Cause and Effect

Cause and Effect

By: Elias Dorsey

Cause and Effect

In the book Moon of Two Dark Horses, you experience the life of a young Native American boy named Coshmoo, living around the time of the beginning of the Revolutionary War. There are many small conflicts in the book such as his Cousin, Flying Wolf, tripping him in a race he was winning before he got to the finish line. Also, when his best friends (Daniel) uncle insults him while sharpening Coshmoo’s dagger. So many conflicts have already happened; I can’t really even identify which one is the main conflict. Wait now I remember. Coshmoo and his friend go on a quest with nothing but muskets, ammo, some food, and the clothes on their backs. They go searching for the black locust tree that holds underneath it, the sword that can stop the war. The climax in the book is when the European settlers try to pit multiple tribes against each other. The events that caused the climax were that the revolutionary war was beginning. There are almost completely no other reasons that lead to the climax, because this story Is just full of side notes that don’t affect the outcome of the book. Such as Coshmoo losing the footrace or winning the fishing competition. The author put in so many “side” events in the book; it’s almost too hard to keep up with it. Almost

Similarities Between Books

Similarities Between Books

By: Elias Dorsey

Authors note: This writing piece is about  the comparison between the two books Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and Moon of Two Dark Horses.

 The two books Moon of Two Dark Horses and Lightning Thief are extremely alike despite being written by two different authors. The similarities between lightning thief and Moon of Two Dark horses are extremely high in quantity. They both are stories of stopping an otherwise devastating war. My main topic is how the two books are similar, and also how they differ. I’ve done a immense amount of research and I think I’m ready to try and make valid points and arguments.

First, both the main characters from both books have best friends at their side the whole time. One of my friends has read both books and agrees with me. The theme of survival is almost the same Percy and Coshmoo are both trying to find something otherwise vital to themselves and others. There are also some other things that are alike. They both take place in real time periods such as the current time or in 1647. They also both take place in real locations.Such as Virginia and New York City.

Furthermore, the two books are similar through a variety of aspects, not only being supporting characters, or how they both had real things about them, but things that would be thinking out of the box. Take their ages for example. Both of the protagonists of these books are in their teens. Percy is about two years older than Coshmoo though. Also in both books, the main characters best friends are a guy, and a girl. In the Percy Jackson series, it would be Annabeth and Grover. In Moon of two Dark Horses, it would be White Fawn and Daniel. This may not be thinking outside the box for you, but it is for me.

Despite the fact that they both have a vast spectrum of similarities they also have differences. Such as the fact that in the Lightning Thief, Percy has try to find a stolen artifact, belonging to Zeus, to try and stop a war between gods. Coshmoo wants to try to find a buried artifact that will prevent a war from happening between General Washington and his men, and the British king. Not much of a difference, but still pretty significant enough to effect both stories a decent amount.

In both cases there are differences and similarities, but that's what makes reading so great. Being able to explore different worlds and just escape for awhile. Not all books are the same, and that's why I love these two books. Its because they're different and creative. Sure they might have dull parts and they're two completely different genre's of books, but sometimes we need to not complain about parts that are boring, but appreciate that the authors put their time into creating a world we can immerse ourselves in.

Point of View

Point of View

By: Elias Dorsey

Moon of Two Dark Horses

Authors note: This piece is about how the book would be different if it were told by a different characters point of view. I provide examples for my argument that the book would be less entertaining if it had been told from someone else’s perspective. Enjoy.

In the book the moon of two dark horses, you follow a young Native American boy searches for mythical bones that can help stop the soon to be revolutionary war. This book is told primarily from the main character’s point of view. Sometimes you have to look at situation through a different character’s point of view. Take Coshmoo’s best friend Daniel for example. In one scene in the book, the author introduces Daniel’s uncle. The blacksmith. Daniel’s uncle apparently doesn’t take too kindly to Native American people walking into his house or on his property. In this scene Coshmoo is invited by Daniel into his house. This is told from Coshmoo’s view. When it is described, it seems to irk Daniel even more than it does to Coshmoo. I think this is because Coshmoo can block out things he doesn’t want to hear from his mind or because he has gotten used to his uncle insulting him. Daniel seemed to take this extremely personally. Either way it seems as though from Daniel’s point of view it seemed like a even worse situation.

In Daniel’s point of view, it seemed as though it wasn’t the first time his uncle insulted the Native Americans. Daniel got even more frustrated when his uncle called Coshmoo “A dirty half breed,” Referring to Coshmoo’s European and Native American decent. In response Daniel’ called him a “frog face” in Native American, before he and Coshmoo entered his house. I’ve had my best friend insulted in front of me before, and I stick up for him when someone does insult him. So I see where Daniel was getting his anger from. I think what he felt was that he was, to a certain extent, defenseless against his uncle. That he was maybe not taken seriously enough. I know I’ve been through the same thing.

