PARCC PRACTICE

Bryan Mastowski

Literacy Analysis

The secret to happiness is freedom, and the secret to freedom is courage. In The Count of Monte Cristo and Blessings, both explore the theme of freedom in different ways. One shows freedom from the real world while the other shows it from torture.

In the short story The Count of Monte Cristo, the theme is all about freedom. The main character in the story is Edmond Dantes.  He tries to starve himself, because he believes there is no hope. "So many loathsome animals inhabited the prison, their noise did not, in general, awake him; but whether abstinence had quickened his faculties, or whether the noise was really louder than usual, Edmond raised his head and listened.  It was a continual scratching, as if made by a huge claw, a powerful truth, or some iron stones."  This shows a sign of freedom, because Edmond started to believe that there may be a way out.  He doesn't know for sure yet, so he decides to talk very loud to make sure the guard doesn't hear it. Until he knows if it is a worker or prisoner.   "Edmond listened intently; an hour passed, two hours passed, and no sound was heard from the wall---All was silent there. Full of hope, Edmond swallowed a few mouthfuls of bread and water, and, thanks to vigor of his constitution, found himself almost recovered."   This shows that Edmond has courage and wants to be free.  He eats food to stay alive and now that he knows its a prisoner, he makes sure the guard doesn't hear the noises.  

In the short story Blessings, the theme is also freedom or escape from the real world.  The main characters are Jesse and Rene.  "(R) Man. I've got to bring my paints up here. (J) You paint? (R)Watercolor."   This shows freedom from her normal life because it's something that Rene can do to get away from the real world.  "(J) What if? (R) Maps. Picture Maps. Of places. Uncle Randy says you make  amazing mirrors. From Redwood.  (J) Don't know how amazing they are. But I make 'em, and sell 'em. So people can see themselves in the-through the wood."  In  this conversation between Rene and Jesse it explains how both of them can escape. Rene paints to clear everything out of her mind. Will Jesse makes wood mirrors, for other people.

Freedom, it's important to everyone. I need the freedom to get away from my family and school.  So what does freedom mean to you?