LIFE BY H AZQIL D ANIEL
CONTENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. FICTION PROSE NON-FICTION PROSE POETRY READERRESPONSE
""The purpose of ourlivesisto be happy. " - Dalai Lama XIV
FICTION PROSE
"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin S HORT STORY Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death. It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half concealing. Her husband's friend Richards was there, too, near her. It was he who had been in the newspaper office when intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently Mallard's name leading the list of "killed." He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram, and had hastened to forestall any less careful, less tender friend in bearing the sad message. She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms. When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her. There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul. She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves. There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds that had met and piled one above the other in the west facing her window.
She sat with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair, quite motionless, except when a sob came up into her throat and shook her, as a child who has cried itself to sleep continues to sob in its dreams. She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength. But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought. There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know; it was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air. Now her bosom rose and fell tumultuously. She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will — as powerless as her two white slender hands would have been. When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under her breath: "free, free, free!" The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body. She did not stop to ask if it were or were not a monstrous joy that held her. A clear and exalted perception enabled her to dismiss the suggestion as trivial. She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her, fixed and gray and dead. But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome.
There would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination. And yet she had loved him — sometimes. Often she had not. What did it matter! What could love, the unsolved mystery, count for in face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being! "Free! Body and soul free!" she kept whispering. Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhole, imploring for admission. "Louise, open the door! I beg, open the door — you will make yourself ill. What are you doing, Louise? For heaven's sake open the door." "Go away. I am not making myself ill." No; she was drinking in a very elixir of life through that open window. Her fancy was running riot along those days ahead of her. Spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long.
She arose at length and opened the door to her sister's importunities. There was a feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory. She clasped her sister's waist, and together they descended the stairs. Richards stood waiting for them at the bottom. Someone was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard who entered, a little travel-stained, composedly carrying his grip-sack and umbrella. He had been far from the scene of the accident, and did not even know there had been one. He stood amazed at Josephine's piercing cry; at Richards' quick motion to screen him from the view of his wife. But Richards was too late. When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease — of the joy that kills. T H E END Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" is regarded as one of the finest examples of a short story about life. It evaluates freedom, independence, and the impact of society standards on an individual's life experience. The narrative is short, but its exploration of the human experience carries a tremendous impact.
"Life is a journey, not a destination. " -RalphWaldo Emerson
"A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner VIGNETTES WHEN Miss Emily Grierson died, our whole town went to her funeral: the men through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument, the women mostly out of curiosity to see the inside of her house, which no one save an old man-servant--a combined gardener and cook--had seen in at least ten years. It was a big, squarish frame house that had once been white, decorated with cupolas and spires and scrolled balconies in the heavily lightsome style of the seventies, set on what had once been our most select street. But garages and cotton gins had encroached and obliterated even the august names of that neighborhood; only Miss Emily's house was left, lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay above the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps-an eyesore among eyesores. And now Miss Emily had gone to join the representatives of those august names where they lay in the cedar-bemused cemetery among the ranked and anonymous graves of Union and Confederate soldiers who fell at the battle of Jefferson. T H E END The famous vignette "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner relates the tale of a strange and secretive lady called Emily Grierson. Through a succession of small but powerful sequences, Faulkner builds a vivid portrait of Emily's life and the circumstances that created her, capturing the complexity and paradoxes of the human experience with an original mix of pathos and comedy. "A Rose for Emily" is a must-read for anybody interested in the art of the vignette and is largely regarded as one of Faulkner's best works.
"Thislife is but a passing shade. Focus your heart on the eternal abode. " - Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
"Likeable by Deb Olin Unferth" FLAS H F ICTION She could see she was becoming a thoroughly unlikable person. Each time she opened her mouth she said something ugly, and whoever was nearby liked her a little less. These could be strangers, these could be people she loved, or people she knew only slightly whom she had hoped would one day be her friends. Even if she didn't say anything, even if all she did is seem a certain way, have a look on her face, or make a soft sound of reaction, it was always unlikable—except in the few cases that she fixed herself on being likable for the next four seconds (more than that was impossible) and sometimes that worked, but not always. Why couldn't she be more likable? What was the problem? Did she just not enjoy the world anymore? Had the world gotten away from her? Had the world gotten worse? (Maybe, probably not. Or probably in some ways but not in the ways that were making her not like it). Did she not like herself? (Well, of course she didn't, but there was nothing new in that.) Or had she become less likable simply by growing older—so that she might be doing the same thing she always did, but because she was now forty-one, not twenty, it had become unlikable because any woman doing something at forty-one is more unlikable than a woman doing it at twenty? And does she sense this?
