Essay #5

10/12/10

Jade

Mr.Salsich

English 9

What Would You Do:

An Essay on the Choices You Would Make In an Impossible Situation

Imagine a world where the impossible is possible. Where people who were thought to be dead show up. In the book A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens uses several different writing techniques that make his writing more powerful. He makes you wonder what it would feel like, what would you do if you were put in that position.

TS In the chapter, The Shoemaker, from A Tale of Two Cities, Luci Manette is reunited with her father after having spent twenty years under the belief he was dead. SD Dickens once again shows one of his more powerful techniques of expressing the characters emotions by using influential dialog in chapter six. CM Luci Manette is trying to communicate with her father in some way when she says, "If you hear in my voice -- I don't know that it is so, but I hope it is -- if you hear in my voice any resemblance to a voice that once was sweet music in your ears, weep for it, weep for it!" (Dickens, 48). CM This is a wonderful example of how intense Dickens can make a situation or conversation. You can almost feel what Manette is feeling: worry, stress, hope, and fear. SD Dickens also has a powerful way of describing his characters in such a way it leaves you begging to know more. For example, when he describes Luci Manette, he says, "... a pair of blue eyes that met [my] own with an inquiring look, and a forehead with a singular capacity (remembering how smooth it was), of lifting and knitting itself into an expression that was not quite one of perplexity, or wonder, or alarm, or merely of a bright fixed attention, though it included all the four expressions..." (Dickens, 23). CM The writing technique that Dickens displays here is one that is used perfectly. CM He describes the character in such a way that you want to know more, want to know why, want to know how. SD Finally, Dickens use of similes enhances his writing in such a way it flows elegantly. CM He writes, " His cold white head mingled with her radiant hair, which warmed and lightened it as though it were the light of Freedom shining on him." (Dickens, 48). CM Dickens describes this moment as though it were like the sun breaking through the clouds in a magnificent display, something so powerful, eager to be noticed, exited to finally make an appearance, not wasting a second of time, ready to make a difference (Coordinating Cumulative Sentence). CS Dickens uses of different, powerful writing techniques make his work unique and extraordinary.

TS If I were do discover that my father was alive, after having spent my entire life thinking he had died, I would probably be feeling a very complex mixture of emotions. SD I can relate better to this subject when compared to other hypothetical situations because I have never met my father. Ever since I can remember, I have been able to acknowledge that my father died before I was born and there was nothing I could do to change it. CM If, by some miracle, it turned out that my father had in fact not died so many years ago, the first emotion I would probably feel is disbelief. CM It would make no logical sense that my mother would be lying to me for the last fifteen years. Even if she had no idea that he was still alive, it would be hard to believe. SD Once I got over the disbelief and skepticism, I would probably feel anger and grief. CM Who would keep my father from me for so long? And if that’s not the case, why would he hide from me for fifteen years? CM I would hold on to anything that would make the impossible situation have a flaw. SD And if, after all this, I got the answers I found fitting and reasonable, I would be overcome with joy. CM Nothing would be able to sully the moment. Nothing would separate us again. CM From that point on I would work hard to keep our relationship strong, staying connected, spending time together, making up for time lost, treasuring memories as they were created, not letting things get to tense or distant, and staying honest (Coordinating Cumulative Sentence). CS Even though this particular situation would be wonderful if true, the likely hood of it is one of great insignificance. Emotions would fly, words would be said, questions asked with one final result. It would be the best thing that had ever happened to me.

What would you do if someone you thought was long dead turned out to be alive? Would you be frightened, happy, sad? Dickens asks questions like these and more that demand more than just a passing glance. His writing techniques provide you with a story that is both powerful and surprisingly easy to relate to.

Self Assessment

1. Something I Need To Work On

One thing I need to work on is making sure I re-read my essays and making sure there are no comma splices or punctuation errors.

2. One Strong Point

I think that one of my strong points is word placement. When I write, I think that I am able to place my words in an order that makes the sentence sound more clear and articulate.

3. One Possible Weak Point

I feel that one definite weak point I have when writing is getting carried away and loosing my unity.

4. The Grade I Would Give Myself

For this essay I would give myself a B+. I had difficulties writing the opening and closing paragraphs because I was unclear about the topic.