Pyromasters
Wacky Wordsearch
Vocab
Consternation (310) - alarm: fear resulting from the awareness of danger
Cacophony (311) - harsh, discordant sound : dissonance
Figurative Language
1) "[...] a purple pear-shaped blot in the sky above the fields northwest of town. Avery squinted behind his gold-tinted glasses as white-hot plasma erupted from the warship's prow. A waterfall of ionized gasses splashed down in a boiling veil. Then the ship inched forward, leaving a blackening plume of smoke" (285). In this section there was a lot of imagery and this is an example of it. You can clearly imagine what this huge warship would look like and all the havoc it would reek.
2) "It's gate was just a break in a low ironwork fence framed by two lampposts in an antique style-simulated gaslights whose frosted glass chimneys hid ultraefficent sodium-vapor bulbs" (286). This is another example of imagery because it paints a picture of what the camp looks like with the iron fence and the lights.
3) "[...] activating the energy cores mounted above the machines' generators. With a crackle of sparks and belching purple exhaust, the vehicle's seat rose from the hanger floor, perfectly balanced against the weight of their bladed wheels" (315). Yet again we have more imagery with the floating seat of this vehicle. Also the picture of the plasma and the exhaust help with the image.
Quote
"Four vehicles now sat where the bays had stood. Each was a collection of slightly different parts, but they shared the same general design: two bladed wheels sandwiched together inside a reinforced chassis; behind each set of wheels was a single anti-gravity generator; and behind the generator a seat with high handles that Maccabeus assumed were the vehicles' steering mechanisms" (315). I choose this quote because I thought it was interesting and it has a unique significance. First off these vehicles which are later called choppers were originally built for plowing and farming but they were adapted for use in battles. So the jump from farm equipment to battle equipment is kind of weird at least in my mind. But this is significant because they are one of the best technologies the Brutes have which leads to victories later on.
Theme
The theme for this section is that even if you can't win a conflict for example doesn't mean your going to lose. You can take a bad situation and adapt it so a bad outcome won't occur or of it's inevitable, well then you can still make it so it won't be as bad of an outcome.
Post B
For this post I thought I would comment on a interesting quote. The quote is, "The Jiralhanae had determined the orbital was part of a lifting system the aliens used to move cargo to and from the surface. On Maccabeus' orders, the Unggoy had established outposts at its seven cable junctions-gaps in its hull for the golden wires that stretched up from the planet's surface, through the orbital, and on to another silver arc much farther above" (302). The reason I picked this quote is because when you look at this quote in a vacuum without the plot, characters etc... it makes you think what we as a civilization will be like in 500 or so years concerning technology. Apart from this space station in the book humanity has colonized other planets so we have ships that can travel in slip space. Then there is also cryo sleep so you don't age while traveling to other planets and then there are beings like AI and the obvious advanced weaponry and things to do with the military. So it's kind of interesting to think were we'll be from outer space travel to finding aliens all the way to flash-cloning organs and having these much more advanced AI than we do now. So that's why I picked this quote, it made me stop reading and think about the future.
Pyromasters courtesy of addictinggames
Wordsearch courtesy of addictinggames
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Week 7 Posts A/B
Vocab
Appendages (267) - part(s) that is joined to something larger
Infatuation (279) - foolish and usually extravagant passion or love or admiration
Figurative Language
1) "The aged hermit was now staring up at the Oracle. The device was slacked in its armature, thin smoke twisting from the gap around its lens" (278). This is an example of imagery. It is describing these two characters and what they appear like to the reader.
2) "The vault's dark walls began to glow as their veinlike pathways brightened inside them" (276). This is an example of a simile because it is describing the walls as veinlike and in truth they aren't obviously veins.
3) "The alien Avery decided was the leader-the one with golden armor and helmet with a V-shaped crest that swept back from its head like two jagged saw-blades-carried an additional item: a long-handled hammer with a stone head that must have weighed at least as much as Byrne" (245). This is an example of imagery because the alien leader is clearly described from his armor to his weapons etc.
Quote
"<\\> HARVEST.SO.AI.SIF >> HARVEST.AO.AI.MACK
<\ I'm in trouble.
<\ They've boarded the Tiara.
<\ Please help \>" (280).
I choose this quote because it is part of the subplot to this book. In the time this whole set of events happens humankind has become a lot more tech savy. So now there among other things there are AI that help from the biggest thing to the smallest. So specifically there are 2 AI in this book Sif and Mack and they have their own plot that happens. But the format you see above is the format they use to communicate to each other via circuits. So I thought this was interesting and I choose to use it. If you want to find out more about the subplot you should read the book because even though the book is all about this war, fighting etc, the subplot actually is a love story (which I'll talk about in a later post).
