Analysis

Each individual in the world comes to a time in their life when they lose a loved one. Whether it's a grandmother, father, sister or friend, we each can relate to how the loss of a loved one can impact our lives. In the novel The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, the author provides many examples of how grief is depressing, but a necessary process in order to move on. Sebold uses the characters, Lindsey, Abigail, and Jack to demonstrate how they each go through the processes of grief to help them return to a healthy lifestyle again.

Susie's sister, Lindsey, carries all the responsibility of keeping her family together. She is the strongest one in the family yet, still suffers from burdens that have been cast upon her. When Susie passes away, Lindsey deals with the loss of her happiness and love. When the reader examines Lindsey, she seems alone and angry. When Lindsey’s teacher apologizes to her for her sister’s loss, Lindsey responds back with, “I wasn't aware I had lost anything.” This shows the reader Lindsey still isn't ready to face the acceptance of her sisters passing and still needs time to accept what has happened. As Lindsey goes on in the book, she starts to create self-vs.-self conflict. She wants to move on from Susie’s death, but cannot because she blames herself for her murder and starts to feel like it should’ve been her who died instead of Susie. As Lindsey goes on in the book, she also starts to grow into depression where every time she looks at herself, she only sees Susie. This forces her to have a more difficult of time moving on. Although she tries to live life by acting as if she has lost no one, Susie continues to remind her that she is dead every time Susie appears in the mirror, causing Lindsey to have no choice, but to face her sister’s death. Lindsey later learns to accept that her sister is gone and that she will have to grieve in order to heal. Once Lindsey grieves, she is able to forgive her herself and accept the loss of her sister.

            The author’s primary goal of Lindsey’s character is to establish the concept that if people continuously try to avoid their emotions instead of deal with them, they will eventually lash out as a result of stress and depression. The traumatic event of a loved one’s death usually results with built up emotions of sorrow and sadness. Her family is willing to go through the grieving process with Lindsey, but she refuses to show anyone any type of emotion. What Lindsey fails to realize is that grievance of a loved one is inevitable. Whether or not one tries to push it away, it will catch up to them. It is better to go through the process now rather than suffer for an even longer amount of time.

Susie's mother, Abigail, is very unhappy in the book. When Abigail finds out that her daughter has passed, she automatically turns to denial. Even when detective Len Fenermen leads her to the evidence that Susie has passed away. Abigail still has a hard time facing the fact she will never get to see her daughter again. Therefore, she starts to abandon herself from the family. Abigail leaves the family for eight years and has an affair with detective Len Fenermen to forget about everything at home. When a few years go by Abigail is asked to go to Susie’s memorial service, but she responds negatively by saying “We’ve had the memorial, that’s done for me.” Sooner than later, Abigail realizes she needs her family more than anything during her healing process. When she admits to Jack, “I never realized how much I needed you through this.. I think coming back home was for the best.” Abigail finally comes to the conclusion that in order for her to heal, she needs to reunite with her family again and together, they will accept Susie's death.

The author is able to show through Abigail that being told something one does not want to hear can be tough, but the only way to deal with the information is to make the effort to accept it. Families that encounter these types of tragedies have to be ready to face life and create a whole new life style to move on. This can only be done through the use of love, acceptance, and patience between one another.

When Susie passes away, unlike the rest of the characters, Jack, Susie’s father, actually grieves and takes her death the hardest. When evidence pointed that Susie salmon was dead jack was in denial. As pain started to proceed in jack he had to face the truth. Where he becomes obsessed with Susie's murder and tries every way possible to find her body and killer. Even when detective Len Fenermen gives up on the case, Jack still maintains hope. In every way possible Jack shows determination. Even when he knows deep down who killed his daughter he still find several way to contact the police to keep this case going. However, as time goes on Susie helps her father solve the case through the “in-between world,” and the love Jack has for Susie helps him process his grief and heals him again. Where Jack then realizes the love he has for his daughter is more important. Just by letting go does not mean that he will have to forget about her forever.

Therefore, the author wants the reader to learn the importance of Jack’s determination to find Susie’s killer. The love that Jack provides toward his daughter allows him to be more accepting and understanding than the other two characters. Jack was able to create a character that showed grief in the beginning but when his daughter was able to help him solve the case he grew to heal. Where this gives the reader to never give up in any circumstances or battle, the best thing to do is move on and be more accepting.

