Editorial on The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is a novel on bullies, violence, on a kid who challenges the system and too much power to the authorities.
In the story, Jerry attends the Trinity High School. He is a perfectly normal student whose mother has recently died. It is an annual schools tradition that the students should sell some chocolates for charity, however, this year, all students should sell the double of the usual quota. Selling chocolates is volountary and jerry refuses to sell the chocolates. Initially the other students regard him a as a hero and as symbol of the resistance but when the Vigils, the school gang, start acting in favour of the chocolate sell, the students, fearful, begin to oppose Jerry. Eventually Jerry is beaten up in a boxing match organized by the Vigils. This story is rather fascinating and it shows how older students behave towards younger ones.
In this school and its "protective environment", students are being bullied, beaten up and intimidated by the older students and particularly by the Vigils. In the schools, there is a strict hierarchy in which the younger students are at the bottom while the older ones are at the top. If a student is not appreciated by the Vigils, he will probably not be able to rise in this system because of the enormous influence they have. Although the teachers do not officially recognize them, they respect the Vigils too. In the story, the headmaster of the school will ask the Vigils to support his chocolate selling campaign because it was not having a particular success. All of the teachers are very strict, perhaps too much and, although the ability to prevent confusion is positive, too much severity limits the ability of the students.
What Jerry tries to do could be perhaps defined as anarchy, since it could be defined as a revolt against the system and an attempt to overthrow the school authorities. It is possible that the author might have been inspired by a historical event such as Ghandi's boycott against the British. However Jerry, unlike Ghandi, lacked of popular support and the people he is revolting against are too powerful for him.
In the school, a lot of violence, both physical and psychical, takes place. Violence and intimidation are mostly used by the Vigils, the school bullies. If a student notified the Vigils to an honest teacher, such as Brother Jacques, probably they would be dismantled. However, they are very able at intimidation and the students fear them, particularly Archie, and do not dare challenge their authority. Jerry's revolt was a perfect opportunity for them to gain the headmaster's approval while Jerry's beating gained the students' support and gave them a taste of their power.
In conclusion, the school's system is dominated by the eldest students and the Vigils, Jerry's revolt failed mostly because of lack of popular support while the Vigils use intimidation and violence to rule the school society.

Further information on The Chocolate War

Personal Aspect on Trieste: The architecture

Trieste is an excellent place for lovers of architecture. There are Roman ruins, Austro-Hungarian residences, Fascist monuments and other buildings. Caesar himself with his legions conquered Tergeste and started building public facilities, theatres, temples and other structures. Today the ruins of the Roman theatre and the temple are still visible. The cathedral of San Giusto was initially built by the Romans, was destroyed by the Longobards and rebuilt in the 9th century. It is a very fascinating building and should be visited by all appreciators of churches. During the brief occupation by the Republic of Venice, some Venetian style buildings were built but later demolished. Then Trieste joined the Austrian Empire and Austrian architects were delighted and started projecting several different buildings. Several Jugendstil residences were built, rococo buildings and several other architectural styles flourished in Trieste. During the Hapsburg domination, the city of Trieste developed enormously as it was one of the only Austrian ports and therefore a vital economical and commercial center. When the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell, Trieste became part of the Kingdom of Italy and when the Fascists rose, they decided to change Trieste. Fascist style is recognizable for its classical style and nationalism and various buildings in Trieste reflect this style.

