Check out: http://www.ryanwhite.com/
Elements of Literature in Ryan White: My Own Story
Discuss the effectiveness of another element of literature (e.g., pov, irony, conflict, symbolism) in Ryan White: My Own Story. You may support other posts with new evidence.
(100 words-1 quotation min.)
DUE: 9/10
English 11 Regents
J. Molloy: 914.669.5414 ext.2193
molloyj@northsalem.k12.ny.us
Course Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 10
Course Description:
This course is designed to aid students to read and analyze literature from a variety of genres and to respond to literature critically through writing, speaking, and reflecting. Students will also continue developing and honing language arts skills that focus on writing, reading comprehension and expression, critical analysis, vocabulary, and grammar. A strong emphasis will be placed on expository writing. Students will also extensively prepare for the 11th grade Regents exam in January.
Curriculum Highlights:
· Research paper: compare and contrast topics of a literary work from the time it was
written to the present
· SAT vocabulary preparation
· Memoirs portfolio final project
· Creative writing
· Expository writing focusing on literary response and expression and critical analysis and
evaluation
· Socratic seminars that allow students to critically participate and delve into literature
· Test debate / test analysis
· Preparation for the NYS Regents exam, including practice exams
Helpful Suggestions to Students:
Purchase a three-ring binder, dividers and a folder to be used solely for this course. Students are expected to maintain their binders in an organized fashion and to bring their binders to class daily. Concerning assignments, students should review their notes and class-work frequently and they also should plan ahead as much as possible.
Text Titles:
Units of study will be selected from:
Drama Novels Autobiography Short Stories
Marty The Great Gatsby Ryan White “Eleven”
The Glass Menagerie Fahrenheit 451 “Harrison Bergeron
Macbeth The Scarlet Letter
The Miracle Worker My Antonia
Our Town
American One Acts
A Thurber Carnival
The Crucible
Homework Policy:
Homework is always posted in the classroom and also on the class blog. All assignments must be completed on time. Any late or missing homework assignment will result in a grade of zero for that assignment.
Grading Policy:
Writing: 40%
Examinations: 30%
Journals/Blogs: 20%
Homework/Participation: 10%
Assessments:
Students will be assessed through a variety of ways. Some assessments include tests, quizzes, written responses, participation, homework, projects, a final project and a final exam. The New York State Regents exam will be given in January.
Attendance and Tardiness:
Attendance and punctuality are crucial to participation and success in this course. Unexcused absences will be treated according to the North Salem High School cut policy. It is the student’s responsibility to make up any work he/she has missed due to an excused absence or lateness. Late passes are due upon the arrival of class. Three unexcused latenesses will result in detention.
Extra Help:
Extra help will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room W-24 from 2:15-2:55, or by appointment.
Make Up/Late Work:
Students will make up work within 5 days from the date of the legal absence. Lateness of projects and papers will result in a deduction per day until the work is submitted.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
19 comments:
Throughout Ryan White’s novel, there are many examples of literary elements. One common literary element found in the novel is the literary element of characterization. A perfect example of characterization is found when he said, “AIDS can destroy a family if you let it, but luckily for my sister and me, Mom taught us to keep going. Don't give up, be proud of who you are, and never feel sorry for yourself.” This characterizes that through learning from his mother, he is able to be strong through his problems. This quote shows how he stayed positive in life because of his love for his mother, his family, his friends, and his life.
In the book Ryan White, My Own Story there is a lot of different types of literary elements. One of these elements is Irony. In the book Ryan at birth has a bad disease that makes your blood not clot named hemophilia. Every time he got cut he had to get a product named Factor 8 in his body to clot the blood. From the Factor he got AIDS, a disease that destroys your immune system. Ryan said “It is weird how someone could get a disease by trying to treat another.” It is ironic how Ryan had a bad disease but got an even worse one from treating the first.
Ryan White, My Own Story, is an autobiography which describes a young boy’s battle with AIDS. On page 80 of the novel, he has a conversation with his doctor and states, “’I bet if I live five years, ‘I went on, ‘I can beat this thing.’ I grinned at my doctor. ‘Or I’ll die trying.’” This quote reveals a significant amount of courage and hope in Ryan despite the fact that he was living with a foreign and unheard of disease. His bravery is also part of the Author’s purpose because throughout the novel, Ryan was trying to educate people about this new AIDS virus since most knew little. Even through his struggles in school, which included parents forming a union to have Ryan suspended from school, Ryan remained strong because he believed that it was the set of mind that determined how a person felt, not the condition itself. As long as he continued thinking positively and never giving up his battle with AIDS, he firmly believed he would remain pain-free and for the most part healthy. Ryan’s character teaches readers around the world a vital moral to never give up hope and remain strong even through the toughest situations. -Characterization
In Ryan White: My Own Story, Ryan was born a hemophilic. His mother and grandparents were worried about him since he was a child. They had different views on how to deal with his hemophilia. His mother believed in letting Ryan live: “My mom let me do pretty much anything. She wanted me to play with other kids in the playground at recess and learn to ride a bike. She figured, if I got hurt, I got hurt (18).” His mother allowed Ryan to experience life. She knew if she handicapped him he would be that way for the rest of his life. His grandparents viewed his hemophilia differently. They believed that Ryan should be protected and wear a helmet and knee pads. They used to baby Ryan because of his hemophilia. His mother wouldn’t allow it. Her point of view allowed Ryan to mature with a positive outlook on life.
