IB Portfolioliolio

  Daniel Arcega Mrs. Emerick IB English HL II Compare the presentation and function of villains or anti-heroes in at least two works of prose fiction that you have studied. Both The Handmaid’s Tale and The Scarlet Letter have two antagonists: society and a person, which both serve to affect the protagonists’ freedom. The societies within the two novels oppress their protagonists’ freedom, yet contrarily also elevate them in some ways. In The Scarlet Letter , Hester’s life throughout the novel is under the strict watch of society. However, its influence transforms as time goes on. Society initially rejects Hester due to her sin. She is unable to make any lasting connections with others. (quote here) Society’s judgment eventually shifts to see Hester in a more positive light. She eventually becomes known as a treasure of the town. She feels more free to walk around the town. (quote here) Her society both oppressed her and raised her up. On the other hand, Gilead in The Handmaid’s T...

Daniel Arcega Mrs. Emerick IB English HL II The Handmaid's Tale Loaded Lines "To put her out of her misery, and myself as well. To put her out of our misery"(292).     The wording that I think is important here is "our misery". This wording suggests that despite Offred's and Serena's different roles in society, they both share the same misery. I believe this connects to the theme of gender explored by Gilead's society. Even though Serena has much more privileges than Offred, she is still a woman. Their gender leads them both to be oppressed, in different ways, under the patriarcal society of Gilead. " I'll sacrifice. I'll repent. I'll abdicate. I'll renounce"(286).      The use of asyndeton makes this line sound like a pledge, like how Offred is promising all these things to God. Additionally, the specific word choices all have subtly different meanings which affect the overall message of the line. "Sacrifice", and...

Daniel Arcega Mrs. Emerick IB English HL II Scarlet Letter Creative Portfolio     Seen above is a physical recreation of the titular scarlet letter worn by Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne. The letter is made distinct by the gold threading which Hester herself sewed into it. However, Hester isn't the only character who bears a mark of shame. I decided to recreate what I believe these symbols would be, if they manifested physically, for the other important characters in the novel.      The letter above represents the brand upon Minister Dimmesdale's chest. As implied in the story, he wears the same symbol as Hester since they share the same crime. However, the detailing of the two letters is what differentiates them. Hester's letter is adorned in golden thread by her own hand, representing how she willing shows it off to the world. In comparison, Dimmesdale's letter is marred by splotches which symbolize the corruption of his s...