"if i stay" by Gayle Forman directed by R.J. Cutler

Neph131

Research LH

Mr. Robinson

Period 2

Wednesday, May 13th, 2015

"Her reason to stay"

         In the movie “if i stay” directed by R. J. Cutler based on the book “if i stay” by Gayle Forman, a great use of strength, love, sacrifices and obstacles demonstrate the rewarding consequences of fighting for what you believe for.

The movie begins with Mia Hall, a young cellist and the narrator, eating breakfast with her family before she heads to school. After the radiocaster announces that there’s no school due to excessive amount of snow everywhere, her family decides to go visit Mia’s grandparents. Mia’s family get in a car accident due to a quick distraction. Mia wakes up to find her family’s now blazed car, flipped over and the medics trying to get the bodies out. She soon realizes that her spirit is the one awake and not her actual body, when she speaks to the medics and they don’t respond because of their inability to see and hear her. She then hops in the ambulance to the hospital. Mia wanders around the hospital to see if she can find out what happened to her mom, dad and little brother, Teddy. As she’s about to be operated on, a sympathetic nurse tells Mia that it is up to her whether or not she wants to stay. Which is where the themes of strength and fighting start to develop.

           Later, the audience ascertains that Mia’s mom was killed in the accident, her dad died on the operating room table, her brother is in critical condition, and she has a best friend friend, Kim, and a boyfriend, Adam. There are multiple time shifts throughout the movie. In one of the first flashbacks, the audience learns about Adam and more about Mia. Adam is the school’s most popular and attractive guy. He’s on his own, but neither Mia nor the audience finds out until later in the movie. He has his own band and asks Kim about Mia after he had watched her played the cello in the school’s practice room. Adam then asks Mia out on a date to a cello recital, where they show mutual affection towards one another. Unlike Mia, Adam plays rock and roll. Judging him, he comes off as a bad boy. However, it doesn’t stop Mia from attending his concerts and falling for him. Obstacle is portrayed when Adam has to leave because he had be signed by a record label. While Mia continues to hope that he’ll be back in town soon, Adam’s band is growing bigger and he has less and less time to spend with her. Additionally, Mia gets an audition to Juilliard. It takes a while for Mia to tell Adam about her audition and when she does he becomes upset and leaves for a week-long gig.

        Mia thinks about all the wonderful times she had with Adam and Kim, and the tough ones when he was away. She later finds out that Teddy has died from an epidural hematoma. While in her out-of-body experience, she sees her grandpa talk to her, revealing that her father gave up being in a band because he wanted to give her a better life and be a better father. He also, tearfully, gives Mia permission to move on from this life if she wants, which influences Mia to decide that she wants to die so that she can join her family on the other side. Then, the story flashes back to Mia at her audition for Juilliard, where she plays the best she has ever played, leading her to think that if accepted she will go. After a reconciliation with Adam, they talk about the huge possibility of her going to Juilliard, which ultimately leads to them breaking up and going their separate ways. Adam comes back with a birthday gift and asks Mia to move in with him as in if she decides to go to Juilliard, then he’ll go with her. The story goes back to present time where Adam tries to break in to see Mia with Kim's help.

        After a while, Mia appears stable enough to receive more visitors, meaning Adam and Kim. Mia sees the light and is about to let go once she finds out that she had lost her entire family, and walks toward it, only to be interrupted by her favorite piece from the first recital she attended with Adam, playing throughout the hospital. She follows the sound which leads to her hospital room, where she sees Adam has placed a pair of headphones in her ears playing music from his phone. Mia had to decide whether to stay in this life or move on to the afterlife. She had to think about what would happen if she stayed. Just before that, she watched her best friend talk to her, telling her that she has a family: Adam, Kim, Willow, a close family friend, and her grandparents.

            Adam and Mia are complete opposites, yet they compliment each other. Adam was Mia’s

strength and her true love. Mia was Adam’s strong, beautiful and talented princess from a fairytale.

She experienced things that she never did before with him, such as going to rock and roll concerts

and parties. He was the reason why she pulled through. She was his reason for always coming back.