Novel 10: The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson

The protagonist of The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson is a foundling named Annika. Secondary characters include Ellie, Zed, Pauline, Stephen, "La Rondine", Gudrun and professors Julius, Emil and Gertrude. The antagonists are Uncle Oswald, Aunt Mathilde and Frau Edeltraut. The story takes place in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and more specifically in the professors' house in Vienna, in Spittal, in Bad Haxenfeld and on the mountains. The story takes place in the last years of the nineteenth century during the Hapsburg Emperor Franz Joseph's rule. In the story, Ellie, a servant, finds a baby and brings her to her masters, the three professors. They agree to adopt her and they name her Annika. She lives with them until, when she is older, a German aristocrat named Frau Edeltraut von Tannenberg comes claiming that she is Annika's mother. Annika moves to Spittal, the Tannenberg castle where she meets her brother Hermann, her cousin Gudrun, the servant Zed, Uncle Oswald and Aunt Mathilde. She discovers that the family is very poor but Frau Edeltraut goes in Switzerland and when she returns she is rich. In the meantime, Annika finds on the shore of the lake, a box containing a picture of "La Rondine", an old Viennese friend who had died. Meanwhile, Annika's friends in Vienna start to investigate and discover that "La Rondine" had left to Annika to Annika and Frau Edeltraut had laid her hands on it. Then they also discover that Frau Edeltraut is not Annika's real mother and together with the Egghart's, "La Rondine's" family, they manage to get back the treasure. Annika returns to live in Vienna while Frau Edeltraut and Hermann sell Spittal and go live in Paris.

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Geography Entry on Trieste: The Foibe Landforms and the Doline

The Foibe are a Carsic landform formed when some land composed of calcium carbonate is eroded while the rock around it remains intact, creating a sinkhole. The erosion is mostly caused by acid rain precipitations and other kinds of water-caused weathering. These depressions are found all over the Carsic plateau that is divided between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. These crevices come in all sizes but usually they are narrow at the top and gradually expand. Doline is the Slovenian name for valley and is used to describe depressions in the ground. These landforms are found in several parts of the world, including the Carsic plateau, near Trieste. There are several different types of Doline of which some examples are the Funnel Dolina, the Composed Dolina and the covered Dolina. The Funnel Dolina is a sinkhole that has a greater width than depth by definition but can be bowl shaped rather than funnel shaped. A composed Dolina is when two or more funnel Doline become a larger Dolina. Covered Doline are a simple Dolina covered with trees. These Covered Doline are interesting because there is a huge thermal inversion in them and they often contain ice even in the most torrid summers.

Further information on the Foibe
Further information on the Doline

Historical Entry on Trieste: The Foibe Massacres

The Foibe are a Carsic landform in which some land made of calcium carbonate is eroded while the rock around it is not. This creates the crevices known as the Foibe. These crevices are found, amongst other places, on the Carsic plateau. The Foibe were used since ancient times as dumps and garbage and other unwanted objects were thrown in them. The Foibe became a serious issue only in 1945, during Tito's forty days in Trieste. The Yugoslavians were furious at the Italians and Germans because they had massacred several thousands of Yugoslavian civilians only because they pertained to the Slav race. So, they decided to revenge and started to kill any Italians who were suspected of being pro-fascist regime, however, several innocent people were killed. The Yugoslavians had to get rid of the bodies, so they decided to throw the carcasses into the Foibe. The Yugoslavians were rather amused and started to organize many killings at the Foibe. They would shoot people so when they were shot they would fall into the crevices, but they enjoyed particularly to tie several people together in a line and shoot the first person so he would fall into the crevices and carry the others with him still alive. It is estimated that up to 6,000 people were killed in this way in the Carsic plateau only but the number increases throughout the rest of Yugoslavia, however information are controversial. The killings stopped when the Allies entered Trieste and the Yugoslavians retreated. This event should make us reflect about the futile cruelty of some human beings and should convince us to try to avoid that similar massacres happen again.

P.S: This information was collected by interviewing some Triestine people who were present at the times of these massacres.