Does she know she is intrinsically less likable and instead of resisting, does she lean into it, as into a cold wind? Maybe (likely) she used to resist, but now she sees the futility, so each morning when she opens her mouth she is unlikable, proudly so, and each evening before sleep she is unlikable, and each day it goes on this way, she getting more unlikable by the hour, until one morning she will be so unlikable, inconveniently unlikable, that she will have to be shoved into a hole and left there. T H E END "Likable" by Deb Olin Unferth is a short flash fiction that explores the theme of life and the societal expectations placed upon individuals. The story is about a young woman who is seeking to be "likable" in order to fit into a particular social group and feel accepted. The protagonist grapples with the pressure to conform to a certain standard of behavior and appearance in order to be accepted, and begins to question the value of such conformity. Throughout the story, the protagonist reflects on the shallow nature of social interactions and the emptiness that comes with trying to be someone one is not. The protagonist realizes that in order to truly live a fulfilling life, she must reject the notion of "likability" and embrace her individuality, regardless of what others may think. Ultimately, "Likable" is a thought-provoking story about the struggle to be true to oneself in a society that values conformity and superficial appearances. The story highlights the importance of living a life that is authentic and true to one's own values, rather than conforming to societal expectations.
NON - FICTION PROSE
STOP WAITING FOR THE PERFECT TIME TO TRAVEL by Matt Kepnes TRAVEL BLOG As the sun rises on a new year, we look out on the horizon and commit to being a better version of ourselves. And often one of those commitments is travel. This year we will travel more, we say. We ponder the exotic locations we hope to find ourselves in. We think of the adventures we’ll go on and the people we’ll meet. We begin to formulate plans, research trips, and save money. But, as the year progresses, most will abandon those dreams, forever pushing them off as life throws them curveballs that derail their aspirations. Chances are, you’ll find a reason why today just isn’t the right day. “Tomorrow, ” you’ll say. “Today isn’t perfect, and I just have too many things to do. Now is not the right time.” The “right time” is usually when you have more money or more time off, or when things aren’t so “crazy.” Then you’ll be able to travel. The stars need to align a little more, and things need to be a little less busy. But here’s a secret: it’s never going to be the right time to travel. The idea that the stars will align and you’ll find the perfect day to step out of your door and into the world is fantasy. Today might not be the perfect day — but neither is tomorrow. Tomorrow, you’ll find another excuse why you can’t go. Tomorrow, there will still be more bills to pay. Tomorrow, there still won’t be “enough” money.
Tomorrow, there will still be someone’s wedding or birthday party to attend. Tomorrow, there will still be more planning to do. Tomorrow, people you know will still sow the seeds of doubt in your head. Tomorrow, you’ll still worry about all the bad stuff that might happen to you. Tomorrow, you still won’t know if you’re making the right decision. Tomorrow, you will still second-guess yourself. Tomorrow, something else will come up and you’ll say to yourself, “Today isn’t the right day. Let’s try again tomorrow.” Tomorrow will never be perfect. Because there is no such thing as perfection. I mean, doesn’t it feel like so much of adult life is saying, “Next week will just be a little better” — knowing full that next week is not going to be any less crazy than this week? The hardest part of any journey is stepping out the door. And one of the key components to making that first step easier is to understand that the stars will never align and there will never be the right moment to travel. You just have to go. You have to leap. You have to trust yourself that it will all work out. Because it will. END "Nomadic Matt" is a popular travel blog that offers insights and advice for travelers on how to see the world on a budget. The author, Matt Kepnes, shares his own experiences and reflections on how travel has changed his life and helped him to live life to the fullest. The blog covers a wide range of topics, from budget travel tips and destination guides to personal stories and reflections on life on the road. With its focus on living life to the fullest and seeking out new experiences, "Nomadic Matt" is an inspiring and practical resource for anyone who wants to travel more, see more of the world, and live life to the fullest.
