MENIANO, ALAIZAH B.
Inspiring Lyric Poem
SUMMARY
This poem, Love and Death by Lord Byron, speaks to the depth
and intensity of unrequited love. The speaker reflects on
moments when they were by their loved one’s side in times of
danger and hardship—through battles, storms, illness, and
even earthquakes—always prioritizing the other’s safety over
their own. The speaker's devotion is so strong that even in
moments of life-threatening danger or the approach of death,
their thoughts still turn to the one they love. Despite all of this
unwavering loyalty and sacrifice, the speaker laments that
their love is not returned. They recognize that love isn’t
something that can be forced or chosen, accepting the
sadness of loving someone who does not and will not love them back. The poem captures
the bittersweet, often painful nature of loving deeply and selflessly, even when it is
unreturned.
Romantic Novel SUMMARY
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks is a heartfelt love story about Noah and
Allie, two people from different worlds who fall deeply in love one summer.
Although their relationship is challenged by social class differences and family
disapproval, their feelings remain strong. After being separated for years, they
both lead separate lives, but Noah never forgets Allie. When they meet again
later in life, they rediscover their connection and rekindle their love.
The story is told through Noah, who is now elderly and reading the story of their
romance to Allie, who has Alzheimer's disease. As he reads, they share tender
moments that remind her, even briefly, of the love they shared. *The Notebook*
shows the power of enduring love, the sacrifices it sometimes requires, and the
strength of memories that can bring people together, even when everything else
fades away.
Epic with Adaptation
SUMMARY
The Beowulf epic tells the story of a brave warrior named Beowulf who
comes to the aid of King Hrothgar, whose people are terrorized by a
monstrous creature named Grendel. Beowulf battles Grendel,
defeating him with his immense strength. But soon after, Grendel's
mother seeks revenge, forcing Beowulf into another deadly fight, which
he also wins, bringing peace to the kingdom. Years later, now a
respected king himself, Beowulf faces his final challenge: a dragon
threatening his own people. Although he's older, he courageously
battles the dragon. He succeeds in killing it but is mortally wounded in
the process. The epic ends with Beowulf’s heroic death and his people mourning the loss of
their beloved leader. One adaptation of Beowulf is the 2007 animated film Beowulf, which
stays close to the epic’s main events but gives the characters more complex motivations. In
this version, Beowulf’s battles are reimagined with new twists, showing him not just as a hero
but also as a flawed man dealing with the consequences of his choices. This adaptation
explores his strengths, vulnerabilities, and the sacrifices he makes for glory, providing a
modern view of the ancient hero's story.
Biography-Personal Hero
SUMMARY
Becoming by Michelle Obama is a deeply personal biography
where she shares her journey from growing up in the South Side of Chicago
to becoming the First Lady of the United States. She opens up about her
childhood, family, and the values that shaped her, emphasizing the
importance of hard work, resilience, and integrity. Michelle describes her
experiences in education, her challenges as a young Black woman
navigating prestigious spaces, and how she built a career while balancing
family and public life. As she recounts meeting Barack Obama and
supporting his political career, Michelle reveals both the joys and difficulties
of life in the White House. She also addresses her commitment to causes like healthy living,
education for girls, and military families. In *Becoming*, Michelle shares her hopes for a
more inclusive world, her desire to help others find their voice, and the personal strength
she’s drawn on in moments of doubt. Her story is inspiring and relatable, showing how each
of us is continually “becoming” the person we are meant to be.
Dramatic Poetry
SUMMARY
Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe is a dramatic, hauntingly
beautiful poem about the speaker’s intense and undying love for a
woman named Annabel Lee. They were young and deeply in love,
and their love was so pure and powerful that it seemed almost
supernatural. The speaker believes that even the angels were
jealous of their love, which led to Annabel Lee’s tragic death.
Despite her passing, the speaker feels that their souls are forever connected, and he
continues to love her deeply, even lying beside her in spirit by her tomb. The poem captures
the themes of love and loss, portraying love as something eternal, unbreakable, and stronger
than death itself.
Dystopian/Science Fiction
Novel
SUMMARY
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is set in a future world called
Panem, where the rich and powerful Capitol controls 12 poorer
districts. Every year, as a reminder of their power, the Capitol holds a
deadly event called "The Hunger Games." In this event, each district
must send one boy and one girl, called "tributes," to fight in an arena
until only one person is left alive. The story follows Katniss Everdeen, a
young girl from District 12. When her younger sister Prim is chosen as a
tribute, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Alongside her fellow
tribute, Peeta Mellark, Katniss must survive the brutal games, where survival depends not
just on strength but on strategy, alliances, and public image. As the games go on, Katniss
and Peeta develop a complicated relationship. They work together to outsmart the Capitol,
all while trying to stay alive. Throughout the story, Katniss becomes a symbol of rebellion
against the Capitol’s oppressive rule, though she never intended to be a hero. The novel
explores themes like survival, sacrifice, loyalty, and the consequences of living in a society
divided by wealth and power. It raises questions about how far people will go to fight for
freedom and justice.
