Caleb's Blog

 This chapter was also a more confusing chapter. What stood out to me was how the Bishop was challenged in way that we hadn't seen before. The Bishop and the other man were at the same level intellectually and because of that they were really able to have a meaningful conversation. It was also interesting how the Bishop was kind of short and cold towards him as we hadn't seen him act this way with anyone, even the drunk senator who was basically insulting him.

2 things really stood out to me in this chapter. The first is how real the author made the letter. Specifically with the P.S. section, and that part where it says that there was an illegible word written by Madame Baptistine. Little details like those really makes you forget that this isn't actually a real letter that was written.  I also thought it was nice to get to see the perspective of  Madame Baptistine. We've seen her reactions to things her brother does in different chapters, but this allows us to know exactly what she thinks. And even though she is scared or nervous about some of those things, she still completely trusts her brother and knows that he is just doing what is best for everybody. 

 When I first found out we were going to be reading Les Misérables I thought it would just be another boring analysis of a book I didn't want to read. However, it has actually been a quite enjoyable book. One of the most enjoyable parts for me has been the Bishop. I like his character so much because of how consistently good he is. He understands what the right thing to do is and doesn't change his beliefs for any body. The 3 literary techniques that I have noticed the most are the indirect characterization, setting, and the foreshadowing. The author had used a lot of indirect characterization with the bishop. The amount of respect just Madame Baptistine has for him tells us that he is a really good person. And if that wasn't enough, almost all his actions in the book, even the ones where he is alone, back up the idea that he is just a good,, honorable person. I've also really appreciated the details in the setting. I always really enjoy when the author gives really goo...

Reading is supposed to be fun, but sometimes reading for school is a challenge. Here are four ways we can have more fun reading and do it better at the same time.  1.You need to read books that you love. Often times when we have reading assignments, we don't get to choose what we read and it becomes a real chore. When we choose the books we love, it becomes a more enjoyable experience. 2. You also need to try and better understand the books you don't love. Trying to understand these books can change your point of view about them and could help you see past just the negative qualities. It could even help make it a book you love. 3.You have to change what reading means to you. As you get older it should become more than just recognizing words on a page. It should be more about understanding the deeper meanings that you are able to find or how you interpret those passages. 4. The last technique is be able to love learning. You can't just be focused on just getting the grade, o...

This chapter was a little confusing for me to understand, specifically the references they were making. However, I was able to get the gist of the chapter. Basically, the Senator doesn't think there is anything beyond ones life, and that one you die then that's it for you. I did find it interesting how he said religion was for the poor or struggling people to have some form of hope and how the Bishop responded that only really the rich have access to that belief of materialism since they are the only ones who can get almost any material thing that they want. I also thought that they seemed pretty respectful of each other. They both were able to say their points without the other interrupting or getting offended. I admire both of them for that as today it is becoming more of a rare thing. 

The Bishop is a very brave and confident person to be able to go and approach those criminals all by himself. I guess that just shows how faithful he was. I do wonder though if he was a little scared and was just putting on a brave face, but from what I've read in earlier chapters, he probably wasn't. The last thing that stood out to me in this chapter was the question at the end of whether or not to return the treasure should be returned to the cathedral or to the hospital. After thinking it over, I think it should go back to the cathedral. I think it belongs in the cathedral because it technically belongs to them, and giving it to the hospital, even if it was for a good purpose, is like stealing. I think it should be up to the cathedral what they want to do with the treasure. This chapter wasn't really long so that was all that stood out to me.

 

 In this chapter, the Bishop's house is described to us. It was as expected, small and not many decorations. Everything in the house seemed old, as the Bishop tried to make it last as long as he possibly could. He did have a nice set of silverware though because he said it would be uncomfortable or unpleasant to eat without them. I did admire that he didn't have any locks on the doors so that anyone who is in need could get help from him. I admired this because of the bravery and trust that he wouldn't  be harmed or robbed by anyone. I was a little confused by the section with the flowers though and didn't really understand the meaning of them. That's all I really got out of this chapter because I figured his house would be this way.

 In this chapter we learn about the Bishops day to day life, and I wasn't too surprised by it. He basically spends his day helping others or learning and bettering himself. The only thing he seems to do that isn't in those 2 categories is gardening. I feel like it would be really hard to live a life like that, but the bishop seems to enjoy it. One thing that did stand out to me it when the books said his thoughts were the same in his private life as in his public life. This essentially means that he was the same person wherever he was, and he didn't act any different or put up a mirage when out in public. I like this because a lot of people these days will act different or pretend to be something their not depending on who their with and won't show who they really are. But the Bishop was just himself. He didn't worry about how others would treat him or pretend to be a good person. He was really the person that he conveyed himself to be.

 1. I think the difference between a sign an a symbol is that a symbol represents something and was made on purpose by someone, but a sign is just indicating something usually without a deeper or hidden meaning. 2.The 3 elements of a symbol are the symbols themselves, the referent(the idea the symbol refers to), and us, the people who observe the symbol. 3. I think words are symbols because it was us who gave them meaning and let them stand for something. We made the words and chose their definitions. 4.One natural sign  that 've seen recently was when the sky and sun were red. That sign was showing that there was a big fire going on in California. 5. One symbol that I've seen is the Statue of Liberty which obviously represents liberty/freedom in America. I knew what it meant because it was in the name and I'd been told by others what it stood for since I was young.

 The book that I am choosing to read for our first literature analysis is the book The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes by Susan Collins. I am choosing to read this book because it is a prequel to the series, The Hunger Games. I've been meaning to read this book for a while and choosing it for the literature analysis will help me actually do it. I like the idea of seeing the early days of the Hunger Games and seeing how it sort of evolved into what it was in the original series. I am also interested in seeing what causes Coriolanus Snow to become the villain and how he rises to power.

 During chapter 4 the Bishop is consoling and help a man prepare his execution. After the witnessing the execution the Bishop is not doing too great. The book describes him as looking very pale and calm right after the execution. I feel like that makes sense since he seems like the type to keep his composure in public. The Bishop later on says that people shouldn't be sentenced to death and that only God should have the power to do that. The Bishops reaction shows that the author doesn't like the death penalty either, and he sees it as a horrible thing. I think I do agree with the bishop for the most part. I thin that e shouldn't be able to sentence someone to death because there is no going back on it. I think the only time it would be acceptable is if the person doesn't have an ounce of regret or repentance. If they have the type of attitude that if they could do it again they would. And even then, I feel like they should have someone like the Bishop there to try and ...