"Life is short, play hard. " - Kobe Bryant
""Just Do It" poster by Nike A D VERTI SEMENT ""Just Do It" poster by Nike is a well-known example of an advertisement that explores the theme of life. The poster features the iconic Nike "swoosh" logo and the phrase "Just Do It" written in bold letters. The poster's message is simple and direct: encourage people to live their lives to the fullest and not to let fear or doubt hold them back. The poster has become a cultural touchstone, and its message has resonated with people all over the world. By urging people to "just do it, " the poster encourages them to take action, pursue their dreams, and make the most of the limited time they have in this world.
"Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer TRAVEL WRITING CHAPTER FOUR CARTHAGE Carthage, South Dakota, population 274, is a sleepy little cluster of clapboard houses, tidy yards, and weathered brick storefronts rising humbly from the immensity of the northern plains, set adrift in time. Stately rows of cottonwoods shade a grid of streets seldom disturbed by moving vehicles. There's one grocery in town, one bank, a single gas station, a lone bar-the Cabaret, where Wayne Westerberg is sipping a cocktail and chewing on a sweet cigar, remembering the odd young man he knew as Alex. The Cabaret's plywood-paneled walls are hung with deer antlers, Old Milwaukee beer promos, and mawkish paintings of game birds taking flight. Tendrils of cigarette smoke rise from clumps of farmers in overalls and dusty feed caps, their tired faces as grimy as coal miners'. Speaking in short, matterof-fact phrases, they worry aloud over the fickle weather and fields of sunflowers still too wet to cut, while above their heads Ross Perot s sneering visage flickers across a silent television screen. In eight days the nation will elect Bill Clinton president. It's been nearly two months now since the body of Chris McCandless turned up in Alaska. "These are what Alex used to drink, " says Westerberg with a frown, swirling the ice in his White Russian. "He used to sit right there at the end of the bar and tell us these amazing stories of his travels. He could talk for hours. A lot of folks
"Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer is a classic example of travel writing that relates to the theme of enjoying life to the fullest. The book tells the story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who gives up all of his possessions and sets out on a journey into the Alaskan wilderness in search of adventure and a deeper understanding of life. Through McCandless's journey, Krakauer explores themes of self-discovery, freedom, and the importance of living in the moment. The book's vivid descriptions of the natural beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, combined with McCandless's philosophical musings on life and the world around him, create an unforgettable portrait of a young man embracing the mystery and wonder of life. The book's themes of embracing the unknown, taking risks, and living life to the fullest make it an inspiring and thought-provoking read for anyone seeking to make the most of their time on this earth.
POETRY
"Life is a song, sing it. " - Friedrich Nietzsche
The Old Pond H AIKU "An old silent pond... A frog jumps into the pond— Splash! Silence again. - Matsuo Basho, Japanese haiku poet. This Haiku captures the fleeting nature of life and the idea that even small moments can leave a lasting impact. The sudden splash of the frog breaking the silence of the pond symbolizes the sudden, unexpected events that can happen in life. The return to silence after the splash symbolizes the transience of all things, including life itself. T H E END
"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost R H YME POETRY "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. T H E END
"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is a well-known example of rhyme poetry that explores the theme of life. The poem describes a speaker's decision to take a lesstraveled path through the woods, and reflects on the choices we make and the paths we choose in life. The poem's refrain, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, " serves as a metaphor for the many forks in the road that we face in life, and the poem's rhyme and meter reinforce the idea that life is a journey, full of twists and turns, and that the choices we make along the way can have a profound impact on our lives. Through its evocative language and imagery, "The Road Not Taken" encourages readers to reflect on their own life choices and to make the most of the opportunities that come their way.
