The Effects of Gamma-Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds vs. The Capulets

I think that Tillie's family and the Capulets are similar, but very different.

The biggest similarity between Tillie and Juliet is that they both are very independent, they have something that is important to them; Romeo and science. (okay, that sounds a little strange) Neither of their families' support their interests. Beatrice and Ruth don't care at all about science and Lord and Lady Capulet would be horrified to find that their daughter loves a Montague. Beatrice and Lady Capulet are also similar, because they both have an idea for the direction of their daughters' lives; marring Paris and cleaning the house.

A huge difference between Tillie's and Juliet's families is that Juliet has a father and Tillie doesn't. This gives Tillie more freedom, as she only has her mother to watch her every move (and occasionally Ruth), while Juliet has both her parents. Another obvious difference is the time periods, which influences Juliet's and Tillie's interests.

Overall, Juliet and Tillie have the same spirit of independence, but different families and lives.

The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds Act 1

This play isn't quite what I thought it would be about. It is different from most books I've read, but there is some book it reminds me of....I just can't remember it!!
I relate to Tilly the best of all the characters. She likes school a lot and enjoys learning, which I do too. But, there is a lot about her that I can't relate, like when her mom doesn't want her to go to school.
When Beatrice talks (or rather yells) to Nanny, it reminds me of Junie B Jones. This is a strange connection, but I think it is because the font is all capitalized, has lots of exclamation points and is repetitive, which is how Junie talks a lot.
Overall, this play is....interesting. I feel like there is a deeper meaning, some fantastic analogy hidden under the crazy storyline, but I haven't found it yet.

Nurse

           Nurse seems to be a quiet, non-relevant, background character in the beginning of the play, but as the play continues, Shakespeare reveals her true nature and importance. She actually turns out to be one of the more prominent characters in the play. And while her actions don’t play a huge part in outcome of the story, she is still a crucial character.
           Nurse starts out as just Juliet’s aid. She is there to help Juliet with her everyday life, so it seems natural that she should want Juliet’s life to go well and for her to be happy. Shakespeare soon reveals that this is not just part of Nurse’s job, that she genuinely wants Juliet to be happy. It is as if Juliet is her own child, she wants the best for her in all situations. This is shown through Nurse’s reaction toward Romeo. Even though she doesn’t seem to like him that much, she knows Juliet loves him and is happy with him, so she keeps him a secret. Nurse could have easily told Lady Capulet about Romeo, but she chose not to- for the sake of Juliet’s happiness.
           Nurse comes to Juliet’s defense in Act III, when Capulet says something rude to Juliet. Nurse replies with “You are to blame, my Lord, to rate her so.” This shows that Nurse’s true loyalty is with Juliet, not simply with the Capulet family, and she loves her as she would a daughter. I also think that if Nurse hadn't defended Juliet against her parents, Juliet wouldn't have thought so much about her choice to drink the potion. She ended up drinking it anyway, but if Nurse hadn't made the comment, then she would have ended up drinking the potion with anger, not with a tinge of regret.
         

Romeo and Juliet Act I

 "Romeo and Juliet" is written much different than any book I've ever read. Sometimes I feel like I am translating the book! After the first page or so, I got used to the old English and reading is going quicker. But, I still can't imagine people casually talking like that! Some parts of the writing are like poetry, they are written beautifully, and other parts are almost like modern English.
It is strange how Capulet and Montague (the parents) don't argue or fight, they almost seem to want peace, but the rest of their families get along horribly! I guess it is a long history of arguing and nobody wants to mess with tradition! I also found it coincidental how Montague and Benvolio were talking about Romeo and his sadness, and then Romeo just walks up!
I like that it is in play form, it makes it slightly less confusing. I enjoy parts of Shakespeare's writing, other parts are just difficult to comprehend.

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail Act 2

1. An example of irony is that Thoreau considers Bailey to be one of the most educated people he knows, even though Bailey can barely spell his own name! Henry taught Bailey to write his name, but then told him not to write it... Another example is that Henry feels more free in jail, he notices things he never noticed before, like the church bells. But at the same time, Henry prefers to teach outdoors instead of in a classroom.
2. I think the three most important characters in the play are Henry, Waldo, and Ellen. Honestly I have no idea who to cast for any of them. Henry would need to be someone who looks younger and acts passionately, in a calm and sometimes thunderous way. Waldo would be someone older than Henry, someone with an equal amount of passion, but calmer and more chosen in the way they speak. Ellen would have to be beautiful and younger, but at the same time a little bit separated from the rest of the people in the town. She would need to have an open mind, but also have her own way of looking at the world.
3. I don't think that Henry was successful in the end. He realized that his approach was a protest for himself, but not one that other people were part of. This is partially because he wasn't part of the rest of the world and because people didn't listen to him with much respect. When Aunt Louisa paid his tax, everything went down the drain.

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail Act 1

"Don't just remember what I said. Remember what I'm talking about." If everybody just remembered what people said, only their exact words, people would be like robots. To remember what people are talking about is to remember their words, their actions, their expressions, and their emotions. This can change the entire meaning of the words. This relates to transcendentalism because, transcendentalism is believing that everything is interconnected with God, just like remembering what people say is part of remembering what people are talking about. It is a smaller part (remembering what people say / everyday events) of a bigger whole (remembering what people are talking about / God).

A Perfect Day for Bananafish

   Muriel reminds of Holden. They both have left their parents without talking to them. Although Muriel seems to be older than Holden, her Mother still frets over her during their phone call. Holden and Muriel both are calm about things. They don't seem to get worked up about much, they just live in the moment and don't think a lot about the future. Muriel seems annoyed with her Mother and Holden gets annoyed with people all the time.
    Sybil is quite a bit like Phoebe. Both girls are younger than the people they interact with in the stories. Sybil is inquisitive and not afraid to ask her questions. Phoebe is the same way. The difference between the girls is that Sybil listens to Seymour more that Phoebe listens to Holden. When Seymour asks Sybil to talk about something else, she does. When Holden says something that Phoebe doesn't like, she ignores him. Phoebe is more stubborn and strong-willed than Sybil, but that is partially because she is older.
   I think that Seymour is also like Holden. Both of them are lost in their lives. Holden doesn't know what to do, where to go, who to talk to. Seymour doesn't seem completely mentally stable, but is lost in his thoughts and other people's lives, which are entangled with his.