Shaping Me

Tell a story from your family that you believe has shaped you in some way. In what ways has it shaped you?

                When I was younger, around 1^st and 2^nd grade I would fall sick very so often and I would skip school to stay in the comfort of my bed. The whole day I would lie in bed watching television while my father who took a day off from work would bring me hot cocoa or milk. In that sense getting sick was amazing, no school, no work, only television. My brother would stay out my hair for once and actually pretend that he cared and that this wasn’t just another reason why he could not watch television. One thing that I remember very clearly is that I would not take any sort of medication until and unless the fever or cold progressed further. It’s not that I did not want to get better it is just that my father never bought any or even if he did he did not give it to me. He always said that my body was strong enough to fight the illness and we did not need to help it, I would get stronger every time I triumphed over the cold or fever. He would go into the biology of the immune system telling me things like the white blood cells are fighting the fever inside me, I never bothered with the specifics. Medication is the easy way out and should only be used if necessary, don’t beat around the bush if you can walk across it.

                This shaped in a few ways. Do not take the easy way out because there is always a catch, you give and you get. To this day I do not always take medication if I get sick, I sit in bed watch television or with a book until I get better which always happens over the course of few days. I always think that if I take medicine I will recover faster but my body will be ill prepared to fight out the next illness, leaving me more vulnerable. I get better faster and I give my bodies strength away for it. Another way this story shaped me is that I realized that when you are sick you get more attention than you would otherwise, people try to get you stuff if you ask for it simply out of sympathy and pity. I personally do not like this and think that I don’t deserve their pity for something as trivial as the common cold. As a result I tend not to show my sickness as much as possible. This story shaped me in that I try not to take the easy way out as there is usually a catch and that I try to minimize attention when something happens to, be it sickness, grade or life events.

A Short Story

Vain

            It was just another day for me, Bonum Geras, waking up, sticking a breakfast sticker under my jaw, kissing a picture of my wife. We couldn’t live without each other and that remained true until the day she died, I learnt to move on. Every day I wish she was here but that drunkard had to swerve the wrong way at the wrong time. I kiss her picture just to remind myself what she would want me to do, to move on and I do every morning. I work in the most successful company in the world, Magna which is located in the center of San Jose, California. Magna made the breakfast sticker, an artificial body part for all body parts, a perpetual motion machine, and the cure for any disease in one pill. I didn’t know how they made these things, it was always the other division or a secret project. Only this morning I realized that I didn’t know what I did in the company, I could not recall a single project I worked on.

            The bus pulls in and I get on and sit next to my best friend and work buddy. I asked him “so, Cadre, what do you do exactly at Magna?”

“Are you serious man, we have known each other for almost two years and you don’t know what I do,” Cadre said almost spitting out the words.

“Just refreshing my memory,” I replied defensively. “I am getting old you know, if you count thirty-five as old.”

“I’m the chief of advertisement.” I could hear the disappointment in his voice

“But what exactly have you done in the past week, can you recall anything specific?” I farther asked.

Clearly disappointed in his best friend he replied,” I advertised the company, but come to think of it I don’t really remember anything specific, except advertising.”

“Same here, I don’t know what I did other than the actual job programing for the network, I can’t even recall basic office routine,” I sit in silence thinking and so does Cadre.

Something is horribly wrong, how is it possible that I go to work every day and not remember what I did a week or even the day before. Today I’ll photograph it all and look at the pictures back home. I took out camera phone and started taking pictures of the bus ride. Moments later the bus squeaked to a stop right in front of the Magna building. I got out and stared at the building, even after two years this building never ceases to amaze me. The sheer size of the building is phenomenal in itself but the shining golden with fountains in the front and a height that ranks with the tallest of buildings, above the clouds just seems like overkill to me. Nevertheless it is a spectacular sight.

I walk into Magna up to security, there I pass the security DNA test. To keep people safe and from waiting the company installed a system in which the person brushes the back of their hand against a rough surface, the skin cells left on the surface and then instantly scanned for a DNA match with a company worker. The light turns green signifying that I passed the security check and I walk into the elevator and punched the floor fourteen button. In the elevator I met my boss Anton and greet him politely.

“Say Anton, I can’t remember what I have done at work, it’s like when I go home I have memory loss and I’ve talked to other workers and even they are having the same problem. Would it be okay if I take break to go to the hospital, get a checkup?”

