We had to pick out new novels to read unfortunately it has to be a classic literature novel. Out of my choices I decided Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.
This was probably the least difficult choice out of them, considering some of the choices are Shakespeare and Machiavelli, or from ancient greece. Anyway I thought it would be the easiest but the words are all packed on the pages and I've been reading and reading and reading, but i have not gotten to a part with Tess in it. Basically her father is a farmer and a drunkard by the name of Jack Durbeyfield and spends every bit of money he makes on liquor. This no doubt has a negative effect on the family. They are dirt-poor and have to live off the land. It turns out as a clergyman passes by Jack one night that they are descendants of a once great family: the D'Urbervilles. What makes me angry about this is Jack is a simple man but immediately after he learns of his heritage, although he has gained no lands or money, he instantly, and I do mean instantly, becomes arrogant. He begins ordering people about left and right and spending what little money he has. That is a very, very stupid person right there. Thats basically how far I've gotten, which isn't very far but I already hate Jack. He is incapable of taking care of his family, if someone is going to start a family they had better be able to take care of them.
On to less aggravating things, we finished the ancient greek play Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex). One thing I would have to say about the ancient greek plays I've read is they are not very good at building suspense. You can guess what is going to happen at the beginning, then you know the entire play and its just not as rewarding to get to the end. Another thing i would have to say about them they enjoyed having quite a bit of incest, murder, and self-mutilation in their plays. It just makes me wonder if they enjoyed those kinds of things... Anyway Oedipus the King = predictable, wouldn't recommend it but if you are in high school you will most likely have to read it, not much of a choice there. There was one interesting thing that happened that I didn't guess was going to happen, Oedipus stabs out his own eyes when he doesn't want to see what he has done. I don't want to spoil anything further even if it is predictable, that would make it even less fun to read.
In conclusion I will read more, blog more, repeat.
