Foreward

I have learned many things being in British Literature for a year now. I have learned to

use better grammar, cite my sources, and how to write better thesis statements. In the

beginning of the year I was not very confident in my writing, but as the year has progressed

writing seems to come a little easier. Now, when I write papers I include references and a

detailed thesis to get my paper started. Throughout my paper I use larger words that give my

paper more depth and feeling.

Table of Contents

College Essay 1

Chaucer Essay 3Beowulf Compare and Contrast 5Diary Project 7Modest Proposal essay 9Frankenstein Essay 11Prose Piece “Lady of Shallot” 13Literary Analysis 15

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Shelby Spinelli College Essay

I consider my greatest achievement receiving my scholarship from the University of

Indianapolis. Being rewarded a scholarship has been the best thing that has ever happened to

me because I have worked so long for it. I’m excited to have this opportunity to attend college

and also play the sport that I love. Not only will I play soccer in college, but I will major in

Biology and strive to obtain a bachelor degree in physical therapy. Through perseverance, hard

work, and self discipline, I have achieved my lifelong dream of becoming a college soccer

player.

Perseverance has affected my scholarship opportunity, by helping me become a future

college player. There have been several obstacles and discouragements along the way. My

social life was a major obstacle. I insisted on hanging out with my friends rather than focusing

on soccer. While participating in activities that my friends were involved in, I gradually quit

loving to play. After getting into trouble with my friends, I learned they weren’t my true friends;

I was just becoming one of them. I immediately realized how I had changed and started down

the right path. Also I faced discouragements, such as not mentally being in the right state of

mind before games. I would get down on myself after every mistake I made. I went through a

slump and felt as though I would never come up again. My dad suggested I read a mental

attitude book that teaches you how to prepare before games. After reading the book and

learning new ways to get focused I arose from the slump. By perseverance, I took on the

obstacles and discouragements and succeeded.

I’m known to be extremely hard working. I will never give up or let down on anything in

life. I’ll find a way to do so or work as hard as I can to achieve what I am striving for. My hard

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work is mainly viewed in games and practices. I have done all I can do to become a better

soccer player. My dad has invested in trainers and Acceleration Indiana. I have tried to become

better in all aspects of the game. Ever since I was little I have had this drive to be the best I can

possibly be. No matter the work I needed to put forth, I was driven to accomplish my ambition.

By being hard working I have learned to not let anything get in my way.

Being self disciplined has taken me a long way. I have pushed myself during training

sessions, I have stayed away from my friends and our extracurricular activities, and I have

maintained a healthy diet to completely stay in shape for soccer. During training and practices I

have showed no mercy. I’ve given it my all and when I felt sick to my stomach from running I

wouldn’t think about it. By feeling sick it only made me want to push myself harder. While my

friends were out, I stayed home to get extra sleep. Most importantly, I have eaten well to stay

healthy and physically fit for soccer. Self discipline goes along way and is one of the three

reasons I am receiving a scholarship.

In spite of the difficulties, obstacles, and discouragements, I became the player I am

today. In five years I hope to have succeeded as a college player, maybe even receive a few

rewards. Along with that I would like to be returning to school to obtain a doctorate in physical

therapy. I would later like to become a coach and teach the sport I cherish, and I would be

interested in making an impact on children like my coaches did to me.

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Shelby SpinelliChaucer Character Essay

The Heroic White Knight

He was a white knight often referred to as a Saint. Angelic tendrils lay loosely next to his

soft face. His fair glowing skin delicately complimented his thick frame. His muscular arms

offered gentle hands of comfort. He is a philanthropist who gladly shares his wealth, his time,

and life with others. As a white knight he seeks no other. He doesn’t expect any compensation

giving is its own reward. The white knight has the characteristics of generosity and sympathy.

As a heroic figure he is merciful and helpful. The knight was so dedicated to his work that he

was often times lonely. Along with all the good qualities that the knight portrays, there is a

negative side as well. The Knight reveals that he is impulsively decisive, sentimental, and

misdirected.

