Innocence

Author’s Note – Right in the beginning of the chapter, these men face war for the first time. They are still young, innocent to the world, and oblivious to war.

Young
Forever Young
The world around me, flashing before my eyes.
I don’t want to grow up

Bullets, bombs, and warfare
Surrounding me, passing in front of my eyes
I stand frozen to the ground
I don’t know what to do

The amount of training won’t help me
The hours and hours of preparing for this won’t help me
I need to figure this out on my own

Growing up too quickly
Growing up too fast
My life is a whirlwind

What Is Really Hiding

The day a person turns 18 - possibly the greatest landmark in a person's life. Becoming independent, gaining a sense of maturity, and free of all-the-time command from parents. It is possibly the greatest accomplishment a person can achieve.

But honestly, people don't develop emotionally and mentally into a true adult overnight. People need the time to develop and prosper the developing feels of adulthood.

When people go out and face the world as a single purpose, they are oblivious. They are unsure of what to do, where to go, and where to begin. They have been relying on their parents and peers in their life to guide them along the rocky paths of life.

People always have their little kid instincts inside of them. Crying your eyes out when something doens't go your way. Kicking and screaming and flailing your arms when your favorite team doens't win the playoffs. Wanting to cuddle up with your mommy and be told that everything is going to be alright.

The desire for childhood is impeccably strong, despite the age.

Reoccurring Motif

A reoccurring motif that I believe is very important is the distinction between a child-like manner and adulthood. These men have gained the title of adult, still having the thoughts of their child-like personalities. The four young men enlisted in the army to probably complete the package of becoming an adult, and not just to have the physical traits of one. Taking such a huge leap so quickly may not be the best concept for these men, because maturing does not occur as quickly as most would assume. The brutal trauma and death on the battle field may scar these men, because they weren't as mature as they should be for fighting in a war.

Reflecting on our own lives, we shouldn't have to rush into adulthood. Taking baby steps may be the best route to take.

Lack of Maturity

Author's Note - All Quiet on the Western Front is an interesting story thus far. These four young men appear to be tough and strong-souled because they are enlisted into the war. In reality, they are children at heart.

As a child, most people look forward to the day they turn 18, assuming they will acquire an immediate sense of independence and maturity. In reality, maturity doesn't begin to course throughout our veins over night; it needs time to prosper. In All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque, the author uses creative word choice to portray that these four young men face reality’s challenges in a war that may transform then indefinitely.

These four men may appear to have the physical traits of men, but they have the hearts of a child. Thinking that enlisting in the war will turn them into adults is a great thought, but it is easier said than done. These men are children at heart. Remarque writes, “We obeyed each order, since an order’s an order and has to be obeyed” (25). Taking orders from others goes back to the childhood days when we were learning discipline and how to treat others. This type of thought generally comes from a child, because adults realize that independence is crucial for development. Kids rely on their parents and their peers to guide them along. The author has a great technique of moving the readers to realize that eventually we will branch away from society and become people of a single purpose. These young men, and as well as people in general, have the souls of evolving children.

My Mind Says Yes, My Heart Says No

Author's Note - In the last few chapters of Jekyll and Hyde, Hyde's evil personality begins to overpower Jekyll. Even though a chemical susbtance is used for this drastic transformation, this entire situation can relate to how peer pressure filling the school hallways can change a person.

I look around me and I'm not sure where I belong. 
The distinctive cliche groups of humanity surrounding me attack me with their manipulating words. 
My peers hand out cigarettes like it is their second nature and alcohol like it is a necesity.
Like everyone else, they say, "Relax, everyone does it" or "it's the cool thing to do".
My thoughts circle through my mind like a stampeding bull, trying to figure out exactly what is "right" or "wrong".
My mind is telling me yes, that it is okay, but my heart is telling me no.
Confidently, I said no to those bad influences.
No.
A simple no was all the it took to make me realize that I truly do know where I belong.

Charisma

Author's Note - I believe that the aspect of being prejudice is beginning to peak in these last few chapters. Lanyon understands that the less that he understands a person, the less he has the ability to judge them.

A person's appearance does not define who a person really is.

Deep underneath the skin they live in, a distinctive personality courses through their blood.

Digging deeper into the body, emotions and feelings are stored inside of the intricate, delicate heart.

Peers and oblivious strangers evaluate a person's presence because they may look different, or maybe even prettier than themselves.

Jealousy and snarky remarks can pierce a person's personality, and possibly disable it forever.

People's personalities are fragile, and some people need to realize that judgmental comments are deadly.  

