Homecoming scene Image 2

This is exactly what I visualized when I read the scene where Landon asks Jamie to the homecoming dance. Her father is looking at Landon with somewhat disapproval. Later on, Hegbert, Jamie's father says to Landon: "Do you mind if I ask you a question? Why did you ask my daughter to the dance?" Hegbert doubts Landon actually wanted to take her and assumes the worst of him. He continues to say to Landon:
"You're not planning to do anything to embarrass her, are you?" This just shows the common misconcepted reputation Landon has on adults, especially the Reverend, Hegbert.

Subtle Signs

Hegbert, Jamie's father doesn't approve or very much like Landon. This is clearly shown by the questions and subtle warnings he gives before the homecoming dance when Landon is picking up Jamie. One can see how dependent and protective Hegbert is over his daughter; for she is the only thing in his life.

At the dance, Landon starts having different views of Jamie. Not only does she save Landon from a potential fight with her gregarious and gently nature, she also stands by Landon to help Angela, (Landon's slopping ex). One of the best things she did of the night was tell Landon she had a wonderful night in spite of how she looked and smelled after cleaning up after Angela. This is one of the points in the story where we can see how Jamie Sullivan is changing Landon Carter. At the end of the chapter Landon notes that Jamie can drive a guy crazy. Little does he know she really will drive him crazy (in love).

Character Analysis

At this point, the author has developed the superficial, lazy character of Landon. We see how little grades mean to him, even though he wants to be accepted at UNC, how being attractive is the only important trait a girl needs to have, how the opinions of others rule the decisions he makes, and how mean he can be toward people who aren’t in his golden circle of friends. Nicholas Sparks also prepares us for how life-changing his senior year will be.
Although it is still the beginning of the book, I have already noticed a possible superficiality and judgement theme for the novel. This is seen in the attitudes of Landon and his friends, already.

Jamie Sullivan Image 1

"It's not that Jamie was unattractive--don't get me wrong. But Jamie wasn't exactly what I considered attractive, either. Despite the fact that she was thin, with honey blond hair and solf blue eys, most of the time she looked sort of ...plain, and that was when you noticed her at all."

This description of Jamie is in the eyes of Landon; however almost everyone at their school would agree this description is accurate. It isn't until later when Landon's view of her completely voltefaces, and he sees her under a new light. She becomes one of the most beautiful girls Landon sees in his new perspective.

Introduction

Sparks does a good job keeping his readers hooked at the end of every chapter. He will say something like "It wasn't until later that I would learn the reason why". In the opening pages, we learn about Landon's family and the lack of reliability of his father. We also learn about Jamie, the reverend's daughter. Sparks uses supurb diction and imagery to help the readers visualize her characteristics. In the book, we have also learned that Landon is involved in a rather mean group of friends. He is taking a drama class in his senior year of high school, for the purpose of a "slack" class. Little does he know that getting involved in that particular class is what altered his life.

Prologue

The prologue to the novel, A Walk to Remember engaged my attention and had me hooked by the third paragraph. Nicholas Sparks does a wonderful job in the prologue of revisiting the past. Sparks opens up the novel in first person of the protagonist, fifty year old Landon Carter. The author slowly takes Landon back to his seventeen year old memory of when his life was changed. Sparks uses detailed imagery and similes to capture the reader into the mind of Landon, and takes us to the setting of Landon's life thirty three years ago when his world was flipped upside down.

Florida Suit Says Arrests Are Retaliation for Atheism

This last article by Lizette Alvarez really struck my interest. The title of this captivating article is called "Atheist in Florida Files Suit Citing Harassment in Arrest." I must admit, this title is was reeled me in, but this particular article seemed different than the rest of Alvarez's. Although it shared the similar writing style, this one had more of a narrative-base than solely details and facts. No slang really stuck out to me, but I did notice the extraordinarily formal writing type. She used a lot of  functional statement syntax in her sentences meaning there was usually only statements, rather than interrogative or exclamatory sentences. One of the only rhetorical devices I noticed was the repetition of sentence and ideas. Another reason this particular article stuck out from her others is that this one was written in cause-effect format. Everything was in a process. There was no persuasion or argumentation in this article or simply in any of her articles that I read. Alvarez has a certain swing to her writing that makes it unique from other typical writers. She exhibits a very rare sense of biased opinion in all articles, and she certainly made the article effective for her readers. My personal favorite technique of hers is that the writing style is concise and extremely down-to-the-point. Her readers can get the facts in a quick, short, interesting manner.