The Knight, as a heroic figure, obviously is supposed to protect people and gives the

impression of being a savior. The knight’s job is to be the guardian and the look out over each

person. He devotes all of his time and life to the public. He does without to provide everyone

with what they need to live a better life. The knight is constantly on the go to discover things he

can perform to better the community and everyone living in it. He fights off villains during the

wicked nights and keeps his faction safe.

The godly knight came to the conclusion to partake in a pilgrimage. He wanted to

overcome his negative qualities as a knight and seek new life. He was in much need to learn to

think before he acted to keep himself and others out of danger. The knight needed to not be so

impulsive and close minded. Sharing this pilgrimage with other people will help him to be more

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open-minded and see what others would do in certain situations. The knight needed to take

time to be around other people instead of being so cooped up into his duties as a Knight. It’s

not that he needed to take time off of his job, but to learn to be social while at the same time

able to be proactive

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Shelby Spinelli

Beowulf Compare and Contrast

In the world today everybody is dissimilar. Each individual has special characteristics

that separate them from all others in civilization. Just as individuals today have their own

distinctive characteristics, so too does Beowulf and Grendel. Beowulf was more beastly, savage,

and smart rather than Grendel who was more human, capable of feelings, and capable of

reason. Both Beowulf and Grendel have similar but yet much different attributes such as their

physical, emotional, and intellectual qualities.

Beowulf is first portrayed as a notorious fighter until he succeeds his battles then becomes a

great warrior with magnificent physical strength. Many perceived Beowulf as "greater and

stronger than anyone anywhere in this world (lines 91-92)". In the battle against Grendel at

Mead-Hall Beowulf annihilates Grendel by severing his arm. Beowulf won every battle he

fought. He was boastful and greedy of the fame he was rewarded.

Grendel on the other hand was also well-built, but was more human, not so much a beast. Even

though Grendel was more human he carried traits that were unique such as sharp teeth and

talons. "Grendel's great teeth came together, snapping life shut (lines 303-304". Grendel being

more human like was able to speak fluently as well.

Beowulf as a warrior was not capable of emotion. He was a relentless fighter who was only

concerned for his status of being a good warrior. "The victory, for proof, hanging high from the

rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster's arm, claw and shoulder and all (Lines

393-395)". He feels as though he needs to live up to the reputation of his father. Beowulf was

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invincible, no one or nothing could defeat him. He was considered a "superman". "I've never

known fear; as a youth I fought in endless battles". He has always been determined to be a

great warrior. Emotion isn't a quality.

Grendel was remorseful. He was illustrated to be a monster that was vicious and numb. "A

powerful monster, living down in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient as day after day

(lines 1-3)". Even though Grendel was said to be insensitive, he claimed he felt "hollow" which

makes him capable of emotion. Grendel is misunderstood; he has just as much feeling as any

human being.

Beowulf was somewhat smart. During battles he had to visualize what he would do next.

Intelligence wasn't a necessity, being a warrior was more important than anything these days.

His main goal was to be a famous soldier like his father Edgetho.

Grendel was very intelligent. He was capable of reason and had feelings toward everything. He

was misunderstood as an angry monster that had no feelings. He showed he had feeling by

caring what other thought of him. He thought of reasoning befriending the exile.

Both Beowulf and Grendel have similar but yet much different attributes such as their physical,

emotional, and intellectual qualities. Beowulf develops into a heroic figure after all the battles

he fought and the determination he showed to win. Not all Beowulf's reasons to fight were the

right ones, but he ended up getting the reputation he wanted. As to Grendel, he was

misinterpreted between the epic and the book. The epic and the novel overall are very

different.

