want to lose the chance of him having power and being king. The greed for power between these two would make them go to very high extents turning their ‘love’ into danger. Furthermore, when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were talking about killing Banquo, Lady Macbeth exclaimed “You must leave this.” (3, 2, 36) Even with her showing distraught Macbeth uses a metaphor to express his need for action “Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Thou know’st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.” (3, 2, 36) This language feature expresses how Macbeth didn't care about how Lady Macbeth felt, his evil mind already decided. Especially using the term scorpions in his mind - as saying his thoughts are poisoned would have been distraught to a woman during that time period. This quotation would have portrayed Macbeth as a selfish and toxic husband. In addition to this Shakespeare wrote with the effect of the aside which was used to allow the reader to realize how a character could be putting on a fake image. When Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost he starts freaking out whilst guests are around, this leads to Shakspeare having Lady Macbeth use an aside to allow the reader to feel how she truly reacted. “Feed and regard him not. (aside to Macbeth) Are you a man?” (3, 4, 58) This aside shows how Lady Macbeth didn't care to see what was truly wrong with Macbeth but she didn't want others to find out what he did and execute him/ take away his power. This shows how she only cared for his power and not his well being. Nevertheless, Some could have seen these two as loving and protective couple. However, every time either of them was being protective it was so they weren't caught and stripped of the power that they evilly schemed to get. Their planning is what made this couple just that more evil and dangerous when together. Care for loved ones is a big weakness to powerful people. With this toxic relationship having only care for power it had them a step ahead and behind. Having them killing many but also leading to their own deaths. Every character has a fatal flaw, some are money, greed, death, etc. For Macbeth and Lady Macbeth their fatal flaw was each other. Their fatal flaw was their relationship. In act 5 Lady Macbeth talks unconsciously whilst a doctor watches her “The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? — What, will these hands ne’er be clean? — No more o’ that, my lord, no more o’ that. You mar all with this starting.”(5, 1, 36) This quotation shows how the actions she and her husband followed through on are haunting her on the inside. She was mad at Macbeth but also herself. With her husband not being there for her, guilt would have taken over leading her to death. Even if by suicide or murder her husband didnt fufill his job in protecting her. She made him want more, she made his morality lower. Moreover, when Macbeth found out about Lady Macbeth's death he responded with “ She should have died hereafter.” (5, 5, 17) This key quotation added to the idea of the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth being their fatal flaw as his actions leaded to her death in either way and he didn't care because he's too focused on gaining more power. When his peripeteia should have shown it didn't because his hamartia got another reason. Lady Macbeth’s manipulation led to Macbeth having a fatal flaw of power which led to a danger killing lady Macbeth. Additionally, he responds to the death of his wife with an opinion on life “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.” (5, 5, 24) The use of an opinion in this moment shows that he did think about what he heard but then shows to express how it’s almost needed and continues that she would have died before him. This fatal flaw makes/made their relationship so much less trusting and real. Furthermore, Shakespeare used the structure of stage direction to allow the reader to picture just exactly what happened. Shakespeare used this to his advantage when writing about Macduff killing Macbeth “Enter MACDUFF with MACBETH’s head” (5, 8, 54) This stage direction shows how they believed Macbeth was truly evil as for in the past they decapitated people so their evil spirits couldn't rise from their bodies. This goes back to how the relationship was the fatal flaw as Lady Macbeth is what started the whole beginning of the war. If the war never happened they both wouldn't have lost their identity and died. Alternatively, Some might have interpreted their relationship as a positive and what brought them away from their fatal flaw. However, If they did cause good for each other they both wouldn't have killed so many and wouldn't have died themselves and alone. Their relationship being their fatal flaw links back to the idea that their relationship is represented as toxic, un-truthful and Dangerous. Death of a wife is hard for all spouses, however for Macbeth her dying got rid of him being more pressured. His fatal flaw died leaving him with another - they led each other to only want power. In conclusion, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship was represented as Toxic, untruthful, and dangerous throughout Macbeth. It was clear throughout Macbeth that Lady Macbeth’s manipulation added to the downfall and danger between the couple. Furthermore, the fact that neither characters cared for one another more than power left each other stranded and alone having no relationship to fall back on when hurt. Overall the fatal flaw being your spouse asks for danger and toxicity, and death really was written all over their relationship. Shakespeare's depiction of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship perhaps reveals that the tragedy between the two were self-inflicted when trying to fake love for ill-intention. This leaves a powerful message to the Shakespearen audience: Love is power, and power is dangerous. when used to ill extent it will open you to defeat - mental, physical, and emotional. Work Cited Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Edited by John C. Crowther, Spark Pub., 2003.

