101 Texts you should receive before you die - Narrative Intervention from Ro's perspective

I suppose I was a bit harsh on him last night after the debate. To be honest, I don’t think he really understood what was happening…but that didn’t stop him! I was really embarrassed at his behavior, but now that I have cooled down, and slept on the whole debacle, I think he was just trying to protect me, and stand up for me against those halfwits on the other team!

Mum having been gone a few years now; I think Dad’s doing a pretty good job raising me on his own. I mean, I know how to drive a tractor, I can take care of the farm – I am sure there are more than a few girls that would not be capable of any of that. Not having a mother is difficult on both of us. But we manage. The two of us; just Dad and me. Dad even turned the farm organic for me. It meant a lot of extra work, but he was prepared to do it. He is probably out in the field right now yelling at the bugs to get off the apples! I love him, I really do.

But he has his moments…most definitely! Sometimes, I think Dad just takes it a bit too far – he can’t seem to help himself! Take last night for example, he wore a belt with the words, ‘love and death’ written on it. All I can say is I am glad he didn’t wear the Harley one! And then he got up on stage, after yelling from the back of the hall. It was completely humiliating!

But that doesn’t mean I don’t love him. I hope he doesn’t think I am too angry at him…I didn’t speak the whole ride home! Oh dear, I better make it up to him!

I know! The tractor! Last time I checked, the fuel tank was leaking, and Dad had tried to repair it with a wad of chewing gum. Typical. I will take it into town to get it fixed as a surprise for him! I am sure he will love that! But I better leave a note before I go…

Creative Response to 'The Road Not Taken'

It was so dismally cold today; but no matter how much I wanted to stay in bed for a few more hours, I knew I had to get up. The slate grey of the sky outside darkened my room, as I slowly made my way out of bed.

As I stepped out my apartment building’s front door, the cold seemed to seep through my coat and settle its self in the deepest parts of my bones. I walked briskly towards the bus stop, some fifty meters down the road, hugging my coat close to my body. 

A few minutes later, I was able to escape the brutal cold, as my bus pulled up to the curb. From the crisp coolness of the winter air, I stepped onto a bus warmed by the many bodies crammed in the perfume and cologne drenched vehicle. Slowly, I walked towards an empty seat towards the middle of the bus, finding it strange that it was still free when so many people stood along the aisles of the packed vehicle. When I reached the seat, however, I realised why it was empty.  Sitting beside the frosted window, was an old man, dressed in threadbare clothing, wearing shoes that were missing part of their soles. His hair was bedraggled and he looked in desperate need of a shower and a warm coat. He was clearly homeless.

I looked around this empty seat at the faces of the people nearby. Looks of disgust, pity and even fear surrounded me. Some held their noses, as if this man’s body odor may, in somewhat, physically hurt them. But not one of them seemed to know this man. They simply judged him based on his looks, and therefore refused to sit beside him; even if it meant standing in the aisles. I was appalled.

How could these people be so shallow? What gave them the right to judge based on looks? And so, I sat down beside him. The looks of disgust, pity and fear, quickly changed to shock, disbelief and in some cases revulsion. The man beside me was equally surprised at my decision. I turned to him, and asked, ‘how are you today?’ A mixture of emotions flooded the man’s face – beginning with shock, then confusion, but the one that seemed to remain etched in his features, was gratefulness.

As we reached my stop, I slowly stood up and waved goodbye to my seat partner.

‘Have a good day!’ I called out, as I exited the bus. Although seemingly insignificant, today’s bus ride will remain with me for many years to come; I hope for the man’s sake, it will remain with him too.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening - Robert Frost

1.   List all the things that Frost sees. Rank them in the order that you would find them attractive.

• Stops in a woods while snow is falling
• Snowflakes falling around him
• A frozen lake
• The horse he is riding
• Harness bells

2.   What are the images and ideas that Frost reflects upon when he has stopped?

Frost reflects upon the beauty of nature – in particular the wonder of winter in an isolated forest. On a deeper level, Frost also touches on the idea of journeying and the reasons that drive us and keep us from stopping. More importantly, however, Frost emphasises the need to sometimes stop on one’s journey and take in one’s surroundings – both physical and emotional. He indicates that it is important to take something from a journey, and to grow and learn from one’s travels, rather than just using them to get from one destination to another.