As horrible as it is to say Ryan Whites Autobiography is a perfect example of irony. One senario of this is while Ryan is in the hospital Ryan said that he diddnt feel bad about being sick he felt bad for the kids with cancer (couldnt find quote sorry). This is in a sense ironic because most people would dwlee on their own misfortune thinking "oh poor me" and not thinking about anyone elses misfortune no matter how bad either of them are. This says alot about Ryans character. It shows how much of a positive person by sowing the logic of "atleast im not as bad as him". This logic helps keep your moral up and was very helpful for the tme Ryan spent in the hospital. Another example of irony in Ryan White is Ryans Factor. The Factor he takes (as said by Martin) is what keeps him alive yet untimatly gives him AIDS and kills him.
The overall tone of the autobiography Ryan White: My Own Story is a matter-of-fact one that plainly conveys the author's purpose. "I'm convinced that if you think about dying, you're going to die. If you think about living, you're going to live" (White 147). Ryan clearly states his attitude towards his disease; one that is courageous and determined to beat it and live. What the message remains throughout Ryan's story is the power of a positive outlook, which the tone of this quote and the book as a whole gets across perfectly. Ryan is trying to make the reader understand, through the use of his life story, that any obstacle, no matter how daunting it may seem, can be conquered merely by a confident disposition.
In the Autobiography Ryan White: My own story, literary elements are common. One of the most common literary elements is Characterization, which can be found throughout most of the novel. Ryan was an optimistic boy and once said "I believe in myself as I look forward to graduating from Hamilton Heights High School in 1991". Ryan was always looking on the bright side of things, teaching the world around him about AIDS and showing that anyone can be strong even when they are sick. Overall this quote represents how he never backed down and kept achieving what he believed in.
In the autobiography Ryan White: My Own Story, there are many literary elements used to portray main ideas and teach the readers. One of which, is characterization. Ryan White was a unique character. He was very brave, strong willed, sympathetic and kind. He had grown up as a hemophiliac, and had later gotten AIDS from the medicine, factor, that he was taking for hemophilia, to help his blood clot. That is also an example of irony in the story. Growing up as a Hemophiliac with AIDS seemed to be as rough as life can get, but for Ryan, it wasn't bad at all. Ryan always seemed to keep his head held high, and always look on the positive side. He had a very positive mentality, which helped him fight AIDS for an amazing 6 years. "I'm convinced that if you think about dying, you're going to die. If you think about living, you're going to live" This quote is an example of his mentality fighting cancer, and in the end, it had helped him live longer than the average AIDS patient.
In the autobiography Ryan White, there were many examples of literary elements. One very important literary element in the novel was irony. Ryan had hemophelia which meant that his blood could not clot when he got hurt. He was given a thing called factor that was supposed to slowly clot the blood. One of the factors that he had injected in his arm actually had an infection. This factor was the main reason why he got aids and died early. “It is weird how someone could get a disease by trying to treat another.” The irony was that the factor which was supposed to save his life actually killed him later on.
In the novel My Own Story, by Ryan White and Ann Marie Cunningham, there are many literary element throughout the novel. One such literary element is conflict. There are three main types of conflict, all of which appear in this novel. They are: man versus man, man versus nature and man versus society. In the novel Ryan has many conflict with individuals that look down upon him becasue of his disease. Many people were being vicious toward him and anyone who interacted with him. Ryan had conflicts with nature becasue since his disease was a force of nature that was against him. He also had to face society due to the habit that society has of rejecting anything unfamiliar. Since AIDS was a new disease at the time of Ryan's life, there was very little understanding of the disease. This casused Ryan to be pitted against society and its very wrong ideas of what AIDS is, or how it can be spread. "Because of the lack of education on AIDS, discrimination, fear, panic, and lies surrounded me.". This shows how Ryan felt about how unprepared and uneducated everyone was about AIDS.
The Novel Ryan White, My Own Story is a compelling, touching, work of literature. The book has several types of literary elements to help convey the themes set throughout it. One common literary element that is used is Conflict. Conflict plays a major role in reaching out to the readers and showing them exactly what Ryan had to go through. One major conflict in the novel was the fact that society as a whole did not accept Ryan due to his diagnoses of Aids. Ryan did a good job of ignoring the common misconceptions portrayed to him which is why Characterization also was a important literary element. Another Literary Element is Irony. One noticable point of irony is towards the middle of novel when Ryan is diagnosed with Aids. The ironic part is that the factor that should of been keeping him healthy and alive, eventually led to his demise.