Jordan threw me against the brick wall. He was 10 times stronger than me but that didn't mean he could kill his little brother. Right? I felt blood run down my neck staining my only nice shirt red. I wanted to get up and run at him but my world was already spinning. I watched Jordan, Nathan and some fat RD slowly walk toward me. I struggled to stand but used the rigid bricks as a stepping stool. Nathan pulled his gun from his back waistline and pointed it at my forehead. My heart skipped two beats, maybe even three, but I felt incompitent. Was I really dying at 16? At this moment so many questions flew through my brain : Maybe I should've killed that Spitz? If mom wasn’t dead would I still be this way? Am I truly in the wrong right now? Is Nathan really gonna shoot me?! A tear escaped my eye. That was my first tear in 14 years. When I was little dad and Jordan would tell me “ ya cry, you’ll turn into one of those Spitz! an will have to kill ya” but I didn't cry for 14 years and there I was. One of ‘our’ own pointing a gun at my forehead. I watched Jordan punch me, but I wasn’t gonna move. I deserved it, not to die but to be hit- yes. Blood spit out of my mouth. Jordan wrapped his hand around my neck and started screaming at me “ I don’t understand you Blade!” a tear? I watched my brother cry for the first time then. I could never figure it out even with this moment playing on repeat for years. Was it from anger, grief, sadness, or knowing what was gonna happen next. “Blade, You're useless! Mom would be so disappointed to have had a son like you! Stand up for yourself!” I never was one to fight verbally or physically so I stayed quiet and allowed Jordan to keep hitting me and yelling at me but If I knew what I know now I would’ve yelled back, fought back even. Jordan let out one loud, painful scream. “AUGHHHH” He let go of me and turned away, I fell to the ground; everything was blurry. Jordan wispears “I love you Blade. No matter what your my brother…” BANG! I watched my brother put a gun to his head and shoot himself. I rushed to my feet and ran to him. I fell next to his limp, dead, and dirty body. Tears filled my vision and weeps and screams filled my ears. I held Jordan close to me, not letting him go for a moment. “Why?! Jordan!? I needed you! I need you! goddammit! You can’t leave us now! Alright - You're right, I'm useless, and I'll change! Just please-please come back!” Nathan tried to grab me and hug me but I wanted nothing to do with him. Anger grew inside of me towards him and I hit him, kicked him, spat at him, and I reached for the thing I thought I’d never reach for. I reached for Jordans gun. I look at it in my hand ; Nathan just watched me. A sad smile raised the edges of my lips ``Jordy I made something for you, for us and I finally realized it wasn’t BS what ma told me '' I looked Nathan in the eyes, a tear fell and I pointed the gun at him ; he didn't move. I pulled a paper out of my pocket, I wrote a poem or what Jordan liked to call a rap and I wanted J to hear it then and maybe I wanted to calm myself down and I’m glad I did. “It’s either fight or get killed, There ain't no way to be fulfilled. If that white man don’ get me - You're black as will. My life I can’ live. You play go-fish - while I go play poker. Your that real smoker - look at ya’ man you look like the joker. Lock up my Pa Glock up my Ma I placed my finger on the trigger of the gun. And shook it in Nathan’s face. Killin my dawg I looked at Jordan and more tears rushed down my face. I should be drawn- Straight to the violence- I threw the gun at the wall. But look at me G- I am your icon. Playin my age - aint no game Fighting to be alive, with no one by my side I’m living with this pain. Aint having no one to find- when I’m dead on the inside. I screamed and kneeled down to kiss Jordans cold forehead. I stood up to feel Arms wrapped around me, I heard voices cheering, ma’s crying, and then I felt my mama and Jordan smiling ; looking over me. This moment changed me. It allowed me to realize I am more than just a thug with no voice meant to kill. I am going to make a change. Raven ran over to me and ran her hand through my hair. Tears ran down both our faces ``Cole - It's gonna be okay. I’m - we’re always here for you.” She hugged me and it made this cold moment warm. She saved me then and now, But I didn't know that yet because that moment was cut short. We heard gunshots coming from around the corner. The Spitz found out information real quick back then - especially when a Cole dies. Everyone at