Madonis,+E.

Madonis

Dear friend,

As you probably already know, I had gone to a funeral just the other day. My close friend, Emitt Till, was found floating in the river near my town, dead. His body was so banged up that it was extremely hard to identify who it was. I am not exaggerating when I am telling you this. The only way we were able to identify him was by the ring he wore on his finger. By the looks of it, he had been tortured to an extent that is unbelievable! His murderers were white men, who ran a store located in my town. The reason for his death was all because of the fact that he whistled at a white women. I was with him when it happened. I was terrified at the thought of her husband and the other man coming after us. After a few days nothing happened, so we relaxed a little. When I woke up one morning and heard the news of my dear friend, I was extremely sad and at the same time angry.

How could they do this to him? It outrages me to think of the world we live in today! The white people treat us African Americans so terribly and unfairly, just because of our skin color. As the days go by, I keep on being reminded of Emitt. Stories are posted in every newspaper available in our town about his murder. I keep on thinking what it would be like if he were still here today, spreading his jokes and good humor, and brightening the mood of everyone around him.

This disturbing event has brought a numerous amount of fears into my life. I am afraid to walk out of my house for fear of doing something wrong. I am sure Emitt did not know that this would happen to him because of what he had done. I am especially wary and hesitant now that someone close to me has been taken. I most likely will not leave my house as often. I have decided that I am going to attempt to stay away from white people, and stay close to my family. I fear greatly for my life and for the life of those close to me. Your dear friend, Xia

Kayla: I thought it was really well writen, and I like how you said that now you can not even walk outside without being scared. Your word choice was also very well thought out. Evlyn: That was really good Xia! I really felt that you were writing that note to me and that you had seen the whole incident. You are very good at putting yourself in te place of others like that. GOOD JOB XD

I would feel the same way as you if I were in this situation! It's scary, and I would definitely be staying inside more too! -Monica Wow, Xia, I was suprised about your reaction, but then again it's just a letter...but this is really good, I felt as if you had seen everything as t had happened! Really nice job! - Rachel

Good Job Xia, I really liked how you retold the story. The descriptions were great. It was well written and though out. good job.~annak

I like your second paragraph, they did treat people unfirly and it was wrong. Nice use of language. Good job. -Kaylin Miley


 * Homework Excuse**

Trust me, I have a really good reason for why I do not have my homework. Yesterday, as I was sitting at my kitchen table attempting to write my essay that was due today, a sudden knocking came from the front door. I stood up quickly and ran to the door before my mom could make it there. I opened the door a crack to see who was standing on my front porch. There was a tall, slender man dressed in royal clothes, surrounded by bodyguards.

Bewildered, I looked at my mom for an answer as to who this person was. She told me to let him in, and quickly, in a hushed voice, explained that he was a long lost uncle that I never knew I had. It turned out that he was the king of a large island located somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. As he entered my house, his guards following him closely behind, he turned to me and smiled.

He explained how I was next in line to the throne, and that if I wanted to, I could leave my home and venture out to the island. Of course when I heard that I was a princess, I was thrilled and decided to leave so I could learn the ways of royalty. My mom allowed my to go, and with that, I was swept out the door and placed in my uncle’s stretch limo. As I waved goodbye to my mother, the car began to drive off to the airport. We boarded our plane, and within a few hours, I was standing on the island where I was to be princess.

The people who were introduced to me seemed extremely nice, and I was taken to the castle. Everything seemed perfect, almost like a fairytale, that I thought I was dreaming. Then, things started to get weird. The servants started acting all weird and I was sent to a dungeon located deep within the castle. They explained to me that it was a trap, and that the king was not really my uncle.

I planned an escape, and using my incredible strength and skills, I got past all the guards and back to the airport. I flew home and by the time I got back, it was early morning. I fell asleep after the long day, and when I woke up, I realized that I had homework that I still had to do. I had completely forgotten with all of the excitement that had gone on. So, now I am here without any homework to hand in.


 * Are human beings inherently good or evil?**

Human beings are inherently good. Humans are born good, not evil, but it is not as simple as that. We have to work to be good by doing good deeds and helping others. We can turn evil by being rude and cruel to others, but humans are never born that way. For example, take someone who is in jail for a serious crime they committed. They were not born thinking that they want to do those terrible things that they did, they are born as innocent people. Along the way, they turned bad, though. Good people are born good as well, but have to keep up their good behavior in order to stay a good person. Overall, humans are definitely inherently good, but they can turn evil along the way.


 * Beatrice says, "You are very different from Rebecca." Who was Rebecca? What was her daily life like?**

When Beatrice told me that I was very different from Rebecca, I became even more self-conscious than before. Is that what everyone is talking about? Critisizing me for not being as interesting and fun as Rebecca? Well, I am sorry to disappoint them, but I do not think that I am going to be anything like Rebecca any time soon. I am a shy, self-conscious, inexperienced girl. I am much different than Rebecca, to say the least.

Rebecca must have been someone whom everyone loved and enjoyed being around. Her visitors must have found her fascinating and fun. From what I have heard around Manderley, she was neat, organized, and, as Mrs. Danvers put it, a "social butterfly". Rebecca was always planning parties and balls, inviting large amounts of people to her mansion, and organizing what came to be known as the parties of the year. She was such an experienced and proper woman, never forgetting her manners.

Everday, Rebecca must have had a similar routine to follow. She would write all of her letters and invitations in the morning room. Rebecca would probably take a walk in the garden and pick her favorite flowers to put into the vases in her house. In the afternoons, she would have tea with Maxim, and then take a walk down the path that leads out to the Happy Valley and the sea. She would walk with Maxim, hand in hand, with Jasper following closely by her side. Some days she would invite a few friends or family over for a small and simple, yet elegant, meal. When her company had gone and the sky darkened, she would decide to go out to sea some nights, not telling a single soul about her plans. She would just get up and leave on a spur of the moment decision. She would spend the night out on her boat, drifting in the bay, or in the boat house, the one she adored and furnished herself, her favorite spot on Manderley. Then, she would wake up the next morning to a bright sun and a beautiful day, getting ready to start her routine over once again.

