The Writing Style of Trouble - Literature Essay Samples

Most people do not focus on the writing style of a novel and tend to pay more attention to the broader contours of the story line. When reading Gary Schmidt’s Trouble, the reader should pay attention to writing style because it is different from most other writers in many ways. The author pays more attention to the artful writing of the novel rather than the story line alone, making the reader have to think more about what they are reading to understand what is happening. Gary Schmidt has a unique writing style because he uses a prominent motif with the word Trouble, along with a separate story in italicized font that when finally put all together is understood, and each character’s personality has a role in changing the tone of the story. When the basic setting of Henry’s life is being explained early in the novel, Gary Schmidt says that â€Å"Henry Smith’s father told him that if you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you† (Schmidt 1). The motif of Trouble is shown in the beginning, which introduces the reader to how important this is to the Smith family. It also is the start of an essential part of how Henry makes his decisions. When Henry explains why he is climbing Katahdin to Thaddeus Baxter, one of his reasons is â€Å"to find out how to live with trouble† (240). Henry and his family use the motif Trouble a lot since Henry’s dad says it at the beginning, and Henry says it toward the end of the story. Having Trouble being mentioned toward the end of the story shows that it is the motif, since it is used throughout the book. The author uses this to show the significance of the word Trouble to the Smith family by making it a motif. With the italicized paragraphs at the end of multiple chapters in the story, the reader needs to put all of the paragraphs together to understand the whole story. The reader does not know what the italicized font means in the beginning of the story, but later readers realize that it is Chay’s point of view. A sample from the first italicized font is â€Å"He first saw her from high up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  referencing to when Chay saw Louisa for the first time at school (26). The reader will not think much of the italicized paragraphs in the beginning other than that they are confusing when standing alone. As the reader progresses through the book, they realize it is Chay’s point of view and when put together makes a lot of sense. Without knowing putting all of the italicized stories together, the reader cannot understand fully what is happening. One of the biggest hints that the italicized parts of the novel is Chay’s thoughts, is when Chay is leaving because of all the trouble in the town, an excerpt of that moment is â€Å"He packed the volume of Keats† (123). This line shows that Chay is the italics because very early in the book explains Chay received a volume of Keats from his dad. Once the reader recognizes that Chay’s thoughts when he is alone is the italics, it can be important later in the book. The italicized wording is a writing concept that is not often applied in other pieces of writing, and that makes Gary Schmidt’s different from the others. Moreover, each character has a different role in making the story’s tone change throughout the whole book. Sanborn is the hilarity of the novel. When Henry, Chay, and Sanborn are at the chowder restaurant, he says â€Å"I never did get my shake† (175). The book has a rather depressing plot, so when there is humor introduced, the reader becomes happier. Sanborn represents the humor, he frequently tells joke throughout and keeps the reader from not becoming sad and not wanting to read the book. Sanborn plays a role in the book that is not as important to the storyline as it is to the tone by making it more upbeat. Franklin represents motivation for Henry, when Henry explains why he is going up the mountain to Thaddeus Baxter, he says â€Å"I’m going up for my brother,† who is Franklin (239). Henry always desired to climb Katahdin with his brother, Franklin, who promised he would with him. Without Franklin motivating Henry, he might have given up and not clim bed Katahdin. When Franklin dies, Henry is determined to climb Katahdin and his reasoning is because of his brother and the humor of Sanborn keeping him upbeat. In Trouble, Gary Schmidt thus uses different writing strategies to make his novel unique. Carefully-coordinated aspects of motif, side stories, and characters change the storys mood instead of allowing the story to lapse into a single attitude.

