Outside Reading Book Top Ten List

Top Ten List
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Main Character John:

John Tyree is one of the main characters of Dear John (hence the title). John is an army-enlisted mid-twenty year old man. Two qualities he has is determination and respectfulness. He is determined because of his dedication towards getting back with Savannah. He shows his characteristic of respectfulness when it came to Savannah and her ambitions and goals in life, he respected them all. His significance of the story is that the plot revolves around him and his story of how he fell in love with Savannah and the obstacles he faced with the relationship of her and his father.

Main Character Savannah:

Savannah Curtis is a main character in this book. She is so generous in the way she volunteers her summers to help build houses for the needy and her desires to help autistic kids. She is a main character because she is the girl of who falls in love with John; and their relationship is the basis of the plot. The mood of the story often is a reflection of her feelings.

Motif of Loss:

In the story a reoccurring idea is loss. John loses his father from a heart attack and mild stroke. He also lost the strong relationship he had just mended with his father. John also lost the love of his life, Savannah, when she married another man while he was away fighting in the war in Iraq. Lastly, John lost his feeling of security in his country when the terrorist attacks of September 11 occurred.

Setting:

The setting of the book is in North Carolina on the coast majority of the time. Otherwise it took place at the house that Savannah was staying at while building houses in North Carolina. Also Iraq and Germany were other places were John was and occasionally described in lots of detail. No significant events took place outside of these general areas.

Letter From Savannah to John pg. 186-187:

This letter was sent to John from Savannah while he was in Iraq for the army. The letter stated that she had fallen in love with another man and that she was essentially breaking up with him. This broke John’s heart and changed his mood for the rest of the story. He was still in love with Savannah. This letter was significant to the book because it was the spark that thickened the plot for the rest of the story and created a feeling of unpredictability for the readers.

Relationship to his other book ‘The Notebook’:

The book ‘Dear John’ and ‘The Notebook’ both written by Nicholas Sparks are very similar. Both are love-stories and start out with them extremely in love with each other at a young age. Then in both books the girls find other love when the boys are sent off to the army. Also in ‘The Notebook’ and ‘Dear John the man’s fathers die and they take over something important to them such as the house to remodel and the coin collection respectively. This is significant because ‘The Notebook’ is a very well known novel and motion picture and since they are so similar it is possible to see the book ‘Dear John’ on the big screen and have it be a success. Also its significant because if they are similar it would attract some readers who enjoyed ‘The Notebook’ to read ‘Dear John’.

Internal Conflict with Savannah:

The internal conflict of Savannah is that she is in love with John but she is married to Tim. While John was away in Iraq she needed comfort to help her cope with John being away and Tim was there to console her. So when John came home and Savannah was married to Tim she still knew in her heart that she loved John more than Tim but she could not change anything especially while Tim was in the hospital for extreme medical problems and because of all he did for her while she was sad.

Relation of September 11 and the book

The September 11 attack was one of the major causes of the plot and significant events in the story. The event resulted in John leaving and essentially breaking him and Savannah up. Also having this in the story made it relatable to the audience because every individual has a feeling they get when the attack is brought up and it creates a personal mood for each reader.

Theme of your 1st love is never forgotten:

The theme of this book is that your 1st love is never forgotten. John and Savannah were so deeply in love and they shared so many special moments together. After John left to go back to Iraq the 1st time they stayed in love to the time he came back on leave. When he left again their love was still alive but it faded when Savannah became closer with Tim. But when John returned home once again to find Savannah married to Tim, when they saw each other they both realized that they were meant to be together.

Plot:

The plot of this story is about John and Savannah and their relationship. They met during the summer while John was on leave for the army and they instantly fell in love. Also the story is about John and his growing relationship with his father. In the end John and Savannah suffer the consequences of trying to have a long-term relationship and they ended up not together. Also John loses his father during a heart attack. This book is about how John deals with the obstacles put in the way of his relationships.

Outside Reading Book Week 7 Post 2

My reaction to the book Dear John as a whole.

