The minute details are vital to a good story. While reading Moby Dick, by Herman Melville, the vivid detail put into every sentence is what helps you mentally visualize the book and makes you want to read on. No matter what Melville is writing about, he puts meticulous detail into every line and carefully crafts his sentences to make them engaging and to fully explicate the story. It wasn't hard for me to immediately recognize how detailed every aspect of Melville's writing was. Wherever I was reading Moby Dick, I felt like I was present in whatever scene the story was taking place at. At first, I enjoyed the detail but I didn't have an appreciation for it, but by now, on Chapter 77, the detail of the book is my favorite part. At no other point in my reading experience was the detail in a book more evident to me then when I picked up Moby Dick for the first time and began reading it. Because of the unparalleled descriptions put into every chapter, paragraph, and sentence, I began to feel like I was on the Pequod with Ishmael and the rest of the ship's crew. For the first time reading a book, I felt an immediate connection with the characters and a resentment towards Moby Dick. I began to despise the creature and wanted to seek revenge against him like Captain Ahab did. I am truly thankful for reading Moby Dick because if I had not, I never would have realized how vital adding detail to a story is. Although the book can become slightly pedantic at times, there is never a dull moment where I want to put it down because the details make me want to read on. For me, I now know to always remember to add detail to my writing because it is what makes reading a story exciting and it is what makes Moby Dick arguably the best American novel of all time.

Zack Goorno
Fitz 9th English Section 2
Walden Literary Analysis #2
11/3/14

I think that it would be better than this, for the students, or those who desire to be benefited by it, even to lay the foundation themselves.
-Quote from Chapter I of Walden

       The strongest education is one in which the learner experiences learning hands on. In Economy, Chapter I in Walden, by Henry David Thoreau, Thoreau talks about the true way in which people learn best, which is by going out and experiencing something, and learning from that experience. Thoreau was certainly one who challenged society a lot, but was able to because he was so disattached from it. He states how many adults are paying loads of money for their children to be sent to school, only to sit in a pedantic classroom full of lectures and lessons taught by unenthusiastic teachers. In turn, what he says they should be doing is allowing their kids the freedom to explore the world at first hand, because that is how they will learn the most effectively and efficiently. After attending Harvard undergrad, and then pursuing a vastly different lifestyle, which was far away from the classroom, Henry David Thoreau contrasts his experiences in school with his experiences living in a log cabin in the woods, facing only the bare essentials of life. Clearly, Thoreau enjoys the second lifestyle more, and is certainly not afraid to voice his opinion on the first part, education:

Thoreau declares true education as learning something from experience; he says that school is a waste of time; a waste of money; and that parents are better off letting their kids be free. He believes that people learn best when they face the inevitable, and are forced to learn in order to stay alive and to thrive in their lives. He knows and says that the way he lives is not suited for everyone, but he wants people to attempt to be and do what they love, and learn from their experiences living simply. Thoreau is encouraging more people to leave the classroom, and learn what they need to learn, and more importantly, what they want to learn. After all, the wisest and most educated man in the one who learns from experience.

Zack Goorno
Fitz 9th English Section 2
Walden Literary Analysis #2
11/3/14

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
-Quote from Walden chapter I

       The happiest people are those who march to their own drums. In Economy, the first chapter in Walden, by Henry David Thoreau, Thoreau speaks to the true way in which happiness is acquired and maintained. Thoreau observed society throughout his time in Concord, but he payed closest attention to the things that make people happy. He states how although people are fundamentally different, the same things make them happy. One basic principal that makes one happy is their choice of being who they are, and doing what they want, and not conforming to what others want to see from them just to fit in. Henry David Thoreau was a man who spoke his true feelings. He stated his thoughts clearly and concisely, and with conviction. In his time in Concord, during the mid 1800's, Thoreau built a small log cabin next to Walden Pond, on the outskirts of what was Concord center, and observed society from the outside. Through being an observationist, he was able to examine how people live their lives, and his and other's feelings were very evident with him:

Thoreau declares an individual as someone who follows what their heart endeavors; he knows that people are going to dislike him and his writing for its brutalness and harshness; and he choses to write in this style anyways because it is what makes him happy. This is what made him such a wise man. He saw what he saw, and wrote about that, as opposed to being influenced by others. In the end, it doesn't matter what others think of you, it doesn't matter if you do not fit in, and it doesn't matter if others are happy with who you are, it only matters if you are happy with yourself.