Novel 9: Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

The protagonists of the novel Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper, are the three brothers Simon, Barney and Jane Drew. Secondary characters include Great-Uncle Merry, the kids' parents, the dog Rufus and the domestic. The antagonists are a yachtsman, his sister, the boy Bill and Mr. Hastings. The story takes place in Trewissick and, more specifically, in the Grey House, the grail's hiding place, on the beach, in the nearby woods, in the center of Trewissick and on the coastline. The story takes place in an unspecified time but I presume it takes place in the late 1980's or first 1990's. In the story, the Drew family goes to visit Trewissick with Great-Uncle Merry and reside in the Grey House, an old fisherman's house. The house is old and mysterious, so the kids decide to explore it. They find a secret room and discover an old map that leads to a grail. The children show the map to Merry, who tells them that they must find the grail. In the meanwhile, also the yachtsman and his sister are after the grail and with the help of Bill, they try to capture the siblings. The Drews, with the help of Rufus' instinct, manage to find all the hints and uncover the grail's hiding place. However, the town's vicar, who really is a man known as Mr. Hastings, is collaborating with the yachtsman. The children find a cave near the shore and in it, the grail. They are attacked by Mr. Hastings but Great-Uncle Merry intervenes. Merry says that the three children had been collaborating with the Light against the Dark by retrieving the grail, a powerful object. This is a wonderful story that combines the legend of King Arthur with fantasy and imagination.

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Character Analysis on Demetrius of a Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare

In the novel A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, Demetrius is an Athenian aristocrat who wants to marry Hermia. Initially, Demetrius could be defined as the antagonist because he tries to marry Hermia even if she does not want and he drives away Helena, his previous girlfriend, even though she loves him desperately. Hermia's father Egeus wants Hermia to marry Demetrius whereas she loves Lysander. Demetrius could be defined cruel because he tells Helena that he will leave her to the mercy of the wild beasts if she will continue to pursue him. When Lysander leaves Hermia, she asks Demetrius to help her find him but he replies that he would rather give Lysander's carcass to his hound. However Demetrius really loved Hermia and even pursued her through the dangerous woods. Eventually, because of magical influence he will fall in love in Helena and after a fight with Lysander, who has been magically influenced too, Lysander will marry Hermia and Demetrius will marry Helena. When Hermia's father Egeus will ask the governor of Athens that Hermia shall be executed for disobedience, Demetrius will protect her, changing from the antagonist of the story to a hero.

Further information on the play

Blitzkrieg

On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Allied nations believed it would resemble the First World War, dominated by trench warfare, however they were wrong. Fast and mobile German armies attacked Poland from the German border and from German-controlled Czechoslovakia. Attacks were often preceded by precise and effective bombings carried out by Stuka dive-bombers and Junker and Heinkel altitude-bombers. Then the fast panzer divisions would cut through the enemy lines. Panzer is the abbreviation of Panzerkampfwagen that were the German tanks. There were many different models that gave German armored divisions an excellent tactical flexibility. They were powerful and outdated many Allied tanks and were projected to cut through enemy infantry while dealing with their heavy weapons. Finally the infantry would kill or capture the survivors. This tactic proved extremely efficient and by October 6, 1930 Poland had been conquered. On April 8, 1940, Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. Denmark capitulated on April 10 while Norway resisted until June 10. On May 10, Germany invaded and occupied Luxembourg and attacked Holland, Belgium and France. Holland was defeated on May 17 while Belgium capitulated on May 27. France surrendered on June 22 after a series of humiliating defeats.

Further information on the Blitzkrieg

Novel 8: Empire of the Sun by James Graham Ballard

The protagonist of the Empire of the Sun by James Graham Ballard is a boy named Jim. Secondary characters include Jim's parents; Basie, an American cabin-steward and Dr. Ransome. The antagonists are the Japanese. The story takes place during World War II in the Pacific theatre, specifically in Shangai, an open-air cinema, Lunghua camp and the area around Shangai. Jim is an English boy in Shangai and when the Japanese conquer the city, he is separated from his parents. He wanders through the city, is captured by the Japanese and is enclosed in an open-air cinema. Then, with Basie and Dr. Ransome, he is transferred to Lunghua camp. There his life continues and when Japan looses the war and the prisoners are freed, he does not know what to do without the Japanese and tries to find his parents. Eventually, he finds them and goes to England. This is a powerful story on the harsh conditions of Japanese prisoner camps.

