Human or Animal?

Author's Note: Here is a response to Graham Greene's novel The Power and the Glory. This is a response regarding the mestizo -- a traitor who lives the life of an animal.

With two fanged teeth and an animal like personality to match, the mestizo represents what it truly means to live like a dog. Sleeping in jail cells as if they are a hotel, perfectly comfortable laying next to his own vomit, and being known as a modern day Judas, this life is not a life which we would be proud to live, for only an animal would have the patience to put up with it.

While running from the government, the priest encounters this mestizo and spends the night with him while camping out in a nearby hut. From the start the priest, "was determined not to sleep -- the man had some plan…He knew. He was in the presence of Judas." (p. 91) It is clear the mestizo is going to end up in the layer of hell with those who do not stand up for something in their life, for revolving your life around yourself and never actually standing up for something, is a waste of a life and that person never really deserved to live at all. The animal like life which the mestizo lives is not a life which we would ever want to even consider living for those who betray, those who never stand up for something, and those who are okay with these sins, never deserved life in the first place.

Religous Traitors

Author's Note: In the novel The Power and the Glory, religion is not only frowned upon, it is considered illegal. This response is talking about the power of religion and with it banned, people now have to find a new "crutch" to turn to in their time of need.

When living in an ironic world where nothing seems to be going the way you planned, what would you turn to for reasurrance and comfort? With billions of people in the world, it is clear that not everyone is going to like us, but when we stand up for something we truly believe in, these opinions don't seem to matter much at all. Throughout the course of the novel The Power and the Glory, characters are tested and true personalities are revealed as the controlling government decides what will be considered right and what will be considered wrong.


Religion is thought to be one of the main crutches in todays society, for when everything seems to be going wrong we can always turn to God and know that things will all work out in the end. However now that religion is illegal, and priests turn to traiters, would we have the guts to stand up for our beliefs? Having priests turn against their own religion is exactly what the government was hoping would happen as if they are telling them that they do not need religion, that they are the only leaders they need in order to survive.

Forever and Always

Author's Note: Here is a poem type response to Nicholas Spark's novel Dear John. This is written in Savannah's point of view and is a visual of what their time was like together right after they met. It was love at first sight for John and Savannah and this entry shows that connection that they shared.

Breakup Letter Re-write

Author's Note: Here is my version of the breakup letter from Nicholas Sparks novel, Dear John. This letter is written from Savannah's point of view as she writes a letter to John, who is currently in Iraq. This is the letter that puts an end to their relationship and explains why it is time for her to end it.

Dear John,

With all that we have been through together, it is hard for me to gather my thoughts and spill them out onto paper, especially with these countless tears running down my cheeks. I understand if you hate me, and if you never wish to speak to me again because right now, part of me hates me too. When I look in the mirror, I feel your presence with me, looking down on me for the choices I made and I feel that I do not deserve to be loved at all. Before I decided to write this letter I spent a lot of time trying to make sense of my thoughts and right now all I know is how much you mean to me and just how much I am going to miss you.

I know this is a terrible time for you and as I sit here I try to imagine what exactly life is like for you right now. I pray for you each and every night, and I always will. No matter how much things may change, I want you to know that. We have had our ups and downs throughout the last two and a half years, and with you gone overseas it seems we have more downs now than ever before. I long to be with you once again, and to be able to relieve the events from last summer: the times on the beach, the times I spent in your arms, and the countless memories. You and I shared someone wonderful and to me that means our souls will be linked together forever. But as we both know, things have changed John. With you gone all the time, I feel I have no one else to turn to, I cry myself to sleep at night and try to imagine you next to me, like the night we spent together so long ago. I hate myself for saying this, but I feel it is time to tell you, instead of letting this go on any longer and believe me I did not mean to fall in love with someone else.

I myself do not even know how it happened, so there is no possible way for me to expect you to. I am truly sorry and I should have done he right thing and told you a long time ago, but I could never find the heart to do so. Part of me wishes you could be here with me now so this could have been done in person, but as we both know that is not possible, so I guess this is how it has to be. No matter what the future may bring, you will always be my first true love John, and I believe I am the person I am because of it.

Please forgive me,

Savannah