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Books, gateways through which I escape the reality that binds me; NYU Sup/Intrigues?


jjgrad09 2 / 7 1  
Dec 31, 2012   #1
What intrigues you? Tell us about one work of art, scientific achievement, piece of literature,
method of communication or place in the world and explain its significance to you.

Books have always been gateways through which I escape the reality that binds me. I have stared at stars only visible from galaxies light-years away, their luminescence as clear to me as our Sun is in the morning. The deafening roar of World War II has rung through my ears, sickening me with the cries of the fallen, including those of my family. Reading can take me anywhere, anytime, yet the greatest novel I have ever read is set in late 19th century Salinas Valley, California, a desolate plot of land that barely qualified as a farm.

At first glance, John Steinbeck's East of Eden uses a forgettable and plain setting to emphasize the importance of the plot, a modern day parallel to the biblical Cain and Abel story. Although, the central motif in the story is the perpetual conflict between good and evil, he purposefully uses the Salinas Valley to demonstrate how universal and timeless his point is. I still marvel at how masterfully Steinbeck wove together a story packed with symbolism, metaphors, moral ambiguity and multi-dimensional characters. From the deliciously evil antagonist Cathy Ames, to the conflicted Caleb Trask, and the wise Lee, he creates a story full of memorable and thought out characters. He sums it all up with the word: Timshel, a Hebrew word meaning 'thou mayest', allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions about what is morally correct, both in the book and in real life. I marvel at this novel because it shows that it doesn't take an inter-galactic setting to make a novel, it's the deep plot that matters.

I have 1557 characters, BUT 1500 is the limit. Help?
ticklelisaelmo 8 / 42 3  
Dec 31, 2012   #2
ok.. maybe you should just jump right into the book instead of the intro about books. that'll help ur limit

jason, do u happen to go to midwood? LOL sorry for the irrelevant question
OP jjgrad09 2 / 7 1  
Dec 31, 2012   #3
I do go to Midwood. Lisa? I think I know you. LOL
HarvardAccept - / 57 24  
Dec 31, 2012   #4
Unlike Lisa, I think your intro is very much needed to support your response as a whole. You could choose to take out the sentence about WWII, You can also take out the part about how you marvel over Steinbeck's use of "bla,bla,bla". However I suggest taking out WWII.
ticklelisaelmo 8 / 42 3  
Dec 31, 2012   #5
HEY JASON! it is lisa! we had that old lady for freshman year together for some history class i don't remember. haha im also applying to nyu :) it's been so long haha anyway, good luck. you have amazing writing skills, I'm sure you'll get in
OP jjgrad09 2 / 7 1  
Dec 31, 2012   #6
Thank you HarvardAccept! I wanted to illustrate my first sentence more, but I see that it doesn't serve a real purpose to the essay. Thanks again.

EDIT: Is there any way to clean up my ending? I'm starting to dislike my last sentence...
kukaxu 1 / 9 2  
Dec 31, 2012   #7
I really liked your essay. you could always eliminate 50 char by crossing out unnecessary adjectives... can you read mine? Thankyou :)
OP jjgrad09 2 / 7 1  
Dec 31, 2012   #8
Any thoughts about the ending? =/
HarvardAccept - / 57 24  
Dec 31, 2012   #9
Deliciously evil<--- sounds really awkward.

Ultimately, Steinbeck shows what truly sets a novel apart from the rest, an insightful plot.

I am not sure how to change your last sentence as I don't know what you mean by "deep plot".
qasderwdw 9 / 36 1  
Dec 31, 2012   #10
I read this too!!!!!! Maybe because English is my second language, but I had to read some sentences over and over again till I got it lol

Anyways hope I help.

First of all, great writing skills and its very fluent and quite interesting.

I thinkyou need to work on

explain its significance to you.

I think you can do this by talking more about

allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions about what is morally correct,

Because you kind of emphasized this sentenced (at least to me it seems emphasized) it seems as if yoy agree with this statement- that people should come up with their own conclusion about what is morally correct.

Is that why this book is significant? because you believe in the conclusion?
Or did you like this ending because it gave readers a chance to think openly, and you are an open thinker?

dunno. I think my suggestions will help you add more of who you are into the essay.
OP jjgrad09 2 / 7 1  
Dec 31, 2012   #11
Thank you, I have made my final touches. By the way, completely off topic but the deadline of Jan 1 means that it is due at 11:59 PM tomorrow right?
qasderwdw 9 / 36 1  
Dec 31, 2012   #12
Oh and with your conclusion...

You know how your beginning is:
"Books have always been gateways through which I escape the reality that binds me." ?
You can end by talking about (connected to what I said earlier) how this book really makes you think beyond the norm... makes you escape a world set of boundaries and rules... sth like that

This way, your intro, body, and conclusion will connect.

I am not certain about the deadline.. Sorry. You should definitely check online :)
I have a fee waiver on January 1st so my essay is due then tooo lol
Could you possibly look at mine..??
The one about the Akha?
HarvardAccept - / 57 24  
Dec 31, 2012   #13
Yes at 11:59, but whatever the TIME ZONE of the school YOU ARE APPLYING TO is. Do not forget what time zone they are.
rew2402 5 / 21  
Dec 31, 2012   #14
Hey HarvardAccept. can you please review my essay? less than one hour is left


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