Part I

Book Title: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck November 19, 2010

The friendship fostered between George and Lennie was brotherly, I find it that way. I
felt that even in how rude they talk, which made me uncomfortable, George still have
compassion for the friend. Every moment they reecho their visions, it exhilarated my emotion
too. But when the time came when Lennie broke the neck of the flopping wife of Curley, I never
thought that would be the end of their friendship. What I actually felt is that the ‘’mercy-killing”
executed by George doesn’t make him bad at all – it amplifies how he cared so much for his
buddy that he doesn’t find anyone worthy to take his life from him than himself (George).

More than 2000 years ago I heard a similar story. It’s just that my Friend died instead of
me. Actually, the dumb-headed, lost, and sin-filled being was I. Yet, even I should be the one to
pay the prize, it was Him who paid it in full. He was the George in the story with the twist, that
He owned the fault, guilt and shame to free me and let me ‘tend rabbits’.

Another connection I had is not about death. It’s a about confrontation. I got a girl friend
that was always blocked by mostly anyone she knew, why? She’s somewhat full-of-hot-air to
them, I can sometime agree to the observation. But every time she was rebuked she still insists.
I understand my other friends wanted to stop her pretentious spirit. Like Lennie, this girl
friend of mine share same trait ‘ilusyonada’ at that. And my other friends and myself is George.
We shoot this gal with a luger to end her pretensions. Before she was invicible, at least now
she’s better. It took a long time to make the bullet reach the junction of her skull though.

I wonder why did the author put to Curley’s father that weight on the story? Why didn’t
he author develop the father’s role that much? Why are they having cursing words on their
conversation, foul, rude words? What is the measure of a man’s love to a brother?

After the death of Lennie, I think George would have a hard time coping with the
situation thus making time to recollect their memory on that side of the lake. Yes, George will
learn his soft side. He will be sent out from the farm they’re working and he’ll find himself
another place to work. I don’t see him to be as lively as before but with what had happened, he
would likely have more time fulfilling their dreams with the remnants of his buddy in his heart
but I hope he would not live in the past.

Part 2

#13 write a letter to the author

#11

Part I
Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky November 25, 2010

Kevin L. Samejon
 I’m quite bothered. It’s like all the way it’s a monologue, will it always be like that? I
wonder why this man seems to be in a dreadful place, in a dreadful state, in that dreadful time?
Why is he answering his own thoughts? It made me uncomfortable at times.

I felt proud about the man. Truly he is inflicted and slain with such disease. He
sometimes would like to become like an insect. But it’s good for him to make up his mind and
most of the times answer his questions. It’s like that he tangles a ball of yarn and tries to
untangle it. I mean, he’s like in solitude and there’s no one to help him share the burden. The
narrator even juggles with thoughts of pain and agony that even as I reflect, it haunts me.

Sometimes I find myself questioning and most of the time I myself answers it. It’s
helpful, actually. When there’s no one with you but God, you come up with this questions,
blaming and stuff but you yourself answer it in the mind. It’s a relief because if there’s no one
beside you, who will help you will be yourself.

I think that this man would soon come out from where he is now. I got a slight feeling
that he will be healed but just thin chance. Or maybe he would die and all the world will never
know of his suffering.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 11, 2010

Where is he actually? Inferring with the title his in the underground, of course, but is he
really on the literal underground or in the underground state of his mind or emotion?

I think it was so mature of him to write the things he had in him that is bothering him
too. The enjoyment he tries to relate to me, as the reader, is exceptional it’s not of the source
where humans commonly take but to a much deeper level – deeper level of understanding
indeed. He was able to take a good sense of enjoyment even with his self. I mean, it sounds like
crazy but the way he dig deeper on what is seen by the eyes and on the pride he had secretly is
kind of funny but may be real.

I believe he have been living alone for a long time that’s why he’s narrating how he feels
for a long time. I think the author at the end of the Part II of this novel had just finished
expressing his own and maybe on the next part he’ll be giving the things he saw and feel on
what he saw. I think it would still be again as solitary as this part of the novel but I hope it
would be external.