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Shelby Spinelli Dear Diary,

Today, January 21, 2009, the words of our newly elected President had an immense

impact on my life. Barack Obama’s inspiring exchange of ideas with our Nation was admired by

a large faction. He spoke of lowering the cost of health care, improving education in schools,

and being less dependent on foreign energy. Personally, Obama has made me feel as though

our country can change for the better and we will pick ourselves up from the incredible

challenges that lie ahead. He has given me a sense of confidence about America’s future and

our generation. I was pleased to hear Obama express that our patchwork heritage is a strength,

not a weakness. He presents to our country that even though our ancestors have witnessed civil

war and segregation, our generation now, will be even more determined to break down social,

economic and racial barriers. I respect his proposal for Americans to lead into a new era of

peace. I am especially offended by those who are trapped in the long-ago beliefs of our

ancestors. I despise the isolation and exclusion of different races. I believe that President

Obama symbolizes another hurdle we as Americans have overcome as we strive towards true

acceptance. He speaks of how powerful our nation is and those who attempt to erode the spirit

and faith of this country will certainly be defeated. Obama points out that we are still strong

and no one can outlast us. At the same time he wants us to reconcile with other countries and

work towards international tranquility. I feel Obama creates a sense of security and that he will

protect America under any circumstance. My feelings towards The United States of America

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have changed since Obama’s Inaugural Address because unlike the past four years I sense there

will be more stability and peace.

9

Shelby Spinelli

Women’s vs. Men’s Rights

In the current times, although people refuse to acknowledge it, sexism still keeps many

women down and keeps men in power. This keeps women from reaching full potential in the

workforce and allows men to continue running companies poorly. Women who are kept down

by the glass ceiling hope that one day it will be shattered by men being thrown from the top to

the bottom of the workforce.

Most men, on average, earn 25 cents more than a woman per an hour. However,

women work harder, longer hours and often aren’t as social stupid as men and even had higher

GPA’s in college courses. While men had a constant salary increase, women have taken a

decrease in salary so men can feed their excessively large egos. To address this issue, men

should take advantage of their “muscle” and work only in assembly lines so women can manage

the world markets in order. Also, this will allow women to finally utilize the skills that they have

never been able to use because men thought they were too good for help.

Also, this pay cut has left over 17 million women without health insurance. Without

health insurance, the women of America will not be healthy enough to date, marry, or recreate

with men. While the corporate giants of America, evil under-skilled men, hold down the

women, they do not understand that they are in turn hurting themselves. Fixing this issue will

be quite easy. The men will be shown how unhealthy women are not attracted to or drawn to

men, immediately they will cease working and beg women to become healthy again.

Men are given the upper hand in almost every situation based on cultural norms;

however, men’s rights need to be discouraged. By showing the world what men can do, when

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on a level lower than women, the world will want only men to take care of the children, feed

the dogs, and cook the food. By shifting the roles in modern times, men will be able to finally do

manual labor which doesn’t require the use of their brains, which barely work anyway. Women

will finally be able to run the world, which in turn will become a cleaner and safer place to live.

The world in which we live portrays women as the submissive creature that will do

anything to please the dominant male. In America, according to the US Department of Justice, a

woman is raped every two minutes. 28% of women are raped by their husband or boyfriend. By

taking away all men’s rights, they will not be able to roam the streets past a certain time, which

will change the crime rate dramatically.

Increasing women’s rights and privileges will do nothing but create a utopian

environment. Also, by increasing the power of women, men will lose all power. No longer will

they hold the highest paying jobs, because their labor is worth nothing. They will be the ones

who watch the children, make dinner, and clean the house. By learning what women have lived

like for centuries, they may finally realize that women are more superior and will always live

longer and be better than their inferior sex.

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Shelby Spinelli

Frankenstein Essay

Victor Frankenstein created a creature that brought several problems to Geneva. He not

only was selfish for this experiment, but also ignorant. When the first creature was created, it

had asked for a female companion. Victor was informed by his first creation that if the female

was created he would not harm Victor or his family. Victor being oblivious of the actions this

creature is capable of leads him to make some very unintelligent decisions.

The creature Victor created desperately wanted a companion, he stated “I am alone,

and miserable” 103. This quote presents how lonely and upset the creature was. The creature

also develops low self esteem as he sees more people and their reactions. He becomes aware

of his external appearance, “man will not associate with me” 103. The beast wants nothing

more than to feel cared for. Victor’s creation will feel comfortable in the world if his companion

were more like him, “but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me.

