clue #4

(i'm sorry i forgot to publish this ms. lillo!)

1. What specific clues can setting reveal about the theme of a short story?

Setting is one of the things that influences your character the most. An author also has complete cotrol over what is or what isn't in the setting of a story. The time, place, and background history that the story takes place in is completely munipulated by the author to serve their own purpose. Setting can tell you what type of conflict the main character will most likely be involved in. The time the story takes place influences the type of government and rules that the people of that story have to follow. For example, if the setting is 1800s in England, the character will have to be under the rule of the Queen or other Monarchy that is ruling at the time and will be subject to their rules. Setting can reveal to us how many of the conflicts the character faces will be historical, or simply a part of a bigger picture in a fantasy land.

2. How does an author drop clues about characters and how their actions lead you to the theme of the story?

Looking at what the main character's conflicts are, you can find a point in the story called the climax. The climax can be identified for its intense part in the story and because through it the character is forced to make a choice that without would change the story dramatically. After the main character makes this choice, they are changed for either good or for worse. Depending on how this choice affects the main character and why the character made this choice can be a huge clue to what the central message the author is trying to tell the reader.

3. What is the strongest setting you have ever encountered in your own life ( the place that has impacted you the most). Describe this place and ponder if God revealed anything about Himself or his truth in this place.

The strongest setting that I have encountered in my life would have to be either Mr. Gray's classroom, Ms. Secrest's classroom, or walking down the halls of Rice University with my friends Michael and Tito. This entire summer at Rice University was one of the most memorable moments in my life that I know I will never forget. The friendships that I have been able to make in just 2 months are incredible and I would give anything to see each of my friends one more time. I know that these friendships were only possible through God and him letting me be in Texas at the right time in my life. Mr. Gray was my 4th grade teacher, and Ms. Secrest was my 5th grade teacher. In their classrooms I learned a lot. In Mr. Gray's classroom I improved greatly academically but in Ms. Secrest's classroom I feel like I really opened my eyes as a Christian and to the whole concept of Christianity.

Mini Question

1. Who is a "character" in your life (a real-life person)) you admire? Why do you admire this person? (be specific and name the traits you admire).

I admire many people in my life. I admire Taylor Swift for her beautiful voice and her ability to become USA's most downloaded Country Song Artist Ever at the age of 16, and her stubborn persistence to pull herself up from a simple country girl to a star. I also admire Orlando Bloom for his excellent acting skills, and Robert Pattinson for his sheer will to keep going with his acting in Twilight even after the numerous anti-fan comments against him playing Edward in the Twilight Movies. I admire Stephenie Meyer for her ingenious idea on real-life vampires and for making characters like Edward, Jacob Black, and Bella come alive for millions of readers world-wide. But probably most of all, I admire my dad for growing out of poverty, discrimination, and hurt and becoming the confident and fun-loving man he is today.