The Value of Higher Education in the American Society - 275 Words

The Value of Higher Education in the American Society (Essay Sample) Content: NameProfessorCourseDateThe Value of Higher Education in the American SocietyThe Americanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s institutions of higher learning face myriads of challenges in their efforts to shape studentsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ careers, improve quality of life, and change the American society. Americans cannot underestimate the role of colleges and universities in adding value to oneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s life. Learning is a process that many embrace as essential in knowledge gain. Primarily, this essay uses different research works to analyze the value of higher education in America. It draws an overriding theme that American colleges and universities are remarkable paths to career growth and value addition in oneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s life, but face myriads of challenges in this quest.First, Faust writes that many American colleges and universities have struggled to meet conflicting demands of society (1). Americans look up to institutions of higher learning to help meet national needs, impart knowledge on learners, add value, and exhibit practicality in learning methods. The contradictory demands have raised other criticisms towards American universities, and in particular, higher cost of college education.Nevertheless, the significance of American universities abound because they have remained the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s envy. Faust writes that an international ranking in 2005 included 17 American universities in the top twenty. In essence, American universities continue to attract the best brains in the world. No one should underestimate the effect of the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s perception of American colleges. For instance, the availability of variety means a diverse student population that work on different research projects and increase knowledge base. Students benefit from interacting with peers from other cultural backgrounds.Additionally, colleges and universities provide help change peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s perception of issues, such as educational capability of women. It is popular opinion t hat women are poor in science and math. In fact, Pollitt recounts a press conference by Larry Summers, the Harvard President. Apparently, Summers argued that "tenured women are rare in math and sciences" (Pollitt 1). An interesting reason being that fewer women have the required genetic gifts than men. Such is the perception that clouds societyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s understanding of the reality. In effect, higher education lives to provide equal opportunities that prove people such as Summers wrong. Pollitt asserts that gone are the days when knowledgeable women sat home and waited for men to provide. The present society encourages equality of everything, and education is no exception. One can argue that the reason women are underrepresented in math and science is because of the prevailing perception that they are poor in these disciplines. Many prefer an American society that presents equal opportunities to both genders to excel academically, and higher education is one such means.Moreover, education, especially higher education, was central to the realization of the American dream. Higher education produces a technology-skilled population that keeps pace with the changes in the world. It must be noted that America pioneered a mass college attendance era that the entire world later envied (Faust 1).Nonetheless, higher education faces many challenges in the quest to improve the American society. The "race between education and technology" (Faust 1) has taken serious toll. It is more worrying that the number of American youth attending colleges has decreased in comparison to other countries. Freedman calls it the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"new classroom war of teacher against technology. In particular, Freedman refers to an instance between Prof. Ali Nazemi and a college student, Neil Noland (1). The studentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s phone rang in class, and the professor smashed it using a hammer. The point is that there is a stiff competition between technology and learning, which lowers the qu ality of education (Freedman 1). Besides, it is a serious concern because students have the freedom to use phones in the classroom in universities.Social media is changing the world in ways few people anticipated. Presently, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are pleasant social media platforms that make education seem unnecessary. The case of Prof. Ali shows the extent to which instructors believe that technology à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"harmsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ the learning process. That notwithstanding, it is possible to use technology for learnersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ gain. University professors are in a constant competition for attention with Twitter, Facebook, and so on. It is no doubt that learnersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ concentration is hampered by... The Value of Higher Education in the American Society - 275 Words The Value of Higher Education in the American Society (Essay Sample) Content: NameProfessorCourseDateThe Value of Higher Education in the American SocietyThe Americanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s institutions of higher learning face myriads of challenges in their efforts to shape studentsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ careers, improve quality of life, and change the American society. Americans cannot underestimate the role of colleges and universities in adding value to oneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s life. Learning is a process that many embrace as essential in knowledge gain. Primarily, this essay uses different research works to analyze the value of higher education in America. It draws an overriding theme that American colleges and universities are remarkable paths to career growth and value addition in oneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s life, but face myriads of challenges in this quest.First, Faust writes that many American colleges and universities have struggled to meet conflicting demands of society (1). Americans look up to institutions of higher learning to help meet national needs, impart knowledge on learners, add value, and exhibit practicality in learning methods. The contradictory demands have raised other criticisms towards American universities, and in particular, higher cost of college education.Nevertheless, the significance of American universities abound because they have remained the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s envy. Faust writes that an international ranking in 2005 included 17 American universities in the top twenty. In essence, American universities continue to attract the best brains in the world. No one should underestimate the effect of the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s perception of American colleges. For instance, the availability of variety means a diverse student population that work on different research projects and increase knowledge base. Students benefit from interacting with peers from other cultural backgrounds.Additionally, colleges and universities provide help change peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s perception of issues, such as educational capability of women. It is popular opinion t hat women are poor in science and math. In fact, Pollitt recounts a press conference by Larry Summers, the Harvard President. Apparently, Summers argued that "tenured women are rare in math and sciences" (Pollitt 1). An interesting reason being that fewer women have the required genetic gifts than men. Such is the perception that clouds societyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s understanding of the reality. In effect, higher education lives to provide equal opportunities that prove people such as Summers wrong. Pollitt asserts that gone are the days when knowledgeable women sat home and waited for men to provide. The present society encourages equality of everything, and education is no exception. One can argue that the reason women are underrepresented in math and science is because of the prevailing perception that they are poor in these disciplines. Many prefer an American society that presents equal opportunities to both genders to excel academically, and higher education is one such means.Moreover, education, especially higher education, was central to the realization of the American dream. Higher education produces a technology-skilled population that keeps pace with the changes in the world. It must be noted that America pioneered a mass college attendance era that the entire world later envied (Faust 1).Nonetheless, higher education faces many challenges in the quest to improve the American society. The "race between education and technology" (Faust 1) has taken serious toll. It is more worrying that the number of American youth attending colleges has decreased in comparison to other countries. Freedman calls it the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"new classroom war of teacher against technology. In particular, Freedman refers to an instance between Prof. Ali Nazemi and a college student, Neil Noland (1). The studentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s phone rang in class, and the professor smashed it using a hammer. The point is that there is a stiff competition between technology and learning, which lowers the qu ality of education (Freedman 1). Besides, it is a serious concern because students have the freedom to use phones in the classroom in universities.Social media is changing the world in ways few people anticipated. Presently, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are pleasant social media platforms that make education seem unnecessary. The case of Prof. Ali shows the extent to which instructors believe that technology à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"harmsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ the learning process. That notwithstanding, it is possible to use technology for learnersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ gain. University professors are in a constant competition for attention with Twitter, Facebook, and so on. It is no doubt that learnersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ concentration is hampered by...