To read or not to read, that is the question. It is understandable that in the age of technology many people are reading far less. With movies and television shows on the rise, reading has become an occasional amusement. Sure, everyone reads an odd book here and there, but what few realize is the power of reading, even just a few pages, every day.     Reading consistently will change your life, and here’s why:  1. One-Way Ticket for Self-Discovery Reading is a journey, each page a wave pushing your vessel of self-discovery forward. Only through reading can you get a front-row seat ..read more

When in doubt read a quote! These are three of my personal favourites, and given the present situation I think everyone is in need of a little guidance. What are some quotes you live by? Let me know in the comments below!! “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses” – Abraham Lincoln Perspective. It can change everything. This quote by Lincoln proves that life itself is objective, and it is human thought that decides whether a situation is positive or negative. By simply changing the order of a few words, the entire mood of ..read more

Whether we like it or not, writing is essential for our 21st century life. When one is a skilled writer, it opens up many doors. Why? Well, those who can write eloquently also speak eloquently. And, those who can convey their ideas in a persuasive and structured manner are successful in whatever endeavor they may pursue.      The good news is that writing is a skill, and skills can be improved with practice. So, do not despair my troubled writer! With this daily habit I saw my writing improve, and I can guarantee that yours will too.      Ready for the secret? A Commonplace book ..read more

From time to time, we all get a case of loneliness but Wordsworth may have found the cure. And its much simpler than you would expect. The main ingredient? Daffodils. A Bad Case of Loneliness We keep the feeling of loneliness hidden in the darkest corners of our heart with the hope of suppressing it, but loneliness is a sly and slippery emotion. Loneliness has the habit of taking us by surprise. Whether you’re by yourself or among people, there are those insurmountable instances where we feel utterly alone. When we search for our souls, that were once brimming with affability ..read more

Now, many know of “The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr.Hyde” . But what if I told you this is not what the story is actually titled. That’s right, in the original title there is no “The” at all. Stevenson, the author, simply called it : “Strange Case of of Doctor Jekyll and Mr.Hyde”. Editions upon editions have misprinted the title, adding “The” in front of the real title. For many, this may be a “shrug” and “So what?” moment but to an avid reader this is significant. Why is it significant may you ask? Well let me explain. Why Had No one Caught On? This misprint was fro ..read more

Homophones have always intrigued me. Words that sound the same and yet vary in origin, spelling, or meaning. There is no greater homophone than life itself. From a philosophical standpoint, the meaning of life varies from individual to individual. Some even argue that there is no point to our existence at all. Therefore, life is both meaningful and devoid of meaning; It is everything, and it is nothing. A similar antithetical nature revolves around the word “idle”. When spoken aloud, the pronunciation is as follows: “ai-dl”. This could be one of two words: idle or idol. The first word refers t ..read more

We are all so busy being ourselves, or a version of ourselves, that we seldom stop and ask: Do I really know myself? and more importantly, Can I ever know myself? Shakespeare’s Othello, Shelley’s Frankenstein, and Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde all demonstrate that it is impossible to fully know oneself, as our identities are ever changing reflections of external perception.   Starting with Othello, whose identity begins to change as Iago commences to meddle with his mind. At first Iago seems to imitate Othello, mirroring his sentences, symbolic of how Iago’s honesty is ..read more

After finishing Shelley’s Frankenstein, I can fully appreciate the significance and foreshadow of the subtitle: The Modern Prometheus, as it parallels Victor’s story in many aspects. Prometheus breaks Zeus’s rules, a God, and steals fire to give to mankind. Similarly, Victor violates the laws of nature and steals God’s ability to give life. Prometheus is punished, and is chained to a rock, where an eagle comes every morning to eat his liver, and during the night, Prometheus’ liver regenerates. This cycle continues for eternity. Victor is also restrained, as he is bound to his creat ..read more

Upon the conclusion of Frankenstein, a prevalent theme is that beings are born inherently good, but it is through experience that traits like evil and monstrosity are learned. In all essence, society creates its monsters. This is evident in the creature’s dialogue with Walton, as the creature explains: “Evil thenceforth became my good” (222) This proves he was good at first and acquired the trait of evil. In fact, he even says he hates himself and does not enjoy his crimes, exclaiming, “Think you that that the groans of Clerval were music to my ears? My heart was fashioned to ..read more