Theme
The theme for this part of the book is the inevitability of these aliens killing the inhabitants and destroying the planet it's self. The humans now know these aren't friendly aliens and going off of an evac plan which is about to put in place but they know they can't be offensive, it's a defensive plan their putting in place which connects to the theme.
Post B
For this post I thought I would comment on a quote I thought was really interesting and well placed into the book. The quote is "Now it was Fortitude's turn to feel weak in the knees. He grasped the arms of his throne and tried to come to terms with an impossible revelation: each glyph represented a Reclaimer, not a relic, and each Reclaimer was one of the planet's aliens-which could only mean one thing. "The Forerunners," the Minister whispered. "Some were left behind" (275). This is talking about the Covenant and how this religious technology an Oracle built by the Forerunners the society the Covenant revere just spoke and it spoke of the humans and how they are actually Forerunners or decendents of them. The reason this is important because the entire Covenant religion is based on the Forerunners so if the different species found out that their core religious values are a lie it would lead to a civil war. So because of this single event it leads to the Human-Covenant war because these individuals that heard this don't want the rest of the Covenant to know for reasons I just explained so in their minds it would be better to kill all of humanity to keep this secret safe. So the irony is the Covenant worship these Forerunners and now a select number of them found out that there are decendents of the Forerunners and they want to kill them all off so there won't be civil war. So there is this huge twist which is the whole reason all the other events happen.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Week 6 Posts A/B
Vocab
Chitinous (227) - somewhat translucent
Reliquary (236) - A box or other container for relics.
Figurative Language
1) "Extending back from the wheel was the beginnings of a chassis. Loops of wire and circuit boards pilfered from the bay hung from the neatly welded frame, awaiting placement of the engine, whatever that was going to be...." (230). This is an example of imagery because the reader can imagine the plow being built and what it looks like.
2) "These are the Ages of our Covenant - the cycle we must complete again and again as we strive to follow Those Who Walked the Path" (224)! This is an example of personification. This specific quote is describing a relic and the characters are personifying it with these god-like traits.
3) "Just hearing his Staff Sergeant's name made Jenkins' stomach churn. He and the rest of the recruits had spent the day bellyaching about the heat, unaware they'd been resting between the jaws of a well-set trap" (218). This is an example of foreshadowing because this quote specifically is hinting at an event that is about to happen.
Quote
"Part of him wished al-Cygni had included all the footage - shown the methane explosion and Avery's mad scramble away from the fireball - if only to prove to the recruits that sometimes caution was the better part of valor" (241). I thought this was an interesting quote because it's like government's in the status quo being bias with their propaganda. They show the good things that happen but never the bad things or the consequences. So I thought this quote was interesting.
Theme
The theme for this part of the book is really just the calm before the storm. Now I know technically that's not really a theme but it truly applies so that's why I have it. This part goes real in depth about the humans' preparation for this new alien species their about to encounter. So that's mostly what happens and this links back to the theme.
Post B
For this post I thought I would talk about an interesting quote I read. "Now that all three were out in the light, Avery noticed they each had different-colored- fur tufting through breaks in their armor. The leader's coat was light gray, almost silver. One of the escorts had dark brown fur and the other, tan. This second escort was actually a bit taller than the leader and more muscular, though Avery knew this was a bit like comparing two models of main battle tanks: one might weigh more than the other, but both would have no trouble flattening the 1/A recruits" (247). I thought it would be really interesting to picture actually meeting aliens with technology that is far more superior than your's. I mean just think about seeing these huge around 8ft tall gorilla type aliens that could crush your head with a hand, kinda scary. Connecting to the book is the point that Joseph also does a really good job describing the Brutes they get to be known as. For example he talks about one type of their weapon, a pistol that shoots plasma spikes and has two bayonets attached to the sides. Another example is their ships. He describes them as a H looking shape with a stasis field in the middle and a ball shaped turret near the cockpit. Also he describes it when it lands as the water being suddenly evaporated from the plasma etc... It's these kinds of descriptions that makes the characters, vehicles etc feel more real and make the antagonists feel like this huge powerful juggernaut. So all in all this section is the calm before the storm as I talked about before and the descriptions really help to enhance the mood of the events happening and about to happen.
Chitinous (227) - somewhat translucent
Reliquary (236) - A box or other container for relics.