that moment either ran into the closest shelter or grabbed their guns. I ran to my place with Raven and Trayvon but heard the Spitz yell before I could shut the door “Blaaaaade! We’re gonna get ya, and ya lil’ sista’! You supid Coles are done for!” Reflection: Within this piece of I’m not your Thug it represents a moment of Tragedy, pain, and love. Blade watches his brother kill himself leading to Blade’s major identity crisis. The quotation I added “Maybe I should've killed that Spitz? If mom wasn’t dead would I still be this way? Am I truly in the wrong right now?” to clearly represent the feeling’s flowing and questioning himself about who he is. At a young age Blade questions everything about himself so that maybe he will fit his societal image better. I added the metaphor “Jordan let out one loud, painful scream.” to represent the sadness and anger within his emotions. Moreover, a Simile was used to allow the reader to see how Blade looked at others who were faking to be someone else “look at ya’ man you look like the joker”. However, at the end of this section Blade gains reassurance on him being himself and not having to change “This moment changed me. It allowed me to realize I am more than just a thug with no voice meant to kill. I am going to make a change.” A poem/rap is included within this writing piece to allow the reader to understand that was something he did not just for himself but for his brother. This poem with rhyming couplets allows the fast beat to go along with his fast breaths and heartbeat. This writing section allows the reader to realize change within his mind and identity - changing to be more of what he ‘wanted’.

My dad swings me around which feels as though I’m above the world. He kisses my cheek and rubs Trey’s messy waves. Every step he takes towards the door his face gets more blurry. I plop down next to Trey on the couch and resume beating his butt in Mario Kart. I feel a cold and wet hand grab my tiny shoulder. I look behind me and scream. It’s Lawless, but not my dad. I try leaving his grip but it gets tighter. My dad’s blurry face is now inches away from me, I feel his heartless breath on my neck. He’s dirty and bleeding. His white shirt now soaked red. “Daddy?” My voice squeaks of terror “Daddy what’s wrong?” He releases my shoulder and falls to the ground, Trey jumps the couch and drops down to dad’s chest “You killed him Bri! You killed dad!” “Bri breathe. You're okay, I’m here.” Curtis hugs me. I wake up on my bed with homework all around me and Curtis holding me up. What was that? Ever since I got that tweet two weeks ago I’ve been having these terrible nightmares again. They feel so damn real. It hurts. Curtis rubs his thumb along my cheek and it changes my focus to his luscious, yet very dry lips. He leans down and kisses me “Princess you doin’ okay?” Am I okay? No. I’m worried that all this studying won’t pay off, I’m worried Aunt Pooh will never be released, I’m worried dad’s disappointed, and I’m especially worried this meeting tonight won’t go well. “Just … having those nightmares again about my dad. It has me thinking, am I dissap-” Before I could finish Curtis cuts me off “Brianna still-don’t-know-your-middle-name Jackson. My gorgeous girlfriend. Your dad would be so proud of you; If he isn’t though I’ll just have to beat him in the ring.” I fall back laughing. This boy knows how to get me going “You?! You can’ beat me in the ring let alone the king. I still remember those crappy bars you spa-” Curtis cuts me off again with a kiss. Damn if this boy don’t stop cutting me off I’ll just have to mess up those new braids. “Mhm-Hm. How’s the studying Brianna?” Oh crap. Mom. I let out a little sigh and Curtis stands straight up “Hello Ms.Jackson I better be heading out. Bye Bri, Goodluck tonight” He kisses my cheek and grabs his bag. I have never seen a boy as proper as Curtis Brinkley when my mama walks in on him kissing me. My mom re-focuses on me “Bri you ready for tonight? Are you ready to sign the big deal?” I open my Texts and the most recent one reads “Bri we’re excited to have you tonight! Can’t wait to see how the future of hip hop works her stuff. Baby girl, this world gonna be all yours.” A huge smile grows on my face, I jump up and hug my mom. “Mom. Can you tell Aunt Pooh that me and Nas are making a song tonight!” Trey comes running into my tweety bird room and joins the hug, he yells so loud I swear the record studio could hear him “My sister’s gonna be a superstar! A goddamn queen!” My mom hits the back of his head “quiet