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History of Trieste

Trieste is a city found in northeastern Italy, on the Adriatic Sea and at the border with Slovenia. This city had a long history of foreign occupations and invasions. Trieste was founded in the third millennium b. C by the Carni tribe. Various tribes fought for the control of the settlement until it was conquered in 177 b. C. by Julius Caesar who named it Tergeste. When the barbarians annihilated the Western Roman Empire, Tergeste remained under Byzantine control and became an important military center and port. In 788 a. C, it became part of the Frank kingdom, became a free city and after a brief occupation by the Republic of Venice, Trieste joined the Austrian Empire. It became an important port but was occupied by Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars. After Napoleon's first defeat in 1813, Trieste returned to the Austrian Empire. During the beginning of the twentieth century, Trieste was home to many artists and thinkers such as Joyce, Svevo and Saba. After World War I came to an end, Trieste was transferred from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the Italian Kingdom. Many different cultures coexisted in Trieste but this peace came to an end during World War II. Trieste is remembered for three terrible events: The “Risiera” concentration camp, the “Foibe” massacres and the Exodus of the Istrians. During the Worls War II, after the Italian armistice, Trieste became part of the German-controlled Adriatic Littoral Operation Zone. There was a struggle for the city's control between the Allies and Yugoslavians, who shot on a pro-Italian manifestation killing five civilians. However, the Yugoslavians, under Allied pressure, left Trieste. In 1947, Trieste became an independent state known as the "Free Territory of Trieste" and was under Anglo-american influence. Trieste returned to the Republic of Italy on October 26, 1954.

Further information on the city
Further information on the "Foibe" massacre
Further information on the "Risiera"
Further information on the Istrian exodus

Evidence that I completed my work and what grade I expect

Our L.A teacher told us to write a post on which I myself say that I have completed my work. This is an ensurance he took because if some of my classmates has not finished his or her work but writes the very same blog I am writing, it is a lie and therefore, punishable. Here is my post.

"Dear Mr. P,

Good evening, I dearly hope you enjoyed a pleasant journey. I wrote all my six blog entries and the six rough copies are all held in my Language Arts notebook.

As a grade, I believe I should get a grade ranging from an A- to an A+. To support this, I have 7 reasons:

I: I performed all the work we were supposed to do without exceptions.

II: I completed all the work you assigned before the due date and were all published when you asked to see them.

III: The grammar I used was rather good, for my age and nationality, and I took care in using the right tenses and word orders.

IV: I proofread my blog using different tools. I used the blog spell-check, the Open Office spell-check, the Microsoft Word spell-check and I personally read it three times to check it.

V: I did the best I possibly could to comment on the other blogs, however, there were some of my comrades who had not completed writing their entries and I am currently waiting for them to publish all their entries.

VI: I used the time in class very wisely and I passed all the time of all the lessons writing the entries, checking them and posting comments.

VII: I followed all the rules you gave us and I have specified in the title, what they are about and to what subject they are related. All of my entries respect the word limits (140-160 words for novel summaries and 150-200 words for entries on other subjects).

I hope you will enjoy the time you will spend in Boston.

Best regards

Matteo Z"

Italian Entry: Italian Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was a cultural and philosophical movement that took place in Europe during the 18th century. This movement was characterized by the loss of faith in God and the exaltation of scientific theories. This was the period during which Newton and Voltaire formulated their theories. The Enlightenment began in England and in France but it rapidly spread to other European countries. In Italy, the Enlightenment spread moderately compared to England and France. In Italy, the roots of the Enlightenment were the several scientific discoveries that contradicted what the Catholic Church had sustained throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The people started to describe the Church as a carrier of ignorance and superstition. In Italy, the Enlightenment (Illuminismo) spread also as a literary idea that was anti-God and pro-science. The literary style associated the Enlightenment with was the complete opposite of Romanticism in which God was praised and the logic was rejected because not able to explain many phenomena. The major exponents of Italian Enlightenment were Carlo Goldoni, Pietro Verri and Cesare Beccaria. Goldoni was a play-writer; Verri created the magazine Caffè, while Beccaria wrote books on the fundamental freedoms and collaborated to run the Caffè.