Figurative Language
1) "Extending back from the wheel was the beginnings of a chassis. Loops of wire and circuit boards pilfered from the bay hung from the neatly welded frame, awaiting placement of the engine, whatever that was going to be...." (230). This is an example of imagery because the reader can imagine the plow being built and what it looks like.
2) "These are the Ages of our Covenant - the cycle we must complete again and again as we strive to follow Those Who Walked the Path" (224)! This is an example of personification. This specific quote is describing a relic and the characters are personifying it with these god-like traits.
3) "Just hearing his Staff Sergeant's name made Jenkins' stomach churn. He and the rest of the recruits had spent the day bellyaching about the heat, unaware they'd been resting between the jaws of a well-set trap" (218). This is an example of foreshadowing because this quote specifically is hinting at an event that is about to happen.
Quote
"Part of him wished al-Cygni had included all the footage - shown the methane explosion and Avery's mad scramble away from the fireball - if only to prove to the recruits that sometimes caution was the better part of valor" (241). I thought this was an interesting quote because it's like government's in the status quo being bias with their propaganda. They show the good things that happen but never the bad things or the consequences. So I thought this quote was interesting.
Theme
The theme for this part of the book is really just the calm before the storm. Now I know technically that's not really a theme but it truly applies so that's why I have it. This part goes real in depth about the humans' preparation for this new alien species their about to encounter. So that's mostly what happens and this links back to the theme.
Post B
For this post I thought I would talk about an interesting quote I read. "Now that all three were out in the light, Avery noticed they each had different-colored- fur tufting through breaks in their armor. The leader's coat was light gray, almost silver. One of the escorts had dark brown fur and the other, tan. This second escort was actually a bit taller than the leader and more muscular, though Avery knew this was a bit like comparing two models of main battle tanks: one might weigh more than the other, but both would have no trouble flattening the 1/A recruits" (247). I thought it would be really interesting to picture actually meeting aliens with technology that is far more superior than your's. I mean just think about seeing these huge around 8ft tall gorilla type aliens that could crush your head with a hand, kinda scary. Connecting to the book is the point that Joseph also does a really good job describing the Brutes they get to be known as. For example he talks about one type of their weapon, a pistol that shoots plasma spikes and has two bayonets attached to the sides. Another example is their ships. He describes them as a H looking shape with a stasis field in the middle and a ball shaped turret near the cockpit. Also he describes it when it lands as the water being suddenly evaporated from the plasma etc... It's these kinds of descriptions that makes the characters, vehicles etc feel more real and make the antagonists feel like this huge powerful juggernaut. So all in all this section is the calm before the storm as I talked about before and the descriptions really help to enhance the mood of the events happening and about to happen.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Week 5 Posts A/B
Vocab
Rampant (177) - unrestrained and violent
Assemblage (182) - hookup: a system of components assembled together for a particular purpose
Figurative Language
1) "Of all the Sangheili's restrictions. not letting a Huragok join his crew had been the most crippling. But now here one was. And although it would be a serious crime to let the creature fix intentionally disabled systems, not even the Sangheili could complain if it made necessary repairs" (204). This is an example of foreshadowing. It is showing an event that will happen later on in the book
2) "But then came the revelation that the pod's life-support system was fatally flawed. And after many cycles without sign of rescue, Dadab had slunk into a deep depression. I will die, he moaned, adrift in a mess of crumpled food pouches" (190). This is another example of foreshadowing. It's shows a possible event that could happen later on in the book.
3) "Like everything else about her avatar, its eyes and ears were strictly for show. But as fluorescent strip-lights flickered on above the projector, Sif availed herself of the center's cameras and microphones, and used them to properly animate her avatar's face as she inspected her surroundings" (178). This is an example of imagery. It shows what a character in the book looks like and it gives the reader that specific image.
Quote
"In this respect, Maccabeus knew, it was the Sangheili who had the last laugh. His crew did have limited technical ability. They had struggled just to keep Rapid Conversions limited systems from falling apart, and the once-mighty vessel really was nothing more than the Ministry of Tranquility survey tug the Sangheili allowed it to be" (201). I just posted this quote not because it's important or anything but I thought it was interesting. It shows the inequality going on between the antagonists.
Theme
This part of the book had an emerging theme of the antagonists really being in the spotlight. Not only that but it shows this huge technologically advanced civilization that is so advanced and yet they have these problems with equality when it comes to different species. So because of this I put it as the theme.