Forever Friends

Author’s Note – This novel is quite an interesting one. I believe that this story has a sense of ambiguity to it so far, because it is very unclear of how the characters feel about themselves and toward one another.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde comprise of what is known to be a love-hate relationship. Mutually, they have a life-long friendship with various reminiscences that both will not fail to remember. This friendship has led the men to an uncanny future, in which those mutual feelings are vanishing. But, when reading the novel, it is unclear to the readers of how the men feel. Indirectly, I feel the readers have to really dig deep into the story to understand the crazy, little world Jekyll and Hyde are living in. Personally I don’t know how the men are feeling toward one another; there is a sense of ambiguity floating through my mind. Although Hyde appears to be making some appalling choices, Jekyll probably fears losing his life-long friendship with him. According to Jekyll, “I have really a very great interest in poor Hyde. I know you have seen him; he told me so; and I fear he was rude. But I do sincerely take a great, very great interest in that young man” (58). Jekyll and Hyde maintain a very powerful friendship, but every friendship eventually begins to crumble due to lack of stability. I fear that this friendship will plummet in the upcoming chapters, for the benefits of the will. I don’t think the end of this friendship will be pleasant, but I guess we will have to wait and see.

Retribution

Author's Note - I usually struggle with creative writing. But, I believe this story was a success. I really emphasized the variation in time, going from the future to the past, and then back to the future.

Two men faced each other, one with a gun in his hand, the other with nothing but a petrified look upon his face. One of the men kept his gun pointed at the other, eyes planted on every single move he made. The other man was tied to a folding chair; his hands were placed behind his back. His wrists were bound with a cord, producing intricate knots. A piece of duct tape was placed over his mouth, so when he screamed, no one could hear him. The man with the gun positioned the other man in the corner of a small, gloomy room. A lamp was shining on the man, as single drops of sweat slowly trickled down his face. The man with the gun imprisoned the other man, intentionally kept him away from his loved ones, so he could finally seek revenge. Revenge. It’s all the man with the gun wanted. The men’s relationship with each other was similar to the relationship between a carnivorous, powerful lion and a fragile, refined gazelle. In the end of a harsh battle, the lion always won. The graceful gazelle, otherwise known as the man with the gun, knew he was going to win this battle.

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            Calum Doherty was never a people person. On a daily basis, he’d take a swirly in the grimy, ghastly toilet, third stall from the left. As his head would rest against the cold rim of the toilet, he’d see Colleen, the woman he’s madly in love with, in the premises of the toilet water. Elegant like a mermaid, her long, curly hair would swish side-to-side at the beat of her steps. Calum indulged the bitter toilet water. He knew deep in his heart he’d allow his archnemesis, Shamus Byrne, to make him lick urine just for one chance to hold her, to love her. Colleen’s aroma of violets filled Calum’s nose. How wonderful they seemed to smell. Forget the fact that the water smelled of bleach. Forget the sight of the mineral drips down the sides of the porcelain like some dirty little tears. Her smell, her scent, her essence was divine, and trumped every single stupid nasty experience that Shamus could throw at him. The calls of seduction were ringing in Calum’s ears. Her voice chirped like a baby blue bird. Such an astounding voice! Shamus cursed foul words around him, forcing Calum to drown in a puddle of neglect. Thoughts bounced and leaped through the segments in his brain, similar to Colleen descending throughout the hallway. Colleen’s face materialized in Calum’s brain. The sight of her blue eyes, curved lips, and stubby nose made Calum’s heart race like a stampeding horse. Colleen was beginning to become a part of Calum, a part of his heart. Her silhouette, her exquisite smile was engraved into him. Calum didn’t love anyone as much as he loved Colleen. He new if he would open up to her, the feelings would eventually become mutual.

Two weeks passed since Shamus tormented Calum last. Calum knew this situation was surreal. Even though Calum had a deep hatred for Shamus, he had to hunt down his predator. He darted through the hallways, anxious yet irritated. As he turned around the last corner, he saw a sight he thought he would never see. Shamus and Colleen were prancing down the hallway, hands intertwined. Colleen pecked Shamus on the cheek, and then they departed their own ways. Calum went into a deep state of shock; he couldn’t move a single cell in his body. He kept thinking to himself that this situation wasn’t real, that it was just a dream. But, it was a lot worse than a dream– it was a nightmare. Calum refused to accept the truth that his rival and sweetheart were head over heels for each other. There was no way that Calum was going to allow Colleen to plummet deeper into Shamus’ trap.

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            Calum grasped the gun close to Shamus’ head. Ah, how terrified he appeared. Eye contact wasn’t lost between the two of them – similar to a childish staring contest. Shamus’ eyes glistened with tears, tears that trickled down the side of his face. He had never expected his life to end at such a young age - he had things to do, things to see, things to prosper. He wanted to marry the woman he’s madly in love with, the future Colleen Byrne. He wanted to have to kids, build a massive house, and even travel the world. He wanted to die next to his wife at an old age, reflecting on the astonishing life he had. But, it will all end tonight.

            Calum had the greatest desire to pull the trigger right there and then. Shamus neglected and scarred Calum an incredible amount. He was nearly beaten to death, just because he wasn’t good enough, and because he didn’t fit in with the other kids. Calum was different and unique, yet everyone took advantage of him because his own confidence wasn’t sturdy. The only thing that would actually make Calum happy is revenge.

Calum aimed his gun at the center of Shamus’ heart.

“BANG, BANG, BANG”

Shamus was gone, gone like the wind. Dead. Extinct.  

            Calum marched away from the crime, with his past long gone, and his future looking exceedingly bright.