Sebold proves that each character has a different way of coping with Susie’s death. She shows the audience realistic events that take place in the real world. Even with the novel being a fantasy book, we can see that at some point in our lives we all have or will go through the same process Susie's family went through to understand gain acceptance of a loved one’s death. Given all the processes Sebold wants the reader to learn the most important one is grief. The only ways to grow is to heal and grieve to get person out of depression, anger, and denial to move on. Sebold shows the value of family can fall apart with a tragedy of a loved one, but the way to get things to fall back into place is through love and happiness to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Work Cited 

Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones. United States: Little, Brown & Company, 2002. Print.

Question and Answer

Individuals who prepare to graduate high school typically wonder if higher education is worth pursuing. The decision can only be made based on the mindset and goals one may have. Some students decide that it’s better to go straight out of high school and enter the workforce; whereas others feel it’s best to graduate high school and go to college. Over time, research has shown that college is more valuable than the work experience is. People who attend college right after high school stay focused and keep their momentum going to reach their goals. People who enter college right after high school benefit from the experience of the new environment, more money, and better skills for the future.

High school graduates who start working immediately after high school typically find making money more beneficial. Getting a job right after high school can average an income of about $31,286 per year (Billitteri; graph). This means, with the income made each year without a college degree, people would still be able to survive and pay their bills living on their own. People who start working right after high school may argue that they will stay debt free. People who go straight into the workforce have the opportunity to save money to go to college at later time, if they choose; whereas people who attend college right out of high school may not have money saved up and can accumulate debt from school loans. A college education is not the only place a person had to go to get a high paying job. Some people have a family who owns their own business, which may give them the advantage to get a job more quickly and earn a higher position making enough money without needing a college education. Most people don't have that advantage which is why most people find it beneficial to go to college.

Although people can argue that there are benefits of not going to college right after high school, there are actually some disadvantages. People who don't go to college typically forget what they have learned in their years of high school and end up losing their study habits. This can be a problem if they ever want to attend college later they might be placed in a developmental class with people who have a hard time understanding content previously learned. Also, people who don't go to college have more responsibilities. Younger people who go to college have the opportunity to have freedom because they usually do not have any children of their own. While people who choose to focus on work typically have to take care of their family and work to take care of all the bills. A person who is a high school graduate entering the work field right after high school on average can only make around $31,286 per year, while a person who has a Bachelor's degree earns about $57,181 (Billitteri). Based on these numbers it is clear that people who go to college earn 83% more having a bachelor’s degree rather than only a high school diploma (Billitteri). The cost of college may seem like a problem, but college gives a better chance to earn more over time, pay back loan debt quickly, and live a successful life.

College provides a whole different environment than one who graduates high school and goes into the workforce. People who enter college have the opportunity to gain internships at the college to train for the field of their desire. They gain experience and learn what their interest is for that specific field. Whereas the people who graduate high school go into a job for the money and become unfamiliar of the work field they are entering. Also, college students get to interact with a different culture of people. Most students who enter college have to live with someone they have never met before. Giving them the chance to interact and meet people that will get them out of their comfort zone. While someone who enters the workforce after high school is stuck with people they know and are comfortable with. Where this becomes a problem for their future because most jobs require people to be social and reach out to others.  People who attend college also benefit from having to worry about working and making money to survive. College students usually have their finances set in their tuition each year to cover the expenses of living. Where a person who works after high school has to deal with how they are going to afford groceries, utilities and rent with a two week paycheck. College becomes beneficial for people who experience a new environment because this gives them the chance to adapt more quickly than someone who enters work right after high school.

 Education holds a lot of value today. In the past, higher education was only for people who were smart and could afford it. Now, it is available for all. If someone is using the expenses of college as a reason not to attend, that reason ends here. A community college is very affordable for people who may not be able to afford a university. A public two year college averaged $2,544 in 2009-2010 (Billitteri,chart), which can be covered by the help of financial aid, Pell grants, and scholarships. Even people who want to get their associate's degree can stay debt free and earn $3,852 per year more than a high school graduate (Billitteri,Thomas)(chart). Although that may not seem like much, people who hold a college degree are able to use that to their advantage. When someone seeks to further their education, it gives them the opportunity for a better job choice. Higher education expands their minds which develops more skills to get them the job of their dreams.

