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Showing posts from January, 2024

“The Shrouded Woman” by María Luisa Bombal

Welcome to my fourth blog! This week I read “The Shrouded Woman” by Maria Luisa Bombal. My first thought after reading this novel is I admire the complexity of Bombal’s character built and symbolic imagery in the story. Every word seems to be thick with meaning, and every scene is vividly described. This imagery invites the reader to interpret the narrative on multiple levels, to go beyond the surface plot and dive into the depths of human experience. The author's ability to infuse each page with layers of meaning adds to the enduring appeal of this novel. As the story unfolds, Bombal uses Ana Maria as a major tool for diving into the heart of her character. To me, the protagonist becomes a ship, not only recounting her own experiences, but also peeling back the layers of societal expectations to reveal the inner struggles of women in the early 20th century. Bombal skillfully utilizes Anna Maria's perspective to provide an insightful and resonant portrayal of the challenges tha

“Mad Toy” by Roberto Arlt

  Welcome to my third blog! This week I read the novel named "Mad Toy", written by Argentine writer Roberto Arlt. The story follows the life of Silvio Astier, a young man growing up in the urban environment of Buenos Aires at the beginning of the 20th century. Silvio faces the challenges of poverty and city life, and the novel expresses his experiences in relationships, and struggles. Arlt's work is known for its gritty realism and innovative use of language, vividly depicting the social and psychological complexities of the time. The novel is considered a major contribution to Argentine literature, reflecting the author's observations and insights into the urban working class. After reading this novel, I realized that its narrative attracted me. Silvio's life was intrinsically intertwined with the literary realm, with friendships forged on the basis of the exchange of books, a theme that resonated with me because I had experienced similar connections. In Silvio&#

“Combray” by Marcel Proust

Marcel Proust wrote a big book called "In Search of Lost Time”. After reading the first section, “Combray,” I developed different feelings about how he wrote it. First I need to mention that I really like how he describes things and uses fancy words. It makes the story feel artistic and interesting. The way he tells the story, like sharing the thoughts and feelings directly from the main character's mind, is also something I appreciate. This style lets me understand what characters are thinking and feeling more deeply, making the story special. Proust's long sentences in his writing are both liked and founded complicated. I admire the usage of fancy language and appreciate the detailed observations and careful expressions in the novel. Proust's rich language makes the novel special, forming a woven picture of words that shows how complicated life can be. However, this style with its complicated sentences might be hard for me to understand since I'm used to simpler

Introduction

Hello, everyone! I'm Fiona, a first-year student, and I plan to study English. My goal is to become an elementary teacher after finishing the 11-month teacher education program for elementary and middle years. The tricky part for me is that calculus is a requirement for the program. Math isn't my strong suit, but I'll give it my best shot. I hope to aim for a B+ or an A- in this course, and I'm excited to enhance my reading skills by exploring new novels. Speaking of novels, the last one I read was "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. Even though I had to read it, I had high hopes because of the author's reputation and the touching stories. However, after spending time reading and taking notes, the last few chapters let me down. This might be why I'm not a big fan of reading.  In my free time, I enjoy doing various activities that bring me joy and relaxation. Among my favourites are practicing latte art, singing, exploring digital drawing, and daydr