“Sure” Anton replies alarmed. He then takes out his phone almost immediately after replying and starts dialing.

I enter the hospital’s revolving doors and follow the signs plastered on the wall to a checkup room. The silent room is empty except for a bed and a large computer interface. There are no humans but myself in the room no bigger than a bathroom with space grey walls. I fill out a payment form as instructed by the interface and lie down on the bed. A loud whirring sound fills the room and bright lights shine upon my face, I squint to control the light level. Seconds later the room is dead silent again, I get up and a paper prints out of the computer. To my surprise the paper says I’m perfectly fine cognitively, so I go back to work to repay for the wasted hospital expenses.

            I return to Magna only to be denied security clearance, the light started flashing red rapidly which meant this wasn’t a simple denial of security. Two security guards come and grab my arms taking me somewhere else, I struggle and flail wildly to break free. Once in a more isolated place one of the men holds me back and the last thing I see is the other guard’s fist.

            Bright lights blind me as I open my eyes, the room is small with plain white walls and a camera in the far corner. I see Cadre pleading for forgiveness. Confused I ask Cadre, “what’s going on?”

“I’m sorry man, I really am” Cadre frantically repeated again, his face covered in agitation.

“Why are you sorry, what happened?” I replied almost yelling.

“Anton has given me instructions to interrogate you, he said you are leaking the programming information to other companies for money, the rest is classified.

            I tried telling him that I didn’t do this that I am being framed but that didn’t stop him. Cadre began asking all sorts of questions about how and which companies. I denied all the claims against me and did not answer a single question because why should when I am innocent. Cadre took out a piece of paper and scribbled something down making sure he came in between the camera and I, showing it to me it read:

I know you’re innocent. I heard Anton saying that you are to blame because you were questioning others about memory.

He continued asking questions as if nothing happened so continued answering assuming that the room was bugged. He began writing again his hands drenched in sweat and shaking in fear. He showed it to me:

            The door is unlocked, hit me hard knocking me out and run. This is your only chance.

I glace up and see his look of approval. I shove Cadre as hard as I possibly can and bolt for the door, the world seems to blur around me. I instantly recognize where I am, a room on the far corner of the ground floor. I can see the street bathed in the light of the sunset, I must have been in the interrogation room for hours waiting and stalling. I can also see the main computer on the floor, the one connected to the main database with all the info on the company. My hands start itching to get the information that might put Anton in jail for a long time. I hear the alarms go off and I know I have to make a decision. If my login details have been deleted I get caught for sure but if they aren’t I can hack the program and find out everything, after all I’m the one that programmed it.

I dash to the computer and thank the gods my login worked. I start bypassing the network securities and there everything I need to know pops up, but all I can think about is getting the hell out of here. The alarms ring seemingly louder and louder, a bead of sweat rolls the side of my face. I pull out the camera phone just as security finds me. Pumped with adrenaline I hastily take pictures and sprint to the exit, the sound of hurried footsteps closing on me. I keep running till I notice that they are not stopping, they intend to catch me and they won’t stop till they do. My legs burning I decided to give them the slip, but how? An alley is in the distance and I know that this is my chance, looking back I make sure a couple of people are between security and me. Diving into the alley I stick to the walls making sure to be obscured by darkness. I try to take deep breaths to calm down but it’s no use the adrenaline is bracing myself for the possibility that the saw me dive, the possibility that it all ends here. A good five minutes later and I know I’m good, I’m safe. The police is the only option, I mean where else can I go? I make my way to the police station just as the sun set and twilight filled the sky. I walked in and went to the counter.

“What can I help you with, sir?” the officer inquired politely.

Taking out my phone I replied “I have hard evidence that can…”

“Sir, you have evidence that can what” the officer impatiently said.

“What am I doing here?” I wondered

White Angel Analysis

Throughout the story, there are several references to the theme of escapism from the banality of everyday life – what reoccurring symbols do you see that reinforce this theme?

