Sunday, August 16, 2009
For sale: Baby shoes, never worn…
…is a story in six words written by Earnest Hemingway. His terse composition proves that a few words can be evocative, powerful, and compelling. I challenge you to mimic his rich and mysterious style by choosing one of your summer readings and summarizing the plot, or theme, or character(s), etc. in six words. Following your original post, please respond thoughtfully to a peer’s story. Mine is the first. Feel free to post a comment after you have composed your own. One original posting and one response due by Friday, August 28.
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Examples:
ReplyDeleteBoy's Life, by Robert R. McCammon:
Over time, Cory solves a mystery.
"Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong," by Tim O'Brien:
War robs girl of her humanity.
Boy's Life, By Robery R. McCammon:
ReplyDeleteCory, curious and intelligent, solves murder.
Response to Ms. Miles:
I liked the six words from The Things They Carried more than I did from Boy's Life because the six words from Boy's Life sound a little bland to me and the other one makes you really think about how the girl's humanity was robbed.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBoys life
ReplyDeleteEvil world comes crashing on Cory
REsponse To Christopher: I think the way you used the word differentiates is poor..
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
ReplyDelete"On the Rainy River"
Tim contemplates running from the war
response to max becks: I like the summary because in the book Cory sees that it is really a cruel and evil world and all these problems come face to face with him.
ReplyDeleteBoy's Life
ReplyDeleteDoctor Lezander killed the mystery man
Response to Brad b.- I like how you showed how Tim felt in this chapter, however, i believe some crucial parts of this chapter are missing.
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteThe childhood magic fades from Cory.
Response to JacobG : I like how it cuts to the chase and we don't have to read 500 pages to find out who killed the mystery man (:
-Christine Mosca
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteCory discovers killer of unknown man
Response to GevilRussian: I like the use of adjectives about Cory, but its alittle vague but for six words it makes a good sum up of the book.
The Things They Carried~Tim O'Brien
ReplyDelete"Speaking of Courage"
~War story recited around the lake
response to jacobg: i liked how your's was short and to the point, but Boy's Life had so much more going on in it.
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteCory's able to solve Zephyr's mystery.
Response to JacobG: Dr. Lezander does kill the mystery man, however the story was more about Cory solving the mystery.
Alyssa London
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carried
ReplyDeleteThey carried the burdens of war
Thad Leon McMullen II
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteCory gets stuck in difficult situations
Response to carlyamberrr: I like how your's gives a perfect summary of the book without giving away the ending.
Response to Carlyamberrr: i think the story was a little deeper than cory just discovering a killer. The killer plot line was skin deep surrounding a much more intricate story about growing up and dealing with change, good or bad.
ReplyDeleteThad Leon McMullen
The Things They Carried: On The Rainy River
ReplyDeleteTim anguishes and decides about war.
Response to Alyssa- Cory was not the only one to solve the mystery. His father played a big role in it also.
"Love" By:Tim O'Brien
ReplyDeleteReunion of friends,separation from love.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
ReplyDeleteRestrictions upon slaves, motivates Frederick Douglass
Response to btodaro: That is also very true, although the book was based around Cory and growing up to lose his innocence
"Speaking of Courage," by Tim O'Brien
ReplyDeleteGoing in circles, nothing to do.
Response to Genie728: I like the way you put the two ideas of the chapter together.
The Things They Carried: On The Rainy River
ReplyDeleteTim chooses between the easy road or the hard road and whether to leave all he knew behind.
In Response to Camille: The Things They Carried was a novel made up of alot of inner turmoil, and had alot going on. I respect that Boys Life also had an interesting plot and way of viewing the conflicts of that time.
-Erin
Boy's Life, by Robert R. McCammon:
ReplyDeleteCory solves murder, wandering through magic.
Response to Blakiron:
The summary is precise and gives a reason for his actions.
Boy's Life, by Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteSociety, in reality, is an animal.
Response to Erin: it was a bit long but overall captures the central focus of this particular story, which are the decisions O'Brien must ultimately take.
"The Man I Killed" By Tim O'Brien
ReplyDeleteTim, with deep regret, takes life.
Response to Alyssa: Quite good, but "Zephyr's mystery" is kind of vague. Maybe it should have been something more specific, getting the point across that a murder was committed.
-Perry
Boy's Life by Robert McCammon
ReplyDeletePoor Cory witnesses a terrible murder
Brittney Peak
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Perry-Ryan: That was a great description of that chapter. Its straight and to the point summing it all together. =)
ReplyDeleteLove" The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
ReplyDeleteJimmy's love for Martha affects everyone
In Response to Max Becks:Cory has went through many grown up events as a child including the murder.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
ReplyDeleteInadvertent advice outlines Frederick's freedom path.
