Lian Vicente
Mr. Duvall
English 1H P. 1
16 June 2018
Lessons I’ve learned this school year
I have learned many things this year, such as: You should tell your parents that you love a person that you’re forbidden to love, instead of committing suicide. Don’t stab anyone. Oh, and don’t steal bread from a bakery because you might stay in prison for nineteen years. Anyways, what I really learned by most of these characters that I read in this year is love and courage.
First lesson I learned this year is love from Jean Valjean from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. What is love? Love is a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. In this book his love isn’t for a girl he wants to marry but for his newly “adopted” daughter, Cosette. He treated Cosette as if it was his own daughter. He took care of her, he taught her how to read and most importantly, he raised her up to become a very smart and beautiful woman. In the book Les Misérables I chose this quote, “Jean Valjean to gaze upon Cosette with a look of ecstasy, in which the expression of richness and tenderness went almost to the verge of insanity. Jean Valjean bent down and kissed the child’s hand. Nine months before, he had kissed the hand of the mother, who also had just fallen asleep. Hugo” I chose this quote because it shows Jean Valjean’s love towards Cosette. He made a promise to Fantine that he would manage to take care of her and to find a way to keep her safe.
Second lesson I learned is from Piggy from Lord Of The Flies by William Golding and I learned courage from him. Piggy has taught me to always have courage. He was the only member in the group who wanted to help out. He was the most intelligent member in the group because he found ways to solve a problem and attempts to find ways off the island. No one would listen except his friend Ralph, he actually believes that he will find a way out. Courage is shown by Piggy that he realizes Ralph needs help making decisions. “Which is better— to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is? Which is better— to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill? Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up? Golding” I chose this quote because it shows Piggy having the courage to stand up to Jack.
Two admirable qualities I chose is: love and courage from these characters. These qualities have such a huge impact on me as a person. With what’s going on in this society, I would want to be the person who would show and give love and courage towards others. Love to self, love to my parents, friends and other people without any expectations in return. Courage to speak up the truth and defend people in search for justice. It is not too late to spread love and defend other people. My dear classmates, a simple thank you, I love you, a tap on the back or a random act of kindness will make a difference. Let us start now.
Works Cited:
Golding, William Lord of the Flies
“Which is better— to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is? Which is better— to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill? Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?”
Hugo, Victor Les Misérables
“Jean Valjean to gaze upon Cosette with a look of ecstasy, in which the expression of richness and tenderness went almost to the verge of insanity. Jean Valjean bent down and kissed the child’s hand. Nine months before, he had kissed the hand of the mother, who also had just fallen asleep. Hugo”