Religion is useless. Countries all over the world are prejudice against other religions. It is also the same with government ideas on economy and gay rights. In Persepolis, these two issues come up.

In Persepolis, at the beginning of the book, a fundamentalist man was saying that bilingual schools had to be closed down because "they are symbols of capitalism". But later in the book, it speaks of how Marji's grandfather became a communist and he was tortured.
Since capitalism is religious compared to communism and Iran was religious, I think that's probably why they prosecuted communists. Even though people have different views, it's not that bad.

Marji's family's friends were whipped because they were homosexuals. Even though the government can't do that here, lots of people still use hate crimes towards gays, like in the short story Am I Blue?

People shouldn't hate on people just because of differences. Imagine if everyone had blond hair, blue eyes, were all obese and everyone's name Frank. There would be no differences between anyone and nobody would no anybody. It's also like this with school uniforms, I think, to make it be as if everyone's equal.

Princess Academy

"What really hard things are happening in the text?"

Well, at the Princess Academy, the girls under 18 from Mount Eskel compete to be the Academy Princess, and to take a shot at winning the Prince of Danland's heart. I could say that the Princess Academy is a nice place where the girls get along and help each other during recess, and that their tutor is a kind, moon-faced woman who gives out gumdrops on test days. Yet I can't. It's not true. In fact, I could say it's quite the opposite.

The Princess Academy's tutor, Tutor Olana, locks children in a closet with rats. The top students, Miri (the main character) and Katar are in major competition. Well, at least, so Katar thinks. Miri doesn't seem to be snooty and stuck up, like Katar thinks she is. Honestly, Katar is the one who is snooty and stuck up.

So far, the whole book is an issue. The lowlanders and mountaineers hate each other (lowlander traders cheat the mountaineers of their earnings) and the lowlanders are dumbfounded that the new princess will be from Mount Eskel, since it's only a territory.

In short, this tale of kingdoms, princesses and princes is not a happyfairy tale.

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The Shapeshifter - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

In The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Edmund is the Shapeshifter. Edmund is the shapeshifter because he does what will (or he THINKS will) be good for him. He is a greedy little pig who dislikes his so-called bossy siblings and will do anything for himself. In The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Edmund helps to lead the White Witch to his siblings so he can have Turkish Delight. He did not know that the White Witch (or, as he met her, the Queen of Narnia) was going to dispose of him, but he decided to bring his siblings to her because she promised he could be a prince. Although later his little sister told him she was evil, Edmund didn't take notice and went along to help the witch.

Although he didn't know that the White Witch was going to kill him and his siblings, I can't understand how Edmund could be so STUPID. He found out that she was evil, but he didn't care because all he wanted was to become Prince of Narnia and eat more Turkish Delight. Perhaps he also decided not to listen to Lucy because the Witch said lots of Narnians hate her and say bad things about her, but I don't think that's true. I think Edmund is a spoiled brat who will do anything to get anything he wants.

Even though he returns to the "side" with his siblings and Aslan, I still really despise Edmund and I think I always will.

The Shapeshifter - Charlotte's Web

In Charlotte's Web, the shape-shifter is Templeton. Templeton never does anything for anyone else- unless he gets something out of it.

For example, when Wilbur needed to get Charlotte's egg sac so he could be her children to the old barn, Templeton wouldn't help to get it for Wilbur. On for a couple pages, Wilbur had to beg and plead Templeton to help. Templeton finally gave in when Wilbur offered Templeton as much food from the trough that he wanted before Wilbur ate. In turn, Templeton turned into a huge, fat rat who looks like he might explode or die of a heart attack at any second.

When Templeton didn't want to go to the county fair, the old sheep had to bribe him with all the "tempting" descriptions of dropped food. In the end, he went to the fair and had a wonderful night. He was still a bit grumpy from being ordered around to find a good, last word for Charlotte to write in her web.

The Shape-shifter is the person who changes sides, depending on bribes, also like in Star Wars, which Han Solo is the Shape-shifter.

Connecting - Charlotte's Web

Page 3 - The kitchen table was set for breakfast, and the room smelled of coffee, bacon, damp plaster, and wood smoke from the stove.
Page 49 - "Well, I don't like to spread bad news," said the sheep, "but they're fattening you up because they're going to kill you, that's why."
"They're going to what?" screamed Wilbur. Fern grew rigid in her chair

When I read page 3, I thought "Does Fern EAT bacon?" It would be sort of weird if she did, and if not, that's good. Although in the book it sort of seems like it's evil to eat bacon, outside of the book, lots of people eat bacon. If Fern DOES eat bacon, maybe she doesn't understand that bacon comes from pigs.

And on page 49, did Fern KNOW that Wilbur was going to be killed and eaten? If so, wouldn't she have complained to her father about it, like she did when she saved Wilbur's life? Or has she grown up more and decided it didn't matter and things should just take their "natural course"? If she didn't know, she would've just found out. But would she be "rigid"? Or was she rigid from the fact that Wilbur was finally finding out for himself what might happen? I wonder if there was a conversation with between Fern and her parents. It would have been easier if White had just simply written a chapter of it, if there was one, but maybe he's just leaving a little mystery behind...

Expanding Entry - Charlotte's Web

In Charlotte's Web, the mother role plays a very important part. By saying "the mother role", I mean the role of a kind, caring woman who acts as a mother to someone, whether they're related or not.
On page 8, I could already get the sense that Fern was like a mother figure to Wilbur.

Fern loved Wilbur more than anything. She loved to stroke him, to feed him, to put him to bed. Every morning, as soon as she got up, she warmed his milk, tied his bib on, and held the bottle for him.

Fern cares so much for him, she ties a BIB on him! She is truly playing the motherly role here.

Wilbur loved his milk, and he was never happier then when Fern was warming up a bottle for him. He would stand and gaze up at her with adoring eyes.

Later in the book, Charlotte becomes more of a mother figure to Wilbur. She's strict and sharp sometimes, but always caring.

"You're terrific as far as I'm concerned," replied Charlotte, sweetly, "and that's what counts. You're my best friend, and I think you're sensational. Now stop arguing and go get some sleep!"

Fern's mother is also a good mother. Even though we may think she's mean for not believing Fern about animals talking, we have to admit that it's true animals don't talk. Ms. Arable went to see a doctor just to make sure Fern was okay. She's still taking care of her, she's just doing her best to try to help Fern realize that animals don't talk. Although, in the book, they do.

Weekly Reading Entry-Sweet Dreams, Eurythmics

One of my favourite songs, Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics can sorta of scary sounding and like a song that's just made because the writers need something to sing. My friend Marina says this, adding on about how the music video on Youtube® helps her statement with Annie Lennox raising her arms, looking like she's sacrificing something to a god, while standing in a meadow with a swarm of cows. Of course, I could agree if she was talking about Marilyn Manson's version of the song, but I enjoy Sweet Dreams. If I had to point out a life lesson to the song, I would say, "Sweet Dreams are made of the years." Many of the lyrics online say "Sweet Dreams are made of this", but I think it's "Sweet Dreams are made of the years."

Sweet dreams ARE made of the years, with hard work (ugh) and little pay. Until you get your dream.

Sweet dreams are made of the years
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something

But you don't have to travel the world or the seven seas or anything. If you REALLY want to have a bunch of cows, buy or rent some land, and work hard to keep crops and animals alive.

I, personally, would like to be a clothing designer, or a lawyer, or a gardener. I sketch ideas for clothes and sew, like to fight for people and have my opinion heard, and to take care of plants. The farthest I've ever been is to Paris (it's farther than London... right?) and I think there are a few more than seven seas... maybe.