In response to Christina: The last part of the sentence gives the whole statement more meaning because it was Cory's childhood magic that gave him perseverance to solve the mystery rather than forget about it.
Rahul Sheth
Boy's Life by Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteAlthough young, Cory successfully solves murder.
In response to gevilrussian: I like how you get straight to the point but also describe Cory at the same time.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
ReplyDeleteSlave discovers liberty and speaks out.
In response to Rahul Sheth: Although this is true, Frederick didn't feel free even after gaining freedom. It was somewhere along the way, while speaking out in front of white people, that he felt his enslavement and being inferior was over.
-Jillian Printz
ReplyDeleteThe Things They Carried:
ReplyDeleteLife is immortalized through his storytelling
response to jillian: i would say "slave fights for freedom" since he didn't really just stumble upon it he had to toil for it
-jordan schroeder
Boy's Life by Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteCory finds cold truth in imagination.
Response to Jordon: I agree with your summary. Life is immortalized but it doesn't necessarily mean a real life person. Since in O'brien's perspective a true war story nothing is absolutely true.
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteA boy grows up amidst magic.
Response to perry-ryan: I liked your summary a lot. By leaving the question of whose life Tim took open, it shows that not only did Tim kill the young man, but that a little bit of himself seemed to die, too.
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteCory learns everything is not magical.
Response to EmilyHope: I agree with your statement but I also think that in the end Cory learns, as I stated above, that everything is not so magical in Zephyr.
In response to Jordan: well summarized. Morals are sometime forgotten when making decisions or taking action.
ReplyDeleteThe Things They Carried:Man reminiscent of perils of War.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBoy's Life
ReplyDeleteOmnifarious occurrences surround once critical murder.
Response to Jacob G: While I agree with xxchriscayxx that your response cuts to the chase, I think that can be both positive and negative. Although it lays out the simple answer that we all clawed through the book's pages to find out, the depth is missing since the events and characters introduced between the murder and the climax are left out.
things they carried by Tim O'Brien
ReplyDeletemuddy and sorrowful adventures of men
response to christineL:
i agree with wat u say. cory solved the murder by imagining and putting things that he got along the way together
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Wonderbread: The summary for Boy's Life is accurate. Throughout the story there were many other events that led up to the murder.
ReplyDeleteThe Things They Carried
ReplyDeleteYoung men "carry" burdens of war.
Response to Cory: I believe that your statement pin points one of the major aspects of the book. In all actuality our statements are relate to each other, in the sense that the by O'Brien reminiscing on his trials, tribulations, and "perils", he addresses the "burdens" that he Carried back from Vietnam at such a young age
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteCory discovers secrets his town holds.
Jacob G: I like how you got straight to the point, but I think you left out that it wasn't just that, it was about Cory and his experiences.
-Tatiana Pomerantz
boys life:
ReplyDeleteA Story Surrounds A Single Murder
Tatiana P: you didnt say anything unneeded, and said exactly what the story was about. Cory, his town, and its secrets.
"Enemies" by Tim O'Brien
ReplyDeleteParanoid soldier gets "even" with thief.
Alberto Manus: your response didn't really specify te fact that they were in war.
Boy's Life: Father and son solve a murder.
ReplyDeleteRespone to btodaro: Vernon Thanxter helped solve the murder too. He gave Cory the idea that the murderer was a night owl who didn't like milk.
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteCory stays youthful while solving mystery.
Roberto: While your summary gets to the point and is clear, it leaves out how the idea of Cory growing up in Zephyr.
mister leazander was a german killer
ReplyDeleteResponse to dani: good, i agree :)
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteImaginative Cory solves a lake mystery.
Response to dani: I loved what you said, it was very well put. Good summary of the book.
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteSmall town Zephyr holds big secrets.
Response to BritneeW:
It was precise but it still didn't give anything way. It makes people want to read it more.
Jessica Palacios
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteImaginative Cory uncovers Zephyrs hidden mystery.
Response to BritneeW:
I disagree with what you said about "Father and son solve a murder." It was mainly and mostly Cory who solved the murder. His father Tom didn't come in to help somewhat until the end.
: Lisa-Dawn Maloney
Boy's Life: Cory discovers mysteries in Saxon's Lake
ReplyDeleteReponse to Jessica: I like how your summary creates a suspnse. It attracts a readers attention.