down Trey. You tryna wake the dead?” Oh god mama’s always keeping us in line no matter what. Reflection On The Come Up really shows how Bri went through a hard time losing people, but comes to the conclusion that her loved ones may leave but she won't leave herself. I wanted to add a chapter after the epilogue so that the reader could understand how Bri may have grown as a person but little parts of who she was will always be a part of her. I added the part at the beginning about her dad and the blurry face and feeling guilt because as she grows his memory will become more tainted and distant and with her fulfilling a dream he could never finish she could have a fear of taking his dream away. I also added Bri openly telling Curtis about her nightmares to show how she trusts others now and that she isn’t scared to show how scared she truly is. “Am I okay? No. I’m worried that all this studying won’t pay off, I’m worried Aunt Pooh will never be released, I’m worried dad’s disappointed, and I’m especially worried this meeting tonight won’t go well.” I added this part to represent how Bri is still a worrisome teen and isn’t some perfect up coming rapper. It shows she will never forget her past and that makes her truer to why she started rapping at the beginning. “Baby girl, this world gonna be all yours.” I choose this to be the last words of the texts to tease who sent her the message, also because this was one of the first things Aunt Pooh showed her about rap and what always stuck with Bri. The mystery person who tweeted Bri I chose to be Nas. I chose Nas because it was one of Bri’s biggest inspirations along with a big tie to Bri and Aunt Pooh’s relationship. Work Cited Thomas, Angie. On the Come Up. HarperCollins Publishers, 2020.

“When Aunt Pooh introduced me to hip-hop, Nas told me the world was mine, and I believed it could be. Now, standing here on this stage, I know it is.” (Thomas, On The Come Up 442) Who is Brianna Jackson? Brianna Jackson is not just an ambitious sixteen year old girl but she is a brave, strong, and powerful survivor. She survived from collapsing into what society wanted her to become. In Angie Thomas’ On The Come Up Brianna Jackson’s identity is represented in many ways. Her identity changes a lot throughout the story and Bri experiences a tough journey. A journey not just of becoming a rapper but a journey of Bri finding out who she truly is and even if that true self changes, the main message is that Bri won't pretend to be someone else for anyone else. Firstly, Bri doesn't know who she is and goes through an identity crisis. Furthermore, Bri starts to play into the hoodlum/rapper title and tried to become someone she wasn't. Lastly, Brianna truly showed that she is a caring and soft individual, that felt as though she had to hide her true self. Bri pretended to be who others thought she was because she didn't know who she truly was yet. Bri was going through an identity crisis. In the middle of the book after Aunt Pooh went to jail Brianna’s mother asked her “Who are you?” she repeated. “Of the millions and billions of people in the world, you’re the only person who can answer that. Not people online or at school. I can’t even answer that. I can say who I think you are” (Thomas, 397). This quotation shows that Bri didn't know who she was; she was being what others thought she was. She couldn’t even find an answer to her mom's question. She was a teenager and teeneagers go through times when they need to figure a lot out. This quotation is a way to see how Brianna was still trying to figure out her own identity. “she doesn't know her worth” (Thomas, 397), worth and self worth means to feel good enough, feel worthy of living, feel love and belonging. Bri and Aunt Pooh both didn’t find their worth at this point. This adds to why Bri’s identity kept changing and how it wasn’t stable. In On The Come Up when Jay locked herself in her room Bri goes to talk to her brother and thinks to herself after he yelled at her “I’ve lost Aunt Pooh. I may be losing my mom. I lost my cool so bad that I’ve lost more than I realize. I’m lost. I’m so lost that I'm exhausted from trying to find my way.” (Thomas, 360) The metaphor of being “lost” is very relevant to Brianna not having a true identity because it didn’t mean she was truly lost (for example on the streets) but she was lost/tired mentally and emotionally from trying to find her identity. “Hoodlum. One word, two syllables. Can be made to rhyme with a lot of things. Synonyms: thug, delinquent, hooligan, low-life, gangster, and, according