I thought that overall this book was very well written. It has a wide variety of sad and happy parts and also relaxing and climatic parts. In the end it is completely unexpected and quite sad. The main character John faces a lot of loss in this book including his father, his idea of safety in his country, and the love of his life. He overcomes many obstacles and the book does a really good job of writing parallel to the feelings John has. I think the book was somewhat boring at some points but it picked up again shortly after. The thing I liked best about the book was the fact that it was unpredictable and sometimes Savannah made me angry at the decisions she made. The thing I liked least about the book was that it was so sad at the end. I cried because John did nothing of the sort to deserve to lose his 2 pride and joys in his life. He moves on after the death of his father only to realize that he can’t have the Savannah, the one girl he will always love. And not only can he not have her but she is unhappy because her current husband is ill. John and Savannah both made it clear that they were in love with each other and it is a shame that they can’t do anything to be together. I feel just awful for the way John’s life turns out.

Outside Reading Book Week 7 Post 1

Dear John pgs. 222-276

Vocab

1. inconsolable pg 230: cannot be comforted
2. Repressing pg 234: To put down by force

Figurative Language

1. pg. 223 "...functional, unadorned white cabinets-thick with countless paint jobs-and a stainless-steal sink set beneath a wood-framed window that probably should have been replaced years ago." This is an example of imagery because its very intricately discribing the kitchen.
2. pg. 238 "When the elevator doors closed, it felt as if I were in a tomb." This is an example of a similie because it is comparing how he felt to the inside of a tomb.
3. pg 253 "In the morning, I watched the sun come up, a golden marble emerging fom the earth." This is a metaphor and imagery because its describing the sun but also giving it human like characteristics.

Significant Quote

pg. 229: "Tim knew I was in love with you...but he was there..." This quote is significant because it sums up the end of the book. It forshadows how much John loves Savannah but the fact that Tim was just always around and how he is now married to Savannah.

Emerging Theme

A theme I see emerging is loss. John lost both his father and the love of his life, not to mention the after affects of September 11 has created a loss of saftey for his country and his life while fighting in the army in Iraq and Germany.

Outside Reading Book Week 6 Post 2

"Did people really want to hear that I watched a guy in my unit accidentally shoot a little kid who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or that I'd seen soldiers get torn into pieces when they hit an IED-improvised explosive device- on the roads near Baghdada? Or that i'd seen blood pooling in the streets like rain, flowing past body parts? No, people would rather hear about sand..." pg. 193.

I think this quote is very powerful. And I believe that it is very true, people when thinking about war don't really understand the whole bad part about it. They know that it is bad and there are gory things that go along with war but nobody can really picture and experience what our soldiers do. Also the fact that this quote was said about Baghdad because it occurs after September 11 makes it even more real and powerful. It's not a made up war with made up places- it is a real life situation that soldiers are experiencing now. I think that our society needs to understand the real hardships of war and not just the sugar coated version.

Outside Reading Book Week 6 Post 1

pgs. 190-222

Vocab

1. Consummate: pg 191- To bring to a state of perfection
2. Conifers: pg 213- trees or shrubs

Figurative Language

1. pg. 191 " ...and decided to carry it with me like a wound I'd received in battle." This is an example of a similie because its comparing the note he is carrying with him to a wound he received.
2. pg. 211 "Following a small highway that wound its way through blue-tipped mountains spreading morth and south, a gentle swell in the crust of the earth." This is an example of imagery details because it describes the setting intricately.
3. pg. 217 "They say owning a horse is like living with an anchor." This is an example of a similie because it is comparing two opposite things together.

Significant Quote

"...but in the real world, in real time, decisions weren't always easy." pg. 192. This quote is significant because it is so true to our society and life in itself. Real life is not an easy thing to get through, there are many decisions you have to make despite the possible outcomes that may not be perfect.

Emerging Theme

The theme I see emerging from this part of the story is that you have to embrace the things you have because they won't be there forever.