Boys Life:
ReplyDeleteCorey learns about Life and Death
Responce to justjessica:
I completely agree, but it think it's not only Zephyr that holds these secrets it's also Bruton.
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteCory overcomes obstacles with friends/family.
Response to Dani:
Your summarization was well put together and basically states the plot of the book.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteErin Kurnia
ReplyDeleteBoy's Life, by Robert R. McCammon:
Lively, Inspirational Moments Last For Eternity
Response to Max Becks: I agree with the evil part, but crashing isn't more like it. It's more like exposed.((: great job.
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteCory's childhood is one to remember.
Response to Erin: I think it fits well with how the book went on.
Kelsey Segaloff
ReplyDeleteThe Things They Carried:
One war, thousands of untold stories.
Response to ijarik16 ("mister leazander was a german killer"): Although you indentified an extremely important specific event from the novel, it was only a part of the story.
Boy's Life
ReplyDelete"Horrible tragedy to an unfortunate family."
Response to kelsey7777777
I think that your statement states the basic plot of the book. Very broad, but to the point.
Dani Cooke
ReplyDeleteThe Things They Carried
"Style"
Dancer escapes reality, death and madness.
Response to Erin:
Though it is true that the "lively and inspirational" moments of Cory's childhood lasted for a lifetime, I don't believe that your statement captured the more haunting aspect of what his childhood witnessed, events that were strong enough to provoke a reaction even well into his adulthood as he drove past Saxon Lake.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by -Frederick Douglass
ReplyDeleteFrederick's quest for freedom and identity
I Believe that Frederick Douglass constantly dealt with obstacles restricting his freedom and hindering is ability for self identification.
Grace Ooi
ReplyDeleteNarrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass
Education is the key to freedom.
Response to Gavin:
As Cory grows up in Zephyr, he is shaped by what has and is happening around him. Dealing with death was a key element in his maturity, and shaped the way he lived his life. I think your statement captures the essence of Boy's Life very well.
Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass
ReplyDeleteSurvives the whip, destined for freedom.
Michael Greenberg
ReplyDeleteBoy's life:
ReplyDeleteCory discovers wonder within his town!
Reponse to justjessica:
i really enjoyed the word contrast you used with small town and big secrets. It made both points stick out alot stronger.
Heather Hubbard-
ReplyDeleteNarrative of the life of Frederick Douglass--
Perseverance is what turns the tide.
~
dani said...
Boy's Life:
Cory stays youthful while solving mystery.
My Response--
Mostly true to the elements of Boy's Life however I feel as though Cory didn't truly stay youthful. He had to endure death, twice, his father losing his job, and the reality that his magic town was actually a threat to his life. I'm not denying that there wasn't whimsy, but Cory definitely matured dynamically by the story's end.
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteCory learns about life's enduring lessons
In response to jkoch:
I agree with your statement, however, though the book was centered around the murder of Saxon Lake, I believe there were many smaller significant events within the book.
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteCory figures who killed dead guy
Response to TamaraL: i completely agree with your response.at some point, cory had to realize that everything wasn't made up of a boy's magic..TAMMARAAAAA
-toph
Corey loses the magic of childhood.
ReplyDeleteResponse to ballababe9313: I completely agree with your summary. He has to learn about things that made him see life isn't as wonderful as he thought it was, and even though his town was small and quite, it still had it's fair share of tradgedy.
The Things They Carried
ReplyDelete"Night Life"
War and darkness drive men crazy.
Response to dgreenb801:
I really liked your summary. It seemed to capture his time at slavery and his future as a free man really well.
The Things They Carried
ReplyDeleteA boundless grievance on wars austerity.
Response to coastgaurdman: (Young men "carry" burdens of war.)
I loved how you used the authors style of writing in summarizing the novel. Its extremely clever and unique.
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteMurder and Mystery at Saxson's Lake.
Response to case9323: Boy's Life is about so much more than Cory finding the killer. I don't think your summary accurately captured the essence of the book.
Boy's Life, by Robert R. McCammon:
ReplyDeleteOver time, Cory solves a mystery.
Cory's life changes instantaneously
without warning..
Cody Nies
Period 1
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteLittle boy becomes a big man.
response to cheesedoodliiiiii: Agreed. One second he's fine, the next second he's a witness to a murder
Jason Koenig
The Things They Carried
ReplyDelete-"Love"
Emotions are a big part of war, feelings of happiness or regrets from the past always stay with you. wishing for what used to be, or being consumed with the fear of what is to come. With every day the feelings constantly change, but never completely go away.