Post B
For this weeks Post B I thought I would comment on a quote I found in the sections. The quote is, "As part of the specie's confirmation process, some of the Sangheili Commanders had declared their strong suspicion before the High Council that the Jiralhanae's pack mentality would invariably bring the two species into conflict. Dominant Jiralhanae always fought their way to the top, the Commander argued, and they didn't believe even the Covenant's rigid hierarchy would be sufficient to moderate their natural urges. Until they proved themselves subservient, whatever peaceful urges they had should be "aggressively encouraged." It was a reasonable argument, and the High Council imposed clear restrictions on the kinds of technology the Jiralhanae could use. And so, Maccabeus thought, did we set aside out of pride for a higher purpose" (199). I thought this was a really unique quote because it shows the paradox of having to give up rights to gain other rights. This is definitely linked to the real world whether it be the US and the rights we get or many other issues. You have to think about all the positive things you'll gain but you also have to consider the positive things your going to lose, there are a lot of opportunity costs. So even thought this book is fiction and people might see it as completely unrelated, there are actually many links and connections in the books to the real world. So that's why I put this quote here for this post and it's a good little paradox to think about.
Rampant (177) - unrestrained and violent
Assemblage (182) - hookup: a system of components assembled together for a particular purpose
Figurative Language
1) "Of all the Sangheili's restrictions. not letting a Huragok join his crew had been the most crippling. But now here one was. And although it would be a serious crime to let the creature fix intentionally disabled systems, not even the Sangheili could complain if it made necessary repairs" (204). This is an example of foreshadowing. It is showing an event that will happen later on in the book
2) "But then came the revelation that the pod's life-support system was fatally flawed. And after many cycles without sign of rescue, Dadab had slunk into a deep depression. I will die, he moaned, adrift in a mess of crumpled food pouches" (190). This is another example of foreshadowing. It's shows a possible event that could happen later on in the book.
3) "Like everything else about her avatar, its eyes and ears were strictly for show. But as fluorescent strip-lights flickered on above the projector, Sif availed herself of the center's cameras and microphones, and used them to properly animate her avatar's face as she inspected her surroundings" (178). This is an example of imagery. It shows what a character in the book looks like and it gives the reader that specific image.
Quote
"In this respect, Maccabeus knew, it was the Sangheili who had the last laugh. His crew did have limited technical ability. They had struggled just to keep Rapid Conversions limited systems from falling apart, and the once-mighty vessel really was nothing more than the Ministry of Tranquility survey tug the Sangheili allowed it to be" (201). I just posted this quote not because it's important or anything but I thought it was interesting. It shows the inequality going on between the antagonists.
Theme
This part of the book had an emerging theme of the antagonists really being in the spotlight. Not only that but it shows this huge technologically advanced civilization that is so advanced and yet they have these problems with equality when it comes to different species. So because of this I put it as the theme.
Post B
For this weeks Post B I thought I would comment on a quote I found in the sections. The quote is, "As part of the specie's confirmation process, some of the Sangheili Commanders had declared their strong suspicion before the High Council that the Jiralhanae's pack mentality would invariably bring the two species into conflict. Dominant Jiralhanae always fought their way to the top, the Commander argued, and they didn't believe even the Covenant's rigid hierarchy would be sufficient to moderate their natural urges. Until they proved themselves subservient, whatever peaceful urges they had should be "aggressively encouraged." It was a reasonable argument, and the High Council imposed clear restrictions on the kinds of technology the Jiralhanae could use. And so, Maccabeus thought, did we set aside out of pride for a higher purpose" (199). I thought this was a really unique quote because it shows the paradox of having to give up rights to gain other rights. This is definitely linked to the real world whether it be the US and the rights we get or many other issues. You have to think about all the positive things you'll gain but you also have to consider the positive things your going to lose, there are a lot of opportunity costs. So even thought this book is fiction and people might see it as completely unrelated, there are actually many links and connections in the books to the real world. So that's why I put this quote here for this post and it's a good little paradox to think about.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Week 4 Posts A/B
Vocab
Lustrous (159) - bright: made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
Audacious (127) - invulnerable to fear or intimidation
Figurative Language
1) "He remembered the alien's ruby eyes and sharpened teeth, the ball of plasma building on it's pistol like a shiny apple. (163)" This example of figurative language is a simile. It uses like to compare to types of things.
2) "The mottled stonework shone of a single hologram high above: a canopy of diamond-shaped leaves that rustled in a simulated breeze. (143)" This is an example of imagery. It lets the reader see what the setting looks like and it allows a mental picture.