Outside Reading Book Week 5 Post 2

A letter written by myself to Savannah in regards to her letter she sent to John

Dear Savannah,
I am writing to you to about the letter you sent to John telling him that you had fallen in love with somebody else. I think that it was extremely selfish and not thoughtful of you to break up with someone over a letter while not to mention someone who is fighting in a war in Iraq. Although you were extremely sincere and sympathetic in your letter you completely led John on into thinking you were still in love with him. You also made it seem like you were still in love with him but because you couldn’t be with him you broke his heart and fell in love with someone who will never be loved unconditionally by you. Not only is it unfair to John but also the man you are now with because they know they will never be able to replace John. Another thing, you knew that John’s father had had a heart attack and John was dealing with that along with the war and his relationship with you. You had to break up with him at the worst possible time in his life. You did not take one second into taking his personal life and his feelings into consideration when writing that letter and while falling in love with someone else. I just thought you would like some feedback on your letter and I hope you can do something to fix your relationship with John because you two were made for eachother.
From,Reader

Outside Reading Book Week 5 Post 1

pgs 143-190

Vocab

1. esoteric: pg 146- private, secret, confidential
2. lilting: pg 148- To sing, play or say something in a cheerful or rythmic manner

Figurative Language

1. pg. 150: "It stung like hell..." This is a similie because it is comparing the feeling of his cold fingers to the painfullness of hell.
2. pg. 150: "I've done a lot of idiotic things for good old Uncle Sam and the Big Red One." This quote uses sarcasm to create a upbeat and cheerful tone for this part of the book
3. pg 175: "...was beginning to feel like the spinning movement of a child's top." This is also and example of a similie because using 'like' its comparing his feeling of spinning-ness to a top.

Significant Quote

1. pg. 186 "Even though you may not want to hear it, I want you to know that you'll always be a part of me." This quote is significant because it explains that Savannah is done with John but describes her feelings she still has for him. This is significant to the story because it throws a loop for the readers and the predictable ending of John and Savannah ending up together.

Emerging Theme

The theme that I see emerging from this part of the book is that it is important to take into consideration other people's feelings when making an important decision. After September 11 John enlisted in the army again without even thinking about how that would effect his relationship with Savannah.

Outside Reading Book Week 4 Post 2

A hypothetical letter written from John to his father after pages 109-142.
Dear Dad,
I would just like to start off by saying I am truly sorry for not accepting your differences. I was quick to abolish any sort of interest in your coin collection and I am just now realizing how unfair to you that was. Thanks to my wonderful girlfriend Savannah she has taught me about a condition called Asperger’s disease in which it makes one socially slower and extremely individual. I have come to believe and accept that this is what you have and who you are. She tells me non-stop what a great job you did raising me and I have nothing contradicting that statement. You did such a great job and I thank you for that. I know it must have been hard raising me alone under your conditions. I realize how hard on you it must have been having me ignore you for so long. I apologize and hope to make it up to you. I am leaving again for Germany soon and won’t be back for another year but it does make me happy to know that I can now understand you better and our relationship can grow stronger! I understand that your coins mean so much to you and I want you to know that I am willing to put my full most effort into understanding your love for coins and I want to be there for you because it is something that is your passion!
I love you dad!
John

Outside Reading Book Week 4 Post 1

pgs. 109-143
Vocab:

1. chastened (pg 112): To restrain or subdue
2. candor (pg 118): The state or quality of being frank, open, or sincere

Figurative Language:

1. "I drove my elbow hard into his solar plexus and heard a sudden groaning exhale... I swung an elbow blindly and felt it connect; I felt cartilage crunch as I turned." (pg 119): This is an example of imagery and good details because it describes the situation intricately.
2. "...and when i felt him place a genlte hand on my back, all I could think was that I hadn't felt this close to him in years." (pg 129) This figurative language shows how the touch of his hand on his back can lead to communication despite the lack of words.
3. "We walked along the gravel paths, skirting clusters of wildflowers that bloomed a thousand different colors in the lazy southern heat." (pg 135) This is very descriptive language that helps describe the setting for the reader.

Significant Quote

"Not because you liked him, but because you wanted to know if you were right." (pg 116) This quote is significant because it is the start of the fight that John and Savannah had. It shows that John jumped into this head on because he is in denial that there is something wrong with his father and doesn't like to believe that it is true. This quote later is significant because it is what John reflects on saying that results in him feeling bad for how he blew up at Savannah.