3.   Imagine that you are Frost. Write what you would say to your wife when you returned home from your journey.

If I were Frost returning home after the journey described in the poem, I think I would describe the sheer, natural beauty of the wintery woods, as it seems that these images had the most significant impact on Frost during his journey. Perhaps I would talk of the feeling of tranquillity and maybe a sense of wonderment that seemed to engulf Frost as he stopped on his travels, at some unknown place, simply to marvel at the world around him.

4.   Is there a deeper meaning to the poem? What do you think it is?

On the surface, the poem appears to describe a journey, something we all have to take on, and the many reason why we take on the tasks and persist on continuing. However, on a deeper level, I think Frost touches the need to perhaps stop on ones travels ad take in one’s surroundings. He indicates that it is important to take something from a journey, and to grow and learn from one’s travels, rather than just using them to get from one destination to another.

5.   Comment on the use of three poetic devices in the poem. (Especially the use of rhyming and repetition in the last line).

• The rhyming pattern used throughout the poem, creates a lilting, almost song-like rhythm to the piece – adding to the description of natural beauty in the poem.
• Frost’s use of imagery is also extremely effective in conveying his message of appreciating ones surroundings and experiences while on a journey
• In the last stanza, Frost uses some alliteration when describing the woods, and this word choice conjures up the secluded, closed environment – full of unknown wonders - that the woods provide. 

6.   The poem draws attention to two conflicting desires: the desire to be alone and to explore mysterious, challenging or even dangerous places, thoughts or objects, and the desire to a sociable person who responds to the company of others. Trace these ideas through the poem.

The first of the two conflicting ideas – the desire to be alone and to explore – is clearly conveyed by Frost’s need to stop, in a unknown wood, simply to watch the beauty of winter as snow falls on the surrounding trees. However, in the last stanza, the desire to be sociable and respond to the company of others overtakes the need to explore, as Frost continues on his journey homewards, without stopping, to keep his promises to his loved ones.

7.   What aspects of the journey are being emphasised?

The most emphasised aspect of this journey is perhaps Frost’s desire to stop and explore; rather than continuing forward, without looking back. His need to take in what he is experiencing and learn something from these experiences.

8.   Explain why this poem does or does not appeal to you. Justify your answer with quotes from the poem.

In my opinion, this poem is extremely appealing because: it utilises descriptive and beautiful language; and also conveys a very meaningful message that can be applied to all human beings.

Sky High - Personal Response

I felt the cool, pool water engulf me, relieving me from the baking summer sun, as I slowly slid towards the woman waiting at the step. Cautiously, I stretched my leg out and slowly sank into the deep water. My mother sat on the edge of pool, encouraging in my task. It was my first swimming lesson.

The other children were already in the centre of the pool, bobbing on their floaties like tug boast in the waves. Me, on the other hand, was not as confident. I did not like the uncertainty the deep water presented; but I was willing to try. My feet no longer touched the bottom and I began to kick my legs travelling slowly towards the other children, my confidence growing as I propelled myself forward. My head above water the entire time.

Today, I can dive in, the deep water now welcoming. No longer scared of the deep water, I yet again, allow the cool pool water to engulf me. This time, my head below water.

Sky High - the concept of journey

The short story, Sky High touches, on a range of journeys, both inner and physical. The most obvious journey taking place in this piece of writing is that of the young girl reaching the arms of the washing line. She begins in her back yard, and slowly makes her way up the climbing tree and onto the washing line, describing her surroundings and experiences as she goes. However, within this journey, the young girl climbing the tree takes on a journey of her own. By the end of the piece, the young girl has both grown in age and in maturity, allowing her experiences to shape herself and her decision making.