With higher education, graduates gain specialized skills that will help them in the future to get a job, skills they may not learn in the work place. In college, students learn how to write, work in groups, and multitask. Students who enter college learn the importance of communication. In colleges people have to learn how to write effectively by writing their own papers and checking for their own grammatical  mistakes. Students in college have to learn how to correct their own grammar, use good vocabulary and understand the structure of proficient writing. Where in contrast, high school teachers provide all the help by having students submit rough drafts and correcting it for them. Also college helps students become leaders. In college students are able to work in groups to see things in different perspectives. In College Students work with people they don’t know, which helps them build relationships with each other. Whereas in high school teachers allow students to choose their own groups which prevents them from meeting different people. Showing that college students will be collaborating more than high school students who enter the workforce. Multi-tasking is also vital for the future and higher education. College provides skills to learn how to manage time wisely and study, work and still maintain a social life. Whereas high school only provides the basic skills needed for a job, such as learning how to be organized, responsible, and focus on school. High school teachers only help you apply yourself to a classroom, which is a disadvantage for the people who go straight to the workforce out of high school because they rarely get to encounter these skills. If a person masters all these skills, they can stand out from others who compete for the same position or promotion they want.

College may not be for everyone, but it is very valuable when it comes down to learning new skills, gaining better employment, and earning more money. People who graduate high school and go to college have the opportunity to succeed further than someone who just works with a high school diploma.  People who hold a degree have the chance to get a better job. With the years devoted into college, graduates can show employers that they have the dedication and experience to begin working in their career. Taking me for an example; I decided to attend a two year community college right after high school to further my education. I will be debt free my first two years and will transfer to a university using grants and scholarships to further my education. Therefore, this being the right choice for me I believe it’s best to go to college rather than getting a job right after high school.

Work Cited

Billitteri, Thomas J. “The Value of a College Education.” CQ Researcher 20 Nov. 2009: 981-1004. Web. 23 Oct. 2013

Carlson, Scott. “How To Assess The Real Payoff Of A College Degree.” Chronicle Of Higher Education 59.33 (2013): A26. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Response

Ambition

Ambition is key. It unlocks doors that allow you to reach your full potential. It can stem from inside of you or it can come from outside sources. Everyone has their own outlook on ambition, which can come from personal struggles, inspirations or coaches. Its something that allows you to dig deep to find which goal best fits for you.

Take me as an example, my ambition is to further my education. None of my family has ever gone to college, but I want to be the first one to go. However, college is expensive, so I had to make sure that I would be able to afford it. My goal was to go to Bowling Green, but I had to make changes due to the cost. Since I knew I didn't have the money and I didn't apply for any scholarships I had to choose a better alternative. I decided to look at local community colleges that would be covered by financial aid. Even though it wasn't the college that I planned on going to, I still was able to maintain my goal by choosing a different route. It may look like my ambition was shut down, but I am still going to transfer, get my college degree, and manage the debt that is still yet to come.

Although we may  view my situation as a reward, ambition can be looked at as a risk and lead to disappointment. For an example, let’s take an eighteen year old girl named Mariah, who is a singer. She has been singing since she was three years old and is very talented. One afternoon she decided she wanted to try out for American Idol. So Mariah went  to Chicago and auditioned, and she made it through her first round. Mariah had to sing again that next week for round two, and she didn’t make it due to the wrong song choice. Mariah was devastated; she no longer thought her goal would be accomplished. Mariah felt that her only shot of making her dream come true was within that moment. What Mariah struggled to see was the fact that she went out and auditioned was huge. Even though she didn't make it through the second round there are more opportunities for her to pursue her goal. Winning wasn't the only option. She may not have a recording contract right now, but since she has already been on national television she could still gain fans, Which could lead to her having local concerts, and a new beginning to reach her goal in a different way. Nevertheless, even though Mariah didn't make it through her second audition, the ambition that she had helped her spread her voice to a broader audience and show a different way to succeed.

Similar to the aspiring singer, an example of an Olympian athlete may have obstacles that can also lead to disappointment. Let's take an Olympic runner for an example, Chris Bowes is twenty- two years old, and has been running since he was in the 6th grade. Every day he dedicates his time and effort running on the track to strive for his goal. His main goal is to be able to finish a race within so many seconds and earn an Olympic medal. Chris has been asked to run in the spring Olympics for track and field. Chris feels this is the best opportunity  and now he is ready to show the world how much he truly wants this Olympic medal. He starts to run and makes it to the finish line, he then realizes that he didn't win first place. Chris won third place in the race and became very upset. What Chris failed to realize is this was his first race competing with other Olympic runners just like him. He didn't know it took more work than just running on a track everyday. Despite Chris being upset, he didn't want to stop running just because he didn't win first place. Instead he recognized he needed more improvement, and if he would work harder there would be a better outcome. In all, this gave Chris more ambition to refocus on his goal to win a gold medal.