Emerging Theme

A theme that is emerging in this part of the book is that John and Savannah have true love for eachother. Despite arguments they have their love always wins and it cannot be defeated.

Outside Reading Book Week 3 Post 2

A letter from John to his infantry squad in the army.

Dear Squad,
Hey guys its John and I’m writing to you to tell you about the most wonderful person I have ever met. Her name is Savannah and she is out of this world. She is here working for habitat for humanity. How I met her is really a interesting way. I was standing on the pier after a day of surfing and her and her 3 friends were also standing nearby. She had a purse with her and while she was taking a picture it fell into the ocean. I jumped off the pier and recovered her bag for her and returned it. She was so thankful and in return invited me to come to her groups’ house for dinner. From the moment I met her there was an instant attraction. We’ve gone on 3 dates and it seems to me she is the one. She even wanted to meet my father and you all know how socially awkward he is. I even thought he seemed happy when she came over! I have kissed her once since we met. She has been through a lot and has changed the way I feel about girls and how I should treat them. I was lucky enough to share the words ‘I love you’ with her after the 3 date. It’s incredible. She is super conservative and is complete opposite of me. I think the term ‘opposites attract’ really means something. Anyways I hope all is going well in Germany I should be back soon regardless of how in love I am. John

Outside Reading Book Week 3 Post 1

Dear John pgs. 60-109

Vocab:
Feigning: (pg 62) To pretend, dissemble
Eluded: (pg 83) To escape the understanding, perception, or appreciation of

Figurative Language:

1. "The water stung as it ricocheted off my chest and shoulders, and my face made me feel as if I were running a low fever." (pg 60) This is an example of imagery because its using description words to describe things that affect your senses.
2. "The sun was beginning its slow descent, and as I pulled out, the sky was a swirl of fruity colors that contrasted dramatically with the evening skies..." (pg 62) This is also an example of imagery because it paints a picture of the setting.
3. "I waited, drinking in the sight of her." (pg 94) I don't really know what type of figurative language this is but it is very deep. Using the word drinking instead of a different word really creates a cool sentence.

Significant Quote:

"I had no regrets about the way I'd turned out. Regrets about the journey, maybe, but not the destination." (pg 71). This quote is significant because it really shows how John feels about his childhood growing up with a father who shows no intimacy. He is saying that growing up he regrets some of the ways that he treated his father and some of the fights they had but in the end he ended up to be a good person and thanks his father for raising him well.

Emerging Theme

One true theme that can be seen through this section of the book is the ability to love. John is learning that you have to take the good from the bad. Although he doesn't have a great relationship with his father he realizes that he should love his father because he did the best he could.

Debate Activity

Debate #1: Abortion
1. Normally occur at political debates
2. The debate makes it so everyones opionion is heard
3. Yes because it creates a better decision because all aspects are seen
4. The debate is most likeley structured
5. This debate ensures that the majority of what the people want get.
Debate #2: Use of Steroids in Sports
1. Normally occurs when important sports figures talk
2. The debate talks about the safety and equality of the players in the sports
3. No because it should be based on health and not the equality of playing, the health of the players should be more important
4. The debate could be structured or unstructured
5. The debate could effect the players health and safety
Debate #3: The Use of Guns for Protection
1. Normally occurs at political debates
2.The debate allows all sides to contribute their opinions to their sides
3. Yes because both sides are very complicated
4. The debate is most likely structured
5. The debate could end up saving a lot of peoples lives if the right decision is made and new laws could be enforced
Debate #4: Having teens under the age of 18 only allowed 2 others in the car
1. This debate occurs at political debates
2. This debate allows each opinion to be analyzed and proposes a lot of info to be looked at
3. Yes because there is a lot of stuff to be considered when making a decision
4. The debate is structured
5. The debate could prevent a lot of teen involved accidents
Debate #5: Teens Curfews
1. This debate most likely occurs between a child and their parents
2. The debate gets across both the kids view and the parents
3. Yes because kids a lot of times have good points and should be allowed to share them
4. This debate is unstructured
5. The parents could change their mind after hearing the kids point of view