            Throughout White Angel there are several references to the theme of escapism from the banality of everyday life and the use of symbolism to symbolize this theme. The main recurring symbol used is the brothers’ love of taking risks and their pursuit of freedom to escape. Carlton and Frisco use drugs, alcohol and hide it all from their parents. This risk is an escape from their everyday boring lives, it sort of gives them a second secret life away from home. The drugs also help them escape because it lets them feel as if “miracles are happening” (Cunningham 232) and that they have “taken momentary leave of the earth” (Cunningham 232) to be free. This idea of being free is symbolized by Woodstock, they dream of living there where they can do acid all day live independently. They don’t want a life of schooling and jobs, they want to live simply “among the trees by the river” (Cunningham 231), a life they think that Woodstock will give them. They think that school and jobs create a cage and to escape this everyday event they must run to drugs and to Woodstock because it makes them feel “excited and terrified” (Cunningham 230). By the end of the story it can be seen through Carlton that the ultimate escape from the banality of life is to not drugs, or Woodstock, it is to simply not be in it, to die.

Capote’s Mistake

            “Capote himself — who always maintained that In Cold Blood was “immaculately factual”— made thousands of changes” (Miller). Of these changes Capote made one major change that completely disregards the facts. Capote wrote that Alvin Dewey suspected that the killers of the Clutter family were Dick and Perry all along and he reacted instantly by sending Nye to question the Hickocks. These were not unintentional mistakes, Capote altered them for a reason. The distorted facts make Alvin Dewey look like the hero of the novel and make the story more engagingly fast paced. Capote made the KBI investigators react near instantly to the news of Dick and Perry from Vegas to portray Dewey as a hero and make the story engaging.

            Capote made Dewey look like a hero by changing the facts and bending the truth. Capote had several reasons to do this as “Dewey provided Capote with essential help in the research of In Cold Blood” (Miller). This could have served as a reflection of gratitude for his help. Capote made Dewey chase after Dick and Perry when in reality “Dewey initially refused to consider the two men because they did not match his theory of the killings” (Miller), he “was convinced it was somebody local who had a grudge against Herb Clutter” (Miller). Capote changed this fact in his book and made it seem like Dewey suspected the actual killers all along. “Those men turned up in Kansas City – came and went without getting caught- and I never saw Alvin more depressed” (Capote 212) is what Dewey’s wife says which implies that Dewey suspected it was Dick and Perry and that they got away from him. On top of that why would Dewey “leave for Las Vegas straightaway” (Capote 212) in the middle of a shower if he did not think Dick and Perry were the killers. Capote makes it seem like Dewey had it all figured out the moment the information came from Floyd Wells. This however is clearly not case as can be seen in the KBI’s documented records of the investigation that “indicates that investigators did not visit the Hickocks until five days after receiving the informant’s tip” (Miller). This Delay is evidence that Dewey did not believe that the killers were Dick and Perry. Capote covers this up and portrays Dewey as the hero, the one did all the work and reaped the rewards.

            Changing the facts also served the purpose of making the story more engaging for the readers. He added suspense and overall made the story flow. “Capote fudged the account of how quickly the KBI acted after receiving that decisive tip, the author did it because he thought the detail didn’t matter much” (Miller) and by removing the useless details Capote twists the story to increase engagement of the readers. The fast reaction keeps the readers on the edge of their seats wondering how and when Dick and Perry will be caught. Capote disregarded the time delay between Harold Nye going to the Hickocks and Floyd Wells lead. Again, this creates suspense as the novel is faster paced than reality. Continuing the action leading up to the capture was when “Nye spotted a 12-gauge shotgun belonging to Hickock, the same type of gun used in the killings.” (Miller). This discovery when combined with the sped up story line and confirms the readers that this is how Dick and Perry get caught without making them wait. Capote made changes to make the originally slow story fast paced and full of suspense, ultimately engaging the reader more than the original story would have.

            Capote changed the facts to make Dewey a hero and make the Clutter’s story more interesting and engaging in general. Dewey was changed to portray a hero when in reality he hesitated and stuck to his belief that the killers were people with a personal grudge. Capote enhanced the story by hastening its pace and in doing so making the novel more suspenseful. Although Capote was trying to improve his novel that was his greatest mistake was to not keep the novel “immaculately factual” (Capote) as he himself said. In Cold Blood lost value as a non-fiction novel the moment Capote bent the truth.

Works Cited

Miller, Laura. "Truman Capote’s Greatest Lie." Saloncom RSS. Salon Media Group, 14 Feb. 2013. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.

Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood. Boston, MA: G.K. Hall, 1993. Print.