From that moment that the nurse told Mia that the choice was up to her, she had to think about the

reason why she had to fight, her family. After finding out that she had lost them, she only had Kim

and Adam. Recalling her times with him are the main reasons why she decided to stay instead of

leaving. She had another family waiting for her. There were times while she was a spirit wandering

around, where she could have let go, but Adam influenced her to hold on tighter.

Law of Sines Poem

Neph131

05/13/15

 

    Law of Sines Poem

To start off, you have to know the formula:

Sin A/a = Sin B/b= Sin C/c

It's quite simple, can't cause any drama.

However, calculating this may cause an error for angles close to 90 degrees.

The law of sines is one of two trig equations.

Unlike many other formulas, it causes no frustration.

The law of sines is very useful,

And for triangles, it it crucial.

It can be used for right angles,

And it saves time.

While SOH CAH TOA entangles,

Using law of sines is prime.

Like the slices of tomato pie,

each angle is right across from their side.

We divide side a by the sine of angle A,

We do the same for angles B and C to sides b and c, respectively.

This is about as easy as it gets.

The law of sines can be used to solve for any triangle,

You can use it to find the unknown angle.

In order to figure out what it is that divides,

You need to know that the lowercase letters represent the sides.

The law of sines is mainly used to find lengths,

Now you see its main strengths.

To find an opposite angle, you need two sides,

And that's when you set the law of cosines aside.

The law of sines isn't practically exciting, however, it's one part of geometry that you would rather be doing.

Miss Hoffman keeps it simple and uses b/sinb= c/sinc rather than using sinb= h/b.

Like what in the malfunction is this?

To say the least, that's the reaction that came out of me.

Well, this is where it ends.

With simple law of sine and no tangents, and simple law of cosine and no secants.

Othello by Shakespeare exercise

Neph131

 04/20/15

Othello

EXERCISE 12 STYLE: ALLUSIONS

1.      Underline the allusions in the following sentences.

2.      Describe each allusion and how it relates to the plot of Othello and what happens in Act IV.

3.       

a.       history b. mythology c. religion d. folklore/superstition

ACT IV

__A__14. Do ye triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?

Othello asks Cassio is he’s happy now.

__C__15. If any wretch have put this in your head, let heaven requite it with the

serpent’s curse, for if she be not honest, chaste, and true, there’s no

man happy.

This represents Desdemona’s influence on Othello just like the serpent influenced Eve in the Bible.

__C__16. Had it pleased heaven to try me with affliction, had they rained all

kinds of sores and shames on my bare head, steeped me in poverty to

the very lips . . . I should have found in some place of my soul a drop

of patience.

This refers to Job in the Bible like God tested his patience and faith. Othello would rather go through what Job went through then be shamed by Desdemona.

_B___17. That have the office opposite to Saint Peter and keep the gate of hell!

Saint Peter is the gate keeper of hell. Desdemona has become more of the opposite of her character now. She’s no longer the pure and innocent girl.

__C__18. Why, who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a

monarch? I should venture purgatory for’t.

 

Othello Act I-III answers

Neph131
04/02/15

William Shakespeare’s Othello Reading Comprehension Questions

Act One Scene One

1. Why is Roderigo angry with Iago?
   Because Iago was supposed to get Desdemona to fall for him.
   
2. Why does Iago say” Go ahead and despise me if I don’t hate him.”
   This portrays that Iago will go after what he wants. He let greed get the best of him.
   
3. Who has Othello promoted to lieutenant?
   He promoted Cassio.
   
4. Why does Iago remain in the military under Othello’s leadership?
   Because he is the Venetian Army’s general. He is great at what he does.
   
5. Why do Iago and Roderigo call Othello racists, derogatory names?
   Because Othello is Black and he is the best there is at what he does as a general; he is despised because they envy him.
   
6. For what reason do they call on Brabantio?
   Because Othello and Desdemona had eloped.
   
7. Why is Brabantio angry over Desdemona and Othello’s marriage?
   Because he doesn’t approve of their love. He believes that Desdemona was drugged into marrying Othello.
   