My companion must be of the same species, and have same defects” (103-104). The reason the

beast wishes this is because he feels that the female creature will not deny him.

After hearing the creature vent about the desire of a female companion, Victor

considered the deal. Victor was afraid of this deal for many reasons. He thought of the people

of his town or any other town. If anyone were to lay eyes on the two disturbing creatures’

people would be terrified. The beast states, “if you consent, neither you nor any other human

being shall ever see us again, I will go to vast wilds of South Africa” (105). When Victor hears

this from the beast he considers what he says. Victor ponders on what the beast will eat or

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sleep as well. Before he can even ask his creation these questions they were already being

answered. The creature states, “My food is not that of man, I do not destroy the lamb and the

kid to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment.” 105. The

argument the creature makes for himself leads Victor into the consideration of a female

companion.

After all the considerations and agreement to the creature Victor made a life

threatening decision. He thinks to himself what happens if the female doesn’t agree with this

deal, Victor states “He had sworn to quit the neighborhood of man, and hide himself in deserts,

but she had not.” 120. He never made an agreement with the female, she can disagree to the

deal and then there would be two disturbing beats. Victor also thought of things like “They

might hate each other; the creature who already lived loathed his own deformity, and might he

not conceive a greater abhorrence for it when it come before his eyes in the female form?”

121. Victor was afraid of his capabilities.

Victor finally decides to destroy the female creature. When he accomplishes this task,

he unknowingly takes on an immense punishment to him and his family.

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Shelby Spinelli

April 20, 2009

"The Lady of Shallott" presents to the readers that there are long fields of barley and rye

that run along both sides of the river. A road runs parallel to the river as well, which leads to

Camelot. In Camelot, the streets are overwhelmed with people walking. The people walking on

the street are looking toward an island called Shallott. The flowers on the island, willows and

aspens, sway in the breeze from the river. Four gray towers with four gray walls contain the

lady of Shallott who overlooks the swaying flowers from her four wall room. On the edge of the

river heavy boats sailed, but has anyone seen the lady of Shallott? Is she known in the land? The

reapers who harvest early in the morning hear her beautiful singing. At night they listen to her

sing "Tis the fairy Lady of Shallott."

The Lady of Shallott weaves night and day a magic web of wonderful colors. She has

heard a whisper mutter to her that if she looks to Camelot, there will be a curse out on her. She

doesn’t know what they curse will be so she focuses steadily on her weaving and does not care

to look up. In her room she holds a mirror that hangs in front of her everyday. In the mirror

images of the world, such as the road that runs through the fields of barley and rye to Camelot

appear. She sees the villagers carrying on their daily routine passing on from Shallott.

Sometimes people like a long-haired servant wearing purplish red dress goes by to tower

Camelot. Sometimes in the mirror she also sees two knights riding side by side, even though she

has no knight of her own. Along with all these sights she views a funeral with plumes and lights

and music. She also saw two newlyweds and is tired of seeing these shadows in the mirror.

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Sir Lancelot rode on a horse through the barley fields while the sun dazzled his armor in

sun. He was a knight that rode with his sparkling shield alongside Shallott. The sound of bridle

bells rang merrily as he rode alongside Shallott. In the clear blue sky weather the thick jewels

shone the leather saddle, the helmet, and they helmet feather. As he rode through the night

under the bright sky he looked like a meteor trailing light in Shallott. The sun shone on his black

curly hair that peeked out from his helmet. He flashed in the mirror of the lady of Shallott and

rode from the bank and from the river singing "Tirra lirra" by the river. She sets aside the web

she got up and walked through the room and saw the water-lily bloom and saw the helmet and

plume. She looked down to Camelot, then the mirror cracked and she cried "now the curse is

on me!"

A stormy, windy, raining weather broke over Camelot. She lowers herself from her

window of the tower and finds a boat, then writes "The Lady of Shallott" on the bow. She sees

all his mischance and looks to Camelot. She lay down in the boat and let the stream carry her

far away. Lying in the boat with a white rob she sings her last song, and they heard her singing

her last song. She continues to sing until her blood freezes and her eyes blacken, the tide

carries her boat along and she dies. Knights and Lords read the name on the boat as it passed,

The Lady of Shallott. Lancelot made space and said “she has a lovely face; God in his mercy lend

her grace" The Lady of Shallott.