to Long, Brianna.” (Thomas, 68) This stream of consciousness truly showed the thoughts of Brianna Jackson. It showed how Bri was allowing those security guards to influence her thoughts and identity. This idea pulls back to how Bri was having an identity crisis. Moreover, you can also read On The Come Up and believe that Bri was just a jealous and dumb teenager. Now this could be the case but Bri kept changing throughout the story and she was slowly finding her identity. Brianna went through a lot of identity changes throughout On The Come Up. Bri didn’t know who she truly was. So she pretended to be someone else, but that someone else wasn't her identity. The fact that others were deciding who she was showed how she wasn’t strong about who she was. The Black Lives Matter protest would have very much changed Bri’s thought of herself and community as it would make her feel more threatened and targeted. It would have made her fall into the ‘black’ identity so that she would feel more safe. The whole idea of that boy in the book being killed by the cop would have been a way to have started Bri’s identity problem. She would have been scared and she would have started questioning who she was and what was different between her and that boy that was killed. Brianna played into the hoodlum and rapper idea to try and become what people wanted/thought she was. When Brianna created her song she wrote “You think I’m a thug? Well, I claim it. This Glock, yeah, I cock it and aim it.” (Thomas, 110-111) This quotation showed how Bri truly was falling into this false identity. Her inner self was scared from the law so she bounced back with anger and decided to play into who they already thought she was.“You think I’m a thug?” This key part of the quotation showed how Bri understood how others thought of her. At her age knowing what others think you are because of your colour would really put a set back in finding your identity. Brianna used this stereotype to make it her label. She played with this because she didn’t know any other way to be, since she didn't have a ‘way’. When Bri showed Malik her song ‘On The Come Up’ Malik responded with “Only reason you rapped like that is ‘cause that’s how everybody raps right?” (Thomas, 153) The usage of the rhetorical question would have been to allow the reader to understand that Malik knew what Bri was doing but he wanted her to understand as well. The fact she didn’t know what she did at the time showed how she even tricked herself into believing that rap gangster persona was her true identity. After Bri was kicked out of the ring she wakes up with a thought “Lots of people think that I’m somebody I’m not, too. I’ve been called ghetto, ratchet, a hood rat with no home training. All of that. I don’t know if I’m more pissed or hurt.” (Thomas, 217) The stream of consciousness used in this quotation showed that Brianna started to realize that the person everyone thought she was, wasn’t her. You see how her playing into an identity just hurt/angered her more because it wasn’t what she wanted to be seen as. Her short lived hoodlum identity started to break down within and it allowed the reader to see her start to grow more as an individual. However, you may also have read this and just see it as Brianna being herself. You can look at it from the perspective that Brianna is surrounded by gang members, lives in the hood, and raps. all things that are the stereotypical ‘black gangster’. However,On The Come Up digs into Bri's identity deeper. Brianna is more than just a simple identity but a complex one because she was seen by others as a hoodlum but she learned to care more about who she was than what others wanted her to be. Brianna did fall into the idea of being a gangster rapper but as you’d continue to read you would see how she was just delusionalized because everyone around her was convincing her that that's who she was. Brianna Jackson was truly a caring and soft individual, but she always felt she couldn't show that side of her. Near the end of the book she showed her true self a bit more. She broke down in certain events releasing the true sixteen year old girl inside. Bri was in the ring and was supposed to perform DeeNice’s song but she thought about how that wasn't her and before freestyling she thought “For the longest, people acted like I was my dad’s clone. Supreme acts like I’m a puppet, too. But my brother called me a gift. My mom calls me her miracle, If I’m nothing else, I’m her daughter, and I’m trey’s sister.” (Thomas, 