TOW #12- IRB: "The Criminal Conversation Of Mrs Norton" by Diane Atkinson

The Criminal Conversation of Mrs. Norton by Diane Atkinson is a thrilling tale of gender equality in England. George Norton, the husband of Caroline Norton, is a powerful and corrupted gentleman that urges Caroline assist him in climbing the social latter of British politics. However, the Norton's courtship was spark without Caroline's consent. It is revealed that her mother pushed for their marriage. The scandal does not pick up until it Caroline's clever whit and charm allure Lord Melbourne, the Whig Prime Minister. Inevitably, George Norton uncovers the affair and sues Caroline for "Criminal Conversation," or for lack of a better term, adultery.
The author, Diane Atkinson writes in omniscient third person in order to provide information from every single person in the story. The events in this book took place in 19th century England, a time when most communicated by telegraph or letters. Atkinson's strategic omnipresent narration allows her to pull quotes from each individual involved in this scandal and trial. Mrs. Norton wrote over 1,500 letters about her experiences and Atkinson's narration lets for her to quote Caroline as well as Mrs. Norton's peers.  "The young man sent her poetry, which she thought was a 'little rough', so she suggested they correct the proofs when he was next in London: 'there is no doubt you will improve under my fostering care'."(Atkinson 115). The direct quotes from Norton provide an insight into her exact thoughts while she was going through this scandal. While Norton did not write and autobiography, Atkinson's style of writing flawlessly weaves Caroline Norton's thoughts into her writing, creating the illusion that the audience is reading a diary or tell-all book.

Diane Atkinson's writing, most specifically her choice of omnipresent third person narrator create a seamless flow of thoughts from the people that these events are based off of themselves.

TOW #11- Article: "Liberty, Without Torch" by Evgenia Peretz

Hollywood marriages are notorious for their short life-spans and juicy break-ups, occasionally drowned in scandal. Kirsten Stewart, best known for her role as Bella in the Twilight movies, was the subject of hot gossip in Hollywood when she attracted Rupert Sanders, the director for whom she was working. The tabloids focused on Sanders and Stewart. Stewart was at the time, in a relationship with co-star Robert Pattinson, and her cheating scandal remained on the covers of Us Weekly, People, and Style magazines for weeks. However, Sanders was not innocent, and the tabloids left one essential person out of their articles: Liberty Ross, the wife of Rupert Sanders. In this exclusive Vanity Fair interview, Liberty Ross recalls her experience of the scandal in her first public account of these horrid events.
Author of the article, Evgenia Peretz, crafts the story around personal anecdotes, recounted by Liberty Ross, and a friend, Atticus. Peretz begins the article by recalling the basics of the affair between Sanders and Stewart, then going into Ross's life in the present. Peretz describes her zen Malibu home, juxtaposed against the chaos of her divorce with Sanders. However, she soon lets Ross pratically take over the interview and the entire article becomes solely about Ross's life with Sanders. Blooming when Ross was just 18 years old, their love was deep. Ross describes their relationship as "a team," which later on in the essay is starkly juxtaposed against the tumultuous climax of their marriage, when Sanders revealed his affair 20 hours before tabloids would expose him. This display of betrayal by Sanders is emphasized when put next to the loving, passionate relationship that Ross came to know.
Evgenia Peretz utilizes this juxtaposition of Liberty's pure bliss during her marriage to Sanders against the harsh reality of Sanders' affair with Stewart to portray the utter hardship that Ross experienced.

TOW #10 - Article: "Why Jump When You Can Sip?" By Reid Wilson

The New York Times has been providing its readers with possible travel-destinations every day for almost 100 years. This particular Sunday, November 24, Reid Wilson, writer for the Travel section of the New York Times dives into New Zealand's Central Otago region in "Why Jump When You Can Sip?" Lucious wineries combined with adrenaline-pinching outdoor activities create the perfect vacation experience.Wilson recalls his time with the Kiwis, sampling hundreds of wines in over 18 vineyards.
The author's vivid imagery of the New Zealand landscape makes his audience long for a visit to this magical region.  Wilson describes his view from one specific winery: "overlooking the perfectly trimmed grass sloping away to the vineyard, the green grape vines contrasting with the arid mountains in the distance." This paints a beautiful picture of the lush scenery Wilson experienced while touring Central Otago, New Zealand. Wilson's audience has been narrowed down to those with a desire to travel, due to his writing being specifically featured in the Travel section of a newspaper. The authors aims to accurately portray the true beauty he has come across while traveling in New Zealand for approximately 3 months. Wilson utilizes imagery to do just that: describe in immense detail the natural charm of Central Otago for his audience.
Wilson describes personal anecdotes in order to accurately chronicle his time touring different New Zealand wineries and vineyards. He recalls his time with his tour guide, Jim, to show the hospitality of the people in New Zealand. Wilson includes the fact that he sampled hundreds of wines in 18 wineries, conveying the sheer mass and variety of wines in the Central Otago region. The stories of quaint, "mom and pop" wineries compared to the larger, formal ones, exemplify New Zealand's grand diversity in the wine industry.
Wilson's passion and enthusiasm for his New Zealand trip illustrate the visual beauty as well as the mental rest and relaxation the Central Otago region provides.