3) "You want to shoot, you'll get your chance. He didn't have the heart to add: a whole lot sooner than you think. (139)" This is an example of foreshadowing. It is predicting an event that will happen later on in the book.
quote
"Jenkins also saw the militia as his ticket off of Harvest-a way to escape the thousands of acres of grain that he (as the eldest of three children) was destined to inherit. Farming wasn't a bad future, but it wasn't a very exciting one either. And that's why, even though the Staff Sergeants scared the hell out of him, Jenkins very much wanted to be them- a real soldier. Not because of any deep-seeded patriotism, but because of the imagined adventure of life as a UNSC marine. (137)" I just thought this quote was interesting not because there's any significance to it or anything but just because it was unique.
Theme
There wasn't really a big theme to this part of the book. The reason is though that this section is the calm before the storm so it was setting up the scenario for the next parts of the book to occur.
Post B
For this post I thought I would comment on the author's writing style. First off I have a quote which I think will help. "Avery didn't have time to adjust his aim before one of the trailing aliens slammed into him, slashing with some sort of crystal knife. He parried the knife with the barrel of his rifle as their helmets cracked together. Avery's helmet began to shake, and for a moment he thought the visor was about to shatter. Then he looked the alien square in the face and realized the vibrations were simply the transference of the creature's silent, livid scream... (129)" I chose this specific quote because it shows one aspect of Joseph's style. At least in my mind I find it intriguing because you have these peaceful moments and in the next instant there could be some huge event going on. There's also so much description that it really helps create a picture in your mind about what these characters are feeling and experiencing. Especially for me I really enjoy books that have a lot of action in them but at the same time also have a lot of different points of view because then you get to experience not only what the main character is experiencing but also what other characters are feeling such as the antagonist. Also on that line there is also a clear distinction between when action happens and when there is an emotional part so the book keeps you hooked because you don't get overwhelmed with too much action or too much of the emotional parts. So there is a good balance of everything all around and the book is really enjoyable.
Lustrous (159) - bright: made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
Audacious (127) - invulnerable to fear or intimidation
Figurative Language
1) "He remembered the alien's ruby eyes and sharpened teeth, the ball of plasma building on it's pistol like a shiny apple. (163)" This example of figurative language is a simile. It uses like to compare to types of things.
2) "The mottled stonework shone of a single hologram high above: a canopy of diamond-shaped leaves that rustled in a simulated breeze. (143)" This is an example of imagery. It lets the reader see what the setting looks like and it allows a mental picture.
3) "You want to shoot, you'll get your chance. He didn't have the heart to add: a whole lot sooner than you think. (139)" This is an example of foreshadowing. It is predicting an event that will happen later on in the book.
quote
"Jenkins also saw the militia as his ticket off of Harvest-a way to escape the thousands of acres of grain that he (as the eldest of three children) was destined to inherit. Farming wasn't a bad future, but it wasn't a very exciting one either. And that's why, even though the Staff Sergeants scared the hell out of him, Jenkins very much wanted to be them- a real soldier. Not because of any deep-seeded patriotism, but because of the imagined adventure of life as a UNSC marine. (137)" I just thought this quote was interesting not because there's any significance to it or anything but just because it was unique.
Theme
There wasn't really a big theme to this part of the book. The reason is though that this section is the calm before the storm so it was setting up the scenario for the next parts of the book to occur.
Post B
For this post I thought I would comment on the author's writing style. First off I have a quote which I think will help. "Avery didn't have time to adjust his aim before one of the trailing aliens slammed into him, slashing with some sort of crystal knife. He parried the knife with the barrel of his rifle as their helmets cracked together. Avery's helmet began to shake, and for a moment he thought the visor was about to shatter. Then he looked the alien square in the face and realized the vibrations were simply the transference of the creature's silent, livid scream... (129)" I chose this specific quote because it shows one aspect of Joseph's style. At least in my mind I find it intriguing because you have these peaceful moments and in the next instant there could be some huge event going on. There's also so much description that it really helps create a picture in your mind about what these characters are feeling and experiencing. Especially for me I really enjoy books that have a lot of action in them but at the same time also have a lot of different points of view because then you get to experience not only what the main character is experiencing but also what other characters are feeling such as the antagonist. Also on that line there is also a clear distinction between when action happens and when there is an emotional part so the book keeps you hooked because you don't get overwhelmed with too much action or too much of the emotional parts. So there is a good balance of everything all around and the book is really enjoyable.
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