Further information on the Enlightenment

Science Entry: Electric circuits

More and more objects in the Modern Era rely on electricity. The basic item of an electrical system is called electric circuit, a complete path through which electric current can flow. Simple circuits are based on an energy source, some conducting wires and a resistor, but other elements can be added. An energy source provides the energy, while a switch is used to open and close the circuit. A resistor is a device, such as a light bulb, a computer or a microwave oven that converts electrical energy to another form of energy such as heat or light. An important information about an object in a circuit is related to its resistance. Objects with low or medium resistance are called conductors, and allows current to flow freely inside them. Objects with very high resistance are called insulators, and current do not flow easily inside them. The energy passes through the conductor in the wire while the insulator around the conductor protects people from electric shocks. Insulating materials are important in a circuit because if two conductors come in contact, they create an unintended path (also called a short circuit) causing a malfunction of the circuit itself.

Further information on electric circuits

Novel 7: The Blue Hawk by Peter Dickinson

The protagonist of the Blue Hawkby Peter Dickinson is the boy Tron. Secondary characters include Odah, the King and the One of Sinu. The antagonists are the priests and the Mohirrim. The story takes place in an ancient Egyptian-like world and specifically in the Temple, the Palace and the Pass of Gebindrath. The story-time is not specified but it takes place between the 1000 and 200 B.C. There are several gods and Tron is a priest of Gdu. Tron, under the influence of Gdu, steals the Blue Hawk, Gdu's servant. Tron uncovers a conspiracy organized by the priests against the King and flees. He discovers that the Mohirrim are invading the kingdom and with Odah and the Major Priest of Sinu removes a curse from the kingdom. He discovers that the gods are prisoners of that world and frees them. This is a fascinating novel and is a fictional example of the struggles between the monarchies and religions.

Link about the author

The Shifting Sands by Emily Rodda

The protagonist of The Shifting Sands by Emily Rodda is a boy named Lief. Secondary characters include Barda, Jasmine and the mysterious Doom. The antagonists are the Shifting Sands and the Shadow Lord. The novel does not have a specific time in which it takes place but the technologies available resemble those of the Middle Ages. The story takes place in the world of Deltora and more specifically in Rithmere and in the Shifting Sands. In the story, Lief, Barda and Jasmine cross the town of Rithmere while trying to find the lapis lazuli to restore the Deltora Belt. They compete in the Rithmere games, win some money to fund their expedition but are captured by the Shadow Lord's servants. They are freed by Doom and then continue to the Shifting Sands. There, they survive mortal perils and steal the lapis lazuli from the Shifting Sands. This novel is well written and is really interesting as all other Deltora books.

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Relationship between Romeo and Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Romeo and Benvolio are cousins and mebers of the house of Montague. They are intimate friends and do not hide secrets from each other. Romeo and Benvolio comfort each other when they have to face dilemmas and solve them together. Benvolio is peaceful and when a fight outbreaks, he always tries to calm the situation as in Act I Scene I when he tells some fighting servants "Part fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do." When Romeo is frustrated and forbids his parents to near him, Benvolio acts as a mediator and solves the situation. This is shown in Act I Scene I when Benvolio is with the Montagues and Romeo enters the scene. Romeo is disappointed and so Benvolio tells the Montagues "See, where he comes: so please you step aside; I'll know his grievance, or be much denied." So the parents exit and Romeo confesses that he loves Rosaline but that she declined his love. Even at the end, Romeo's relation with Benvolio does not change and they remain friends but Benvolio will be forced to reveal that Romeo slew Tybalt.