Independent Reading Book Introduction: "The Criminal Conversation of Mrs. Norton" by Diane Atkinson

I have selected to read The Criminal Conservation of Mrs. Norton by Diane Atkinson for my second marking period independent reading book. This is about a true story, taking place in Westminster, London, 1836, surrounding the court case of Caroline Sheridan Norton, the clever wife of a domineering lawyer. Her husband, George Norton sued Caroline over "criminal conversation," or adultery. Mrs Norton is immediately acquitted and uses her only resources after her then-husband cuts her off to campaign for women's rights. Her hard work has resulted in three legislations in England. I really enjoy learning about the history of women's rights and I hope to be inspired by Mrs Norton's actions as well as gain knowledge of her tactics as she became a figure in politics.

TOW #9- Visual Text: Aerie 20% Off Advertisement

Aerie, a branch of the clothing company popular with tweens and teens, American Eagle, specializes in intimate apparel and loungewear. This particular advertisement for Aerie would most likely be found in magazines or in a customer's bag after a purchase at one of the Aerie stores. The front of this ad features a girl, appearing to be in her late teens or early 20's carelessly lying on a fluffy white bed wearing an Aerie bra and silk Aerie pajama pants. Her face, lit up with a huge smile, looks just as good as her professionally-photoshopped abdominals. The model is swinging her arm over her hair, making her look effortlessly beautiful. Her ambiguous carmel skin tone appeals to girls of all races, a medium skin color can be related to by girls of every color. The text on this picture reads: "Sparkle while you sleep" in bold, feminine letters in the left top corner. On the top right corner, the simple "Aerie" written in lowercase cursive. Aerie is clearly associated with solely the female community and persists to prove this evident by featuring a "modest" lingerie model wearing comfortable pajama pants. The word "sparkle" carries a heavy girly connotation. What girl wouldn't want to sparkle while they sleep?
The backside of the ad jumps out in hot pink lettering, urging customers to "TAKE 20% OFF." The rest of the text is in a light gray. Just above the discount, in italics, is written: "Rest up. You have some serious shopping to do!" This implies that the audience is going to shop at Aerie in the near future. The continue the sleeping theme from the front side of the ad by suggesting the audience "Rest up" because they have so much shopping to do at Aerie. The 20% off given to audience members is just the cherry on top. Sparkling while you sleep now costs 20% less.
 

TOW #8 - IRB: "Wild" By Cheryl Strayed

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed is a moving memoir of love and loss. Her 1,100 mile trek is recalled, while simultaneously flashing back to life before her mother's death: the tragedy that spawned her journey in the Californian wilderness. Strayed articulately crafts her book, using subtle metaphors and adapting a humorous tone to tell an amazing story. This memoir was written after successfully hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. Again, this incredible journey happened due to the tragic loss of the author's mother as well as her crumbling marriage. Strayed liberated her mind on the Pacific Crest Trail and Wild shares with the world her emotional and physical journey. This book is extremely uplifting.
The metaphor, a simple rhetorical device, is used by the author to portray her backpack on the hike through California. She nicknames the backpack "Monster", a demon weighing on her back. Throughout the book she attempts to display the metaphor that "Monster" is. "Monster" represents the weight Strayed carries on her shoulders throughout her journey, more emotional than physical. This, of course, resulting from the death of her mother and her failed marriage. When she first packs Monster before she begins hiking, Strayed is unable to move the bag, attempting to show that she has so far to go before she is able to feel weight off of her shoulders. However, Strayed hunches over and succeeds in getting a backpack that is more than half her weight on her shoulders. The emotional strength exemplified by Strayed when she does not quit or give up solely because her backpack would not move is inspiring, and shows her determination to not fail.
Strayed adapts a humorous tone when she recalls what she prayed for during the memoir. These prayers may be abnormal in the sense that they are, in the beginning of the book, heavily sprinkled, perhaps even doused, in profanity.
Cheryl Strayed perfectly exemplifies her time on the Pacific Crest Train in Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.

TOW #7- Visual Text: "Haunted House" by Mark Ulriksen (The New Yorker cover - 10/21/13)

The New Yorker, a world-renowned magazine, featured the capitol building as a haunted house with the ghosts of John Boehner and Ted Cruz looming over the roof on its October 21, 2013 cover. Mark Ulriksen has drawn tombstones on the front lawn labeled: Healthcare, Gun Control and Immigration. This was drawn during the recent government shutdown, hence the ghosts of Boehner and Cruz: Two prominent GOP figures that were helping to prevent the shutdown from ending. 

The color scheme utilized by Ulriksen on the capital - a spooky blue/gray combination - gives the capitol building a haunted and more importantly, deserted vibe. The tombstones, also a blue-gray, suggest a theory as to why the government has shut down, and represent the obstacles that are in the way of getting the government back up and running. 

Ulriksen has adapted an obvious Halloween-centered theme, appropriate with a cover only ten days away from the holiday. The bright-orange moon in the top-center of the cover with a bat flying through it makes the audience clear of the time-of-year the artist is depicting. His timing is no coincidence as the capitol building is portrayed as an actually haunted house, Boehner and Cruz looming in the left top corner of the cover. Ulriksen displays the capitol building covered in spider webs with the only sign of life: a superstitious black cat guarding the lawn. 

Ulriksen accurately addresses the juvenile behavior exhibited by GOP members, especially Boehner and Cruz, through portraying them the child-like environment of a haunted house. The eeriness of its vacancy combined with the ghosts of Cruz and Boehner add satire to an otherwise frustrating topic. The artist is clearly frustrated with the government shutdown and has successfully conveyed that through combining whimsical Halloween fun with the grim topic of the government shutdown.