“Richard Cory” and “The Unknown Citizen” are both conveying that a person cannot be judged by his outward appearance. In “Richard Cory”, you would expect a well- rounded man who is generally happy and has his life laid out on a silver platter, while the “Unknown Citizen” had worked for his life, and received everything perfectly, just as he had worked for. These two poems clean up the idea of “Judging a Book By It’s Cover” and are expressed through irony, symbolism and social rank.
“Richard Cory” is more directed at a man who is specifically admired by the general public. Robinson’s opening stanza, “he was a gentleman from sole to crown. Clean favored, and imperially slim.” (Lines 3-4) suggests Cory was a well-rounded individual who’s life was perfectly puzzle pieced out. By contrast, “The Unknown Citizen” is not individually singled out, but is left as a perfectly unhappy man, “for in everything he did, he served the Greater Community.” (Line 4) Though these two men are admired by society, the feelings are not presented, to give off the effect their lives are flawless. Both Robinson and Auden pro I irony through the men’s appearance by saying they were “richer than a king” and “fully insured,” when in reality, loneliness and misery consumes the men as they walk through their daily life under the titles, “Richard Cory” and “JS/07/M/378.”
Despite the differences of the poems, both poets are symbolic and present the loneliness of each man in the same way. Robinson presents Cory as a “king” who is “admirably schooled in every grace.” For example, Cory was “everything (Line 10) and people believed his presence was a supply of “meat” and he had ability to “curse the bread.” Cory was seen as a man who could not only supply himself, but give off the positive, radiant vibes to others. His appearance was glamorous “sole to crown,” and he was “clean favored” (Lines 3 and 4) yet the high class, respectable man was troubled on the inside. Appearance is the perfect was to present wholeness as an individual because it flatters the outer shell of the body, reflecting the thoughts and feelings. Though appearance does not show misery and loneliness. While Robinson represents a well known man as being happy and content, Auden reflects on an unknown man who was “popular with his makes,” more than he was “The Greater Community” (Line 5) Though Auden presents his subject as an unknown citizen, he expirences the same misery as Cory. “Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd.” (Lines 28 through 29) The appearance of the two men is overwhelming and certainly a deep subject to think about, but while “being human” (Line 6) is important, it is even more so to open our eyes and let reality take a stab at us humans, and our life.
Along with the similarities and differences, to each of the poem, the social rank of the two men have similar positions. Robinson presents Cory as a well-known man when “people on the pavement looked at him.” (Line 2) their “pulses fluttered when he said good morning.” (Line 8 through 9) but if the community members were really interested in Cory’s true standing, they would’ve been a better whole if they would’ve stepped back to reassure Cory he wasn’t just liked because of his looks. In comparison, Auden gives off the impression the citizen had “no official complaint. (Line 2) he never stepped out of his comfort zone and took his own path, he was demanded by government’s persuasion to make his life a robotic and “useful” time. “When there was peace, he was for peace. When there was war, he went.” (Line 25) appearance is important to reality because, like these two men, money and always following the rules does not supply all life’s needs, and will end in misery.
Though these poems have two different scenarios, the both reflect on the same topic of a stereotypical reality. Cory, as a godly man who’s respected, and the unknown own citizen, who is an ordinary man who is only respected for “following rules.” Overall, these two poems teach us that appearance can damage our personal needs with society around us, and following the perfect rule book will lead us into wondering if we are fully happy. It is important to make sure our appearance isn’t too overwhelming, and blinding us from reality, because we could miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime.
Feature Writing
He had not seen a smile on her face in a long time, and that was because of Locks of Love. Jim Stack requested to grow his hair out for the non-profit organization, because of his sister, who received a wig from the organization. “Had I approved Jim’s request, then I would have students every day asking if they also could break the dress code.” Tonya King said. Denying the request she explains how “the school would be in chaos” and how the school “have rules for a reason.” King does not want to have many kids breaking dress code. But, the school board will vote if there will be an exception to the request. “Girls have long hair,” Gilbert Castillo said, “and no one is distracted.” he continues with “Rules were made to be broken, and this is a very good reason to break one.”
In hopes the council will pass the request, Jim hopes the board approves the request. “Donating my hair to Locks of Love is very special to me. When we recieved my sisters wig, she was so happy.” Stack said. “Before the wig, she had to wear hats all the time, and she hated them. The wig was perfect, though. It is made of human hair, so it looks natural.” Jim finished.
The school board presidents reveals that he cannot comment on the issue at the time. “We will discuss it at the board meeting next week. I will say that the letter was well written and had some good points.” Bill Valdez said. Valdez knows the Stack family well and says they were all relieved when the little girl was released.
News Story
As runners come upon the approaching track season in East Texas, they’re beginning their training for February.
“I’m excited for the upcoming season,” junior Cayman Sutton said. “We have a lot of talent from the freshman class coming up and I think we will have a good year, in the track and field events.”
Sutton had run the 800 and the mile relay in the 2013 season.
“I’m going to state in pole vault,” sophomore Logan Rowe said,” I also run the mile relay.I feel relays will also be good this year because the freshman are fast.”
Runners must prepare for these relays and field events by conditioning and spending time at the track or other places to run. The season begins in February for these athletes and conditioning is important for the challenging season.
“My favorite race is the sprint relay because you take the fastest people from the whole team.” Freshman Colby Siegley said. “I participate in the 100 meter dash, 400m relay, 800m relay and pole vault.”
Field events are important to the point system in track.
“Long jump is my favorite event because I’m a competitive person and because I’m not the tallest, I have to push to compete.” freshman Taylor Self said.
“I picked triple jump to participate in because I like to jump,” sophomore Luka Patton said, “I can’t wait for track because I love to compete.”