Boy's Life by Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteInnocent boy learns death's grim games.
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteCory's life encounters develops his ingenuity
Response to brittanyxbabe48 (Corey loses the magic of childhood) You ripped that summary. In the beginning Cory has his innocence and childhood(as you said). As he encounters many different things his magic of youth and innocence is removed and the reality of life is placed within him
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteCory matures as he faces obstacles
In response to Cesar94:
I like the way you set up your six words; it really portrays how Cory encountered death several times throughout the book.
The Things They Carried
ReplyDeleteBoom! Lavender shot down like cement
The Things They Carried
ReplyDeleteParanoid Ted Lavender now lies tranquil
Boy's Life by Robert R. McCammon
ReplyDeleteFriends can be trustworthy and deceitful.
Boy's Life, by Robert R. McCammon:
ReplyDeleteCory learns that life isn't fair
Response to abm_mob11: "Cory's life encounters develops his ingenuity." I agree completely with you I feel that Cory's experiences helped him find his own unique cleverness which helped in his writing.
Boy's Life, by Robert R McCammon:
ReplyDeleteImaginative Cory, solves murder in Zephyr
Response to Heather Hubbard:
I agree that he went through life changing events that should naturally mature a boy. Although,I think Robert was trying to convey to us that even though there were plenty of outside forces trying to rid Cory of his youthand imagination he still kept his youthfulness using imagination. Imagination is a common quality you find in a boy and he brought that with him to his adulthood. Cory becomes a successful writer and most writers need imagination in order to be successful. This proving my point that he didn't entirely lose his youthfulness. 8 )
Response to GevilRussian:
ReplyDeleteShort and simple to the point good summary in six words.
This is Logan Ryan.
ReplyDeleteBoy's Life:
Cory gets around; solves a mystery
@ Chanelle: I like that, it rolls right off the tongue, heh. Did you mean "tranquil" as in "tranquilizer" becuse if you did, that's really funny.
Boy's Life, Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteDetermined Cory searches for the truth.
Response to mstiti37:
You summed up the book in those six words. You went straight to the point without giving too much information from the book away.
as he grows, cory learns lessons.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Maselli-
ReplyDeleteBoy's Life
- knowing gives answers, dreams create questions
- i had created this to show that cory and his dads dreams only created questions but then once he knew who the killer was he had the answers he needed.
response to abm_mob11 who said "Cory's life encounters develops his ingenuity"
I liked how your words tend to include all the events in his life and what it did to him. Which basically showed exactly what the story was about and on life. Through everything we encounter will always develop something in us. Very good choise of words.
Response to GabrielBarrios:
ReplyDeleteYou summed up one of the story's main ideas/themes in those six words. I would say silence drove the men crazy also but now that I think about it, darkness is a better word if you had to chose one in order to sum it up in just six words. Good job
The Things They Carried
ReplyDelete"Stockings"
Henry's magical underwear keeps it's powers.
@aimee
Despite the fact that your synopsis is accurate, I can't help but find it a little unspecific. Still, you hit the mark well enough, and it gives a general idea of what went on in "Boy's Life" anyway.
Jordan Obi here [:
The Things They Carried
ReplyDelete"Shame"
Tim creates a war within himself.
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteA Nazi in disguise, holds suprise
Responce to Gavin:
You really got me hooked. I think you gave just the right amount of information because I understand what the story is about, but I know there will be a twist to the story.
Things they carried
ReplyDeleteCatharsis for the lost in war
Boys Life
ReplyDeleteCory cracks down the unsolved mystery
Things they carried
ReplyDeleteO'brian keeps people alive through stories
Response to stephanie- i agree with your comment mostly but i think that the dreams were also the answers not just the source of his questions,like they were answers that he didnt understand
Cory sticks with his curiosity to resolve his questioning.
ReplyDeleteResponse to stephanie maselli-i liked how you pointed out that we can't answer things without dreams and our imagination that even question them in the first place. both cory and his father's dreams take them so a resolution.
Narrative on the Life of Frederick Douglass-
ReplyDeleteMan becomes educated and escapes slavery.
In response to Roberto de Sousa, while the story's main plot was the mystery, I feel the your summary is a bit too narrow because the book did not only focus on the murder, but also on some of the actions of the Ku Klux Klan members and the Blaylocks, who were not related to the murder of the guy in the lake.
-Michael Tichy
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteCory, cunning and brave saves town
Boys Life:
ReplyDeleteUnknown Man murdered who was it?
comment: Gio c.
nice choice of words
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteCory solves the mystery in time.
