Obama's Inaugural Address

President Obama did an amazing job during his inaugural address with regards to both his speaking skills and content. Throughout the speech, he familiarizes himself with the audience by using words like "fellow citizens" and "we". This creates a connection with him and the viewer. While performing the speech, he was passionate, humble and calm. The one passage that sticks with me is the following: "We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."  The last line especially sent a wave of inspiration through me as I heard it. For me, that was the most passionate part of the entire address.

In terms of content, he began with the negative situations concerning the US and then explained the ways in which he will combat them. The main examples of tough situations were the economy, climate change and terrorism. He relates the past few years as tough times were America has suffered.  However, he gives hope by saying : "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." Obama then goes on to list the things that will "remake" America such as creating jobs and laying a foundation for growth, using science to improve healthcare and using solar and wind power to fuel America's industries.

He also takes a step into unchartered territory when he says: "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect." He also states that they will forgive any wrongdoings if those peace-disturbers will "unclench their fist". He also extends his help to third-world and developing countries. It seems like Obama is looking to better America's image by sending out help and aid instead of war and terror.

All in all, from his passionate presentation to his hope-filled ideas, President Obama gave an unforgettable, fantastic speech.

The Retreat

A great thing about that David Bergen did in his novel The Retreat was the detailing with regards to the characters and emotions. The detailing of the characters  helped to give the reader a visual understanding of what they could look like. "Still, the management wanted Lisa Kennedy happy, and she was happiest with Raymond at her side. She golfed alone. This morning she wore a pink pleated skirt that fell to her knees and a white short-sleeved blouse. A white sweater with the arms tied around her waist. " (Pg.7)

Another example of good physical detailing in the novel is "She'd written something about her mother, about the bone-coloured dress her mother liked to wear, and the buttons that were like tiny bones themselves, and about the shape of her mother's bones within the dress. And the bone of her mother's wrist cracking as she fell down the stairs." (Pg.104)

The author also does a great job of giving the characters traits as seen with Earl Hart, who's racist beliefs almost kill Raymond (the main character) in the beginning of the book. I thought the detailing was great in this passage because it 1) indicates/foreshadows that Hart is a cold man and 2) because it helps the reader understand what his laugh sounded like and gives him an ominous feeling. "He chuckled, but it wasn't truly a laugh, more the simulacrum of a laugh, as if he had spent much time as an unhappy man leaning how to imitate happiness." (Pg.5) 

The author adds more information and traits as the story progresses which is very effective because the reader is reminded just how evil he is. " 'Uncle Earl?' She pulled away from Raymond and stepped towards the police car... He reached out and touched Alice, as if laying some sort of claim on her. He didn't look at Raymond... Hart opened the cruiser's rear door and motioned at Raymond, who said he didn't need a ride. 'Nobody's asking.' " (Pg.18-19) I was drawn to this passage because suspense slowly builds up. Once the reader finds out its Hart, they know its trouble. This makes the reader worry about what will happen to Raymond and keeps them reading.

Questions for the author:

1.) A major theme in the beginning of the novel is hatred and racism. Have you ever dealt with or witnessed such issues?

2.) Are there any specific authors that inspired you to become a writer?

3.) Any new projects coming up soon?