Track season is right around the corner and the White Oak athletes are ready to begin training for another successful year to try and attempt to make it to state.
News Story 2
A freshman boy was found trying to hang himself in the boys’ locker room, this December due to bullying. The student council will hold a meeting Thursday to come up with a solution to the tragedy and come up with ways to eliminate bullying,
“We were very fortunate that Coach Steele found the young man before he harmed himself. The incident opened our eyes and showed us that we must act before one of our students seriously hurts himself.” Principal Shai Tsur said.
The school is creating an advisory period to focus on communication and relationship- building skills.
“Bullying has gotten out of hand at the school, and I think Principal Tsur is taking the right steps,” Elisabel Cordero ( junior president of student council ) said, “His advisory period sounds like it will help students get to know each other better. If we are all friends, bullying will stop.”
In addition to the advisory period, the school is starting 10 minutes earlier.
“We don’t agree with an earlier start time for school or losing 10 minutes from lunch. The officers are meeting this week to suggest an alternative.” said Cordero.
The freshman have joined into the movement and have added their voice into the situation.
“The advisory class sounds pretty cool.” Regina Yselta said. “It will benefit the freshman the most. It seems like the freshman boys are bullied the most.”
Many other students and teachers have joined in agreement of the new period.
“Every faculty member I know buys into the advisory period ideas. We are frustrated with the bullying as well. Mr.Tsur assured us that it would not be more work for us, and I believe him. It will be nice getting to know the students at a deeper level. I don’t have time for much relationship- building in Chemistry 2.” said Olga Camps, science teacher.
The student council will discuss more on April 28th to decide on the final decision.
Slope Project
News Story One
The school board will vote Monday on Jim Stacks request to grow his hair out for Locks of Love at 7 o’clock pm.
“We have rules for a reason, we can’t just go around breaking them,” principal Tonya King said. “the school would be chaos.” King denied a request from Jim Stack, asking to grow his hair out for Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients.
King stated that if she lets Stack break the dress code rules, the whole school will break the rules, which would end in trouble.
“Every month we receive about 200 requests from families, and we have to turn down 150.” Gisel Roco said, the president of the Locks of Love organization Roco was moved by Jim’s passion to donate hair to the desperate foundation.
Roco argues that Stack should be able to grow his hair out for the Locks of Love organization. He recognizes Stack for wanting to donate his hair and supports him. He too hopes the school board will pass the request, because of the lack of human hair they have for the wigs.
The student council shows support to Jim Stack’s request and says that he should be able to grow his hair out.
“Girls have long hair and no one is distracted” Gilbert Castillo said, student council president. “I think its cool Jim wants to do this,” Castillo said, “He was so upset last year when his sister was diagnosed with cancer. He didn’t think there was a way to help. Now he can.”
Castillo shows his support to Stack by saying, “Rules were made to be broken, and this is a good reason to break one.”
The school board will decide if the rule really is worth breaking.
“I hope the school board understands,” Stack said, “I won’t be hurting anyone when it gets longer.” Stack will discover what he gets to do after 7pm on Monday.
Peru
To an Athlete Dying Young.
To An Athlete Dying Young by A.E Housman by far, is my favorite poem so far. I like how this poem is lyrical and how two sentences always rhyme. I like the flow of this poem. Also I like the theme of this, of an athlete setting a record then dying, giving him a reason to be known for. In To An Athlete Dying Young, the athlete never really outlives his glory. People can break his record, but he will be remembered.
Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip.
In the book Curveball by Jordan Sonnenblick, the main character Pete and his friend AJ are baseball players for their school team, Pete is pitcher, and AJ is catcher. They have been on the same baseball team for quite some time now. But one day, during the game, there is a problem… and it can’t be fixed.
Playing his baseball game, Pete notices his elbow is messing up, but he keeps pitching. He breaks it on the field, and is taken out of baseball and put in physical therapy. Not only is no baseball a problem, but his grandpa is acting very strange. He is quitting photography (he’s a professional photographer) Pete enjoys photography also, so he signs up for a camera classes at school, instead of baseball, and meets a girl named Angelika. “She was the most stunning girl I had ever seen, and I couldn’t stop looking at her..”
My favorite part of Curveball is when Pete tells AJ he will not be playing baseball ever again. The reason for this is because to me, it takes a lot of courage to tell someone so close to you that you won’t be playing the sport you love with them ever again. AJ is kind of stubborn,too. When Pete was sitting out, he kept trying to get him back in the swing of things. So when Pete tells him about it, it doesn’t end well.
I give this book a 8 out of 10, this book is good for athletes who can’t play their sport, or enjoy reading about what can happen without the thing you love. This book is a really good lesson on when to tell someone if you’re hurting and courage. I really enjoyed this book, and I will be reading more by this author.
Submitted by: Victoria.
Power of Six
How long does John have to live? No one knows. Pittacus Lore decided he was Number Four. But, in the Power of Six, John doesn’t know exactly when he’ll die. He just can hope for the best.
John meets Six, and they’re on a mission to stay alive. They’re always on the run from cops with their good friend Sam. Number Seven is in Spain and her name is Maria, and they’re trying to reach her. They are trying to figure out where she is quickly so they can save all of Lorein kind and be re-united. “They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio- and failed… I am Number Seven. And I am ready to fight.”
My favorite part of the Power of Six is the big fight near the end where everyone comes together and fights for the planet Lorein. I like it because it has a lot of action. It is also a unique book. It tells two different stories between Maria and John, switching their side every chapter or so.
I recommend this book to people who like adventure, I really enjoyed it even though I’m not really into action. This book teaches a lot about teamwork, something we all can relate to.