Nicole+Therrien


 * Nicole Therrien **
 * 12/30/12 **
 * Period 5/6 **
 * __Literary Critique.__ **


 * Spending quality time with family is extremely important to most people. This is shown in the story, “Papa’s Parrot” by Cynthia Rylant. A Young boy named Harry Tillian stops visiting his fathers candy and nut shop. Due to this, Mr.Tillian purchases a parrot to keep him occupied. Towards the end of the story, Mr.Tillian has a heart attack which makes Harry incharge of his shop. The parrot was repeating what Harry’s father had been saying, “ Where’s Harry? Miss him.” Realizing what was going on, Harry went to visit his father at the hospital. Even though the theme that spending quality time with your family is important isn’t directly stated in the text, Cynthia Rylant reveals it through Harry’s evolving actions. **


 * Harry has changed as a character throughout the story. In the beginning of the story, Harry and his friends went to the shop to buy penny candy and to sample roasted nuts. Harry’s father enjoyed their company. However, in the text it states, “ When Harry entered junior high school, though, he didn’t come by the candy and nut shop as often.” This quote shows that as Harry got older, he didn’t spend as much time with his father as he used to. When Harry stops paying a lot of attention to his father, its obvious he didn’t realize how lonely his father was feeling at the time. In the story it also says, “ Harry and his friends were older now and had more spending money. This statement shows that Harry stopped spending time with his father and instead, he was spending more time with his friends going to eat burgers, shopping for records, and playing video games. **


 * Cynthia Rylant portrays another change in Harry’s character towards the end of the story. Mr.Tillian had to be taken to the hospital which made Harry look after his shop and parrot. In the story it says, “ Where’s Harry?” said the parrot. . . “I’m here.” The tears were coming. . . “Papa.” Harry buried his face in his arms. This part of the story shows that Harry realized the parrot had been repeating what his father had been saying and his father misses him. In the text it also states, “ He checked the furnace so the bird wouldn’t get cold. The he left to go visit his papa.” This statement shows how Harry’s actions have evolved. He realized his father missed him, and he left the shop to go visit him in the hospital. By visiting his father after the shop instead of going somewhere with his friends, Harry began to realize the importance of spending time with family. **


 * Throughout the story, “Papa’s Parrot” by Cynthia Rylant, Harry dramatically changed as a character. After reading this story, it helps me realize how important it is to spend time with your family while you can. I can relate to Harry because I was in a similar situation. When my uncle went into the hospital for surgery, it made me realize how important it is to spend time with your family. This story changes one’s actions because it has such a powerful this of how quality time with family is precious. Even though the theme isn’t directly stated in the text, Cynthia Rylant reveals the theme through Harry’s evolving actions. **

** Period 5/6 **
__** Gemini Compare/Compare Essay **__

===** Astrologists believe that one’s personality are based on when we were born. Each person has a zodiac sign based on their birthday. Since my birthday is on June 14, I am a Gemini. While I share many traits with the classic Gemini, there are a few traits I don’t have. In fact, nobody has every trait in common with their zodiac description. **===

===** One trait that I possess is being witty. For example, last year in math class, we had to take a challenging test. With the thought of decimals and fractions flowing through my head, I was able to manage to get a mind-blowing grade. I was one of the few people to receive an “A” on this test. This proves that I am pretty intelligent. Therefore, I share this trait with the classic Gemini. Another trait that I have is offering my friendship to others. I enjoy having a bountiful amount of friends, so I offer my friendship to people. For instance, on the first day of sixth grade, I was going to meet new people. I had a friendly and inviting appearance, so I could make new friends. Even though I’m always friendly, I wanted to make sure I was especially on this day so I could make other friends. This is how I have the trait of offering my friendship to others. **===

===** The next trait I share with the Gemini is loving to perform in front of crowds. I do enjoy being with a group of people to perform for others. For example, at the end of each cheerleading season, we have competitions. Every season I look forward to competition because I love to perform with my team in front of the judges, and everyone else that’s there. I like the excitement of being able to show people what my cheer team and I are capable of. No matter how much my stomach churns before going on the mat for competition, I love performing in front of crowds. Another trait of the classic Gemini is that they can’t make up their minds. Unfortunately, I share this trait with the Gemini. For instance, one day this year I was almost late for school. Do you know what the reason was? I couldn’t decide what to wear! This proves that I am indecisive, and I have this trait. The other trait of the classic Gemini is being nervous. Yes, I can be a nervous person. For example, one of the reasons I bite my nails is because I am nervous. In the beginning of the school year, I had to present my project in Spanish. By the time it was my turn, my fingernails were tiny nubs. I chewed them because I nervous to present. This demonstrates that I share the trait of being nervous with the Gemini. One more trait that Gemini’s usually have is being the life of every occasion. However, I don’t have this trait. I like socializing with people, but I don’t like everyone’s eyes on me all the time. For instance, at my friends birthday party, I didn’t like to talk too much in front of her friends and have all of them stare at me. Also, someone who is the life of every occasion is usually loud and likes the spotlight on them at every event, which isn’t me. I am not a shy person, but I would definitely not consider myself the life of every occasion. **===

===**In conclusion, I am not exactly like the classic Gemini. I do share many traits with the Gemini, but I don‘t have everyone of them in common. This balance is normal because no one matches up perfectly with their zodiac description. So, is one’s personality truly based on when they were born?**===