The three examples that are given are to show different perspectives of ambition.  Although, there were different outcomes, ambition did not fail. We looked at Mariah for instance, a talented singer. Mariah's ambition brought her more opportunities to succeed. We looked at an Olympic runner. We noticed that to become an Olympian runner is hard work, but with Chris’s objective to win his ambition allowed him to refocus what he needed to improve on. We also looked at me as an example. I want to be the first to further my education, but I had to choose a different alternative.  Ambition is that specific key to unlock doors that allow you to attain your goal. You determine your outcome of how it will be achieved. Now, allow me to ask, is ambition a negative or is it a positive?

Narrative

Goodbye

Work was crazy that night. Wing sauces all over my apron like a filthy dish rag. Smelling like the garlic butter we spray on our pizzas, I walked to the door at my grandparents’ house and realized that my dog wasn't in front of the door like he usually was, wagging his tail back and forth like a swinging sword trying to beat me to death. As I walked in, I saw he was lying down in the kitchen.

“Grandma,” I said, in concern, “Ugh..what's wrong with Sabor,”

“Well, he hasn't really gotten up today.. but me and your grandpa think it might be his hip messing with him again,” she replied.

“Do you think it’s anything serious?”

“Well, I'm not sure, but we're going to try and take him to the vet tomorrow.”

I started petting him and caught myself thinking back to when he got hit by a car in 2007, when he was 5 years old. I was twelve and he was laced up in staples on his right side due to the drainage tube where excess blood had to drain out. The surgery the veterinarian had to do to take out his hip bone would prevent him from being able to walk again. Sabor was a warrior; he stayed strong through it all and had a full recovery. Within that year, he was able to run and play just like he had when he was a puppy. Although, there would be days that Sabor wouldn't be able to run and jump  from the pains he would occasionally get in his hip, he still would try to greet you with excitement and beg you to take him on walks.

Since we all thought that it could be his right hip messing with him again,  I tried to exercise his leg to see if he would be able to walk towards me but he still wasn't able to. I started to have more concern since I was only 3 feet away from him. I could tell this was more serious than we thought by the way he looked at me with his cute mahogany piercing eyes. He was screaming  “HELP ME!” so  I tried to pick him up and bring him in the house since he was in the second kitchen, which is out on our patio, and I tried to see if that would make him feel better. When I put him in the living room, he still just laid there. I started to panic and kept telling him that everything would be okay, but since I had school the next morning I decided to go to bed and see how he was doing the next morning.

6:45, Wednesday morning, as I was getting ready for school, I walked to see where Sabor was. There he was again back in the kitchen lying there restless like he had gotten no sleep. I went up to him to see if he was okay but yet again he was still panting and still not acting himself.  I walked away to get dressed and saw my grandma was up.

“Grandma,” I said, urgently,  “I think you should really try and get Sabor in to the vet today.”

My grandma replied, “I know, me and your grandpa are going to call the vet in about an hour to see if they have a open spot for him today.”

“Alright, well I'm going to school.”

“Okay! Have a good day.”

Off to school with all this on mind, I really wasn't able to focus, but, before I knew it, my 11:50 class ended and I was on my way home. As I made it home, I walked in the house STARVING and ready to eat. But I realized something was really different when I walked in the house this time.

“Hey Grandpa!” I said.

“Hey, what’s up.”

“Nothing much, where’s Sabor?”

“Well..he’s at the vet, but I'm going to have your grandma tell you the rest.”

“No, Grandpa. What’s wrong with Sabor?”

“Well..” my grandpa said, “the dog is bleeding internally and..” Before my grandpa could finish, my grandma walked in.

“We had to put him to sleep.” I blankly stared..trying to fight back the tears..

My grandma said, “The surgery for the dog would cost $4,000 dollars and that wouldn't even be a guarantee that he would stay alive and...”

“Okay, Grandma that’s enough; I need time to take this all in,” I said.

I rushed into my room and sat on the bed and cried. I had guilt flinging through my mind just thinking about how I didn't get to say the last goodbye to him and of not being able to take him on his last walk. I've had this dog for eleven years and he is gone. But I know that he had a great life on earth, so, wherever dogs may go, I know he is happy and no longer has to suffer.

Welcome

My name is Drew Buford, And I am writing a blog for my English 1100 class. I am eighteen years old and attending the Delaware Columbus State Community College. I am currently undecided on what I would like to be but I plan to major in Psychology and minor in Social Work. I am interested in this field because children need more adults they can look up to and talk to more. I plan on transferring from Columbus State and going to Ohio University to get my bachelors degree then an additional two more years to get my masters. The main reason I chose to come to Columbus State is because its cheaper and close to home which allows me to stay debt free and still be able to work.