8. Why is Roderigo upset over the marriage?
   Because he loves Desdemona and she ended up eloping with Othello.

Act One Scene Two

9. In the beginning of the scene in what ways is Iago scheming against Othello?
   He tells Othello that Roderigo has insulted him.
   
10. Why is Othello unaffected by Brabantio’s potential threats regarding the marriage to his daughter?
    Because he is the Venetian Army’s general and his potentials have been great use to them.
    
11. According to Brabantio, why has Desdemona married Othello?
    He believes that Othello drugged her and that he  is using witchcraft.
    
12. Why does Othello refuse to fight?
    He wants to prove himself to the duke and not make the duke’s assumption true. He wants to prove that his love is genuine and not witchcraft and drugs.
    

Act One Scene Three

13. What confusion is there regarding the destination of the Turkish fleets?
    There isn’t an exact number of fleets, therefore, everyone conclude that it’s massive. A sailor confirms that the fleet is in fact not heading to Cyprus, but to Rhodes.
    
14. What do the Senators and the Duke think of Othello?
    They think highly of him for they called him “vallant” and stated that they must “employ” him for his great skills.
    
15. How might such an opinion be an advantage for Othello?
    His importance is highlighted which can be used in his defense in front of Brabantio, when he discusses his love for Desdemona.
    
16. What physical weakness does Othello claim to have?
17. According to Othello, how will this matter be solved?
18. Explain how Desdemona came to fall in love with Othello?
    His bravery and war tales attracted her to him.
19. Why did Othello fall in love with Desdemona?
    She was attracted to his tales, she “pitied” them.
    
20. Explain the meaning of Duke’s quote: “Men will use their broken weapons rather than their bare hands.”
21. Explain Desdemona’s response.
22. What advice does the Duke give to Brabantio with his proverb? He tells him to let it go since it’s already done. He tells Brabantio to let the racism go and appreciate Othello’s virtues instead.
23. Why must Othello return to war with the Turks?
    Because the crisis (war) requires immediate action.
    
24. Where will Desdemona live while Othello is away?
    She wants to join him at war.
    
25. With whom does Othello leave Desdemona until she can join him?
    She stays with Iago and Iago’s wife.
    
26. In the end how does Brabantio feel about his daughter?       
    He remains vindictive and disappointed, he even warns Othello that she might deceive him as well.
            
27. Explain Iago’s belief regarding human’s ability to choose who we are and how we feel.
    He sees it pathetic. He tells Roderigo to have some self-respect and not dwell on his love for Desdemona.
    
28. Why does Iago continue telling Roderigo to fill his pockets with money?
    Because there’s something in for Iago. Iago tells Roderigo that for Iago’s own benefits. Roderigo was paying Iago to make his relationship with Desdemona possible anyway. He makes it seem that if Roderigo has money, then Desdemona will be attracted to him.
    
29. The truth comes out!  What is the real reason why Iago hates Othello?
    He loves Othello’s wife, Desdemona.
    
30. Explain Iago’s plan of revenge against Othello.
    He plans on spreading a rumor that Desdemona is cheating on Othello with Cassio.

Act Two Scene Three

31. Explain two reasons why Cassio is upset.
    He has been beaten to the point that he states that his reputation has perished and Iago played him.
    
32. What advice does Iago give Cassio to restore his military position?
    He tells Cassio to go see Desdemona so she could convince Othello to reemploy Cassio.
    
33. What flaw of Desdemona’s does Iago hope to use again her?
    He hopes to use her own kindness against her.
    
34. What other plans is Iago making regarding his plan of revenge?
    Besides using Desdemona's kindness against her, he figured that his advice to Cassio falls right into his plan to make Othello jealous. He furthers his plan by saying that he will bring Othello to the scene where his wife is talking to Cassio, which will make it look out of concept.
    

Act Three Scene One

35. What is Emilia’s role in Iago’s plan regarding Cassio and Desdemona?
    Iago wants to use Emilia and have her to plead Cassio’s case to Desdemona, who will then plead the case to Othello.  

