Non-Fiction Critical Analysis- Are we running out of chocolate?

The article “Are We Running Out Of Chocolate?” by Kathy Wilmore  is focused on how the worlds population is consuming more chocolate than can be grown. 77,000 tons of chocolate is consumed every year. In the article, the author uses interesting vocabulary as well as structural techniques to get the main idea across as well as making the reader think and feel certain things as they read the article.

In the article, the author includes small sections about related topics such as “Slaves to chocolate” Which discusses the hard labor of children and poor families  that goes into harvesting cocoa beans for chocolate. “A brief history of chocolate” discusses the history and past of chocolate and its discovery and consumption over many centuries. Having these small sections in the article really helps bring light to some of the important issues while still focusing on the main idea of the article.

In the article, the author wants us to think and feel a certain way as we read the article. One way the author does this is by discussing serious issues like slave labor. By taking about these issues, it makes the article more complex, thought-provoking and factual. The author also includes small facts throughout the article more interesting and overall appealing.

In my opinion, this article was definitely compelling and engaging. The author did a remarkable job touching on some serious topics and still making the article fun and attention-grabbing. Overall, I think this was a very well written article that left a lasting impression.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

The book "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" is about the journey of 16 year old Jacob. After the traumatic death of his grandfather, Jacob travels to a remote island off the coast of Wales where his grandfather spent his childhood living in a children's home for "peculiar" children. While on the island, Jacob makes several shocking discoveries about his grandfather's past. Throughout the story, the setting is very important to the plot and overall development of the story.

In the story, the island of Cairnholm is extremely important to the story. Jacobs entire adventure takes place there. While Jacob is there, he notices how different Cairnholm is from his home town. It is very rustic and old and in no way is modern which helps Jacob connect to a time when his grandfather lived there. One example of this is, "I soon discovered that almost no one in Cairnholm even had a phone. I found only one number for the entire island." This shows how the island hasn't changed a lot and is still very outdated. Another example is, "it was my grandfathers island... As I gazed up at its sheer cliffs, tops disappearing in a reef of ghostly clouds , the idea that this was a magical place didn't seem so ridiculous." This shows how even just seeing the island reminds Jacob of his grandfather and the stories he used to tell.

Cairnholm is also very important to the story because it helps Jacob uncover his grandfather's past and secrets. One example of this is, "' what the hell for?' He growled when I told him where I wanted to go... I explained about my grandfather and the children's home." This shows how the island for Jacob, is the door to his grandfather's past.

The book " Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" uses setting heavily to help develop the plot. Without the setting, the story would be completely different. The setting in this book is what makes it interesting and exciting.

Literary Essay

There are many books that use symbolism, but the book “Looking for Alaska” by john green uses symbolism in a way that helps the plot unfold. Throughout the story,the cigarettes are a recurring idea and are a big part of the story-line. The cigarettes symbolize self-loathing, stress, and peer pressure.

Cigarettes in the book, are frequently used to represent the self loathing of characters, whether its hidden, or out in the open. An example of the self-loathing displayed by the characters is, “ Y’all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die.” This quote shows how within many of the characters, there is always a hint of doubt or self-destruction. Alaska has had a lot of tragedy and hardship in her life which gives her even more misgivings and troubles. She hides many of her problems from her friends which then leads to more serious issues.

In many parts of the story, cigarettes are also used when the characters are under a lot of stress. In the book, whenever there is a stressful time, there are always cigarettes to help relieve the stress. One example of this is, " Oh, God, I need to smoke. I need to smoke, but I can't reek when I see Sara's parents. " this shows how when the Colonel was stressed out about meeting his girlfriend's parents, smoking became his way of calming himself down. In the book the characters commonly become stressed so  they smoke to help them relax.  

Throughout the story, cigarettes are also commonly used to symbolize peer-pressure. When Miles (pudge) gets to Culver Creek, he is instantly influenced by his new friends and is pressured into smoking to impress them. One example of this is, “ then lit a cigarette and handed it to me. I inhaled. Coughed. Wheezed. Gasped for breath. Coughed again… ‘smoke much?’” This shows how being around people who smoke regularly starts to pressure Miles into thinking he should too. He is not used to smoking but when he is in an atmosphere where people are, he feels like he has to as well to fit in.

Symbolism is heavily used in this book both obviously and subtly. The use of cigarettes to me is one of the most important uses of symbolism in the book because it shows the emotions and personalities of the characters. I also think its very important because it deals with common teen issues that many people can easily connect to.