"Life is Fine" by Langston Hughes MOD ERN POEM I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn't, So I jumped in and sank. I came up once and hollered! I came up twice and cried! If that water hadn't a-been so cold I might've sunk and died. But it was Cold in that water! It was cold! I took the elevator Sixteen floors above the ground. I thought about my baby And thought I would jump down. I stood there and I hollered! I stood there and I cried! If it hadn't a-been so high I might've jumped and died. But it was High up there! It was high! So since I'm still here livin' , I guess I will live on. I could've died for love— But for livin' I was born Though you may hear me holler, And you may see me cry— I'll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see me die. Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine! T H E END
"Life is Fine" by Langston Hughes "Life is Fine" by Langston Hughes is a short, modern poem that explores the theme of life. The poem reflects on the ups and downs of life, and encourages readers to find joy and contentment in the midst of it all. The poem's refrain, "Life is fine, fine as wine, " serves as a reminder that, despite its challenges, life is worth living, and that we can find happiness and fulfillment if we look for it. Through its simple, straightforward language and imagery, "Life is Fine" captures the essence of life and encourages readers to embrace its many complexities and uncertainties, and to find joy in the journey.
""The biggest tragedy in life is not death, but what we let die inside of us while we live. " - Norman Cousins.
READER RESPONSE
Reader Response "T H E STORY OF AN HOUR" BY KATE C HOPIN ( S HORT STORY) "Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" is a dramatic and thought-provoking short story that addresses the diverse and complicated nature of existence. Through the use of colourful and inventive language, the author creates a setting that is both emotionally and intellectually interesting, challenging the reader's imagination and creativity and prompting us to consider the meaning and purpose of life in great depth. Chopin's language competence is one of the most prominent characteristics of her work. Throughout the story, she used exact and precise imagery to express Louise Mallard's varied experiences and feelings. The language is colourful and expressive, creating vivid pictures in the reader's imagination. The sensory details are accurate and the descriptions are evocative, evoking a genuine sensation of presence and immediacy. This is a defining characteristic of Chopin's writing and one of the reasons her compositions are so memorable and lasting. Chopin's use of symbolism is a significant component of her discourse. She utilises diverse items and imagery to symbolise deeper truths and emotions throughout the tale. For instance, an open window indicates freedom and the promise of a new life, while a springtime scene represents regeneration and optimism. The story is replete with symbolism, which contributes to its rich and complex atmosphere and invites the reader to connect with the issues and concepts being addressed.
In addition to its creative and imaginative use of language, "The Story of an Hour" functions as both a source of pleasure and a method for elucidating ideas. The story is captivating and intriguing, and it provokes us to consider the essence of life and what it means to live a meaningful existence. Through the depiction of Louise's emotions to the news of her husband's death, the novel addresses the meaning of love and happiness, as well as what it takes to live a really full life. The short narrative "The Story of an Hour" highlights the power and possibilities of language. Chopin creates an emotionally and intellectually fascinating atmosphere via her use of vibrant and inventive language, inspiring the reader's imagination and creativity and prompting us to reflect profoundly on the meaning and purpose of life. Whether acting as a source of amusement, elucidating ideas, or promoting creative expression, the language in this narrative is vital to its overall impact and efficacy. T H E END
REFERENCE A Rose for Emily. (n.d.). https://xroads.virginia.edu/%7EDRBR/wf_rose.html Deb Olin Unferth | Likable. (n.d.). http://muumuuhouse.com/dou.fiction2.html Garces, K., Deña, C., Zosimo, C., Zosimo, C., & Zosimo, C. (2022, April 25). 10 Best Nike Ads of All Time. Unlimited Graphic Design Service. https://penji.co/best-nike-ads/ Kepnes, M. (2022, June 14). Stop Waiting for the Perfect Time to Travel. Nomadic Matt ’ s Travel Site. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/there-is-no-tomorrow-in-travel/ Krakauer, J. (2007). Into the Wild. Adfo Books. Poem Hunter. (2003, January 13). The Old Pond. https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-old-pond/ Poetry Foundation. (n.d.). The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken Poets.org - Academy of American Poets. (n.d.). Life is Fine. Academy of American Poets. https://poets.org/poem/life-fine The Story of an Hour. (n.d.). https://www.owleyes.org/text/the-story-of-an-hour/read/chopins-short-story 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.