In the novel My Own Story, by Ryan White and Ann Marie Cunningham characterization is a literary element used to portray just how strong a kid Ryan is. Most kids with any sickness are miserable but Ryan had two life threatening diseases, one since the day he was born and had to man up everyday and stay positive through it all. "I can beat this thing.’ I grinned at my doctor. ‘Or I’ll die trying." Ryan was determined to live his life as long as his body would let him and regardless of his condition live the life he had to the fullest and die happy. That's a hard concept to grasp for a adult let alone a child-showing that Ryan was very mature for his age and had more courage than many even with his hardcore diseases.
The autobiography Ryan White, My own story there were many elements of literature which is expressed all throughout the novel. For example, there is situational irony, which in Ryan’s case is was the Factor. He used factor to get back the blood needed but unfortunately in a result to striving to survive he ended up with HIV/AIDS. “It’s weird how someone could get a disease by trying to treat another” As well as having irony there was also the main theme of the book. Although there are many themes that tie into the novel the most obvious one to the reader is Tolerance. Many kids and the people of his old town Kokomo didn’t accept him for a disease he didn’t even wishes nor choose to have for instance, he had to fight in court jus so he can educate himself and try being a normal teenager despite his illness
In the novel Ryan White i believed that the whole book is based off of point of view. Ryan White was born with Hemophelia which eventually led to him contracting AIDS. Throughout the book ryan tells you how he had to go through such difficult times going to school and living in Indiana. He tells you that the school didn't want him to go to school cause at the time no one knew all that much about AIDS because for one it was a fairly new disease at the time and just started to become a growing problem and two no one knew how this disease could be contracted. So through his eyes he felt like he was being isolated for reasons that were completely unreasonable when in actuality the school was taking cautions that anyone would have at the time of this occurrence. Ryan's problems were a true struggle and what he did was quite amazing, but he seemed to have put a lot of blame on the school and the society he lived in. People weren't aware of the whole AIDS crisis. He became the poster child for a disease because he was the only one to come out and talk about it not because he was put in exile throughout his life for something people, from his knowledge, were naive and ignorant about. This shows how the whole book is controlled by point of view and how his is the only show in the novel.
Ryan Whites autobiography is unfortunately, an exact mirror image of society today, the good and the bad. Throughout the book, there have been many examples of different literary techniques, such as, like Cody mentioned, the use of characterization and many others, proving on what a great person Ryan was. How he truly lived his life to the fullest, no matter how short or long it was, overcoming any obstacle, which had been created by the evils of society. One very depressing use of irony used, was the fact that the Factor that was keeping Ryan alive ultimately killed him. MDB, Rob and Chris, brought this point up in their blogs as well. This Irony had been realized by Ryan along with his mother and family, while watching Ryan being injected with the factor, Jeanee became livid, “but she was furious that what had been keeping me well had given me AIDS, drop by drop”(White 61). Ryan, being as string of a character as he was, did not let this situational irony get him down, he just keep on living the future, not dwelling on the past.
The basis of the story of Ryan White is most strongly influenced by the literary element irony. The whole reason that Ryan got AIDS was because of a batch of infected Factor. This Factor is the very thing that had kept Ryan alive and now it would give him death. When Ryan went into surgery he would need a giant bag of Factor. Ryan’s mother’s view of factor is expressed through this quote “She knew I needed it to recover from my surgery, but she was furious that what had been keeping me well, had also given me AIDS drop by drop.” This quote perfectly explains the opinion of his mother on Factor as well the perfect irony present in the life of Ryan.
In Ryan White’s autobiography “My Own Story” literary elements such as conflict occur through out the novel. Literary elements help further convey Ryan Whites story.
Ryan Whites conflict is that he has contracted AIDS through transfusions .Ryan now faces discrimination due to his disease. The people of his home town Kokomo believe that Ryan’s AIDS are a contagious disease. Much to there own ignorance Ryan faces discrimination on a daily basis because of this .Even his girlfriend treats Ryan as if he is a leper. She is forbade to see Ryan by her parents and tells him they can no longer see each other .Ryan’s solution to the conflict of discrimination is moving to a new town. Ryan’s discrimination is shared when he meets a gay man who discloses his own personal experiences. “I never thought much about gay people until I got AIDS. Now I had a lot of respect for them.” Through Ryan’s conflict his character becomes stronger .
Throught the novel, there are many examples of literary elements. Point of veiw happens to be the strongest because the novel is told from Ryan White's perspective. Ryan White contracted AIDS from a blood tranfusion that had to be done due to his hemophilia. He grew up in a time when AIDS was new and not accepted by others. His life story tells us of his stuggles and conflicts with society. People didn't accept Ryan because of his diffrences and he conveys his hardship through school, his community and his family.
Post a Comment