Truman Capote's Greatest Lie

Main points:

1. Five day delay between the the informants tip on who the killers were and checking Hickocks house.
2. Dewey was convinced that the killers were locals that held a grudge.
3. Capote was trying to make Dewey look like the hero by making him run to the killers as soon as possible.
4. KBI did not look into the lead by the informant as soon as possible.
5. Hickock and Smith are also suspected for killing the walkers family in Florida before being caught and after killing the Clutters.
6. If the KBI delayed in following the tip and Hickock and Smith did kill the Walkers then it is possible that if the KBI instantly followed the tip then the Walkers family might have not died.
7. Smith and Hickock were known to in Florida days before the Walkers murder and had no alibi for that night.
8. According to the book Hickock and Smith were in Kansas city a week before Christmas when in reality they were there nine days before the holiday.
9. Capote was not trying to cover up the Walkers murder.
10. Capote probably thought that the KBI reaction time did not matter much or he did it as a favor for Dewey.
11. The people or person that helps the author the most is more likely to get portrayed as the good guy and vice versa.
12. Capote sold out his readers by telling them the KBI investigators had a fast reaction to the informant tip.
13. Capote's biggest lie was about how fast the KBI followed the lead.

Reader, Writer, Thinker

Ankit Ranjan

English 11

Ms.Gray

August 3, 2014

Telling you about me

            I am a consistent and picky reader. I read throughout the school year and vacation. I mainly read fiction containing thrillers, sci-fi, and dystopian. My all-time favorite genre out of these is dystopian because they show a different world that could have happened, a world solves the problems of today while paying a hefty price. I am currently reading the last book of the divergent series, Allegiant. I am very picky about the books I read, I simply do not pick a book and read it. I tend to ask people who have read the book, read the reviews on the book and read the synopsis. I do this because it makes sure that I will like the book and not read half of the book only to find that I dislike the book. Books with hard to grasp concepts that make me rethink about the plot, action and a bit of romance keep me engaged with the book. I enjoyed reading In Cold Blood because it had a different perspective compared to other detective books, instead leaving the killers to be discovered in the end Truman Capote explored how the crime was committed and included the view of the murderers.

            Writing is probably my most weakest and disliked part of English. For me writing is a long and hard process. The development of arguments and ideas to the point of good writing is a tedious job. I also find it hard to get all my ideas on paper (or computer) as they are in my head. Writing has many ways to phrase the same idea but some are better than others. I personally dislike writing and prefer reading. One thing that inspires me to write is when I believe what I am writing and not writing simply for the sake of it. I understand that writing is necessary and an essential part of life, but I find myself more of a factual person rather than a literature person.

            I like thinking a lot. After watching or reading an interesting movie or book I like to think about the plot of what I just saw or read. I try to empathize with the characters and try understand their point of view while reading. Complex plots and characters that are portrayed with deep emotion and vivid backgrounds engages me to think about the concepts with in the book as well as the characters choices. I also think about what I would do if places in the position of the characters. I also think a lot about the impact of twist endings on the story and how they fit in to the plot.

Letter from Perry to Dick

Ankit Ranjan

English 11

Mrs. Gray

19 August 2014

A Reminder and Criticism

Dear, Dick

I am writing this letter to inform you about my opinion towards you and what you have done at this current moment. My opinions on disobeying direct instructions from the righteous oracle at home (I mean planet Pathos not our earthly home) about not dying and my opinion on you accusing me of killing the whole family. By telling the KBI investigators of the killing you have jeopardized our lives and mission.

First of all, how could you cave in to mere humans, when you know that we are immensely more superior? You must have felt what these humans call feelings, in particular fear. I too have adapted to gain some feeling of fear and sympathy, especially toward children when you abuse them. In the Clutters house I felt sorry for them until I picked up the knife and realized we are not the same. On top of showing fear you blamed everything on me when you were there as well. I depended on you to not tell them anything, in fact, I thought that out of the two of us I would be the one to mistakenly leak information. By telling the truth I am now forced to tell them as well.

            If you remember, our mission from the righteous oracle on planet Pathos was to find out how earth functions, what could bring chaos and strike fear into humans and if the humans are more intelligent than us. With this information the dying planet Pathos could conquer earth and bring about a new age; imagine all the splendor, recognition and money we would receive. Gods are what we would be, but to bring this information back to Pathos we must be alive. As you know the penalty for murder is death. Our mission from the day we were born has failed, because of you we have failed in life.

~Perry