Outside Reading Book Week 2 Post 2

"Passion is passion. It's the excitement between the tedious spaces, and it doesn't matter where it's directed...passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary..." (pg 57) This quote is very intriguing to me. I agree with this quote when saying that every person should have a passion because it is something they can focus on in their lives and then receive satisfaction when achieving a goal they set within their passion. In my book John's father's passion happens to be coin collecting and although John and his father don't get along John realizes that coins make him happy so he doesn't bother telling him how boring he thinks they are. In life you may receive happiness from small things in your life but you receive fulfillment from achieving happiness when it concerns something your are passionate about. In my life my passion is hockey and it is the best thing in the entire world when you succeed in hockey because it is something I care so deeply about, whereas if I did something worth honorable mention in a different sport or activity it wouldn’t matter to me as much because it’s not my passion. Also a passion is important to everyone because your passion can be anything you can imagine and you don’t have to be an expert or professional at it because making yourself better is what gives you satisfaction. Overall I think this quote is very inspiring to me and is something that everyone should keep in mind.

Outside Reading Book Week 2 Post 1

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Vocab:

1. Lapsed: to come to and end or stop (pg 43)
2. Portending: to indicate by prediction (pg 45)

Figurative Language

1. "'I mean he was smiling, just as happy as a kid could be.'" (pg 40) This is an example of a similie because its comparing his smile to the happiest kid ever.
2. "Above me, I could see Orion's belt; just over the horizon on the water, Venus had appeared and glowed a heavy white..." (pg. 41) This is an example of imagery because it paints a picture of the setting and uses very descriptive words.
3. "Surfing is a solitary sport, one in which long stretches of boredom are interspersed with frantic activity, and it teaches you to flow with nature, insteat of fighting it..." (pg 44) This is an example of a metaphor because its describing surfing in a connotative way and not very blunt.

Significant Quote

1. "Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because ther's nothing to make it last." (pg 57) This quotes significant because it explains John's idea on his surfing and is kind of making a connection with his father and his father's fetish with coins.

Emerging Theme

A theme that I can see emerging throughout this section of the book is the learning that each John and Savannah gain from being with eachother. Each will contribute to one anothers learning and will gain different perspectives on things.

Outside Reading Book Week 1 Post 2

Post B:
pgs. 0-38
So far in Dear John there have been clear examples that John (the main character) is having and internal conflict. In his mind he is struggling with the relationship he has with his father. He knows that his dad loves him very much by the way he makes him breakfast every morning no matter how disappointed he was at the decisions that John made such as drugs and drinking while he was a teenager. But he struggles at the fact that he and his father broke a bond that they had after an argument over his father’s coin collection. From that time on John’s dad seems to be a lot less talkative and show no physical love for John just the support in his heart but not vocally. After John joined the army his father wrote him every month but showed no intimacy or genuine support. I think that John is struggling because he wants to have a bond with his father but doesn’t know where to start in order to build one. I predict that while John is back staying at his father’s house that they will continue to grow closer and their relationship will be a sub-conflict of the story, and Nicholas Sparks will continuously refer to their conflict to show how both characters have matured and changed and to show their changing relationship. This is not the only conflict that will occur in the story but in the first 38 pages it is quite clear that this is one of the hardest things for John.

Outside Reading Book Week 1 Post 1

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
pgs. 0-38.

2 Vocabulary Words:

1. Estrangement (pg.12): to turn away from, to keep at a distance
2. Infantry (pg.17): A branch of the army used to fight on foot

3 Figurative Language Examples

1. "I was as blind as a snail, and as dumb as a camel..." (pg.12): This is an example of a similie because it is comparing the blindness to a snail and dumb to the camel.
2. "In time, the color of the ocean began changing form iron gray to orange, then yellow." (pg.22): This is a good example of imagery because it is very descriptive in defining the colors of the ocean.
3. "...I felt something click, like a key turning in a lock." (pg.27): This is another example of a similie because it explains how he felt in relation to an object.

