NDM English Notes

A lot of people who do movie, television, or book reviews on the Internet do them incorrectly. They outline the whole story, do a spoof, are unfocused and more. This means much of what passes as reviews are shallow and lack complication worthy of dialogue. By examining the ways that media reviews can go wrong, it might be possible to see how to improve and make them more relevant.

In the book “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O Dell, the setting is a lone island with a girl and her tribe. They are defined by the limited amount of resources and isolation from others. Where and when they are is very important to who they are as people and characters. Here is a look at how setting can help shape the characters along with the plot.

In the book “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O Dell, the main character Karana is a girl left behind by her people. As the only remaining human on the island, the book focuses on her adventures and survival. A well written personality can seem like a real person, showing how they will react to different situations. Here is a profile of the courageous and lonely young island woman.

Next to plot, character is the most important element of story. Without character there can be no movement in the plot. A good story will take a good plot and make it better by introducing characters that are not easy to define. The book “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell has a combination of simple good and evil and also more complex characters. It uses both simplistic antagonists and complex protagonists to create suspense.

Missing boy Brian lost in the forest has learned how to live. He has food, shelter, water, and a degree of comfort. When he thinks survival in the forest is achieved, bad luck hits him. All seems lost. Yet, he has grown since the plane crash and quickly tries to rebuild. The disasters that threatened his very survival has given him a new opportunity. In what can be considered the third act of "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen, decisions must be made leading to rescue. Making choices can be a life or death challenge.

Without any kind of knowledge other than bits and pieces he learned on television and at school, Brian has to struggle to remain alive. That means finding shelter, food, and water. In what can be considered the second act of "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen, the boy struggles to survive in his new forest environment. The plot follows his success and failures as challenges increase with each new day. Skills grow as the chance of rescue shrinks. This is the second part of a discussion about how plot structure helps tell the story.

The Newberry Honor book “Hatchet” by author Gary Paulsen,” is about a young boy trying to survive in the wilderness after a plane crash. The plot contains three acts; the plane crash, surviving alone in a forest, and trying to be rescued. The story contains what the author wants to say about youth growing up, dealing with divorce, and loneliness. This is the first part of a discussion about how plot structure helps tell the story.

Beowulf with his tremendous strength and intelligence is a superhero comparable to Superman, Batman, and mythic Thor. An overabundance of human abilities are used to defeat monsters and the enemies of his people.  Because of his accomplishments, he  can compete as an Ango-Saxon epic hero with the modern Superheroes.

Christian themes are found throughout the epic Beowulf poem.  Some themes are hinted at, while other Christian elements are part of the story.  The writer mixed Christianity and pagan traditions together with tremendous skill. Trying to separate the two would probably destroy the narrative unity.

There is a lot of history in "Beowulf" behind the epic myth of monsters, heroes, and kings. Much of it has been forgotten unless specifically doing research. Knowing the history can help readers better understand the epic English poem. The story exists between pagan tribalism and the European Christian empire after the fall of Rome. There is some reality behind the important literary fantasy.

Life in Anglo-Saxon England was often hard and violent. The Romans recently left, save a few who turned native, because of turmoil back home. These poems reflect a shared experience between two different people traveling by water at this untamed island. It is not yet a nation, but a collection of tribes and families. There are interesting parallels, but also differences that indicate unique writers.

What happens when a husband and wife are separated by distance for long periods of time? This is a commentary and analysis of two poems by different people of the same Anglo-Saxon period. One is from a man's and the other a woman's perspective. Love isn't always what it appears, with conflicting emotions and motives.

A discussion about how the Old English or Anglo-Saxon Poems "Dream of the Rood" and "The Ruin" look back at ancient history relics and artifacts to find meaning. Each poem shows a dichotomy both within and between themselves. They see a better past than the present, but one finds inspiration and the other a sense of loss.

Literary criticism is often dismissed, even by avid readers, as pretentious and unnecessary. For those who look past bad teaching examples, it is a method to appreciate and enjoy the written word. Short reviews are not good enough. Writers especially should be more careful how they engage literature, using the tools of deep reading to help improve their own skills. Here are 5 reasons Literary Criticism is Important (for readers and writers).

Here are 5 ways anyone can become a more effective reader, from beginner to expert. Better and more active reading can also improve writing skills. A good reader doesn't always write, but a good writer always reads.

Here is how creative minds come up with story ideas in fiction or non-fiction. Famous authors are able to tap into a lifetime of experiences, and so can any writer who takes the time to look around.  

Find "Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story" at Amazon: https://amzn.to/2So36jQ  

Find "The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing" at Amazon: https://amzn.to/381C0na   

Find the classic Stephen King "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" at Amazon: https://amzn.to/37p9ICI

Coming up with the definition of a classic book is not easy. There are a lot of competing ideas of what makes a book worth reading each generation. Some classic books go from loved to ignored or forgotten. Just because a book is popular doesn't mean it will be published and read in the future. Age is not the defining characteristic of a classic, but there must be other qualities. This episode looks deeper into the classic book question and reviews Italo Calvino's  14 criteria for what makes a classic. Take a listen and share with others.

Welcome to NDM English where literature reading and writing come together. This is an introduction to the podcast, talking about its purpose and what to expect. Reading expands the mind, enlarges the heart, and reminds us what it means to be human. This is a place to grow your appreciation for the written word. Take a listen. Share with others.