439) This quotation showed how Bri started to realize she didn't have to be a certain person to fulfill her dream but she had/wanted to be herself. As a reader this showed how Bri’s identity was built not on her family but around. It showed that Bri wasn’t anyone, she wasn’t anything, but she started to be who Brianna Jackson wanted to be. When Bri checked on her mom when she was having a rough time from Aunt Pooh going to jail they had a heart to heart allowing Bri to realize that her mom (Jay) was fighting everyday and even if she ever did relapse she would always love Bri “ I love you too … Mom.” (Thomas, 414) The fact that Bri called Jay Mom was a very important part of her identity because it shows that Bri is opening her trust and closing the idea that she will lose her mom and everyone around her. This little moment would have changed Brianna’s identity forever. Opening her to be more open. When Aunt Pooh was being arrested Curtis brought Bri to his house. Bri watched her aunt be handcuffed through a window and she exclaimed to Curtis “Everybody…” I gulp for air. “Everybody leaves me.” I sound as small as I feel. This is my mom telling me Daddy left us to go to heaven. This is her backing out of the driveway. even as I scream for her not to leave me. Nobody ever realized they took part of me with them.” (Thomas, 340) The usage of exaggeration and metaphor in this quotation really emphasized how hard this moment truly was for Bri. It also allowed the reader to understand the true pain that stayed with Bri from all the past traumas. Everything that hurt Bri also is what made her identity stronger. She tried hiding how alone she felt but she expressed it with Curtis. This was important as she was normally a closed book and opening to others is big on showing how soft and worryful her personality truly was. Bri’s ending freestyle states “But you’ll never call me sellout, and you’ll never call me thug. In the Garden kids are starving, hearts are hardened, beg my pardon, But fuck the system. your assumptions? They just show just where your heart is.” (Thomas, 440) Within Brianna’s rap you can understand her stream of consciousness. The quotation showed how Bri knew that the Garden/home wasn’t just the ‘hood’ but it was people that struggled like them to pay bills and eat. The quotation also allowed the reader to see how she wasn't claiming the ‘thug’ name ever again because just like using other peoples lyrics is something that isn't her. It is something that isn’t a part of her true identity. Furthermore, You may think that a kind, caring, and growing girl wasn't what Bri was. You may believe she truly was a thug, or that she still hasn’t found her true identity. Now that may be right to some degree but Bri showed many signs of caring about her family, friends and community. Like everyone, she wouldn’t stay the same forever but what you see in the book is that she was true to her Identity further through the book. “Not long ago, my mom asked me who I am. I'm starting to think I know. You see, I'm headstrong (and petty) like Grandma. I’m creative like Grandaddy. (...) I speak my mind like my Mom. (...) I care so much that it hurts. Like Trey. I’m like dad in a lot of ways, even if I’m not him. (...) If I’m nothing else, I’m them, and they’re me. That’s more than enough.” (Thomas, 425) Brianna Jackson finds herself and knows what to be true to. She went through a lot, some situations left not answered or solved but being true to herself she found. She found her identity. “That’s some life-changing shit-stuff.” Mom still side-eyes him. “Bri, you wanna do it baby?” I stare at the tweet. This is major. It could be the shot I need. “Yeah,” I say, and look at my mom. “Long as I can do it my way.”” (Thomas 447) Throughout On The Come Up Brianna finds out who she wanted to be with people she wanted to be surrounded by. She may lose her people as time goes on but she won’t lose herself if she knows what she isn't. Firstly, Bri lost herself and didnt know who she was. Furthermore, Bri started to pretend to be someone she wasn't, she pretended to be that black gangster everyone looked at her as. Lastly, Bri was a caring person that felt she had to hide her true self deep within. Brianna Jackson’s identity went through many changes but one change that made her strongest was when she realized that others will never know who she truly is and that's okay because that question will only ever be able to be answered by her. Work Cited Thomas, Angie. On the Come Up. HarperCollins Publishers, 2020.