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Arthur King of the Middle March by Kevin Crossley

The protagonist of Arthur King of the Middle March by Kevin Crossley, is the adolescent Arthur. Other characters are Lord Stephen, King Arthur, Lancelot, Gawain, Milon and Serle. The antagonist is Sir William. The story takes place between 1200 and 1203 during the fourth Crusade. It takes place in Venice, Zara and in the Middle March. In this story, Arthur is chosen to be Lord Stephen's squire during the crusade. Arthur has a magical stone in which he sees the legend of King Arthur and his knights. Later, Sir William, Arthur's father, joins the crusaders that sets sail towards Zara, to conquer it. After the conquer of the city, they settle there for the winter, but Sir William and Lord Stephen duel and Sir William dies while Lord Stephen is deeply wounded. So Arthur has to leave the crusade and bring Lord Stephen back to the Middle March, where King Arthur's realm once stood.

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Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

The protagonist of Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan, is a boy named Darren. There are also Steve, Darren's sister Annie and Darren's parents. The antagonists are Madame Octa and Mr. Crepsley. The story takes place in the 1990's. The story's settings are the school, Darren's house, the old theatre and the graveyard. In this story Steve and Darren manage to get the tickets for the Cirque du Freak. There they see extraordinary things and Darren is attracted by a poisonous spider named Madame Octa while Steve is suspicious about her master, Mr. Crepsley, who really is a vampire. Steve asks Mr. Crepsley if he could make him his vampire assistant but Mr.Cresley refuses. Then, Darren steals Madame Octa and makes her perform small tricks, secretly, in his bedroom. One day Steve visits Darren's home and is bitten by Madame Octa. To save him, Darren will have to simulate his own death, become a half vampire and Mr. Crepsley's assistant.

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Demon Thief by Darren Shan

The protagonist of Demon Thief by Darren Shan is a boy named Cornelius. He has a baby brother called Art and two parents. There also is a group of demon hunters. The antagonist is the demon master Lord Loss. The story takes place approximately 30 years before Lord Loss takes place. The story takes place in a village called Paskington and in the world of the Demonata. In this story, Cornelius' brother is kidnapped by demons. Cornelius gets together with demons hunters to find his brother. Then Cornelius discovers that he has the power of creating portals between different worlds and uses this power to find his brother. Then he discovers that his brother is really a demon, servant of Lord Loss. A long time before, Cornelius had by accident opened a portal and had unconsciously stolen the demon. So at the end he discovers that he himself is the Demon thief.

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The Last Siege by Jonathan Stroud

The protagonist of the Last Siege by Jonathan Stroud, is a girl named Emily; the secondary characters are Marcus and Simon, while the antagonist is Marcus' father. The year the story takes place in is not stated but I assume it takes place in the 1980's. The story's setting is in a ruined castle near an English town. In this story Emily, Marcus, and Simon explore the castle and, one day, sleep in it. On another day Marcus escapes from his father, and hides in the castle where he meets his friends. There they resists a siege put up by Marcus' father to capture Marcus and bring him back home. This happens because Marcus says that his father has mistreated him while it really was not true. This is shown by the fact that Marcus' father tries to persuade Marcus to get out of the castle but Marcus refuses. Therefore, Marcus' father is forced to break into the castle.

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Lord Loss by Darren Shan

The protagonist of Lord Loss by Darren Shan is a boy named Grubbs. His family is made up by his parents, his elder sister Gret and himself . He lives a perfectly normal life until one night, demons kill his family and Grubbs barely escapes from them. Grubbs has an uncle named Dervish and another brother named Billy-E. The story takes place in Grubbs' home, at Dervish's home, at the insane asylum, in a forest and in a cellar. In the story Grubbs' family is murdered by demons and he is sent to his uncle's house where he finds his long lost brother who, as Grubbs will later discover, is a werewolf. Then Grubbs will be forced to fight Lord Loss, a powerful demon master. The story takes place because Grubbs' family is cursed and to free the family from the curse, Grubbs will have to challenge the deadly Lord Loss at a chess match.

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