Zack Goorno
Narrative Paragraph #2
Fitz Section 2
10/4/14
Pursuing Your Passions

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." ~Walt Disney

Nothing is more self rewarding than pursuing your passions in life. No matter what happens in life, if I am doing what I love, I will always be happy. I try to carry this motto with me wherever I go. There are many things one must do unwillingly; these things and tasks are simply brought on by an uncontrollable force. These challenges must be tackled with effort and compassion, and an open mind in order to make the most out of the circumstances. But when there is an opportunity for doing what you love; take on the opportunity, because you will almost always be rewarded in the end. There are things that I must do even if I do not want to. Wether this be: doing a homework assignment, a chore at home, or playing a game that I do not like; there are limitless things that I do not enjoy which I am faced with doing in my daily life. Sometimes, I do not have enough time in my day for doing something that I love doing, but I always try to keep an open mind when I am doing things I am unfamiliar with, or dislike. When I am granted time to do what I love, wether it is: reading, sometimes writing, helping out, being with friends and family, or playing a sport; I take this opportunity, because I always enjoy it. There is one time in specific where I chose to pursue one of the activities I love doing, which is helping others. On multiple occasions two summers ago, I had no plans for my day. No obligations, just one on one time with myself to do just about whatever I desired. This could have been sitting on the couch all day and being lazy, but instead, I chose to go to my sisters hockey practice and help instruct the little kids. I love playing hockey, and it was an amazing experience to pass on my knowledge of the game to kids who were starting to play my beloved game. Volunteering my time like this has become one of my passions in life. Assisting others through something that I love to do brings limitless joy to me. I now often help out with local programs which teach children with autism how to skate. I know that offering my service in this way is joyful to those who I am directly helping, but it also brings joy to me that I know I have made a difference. For me, doing the things that I love is my favorite thing in life. I encourage more people to peruse what they love in their lives.

Zack Goorno
Narrative Paragraph
Section 2
10/2/14
The Bond Between Best Friends

"You can always tell when two people are best friends because they are having more fun than it makes sense for them to be having". ~Author Unknown


The bond between best friends is unbreakable. No matter where the vines of life swing us, the bond between my best friend and I will never be broken. This is like the bond my best friend Asher and I share. We no longer go to the same school; so were are no longer are in great contact with one another; and we seldom see each other anymore, but when we get together, our friendship is still the same. Maybe we have changed, but our friendship has not. Nothing changes, because our bond of friendship can and will not be broken. Asher and I have remained best friends despite years of being separated from  each other in school, and on sports teams. It doesn't matter what time or where, but when we hang out together, we always share a laugh and share a memorable time. Our personalities align perfectly together. There is one time in particular when we were in New Hampshire together where I think I laughed the hardest I ever have in my life. I can recall a time after I slept over at Asher's summer house in New Hampshire. We had the greatest time, and the laughs were so plentiful that the next day my stomach felt like I had gotten beaten by Mohamed Ali. Some of our talk is serious, but mostly, it is about funny stories from present to past, or lines from a tv show or a movie that we somehow find hilarious. It even brings a smile to my face as I reminisce of our time spent together, because it is one of my most cherished times of all. This separation has not wavered our friendship in the slightest regard. Of anything, it has bolstered it. The time that Asher and I spend together is valuable, not because it isn't often, but because of the fun we have when we are together. It doesn't matter where we start, or where we end up in life, because I know that my best friend will always have a special place in my heart.