Mr. Know All

The story "Mr. know all" by W.Somerset Maugham describes two main characters who meet on a ship sailing across the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco to Yokohama. One is a rich merchant of Oriental origin, who holds a British passport named Mr. Kelada. The other is his cabin-mate, a British citizen who is the nameless narrator of the story.

Mr. Kelada is described as a short guy of a sturdy build, a clean shaven guy with dark skin. He has a hooked, large nose, lustrous and liquid eyes. He has long black hair, which is sleek and curly. In addition, Mr. Kelada is a chatty guy who wants everybody on board to hear his voice. He is a dogmatic person, he doesn't like it when people tell him what to do or whether he is right or not. He tries to convince everybody on board that he is right and knows everything better than anyone else. He is arrogant and pushy. Undoubtly, showing off and presenting his knowledge is one of his prominent features.

On the contrary, the narrator is a typical upper-class Englishman. He is a prejudiced and conservative person, who judges people on their appearances, and where they were born. If someone is not a British person, meaning not in the same category as the narrator belongs , he is not tolerant at all. Throughout the story the narrator is presented as a judgmental

  person.  

To conclude, both characters are very different and represent two opposite worlds. I prefer Mr.Kelada over the narrator for several reasons. First, it's difficult for me as a liberal person to get along with conservative people because of all the differences. Furthermore, I oppose judging people without getting to know them first. In addition, Mr. Kelada seems like a joyful person, who doesn't really care what other people think about him and I appreciate this trait.

Very good work. Well done! (I loved your conclusion).
(95)
Daphna

 

Count That Day Lost- post reading activity

A day in my life which describes the first stanza in the poem "Count That Day Lost":

7\4\2012

Dear diary,

The big math exam is in two more days, I found myself spending the whole weekend learning. I believe that I will get an appropriate grade according to my efforts. I usually make sure that the day before the test is free, to clear my mind and relax. As a result, my test goes well. That's the reason why I began learning for the test earlier. Tomorrow,while everybody will be learning, I will be shopping with my best friend Shani.

8\4\2012

It's close to midnight right now. I am sitting on my bed and many negative thoughts cross my mind about the exam tomorrow. However, I know I am going to fall asleep with a big smile on my face. I did a good deed.

Today, while I was on my way home from school, talking with Shani on the phone about the shopping we were planning today, I noticed that one of my classmates was sitting on the staircase and crying. Immediately I went over, even though I didn't really like her, I wanted to help her. She told me she had had a conversation with our math teacher, and realized that if her exam's grade was less than eighty five she would not continue studying with us. She felt helpless because she didn't understand the material well enough.

I picked up the phone and cancelled my plans with Shani. I offered my classmate help and invited her to my place. We covered all the material and she thanked me for it. She was full of joy and there was light in her eyes. Even though I needed the evening off for myself, to feel relaxed in order to improve my chance to succeed in the test, I preferred doing a good deed for someone. I'm proud of myself for that.

Another day in my life which reflects the second stanza in the poem "Count That Day Lost":

26\1\2012

Dear diary,

Another day has gone by. It was just a regular day like any other day. I didn't feel like doing anything special. The moment I entered my room, I lay down on the bed, turned on the TV. While I was watching a romantic movie, I fell asleep and woke up because of the sweet smell of dinner which father had prepared. My mother noted it was time for dinner and asked me to sit with my family, but I didn't feel like it so, I took a bowl of pasta to my room and ate it while I was reading my favorite magazine. Mother was hurt but said nothing. 

I was asked to do the dishes after the meal. However, I told my mother that I would help her with household chores another time, just not today. Again, I could sense her disappointment and dissatisfaction with me.
Later, I found myself talking on the phone with my best friend for two hours! It was already late and I decided to take a long shower and my sister was mad at me for using the hot water. She asked me for some help with her homework, with a difficult article she had to write but I refused because I was too tired.
Now, I am lying on my bed, listening to some music and suddenly I realize that I forgot to do my homework for tomorrow! My day just flew by, and I am asking myself: did I do anything positive today? Am I proud of myself for anything? It seems that it was a worthless a meaningless day. Pretty much like any of my days…I believe it's about time I stop thinking only about myself, it's time for a change and it is up to me.

Very good work. I enjoyed reading that.
(95)
Daphna

Count That Day Lost

Mary Ann Evans, commonly known as George Eliot, was a female poet that lived in the Victorian age. She had to publish her poems under a male pseudonym , because women, compared to men, were not taken seriously. Mary wrote openly about the culture and the differences between classes in order to make a difference and improve the society at that period.

When I first read Mary's poem "Count That Day Lost" it made me think how each of us can make a difference by doing a good deed. I felt that she addressed me as a reader and motivated me to think about the way I treat, respect and help others. After reading her biography I learned that Mary grew in a time which was characterized by huge gaps between classes and there was no equality of rights.

Along with other writers, her books which reflected all the unreasonable differences in society, were published. Their aim in publication was to create a society makeover. Mary was well-known and through her poems she delivered messages and believed that it was the way to reach her goal. She wrote that every person should make someone smile and feel better, meaning that society should be based on equality.

In conclusion, the passage helped me understand the age that Mary lived in. Using that information, I was able to realize that the poem actually discusses making society better, more loving and not just about how one person can influence another person's life.

Excellent work.

(100)

Daphna