Significant Quote

1. "He was, I've long since come to belive, a far better man [father] than I'll ever be." (pg.18): This quote is significant because it shows the true feelings that John has for his father. Although he describes his frusteration he has for his father, this quote is significant because it exemplifies the fact that he really deep down loves his father.

Emerging Theme

A consistant theme that I see emerging from the book is the maturity and self-reliability of John and how self-motivated John was as a kid and how it has helped him help himself while being in the army and living on his own.

Quarter 2 Outside Reading Book Approve

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Published in 2006

271 pages

This book is sufficiently challenging enough because it says that it has "temendous emotional depth". The story is deep and has extensive vocabulary that makes this book challenging.

I chose this book for 3 reasons. The first being that I have read Nicholas Spark's previous novels and have enjoyed them greatly. The second being that I really like love stories. The third being that it is a current novel relating to a significant situation that occured recently (9/11).

Sea Inside Post 3

The camera movements used in The Sea Inside helped a lot with the message the director was trying to send. When the characters were experiences important sequences/'speeches' in the story the director did an almost similar sequence of shots. He would create an eye-level medium shot while the character started the speech. As the character went further into depth the camera would zoom in to a close up shot. Also he would pan the listeners of the speech to show their reactions. Lastly the director would make a long shot to show both the speaker and the listeners at the same time. The juxtaposition of these camera movements were smooth and gentle, just like the way the characters were talking. This sequence of shots was used numerous times throught the movie some examples being: when Ramon and Javi were talking about Javi's grandpa and his stubborness and noseyness, Ramon and Julia were discussing Ramon's inability to love due to his condition, and Ramon and Julia were talking about getting his writings published. Those were just many of the important sequences that those shots were used. They help the movie watchers focus on what they are saying instead of how the camera is moving. The angle shows that during the speeches everyone had equal say. The gentle juxtaposition gave the effect that nothing was too harsh.

Sea Inside Post 2

There were many differences and similarities between The Sea Inside and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. One of the main similarities was that both Ramon and Jean were quadrapalegic. . Another similarity was the way that the men handled their situation. Another similarity was that both patients showed a sarcastic and humorous mood towards their disease. As these to examples are similarities, there are also some differences between the stories. An obvious difference was the fact that Ramon was quadrapalegic for a much longer time than Jean was 'locked-in'. Also another difference was that Ramon showed a desire to die while Jean only thought about it and never came to a conclusion about whether he would rather be dead or not. Thirdly, Ramon was able to talk while Jean was limited to only being able to blink his eye. Lastly an important difference was that Ramon spent a lot of time expressing his hope through his 'flying' while Jean used his stories and memory to express rememberance and embraced the things he did have and accepting his state of being rather than hoping to be better one day. I think that the Sea Inside was more powerful because the plot dealt with death and dying is a very extreme option when it comes to situations and causes the situation to become more intense and powerful.

Sea Inside Post 1

The Sea Inside was a very interesting movie. I thought that the plot was decent but definately intriguing. It was entertaining to me to see the different reactions each character had towards Ramon and how they acted around him during different emotional states. Although it was difficult because of the fact that it was in Spainish and subtitles were used; I think that having to read and understand all the important testimoneys in the movie helped me make sure I understood it completely and forced me to read and listen to it. Also it was neat to see how a family of a different culture handled the situation, it was interesting to try to see how my family would react and handle that situation. I think that it was completely reasonable for Ramon to want to die, his life is not exciting for him and if he wants to go to heaven and have his life better than that is his perrogative. The government should have no say in that if Ramon wants to die and is unable he should be able to because if he were in a condition that he could kill himself he could and have it not be illegal. I believe that Ramon has a legitimate excuse for wanting to die, as in he is not only upset with his inablility to do anything but he is a burden to his family for having to take care of him. I also think that the friends that are helping him are being good friends and helping their friend be happier and live a better life. Friends should want whats best for their friend and deep down they know that this life Ramon had was not making him happier. Overall the story was a very interesting and made me think a lot.