Either way, I think the book would be much different told from Daniel’s point of view considering he doesn’t debate as much as Coshmoo does. So there would be less conflict and resolution. He also doesn’t participate in anything exciting like Coshmoo. It looks as though if it this book had been written from Daniel’s perspective, I would’ve lost interest a long time ago. So I think the book is best written, the way it is.

Character Development

By: Elias Dorsey

Johhny’s Dynamic Story

Authors note: This writing piece is about the theme of how the characters (Specifically Johnny) have developed throughout the story. I wrote this piece to display my understanding of the character development concept.

In the book “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton, you follow a gang of individuals who label themselves as “Greasers.” The theme im going to be talking about is character development. The main characters of this story are Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, Darry Curtis, Dally Winston, Two-bit, and Sodapop Curtis. Above all the character that has changed throughout the story the most has to be, without a doubt, Johnny Cade. For all readers of this who have a completely different argument, hear me out. Johhny has always been know as the “pet” of the group, the person who was described as “A puppy that’s been kicked too many times.”

Even though this was true at that point in the book, I will showcase numerous instances where this “theory” was proven false. Take the scene in the book where the intoxicated Soc’s had pulled up next to them at the fountain. The Soc’s started to try to kill Ponyboy. Johhny was watching him being drowned. He had to do something about it.  So he killed the Soc (Bob) that was trying to drown him. After when he killed Bob he said in a completely serious tone and facial expression, “We need money maybe gun, and a plan.” This proves that he changed from a pet, a puppy that’s been kicked one too many times. Now he’s being the one that’s taking charge, devising a plan so they can get off scotch free. Although he changed at that moment, he seemed to still be a little scared like he was before. Especially when they had moved to that abandoned church. Even then he had shown through with his excellent leadership skills, when he had suggested that it would be wise to change their appearances. This was the reason of the bleaching and cutting of their hair.

I think that when you overlook all opinions, you can’t argue with some of the valid points I previously made. You can still stick to your own opinion, but you can’t deny that I am dead on with my arguments. I think multiple people would indeed describe Johnny Cade as a dynamic character. I hope you see my understanding in the topic. Still, the now deceased Johnny’s last words proved change also. Stay gold pony. Stay gold. His words carried massive weight. I think that he would’ve never said that at the beginning of the book. At this point I have no doubt that Johnny is in fact the most dynamic character in the book.

The Great Johnny Debate

Johnny’s Loss of Innocence

By: Elias Dorsey

Lately, there has been an ongoing debate on whether Johnny, From The Outsiders, has lost his innocence or not. I for one think that he hasn’t lost anything besides his life. Bob and his obviously intoxicated friends were drowning his best friend and laughing about it. What would you have done if you were in that same situation? Would you have let them drown him/her?  No you wouldn’t have, unless you’re utterly terrible friend. All Johnny had was a switchblade and the “fear factor” to scare the drunken Soc’s away. Honestly I would’ve done the same exact thing if I were in that predicament. What else could he have done? Ran away? Hid? Who knows, but I know that he wouldn’t ditch Ponyboy while he was becoming a victim of attempted murder. Aside from the death of Bob, he saved kids from a church fire. I think that that’s basically proving that he’s still the same way as he was before he stabbed Bob. The other side though has one valid point. Johnny did kill someone. Also rather than turning himself in or explaining that it was indeed self defense to his prosecutors/the police, he ran away from the crime scene. Who am I to talk though. I probably would've done the same thing with all the adrenaline racing through my veins and into my brain. That’s one point. Still, you can’t deny that he redeemed himself by saving those startled people from the fire, and sacrificing himself in the process. Either way against or with Johnny’s innocence you still can’t say completely. Even though I think his innocence was carried with him to the grave, it’s a fly ball. Mostly because when you sum it all up for both sides, eventually you have to realize the sides are dead even. Just think about this though. What would you have done, and would you have considered yourself still innocent if you were just trying to defend your best friend and yourself? Think about that. 

Dear Dallas,

            I am a pretty big greaser fan and you being the authority figure to all of the greasers, why don’t you try to come to an agreement/try to be civil with the Soc’s? I mean I know you guys are rival groups and all, but why? Has it been attempted before? Did the attempt go wrong, if it even was attempted? Also I want to find information about your New York past. What was the name of your gang in New York? Who is your arch enemy from the group known as the Soc’s? I’m asking these questions because the book doesn’t explain much about you. I would like to know a lot more about you. Mostly because of your violent past. Under the circumstances of Johhny killing a Soc even before Ponyboy, Are you proud or disappointed in him? So many questions so little time. Wait a second. I’m missing so many good questions. Well I’m almost missing them. Anyway back on track now.  Why did you move away from New York? Also, why are you so bitter? You seem like your mad at everyone, no matter if it’s a baby or a dog. No offense, but you need to take a major chill pill. Oh and one more question. Were you this bad as a kid? Did you have any siblings? What was you life as a kid? Anyway say hello to the Greaser Gang for me.

Yours truly,

 

Elias