/sens/: Sight and Hearing

Pictures represented simplicity in my life.The more pictures that appeared in a novel, the more easier it would be. I would spend my elementary school days lounging in my Ariel-matching-set pajamas while reading Junie B. Jones books. I grew too attached to the series (how could you not) and I ended up continuously reading those chapter books until 6th grade. However, at that point, my friends scolded me of reading "baby books" and  introduced me to Harry Potter. And just like any other adolescent 11 year old, I was addicted. Not only were the books actually interesting but there was an absence of pictures that took up half the page! Oh what a mature grown-up I was! As time passed, the presence of illustrations began to decrease and the subject of the novel became more mature. (coughBluestEyecoughcough)

Ms. Valentino, I think we now all know where
you got the notebook idea. 

As Scott McCloud put it, this was an example of books that were "easier" evolving to "'real' books". This progression resembles the relationship  between words and images. Although there may be an increase of language and a decrease of illustrations in more advanced novels, there is still a need of both visual and listening senses. For example, being in the pit orchestra for the school play, I am incapable to physically watch what is happening above. Although I have the ability to hear the lines of the performers; without the sight of their acting, I was unable to fully comprehend what was going on. I didn't even know Bloody Mary had a daughter until recently! Going back to what was mentioned before, although the relationship between language and pictures may be at uneven masses, they are equal in importance to interpretation. 

/kənˌsɪdəˈreɪʃn/: I bet you were too lazy to even try reading that.

We all have those moments. Wanting the remote control but it's too far away (approximately 10 inches) so you give up trying, having too much cereal but too little milk, and let's not forget the dreaded I-can't-find-the-other-sock catastrophe. All examples of First World Problems. Or FWP because even spelling that out is too difficult.
Some may say I have no right to accuse the idea of complaining of these small degree issues. This is true; I would be lying if I were to claim that I don't understand the practice of this laziness and have not personally gone through it. However, is it not a blessing that we are "cursed" with these problems in the first place?
These issues do not majorly affect our physical, emotional, or mental state. It is a gift that we possess a television, or have food available, or even have socks! The level of suffering is set on such low standards of "wants" but not on "needs". There is a lack of consideration for the world outside of our own personal environment. Yes, it is so difficult to think of a poor person after every lazy moment that occurs. That is a very exaggerated point. Rather, being aware of the availability of resources we are given.

/laɪf/: Chaos and Fragility

I felt so emotionally and mentally attacked in this movie. In the best way possible.

I think it is safe to say that this movie, "The Hours", has the top "what the heck is happening" moments for me. Going in blind with this movie really provided the thrill of unraveling the characters and their identities. With the plot twist upon plot twist, it was difficult to not become engrossed into the movie.
I found a connection between the chaos in the book and the movie. There would be switches of scenes just like a stream of consciousness in the novel. For example, the back and forth toss between Richard and his younger self was portraying his reflection upon his childhood memory.
Also can we please discuss how there was not one scene without a flower.
Whether it was in the background or on clothing, there was a hint of floral. The flowers slowly became a representation of life. How beautiful yet fragile existence can be. For a flower, just like life, there is nothing that will stop it from wilting to its demise. Time is vital to both. When Clarissa comes and brings flowers for Richard in the beginning of the movie, they are full of life. This suggests that whenever Clarissa comes to Richard, she brings a youthful vibe. However, near the end, towards Richard's death, the flowers have become wilted and colorless; this simulated the approaching end of his life.

oh look. flowers. Who would've guessed. 

/ˈpiːsfl/: Tranquility

"Going and coming, beckoning, signalling, so the light and shadow which now made the wall grey, now the bananas bright yellow, seemed to Septimus Warren Smith lying on the sofa in the sitting room; watching the watery gold glow and fade with the astonishing sensibility of some live creature wallpaper. Outside the trees dragged leaves like nets through the depths of the air; the sound of water was in the room and through the waves came the voices of birds singing...his hand lay there on the back of the sofa, as he had his hand lie when he was bathing, floating, on the top of the waves, while far away on shore he heard dogs barking and barking far away. Fear no more, says the heart in the body;fear no more." (139)
Septimus has reached a moment of peace in his tortured life. He is able to appreciate and admire his surroundings without the violent images that have once clouded his perspective. The hues in colors
 seem to become more distinct and nature itself has become composed. The emphasis especially on the "gold glow" and "bright yellow", reflects the rays of the sun, bringing out a warming effect. Yellow, studies have shown, stimulates mental activity and cheerfulness. Septimus was not able to accentuate these colors until this breakthrough, which causes him to realize that items around him actually consist of life and happiness instead of death.
Also, there is a constant reference to the water and waves. As discussed in class, waves indicate a repetition or a cycle, like actual waves. This metaphor was usually used in reflections upon time in the novel. However in this passage, the waves are a symbol of tranquility washing over his mind continuously. It marks a period of change. For Septimus, with "water in the room" mentioned several times,it portrays how his thirst for an ordinary viewpoint is quenched.
Despite all these positive vibes, rereading this passage almost made his death ironic. His suicide, acted out of panic and distress, contrasts with the serene environment that Septimus had created.

WAOW WATER AND YELLOW. MUCH PEACEFUL.

/dɪsˈɔːdə(r)/: Absence of Functionality

"Men must not cut down trees. There is a God. (He noted such revelations on the backs of envelopes.) Change the world. No one kills from hatred.Make it known(he wrote it down). He waited. He listened. A sparrow perched on the railing opposite chirped Septimus, Septimus, four or five times over and went on, drawing its notes out, to sing freshly and piercingly in Greek words how there is no crime and, joined by another sparrow, they sang in voices prolonged and piercing in Greek words, from trees in the meadow of life  beyond a river where the dead walk, how there is no death." (24-25)

Septimus,a man hopelessly lost in a sea of PTSD, wastes away days of viewing horrific scenes around him. Since he is mentally scarred, he is using self-therapy to cure his illness. He writes short sentences. The simplicity of these sentences contrasts with the traumatic events that are acted out in his mind. The sentences start short but gradually crescendo into longer and more complex thoughts.This change represents how his mind functions. Although he visually sees casual live surrounding him, in his head it is examined as something connected to war or death, creating a more chaotic atmosphere in his thoughts.
There is also a religious connection in which he mentions "God...such revelations". Revelations, the last chapter in the bible, discusses death and the end of world with the coming of Jesus. So even when Septimus attempts to gather his attention to religion, death is continuously incorporated.
He contradicts himself with pure to dark diction. He references to the song of "sparrow" which is widely known to be of a sweet tune, but he uses "piercing(ly)" right afterwards. Empathizing the  contrast between he yearns for versus what his reality is.
PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a very serious and devastating illness that has unfortunately taken place in Septimus. Although he tries to cope with this disorder, it is hopeless because it has completely taken over the functionality of his brain.