IR Project #1 Digital Storytelling

The Mirror Crack'd by Agatha Christie 

http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/interests/irp-the-mirror-crack-d-4950433




1a. I chose to create a scrapbook using Mixbook.com for my Independent Reading project b. I wanted to show the old fashion style of that time period and the way Christie writes her murder mysteries c. Two of my most meaningful or descriptive parts are the actual look of the project and how the pictures I chose helped to represent the characters and events in the novel.

2a. I personally had some difficulties with the program in the beginning however as I got the hang of it I felt more comfortable with using it b. I learned a lot about placement and size while working with Mixbook.com and to really show what the book was all about c. Yes, I do like synthesizing the book in this way because it is a more interesting method in trying to convey the message in a book and also lets me explore my creative side as well.

3a. Yes, I did. I have read several of her books already but I found this one to be really interesting in a way that it can relate to The Great Gatsby. Her mysteries always keeps you on your toes and you expect what the outcome may be b. Based on what we will be read I will keep a novel that has to do with identity and what we can become.

Chapter 9 - Gatsby Reflection

What is the American Dream?

This whole novel is about pursuing the American Dream and how people's ideas on what the American Dream varies depending on what they set out to accomplish in life. It also has to do with the character's intentions especially in the Great Gatsby and the people who influence them to become something greater or worse off than they were before. The American Dream is to find happiness in whatever it is that makes you personally happy with your life. You go out wanting something however you may not always get it but you are that much closer for taking the steps to achieve it. And I think the American Dream is part of your lifestyle and where you see yourself. People spend their whole lives searching for this idea of the "American Dream", some are lucky enough to find it, others are not or have not realized it yet. Maybe its just an imaginary thing to make people want to achieve success in their lives and we are told this to make the society better in a way that everyone is trying to work to obtain this similar dream that we all are so desperately seeking. I believe we should honor this idea because it gives everyone a chance to become something bigger than themselves and room beyond the ordinary.

Gatsby- Chapter 3

I believe the 'good life' may refer to as a life that one would like to live. It really depends on that person and what they want to pursue in their lifetime and what inspires them each and every day. For me, it would be spent in a studio or gallery space looking and making art with all my ideas flow out of me creating something entirely new. In Fitzgerald's case, the 'good life' is to find something that is spontaneous and that makes you happy. For example, the people of the 1920's in The Great Gatsby find extravigant parties, cocktails and socializing what they considered to be the 'good life'. When comparing my definition to Fitzgerald's, we have very similar views on the subject however our ideas in which we describe them are different. The 'good life' can mean something to one but not the other.