Act Three Scene Three

36. Othello sees Cassio as he was leaving his wife’s company.  Why is this a part of Iago’s plans?
    Othello’s jealousy for his wife might get the best of him. Seeing Desdemona with Cassio will give Othello a motive to hate Cassio and break it off with Desdemona which could potentially lead to her being Iago’s.
    
37. How does Iago act when at first mentioning Cassio’s probable involvement with Desdemona?  Why is this so effective?
    He comments on how bizarre it is that Cassio was talking to Desdemona and how he left s soon as Othello came_ implying that something is going on between Cassio and Desdemona.
    
38. Why does Iago continually speak good regarding Cassio as a person?  How does Iago use this as a ploy to entrap Othello?
    Because he wants his plan to go through indirectly and knows Othello’s weakness better than Othello knows it himself. He implants little hint inside Othello’s head. By complimenting, later implying dishonesty, about Cassio’s character, he amplifies Othello’s jealousy by implying that Desdemona would go for Cassio.

39-41. What three facts regarding Desdemona and Othello’s marriage does Iago use to further bring doubt into Othello’s mind?
He  uses Othello’s jealousy and insecurity, and Desdemona’s kindness and vulnerability. He drops uncomfortable hints on how nice Cassio and Desdemona were to each other and made it seem like it would bother him if he was Othello and Desdemona was his wife.

42. How will Desdemona’s pressuring of Othello to reinstate Cassio convince Othello of her alleged affair?
She’s persistent and vulnerable. She wouldn’t let Othello alone and she further said that she wouldn’t rest until Othello considered Casio’s case. She suggested different days that Othello could consider it when he says “not now”.

43. Othello is back and forth between believing Iago and believing the truth.  Explain Othello’s statement: “If she’s unfaithful, then heaven is faithless to itself! (159).
He sees Desdemona as his heaven which is suppose to be good and pure. By comparing Desdemona to heaven, he’s implying that Iago is lying and if his sweet Desdemona is not faithful, then neither is heaven as great as it is portrayed.

44. Predict: Why did Iago ask his wife to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief?
Because the handkerchief is a great symbol in Othello and Desdemona’s marriage. The handkerchief will be the ultimate weapon used in Iago’s master plan.

45. Explain Othello’s reasoning regarding the fact that he would have been better off not knowing about Desdemona’s affair.
He knows that his jealousy brings out his anger which brings out the worst out of him. Now that he knows, it will bother him to the point that he might end up hurting his wife, which is his way of “solving” the problem.

46. How does Iago effectively lead Othello from being close to killing him to provoking him to stop and think?
He tells Othello to watch Desdemona and Cassio closely which steers Othello’s attention from him. Then again he tells Othello that he’s probably overreacting.

47. What are two examples of “proof” does Iago have regarding the alleged affair?
He gives him a vivid description of Desdemona being with Cassio and he states that he heard Cassio call her out in his sleep.

Act Three Scene Four

48.  What is the significance of Desdemona’s handkerchief?
The handkerchief is the main symbol of their marriage, the handkerchief is the one thing that Desdemona always has with her and uses for Othello’s needs. It was a gift of Othello to Desdemona_ a family heirloom. The handkerchief later becomes the key of Iago’s master planning.

49. What does Othello believe has happened to the handkerchief?
He believes that Desdemona gave it to Cassio and didn’t in fact lose it.

50. How is Othello’s belief of Desdemona’ guilty furthered solidified?
Iago tells him that he saw Cassio with the handkerchief. When Othello asks Desdemona for the handkerchief and she didn’t have it, he assumes that what Iago said was true. Especially after Desdemona brought up Cassio’s case again. She makes it worse when she tells him that the handkerchief is not lost.

51. Desdemona tells Cassio that she can no longer speak on his behalf.  What changes her mind?
She reasons that Othello must be upset because of work, relating to Cyprus.

52. What does Cassio want Bianca to do with the handkerchief?  How did he come to have it?
He asked her to copy the patterns. He found it in his room, where Iago placed it.