The Things They Carried
ReplyDeleteHonorable man buried in the mud.
The Things They Carried
ReplyDelete“On the Rainy River”
Feared of embarrassment, O'Brien joins war.
Response to Michael Tichy-
I think your statement is a perfect summary of the book. You pointed out one of the main aspects of the book, education, which helped Douglass escape slavery.
Narrative on the Life of Frederick Douglas
ReplyDeleteMan experiences happiness, then experiences dismay.
Response to Rina-
I believe your statement summarized the important aspects of the book. It explains how the narrator felt about joining the war and also the mood of the novel.
Boy's Life, Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteImagination: the only magic we have.
--Krysten Deidrick
Response to xxchriscayxx: That pretty much sums it up. Cory's magic didn't abruptly stop--it faded gradually but never really went away
Boy's Life.
ReplyDeleteCory's investigation to discover the murderer.
Response to Micheal Tichy.
I think your summary described the book perfectly.
Boy's Life, Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteZach Kleiman
Rare murder in Zephyr finally solved.
Response to carlyamberrr: Great word choice for this description that covers the entire book
"Boy's Life" by Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteThe magical experience of Cory's childhood.
Response to animallvr815: That phrase, I think, is very creative and it really is the only magic we have, imagination.
-Hristo Alexandrov
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteCory's childhood through a magical world.
Response to Jennifer: Your comment wraps up the overall theme of the book in a nice way.
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteCory's fantastic and surreal murder investigation.
Response to Rina:
Excellent summary, covers the main idea very nicely and I knew instantly what story you were talking abouy.
Cory goes back to his basics
ReplyDeleteResponse to Chanelle:
ReplyDeleteTed Lavender was a great metaphor for the main idea of the beginning of the book, demonstrating the cruel effects enormous burdens the soldiers carried. The way Ted was shot down shows how all of the burdens of the war ended up being just too much for Ted, and how they just had completely crushed him.
Response to Vishal Maharaj
ReplyDeleteI like your statement it's true,straight to the point ,but so not bland at all.
The Things They Carried:Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong
ReplyDeleteWar turns a sweetheart's curiosity savage.
Boy's Life
Young magic replaced by adult's depression.
Boys life
ReplyDeleteMysterious murder, can Cory solve it?..
Response to christineL:
Yeah I agree he did indeed find the hard truth of imagination; that while in it's magic there is protection, but the austere realities of life can destroy those magical properties.
Anthony Tijerino
Boy's Life by Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteyoung, determined Cory seeks mystery killer.
Response to Steven:
i think your description summarizes the book perfectly. It definitely shows a key element within the book.
!) Tim believes that in a war, killing someone physically is not the only way of murder. He believes that by just watching or seeing people die is sufficient enough to feel the guilt of having killed someone.
ReplyDeletequestion: Was Tim's reason for hating Bobby Jorgenson justified?
cory triumphs in solving a mystery
ReplyDeleteBoy's Life, Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteCory soles murder, becoming more mature.
Response to gmirza27: i think your summary summarizes the book pretty good but is too broad.
-Zach Richstone
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBoy's Life, Robert McCammon
ReplyDeleteCory intelligent and wise solves murder
The Things They Carried
ReplyDeletein response to Rina...
-"Was fear of embarrassment the only thing that made his choice in joining the war?"
I think that fear alone is a big impact on why people decide, or decide against going to war.
Response to N.W.A.: as simple as it sounds this statement is very true.
ReplyDelete-Gibran
Question: Why do the soldiers tell jokes about the war, about killing?
ReplyDeleteResponse to Alberto Manus:
I think his reason for hating Bobby was justified. When Bobby became the new medic, he put O'Brien in a lot of pain and was incapable of treating his shock.Therefore, O'Brien wanted to get revenge, such as, trying to frighten Bobby while he is on night guard.
Boy's Life
ReplyDeleteThrough Cory childhood magic lives on.
Boy's Life:
ReplyDeleteGrowing Up in a Magic Town
Response to R.Calatchi:
Although I agree that the murder was a major part of the story, I think that a title focused solely on the murder leaves out too many other things that hapenned that were important but irrelevant to the murder.
The Things They Carried
ReplyDeleteWar starts, war ends, still remembering.
Respone to shnazberri:
They tell jokes to dull out death. That way they learn how to mask their own pain with laughter.
The Things They Carried
ReplyDeleteStory truth defines how he feels.
Response to Max Becks: I don't feel that the story is about an evil world crashing on Cory, although there is one chapter where that line does capture his feelings.