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Literary Analysis “Lady of Shalott”

After interpreting many pieces by Alfred Lord Tennyson, I have recognized the diverse

writings he has created. They cover issues of political and historical distress, as well as scientific

matters, typical mythology, and deeply personal thoughts and feelings. As to “The Lady of

Shalott” I believe he covers his deep personal thoughts and feelings. The poem is based on a

woman who thirsted for the real world of love and compassion. In “The Lady of Shalott”,

Tennyson portrays the idealism of Medieval Romanticism through the use of imagery.

As I was reading Part I, Tennyson describes the lifeless colors of the Lady’s walls and

how beautiful outside of her window was. He demonstrates the temptation of looking out the

window and how boring the room would be, “Four gray walls, and four gray towers. Overlook a

space of flowers.” ll(15-6). The elegy goes on to delineate how dreadful it would be to live in

such a small region surrounded by the dreary walls. The Lady was miserable, unknown, and

hidden from the world, “But who hath seen her wave her hand? Or at casement seen her

stand? Or is she known in all the land?” ll(24-6). The author uses Part I to arise the theme of

romanticism in this poem.

Part II of Alfred’s work describes how the Lady is unable to peer out of her window or a

curse will be set on her for life. Since she is not aware of what the cure will be she is more

frightened to look to Camelot “A curse is on her if she stay to look down to Camelot. She knows

not what the curse may be” ll(40-2) Being incapable of looking to Camelot the Lady holds a

mirror that sits in front of her displaying the daily activities of Camelot. At the end of Part II

Lady discovers a knight, which reminds her of her loneliness “The knights come riding two and

two: She hath no loyal knight and true” ll(61-2) As she sees numerous images a day she comes

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across one that will stay with her. She realizes the newlyweds that are in love and longs for the

love of her own and is weary of these images “Came two young lovers lately wed; I am half sick

of shadows” ll(70-1). While the end of Part II introduces her desire for love Tennyson is setting

up his main theme which is in Part III of Medieval Romanticism.

Tennyson applies most of his imagery in Part III, to illustrate the “godly” knight. Through

the diction Alfred uses he gives us the idea that this knight is physically perfect and extremely

good looking. Along with the perfection the author leads me to believe that the world stands

still and the sounds around him are merry “The bridle bells rand merrily as he rode down the

streets to Camelot” ll(85-6). When the author describes the knight and his horse he presents

them as strong, buff, and godly “His broad clear brow in sunlight glowed; on burnished hoofs

his war horse trode” ll(100-1). As for the knights flawless appearance Tennyson cites “From

underneath his helmet flowed his coal-black curls as on he road” The end of Part III the Lady

gets sick of the misery of watching the world through the mirror and rises from her seat to look

out the window “she made three paces through the room, she saw the water lily-bloom, she

saw the helmet and the plume, she looked down Camelot. The mirror cracked from side to

side” ll(110-5)

The last part of this poem describes the Medieval Romanticism as well as the last. The

lady was wretched living the life she did and wanted to die for the love she had for the knight. I

also believe that she dressed in white to show her purity of life. “Lying, robed in snowy white,

that loosely flew to left and right-the leaves upon her falling light” ll(136-8) As the Lady was

drifting down the river she died in grace singing her song “Heard a carol, mournful, holy,

chanted loudly, chanted lowly, till her blood was frozen slowly, and her eyes were darkened

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wholly” ll(145-8).

In “The Lady of Shalott”, Tennyson portrays the idealism of Medieval Romanticism

through the use of imagery. Throughout my analysis I demonstrated the all the different

imagery Alfred uses and proved it through citing the lines of “The lady of Shalott.” Tennyson

uses this much imagery to allow the reader to feel and visualize the personal thoughts and

feelings of romantic love through this work.