Most of the time when I am troubles and waves keeps hitting me I feel like talking to
myself and answering my doubts or questions. There were times when I just feel a cold lining
on my back that made me shake a bit. It would be good to learn how he manages to juggle
happiness with his current state. I think this would have a good ending because the character
is so flexible even though of what he is now.

Kevin L. Samejon
Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 24, 2010

I may infer that he has all the answers to his questions. He’s fully cognizant, I guess, on
things happening to him. I felt it wise for him to compare a bull and a wall, and a mouse on the
hole as people to want to revenge. At first he feels like a bull infuriated with his adversities, but
on the last, he feels like taking revenge is like a bull hitting a wall, the wall built by science,
math and nature. How could he be able to oppose such things? Of course, even if he doesn’t
want it, he should accept it. He may contradict it but on and on he will have these proofs from
them – accept it! Then he goes to a rat. I understood that as for him, actually, is not becoming a
bull but a rat. A rat self-contained in its hole, with its pain, frustrations, anger, makes things
around it miserable. Revenge for a person like him is like a rat trying to stand up and learn
how to solve problems and prove its worth. But it can’t! The more a rat is unconcealed among
people the more it is ridiculed, spited.

Sometimes I feel like being vindictive but I end up on my knees, on my room talking to
Whom I know much greater than my adversities. Yes, you may count it strange, unrealistic but
that is what’s really happening to me. It’s like the author, trying to untangle the yarn ball using
its paws. It’s hard when you’re on that moment but it’s a joy when you will develop eyes that
see opportunities amidst the odds.

Will he be able to take vengeance against that person he himself, I think, dread? The
person who made him live that way so badly. Will he be able to escape out his prison
(figurative)?

I can’t really predict at the moment. For the last 3 parts of the novel it’s like forever he
will be on the underground.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 26, 2010

What’s the matter with a toothache?

It sound absurd but he does make a point. A moan from a tooth aching is like a madman
firing aimlessly to what he wanted to shoot. Now it’s becoming clearer to me. He compared the
pain of a man with a toothache to the status of their government on his day. It’s like that
though you know that you have a toothache but there’s nobody who would say to you “I pity
you” and wipe the pain away. You can’t gather the people around you and make them lessen
the pain or even applaud you, it’s just you and you alone are in the battle. It’s a battle that even
many hears your moan it is still unwarranted because it’s just you who knows what’s really
happening. It can become worse. But how can you endure it that even the persons closest you
doesn’t have ha’p’orth faith in you?

Kevin L. Samejon
 Sometimes, there are times actually when people just doesn’t seem to get what your
pointing out. People are just too indifferent, busy enough, occupied enough to entertain what
you have inside you that troubles you. I felt the same way especially on my early years of
emotional birth. But with what the author felt, what I comprehend, I think I’m considering the
same thing. It’s our country’s problem and the solution is still inside us. It’s a state of mind.
How many times we may ridicule and rise up our leaders the question remains – what are you
doing yourself to help?

I think after the toothache, he would make a great metaphor on the next part, again.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 29, 2010

I am really disturbed. Really. I’m sympathizing – I don’t know. The narrator seems to
down trodden that he himself want to fix himself even he’s the only man on the underground.
Yes, I agree on the statement quoted by the person as tries to infer what he felt the reader is
thinking, that why all this impudent talks, or something like that? I mean, he has all this
resolves but there were times that he cut things short thus leaving the reader wondering if he’s
really sincere or just making fool around. He had these logical tangles, he resolve complications
with his own belief but now I understood why he has all this things. As what he pictured out,
he’s some sort of a prisoner on the underground and it’s been forty years. Forty years that
what he has written is from the quirk that made him hear voices up above him. It has become
his outlet of all what he fells, and he felt good about it.
But at the end of the chapter I read it’s like, all those things are preliminary to give weight to
his story, of a falling snow.

I wonder if how he had been flung into the underground? It seems too inhumane. Is he
ill or just a psycho – or a plain (helpless?) man from the underground?

I think he’s a military man or a man of high degree in terms of education that he became
a threat so someone for something – it’s still isn’t that clear though – that he was sent to the
underground to keep something which is very confidential to protect someone’s interest?
Hahaha, just guessing.

There were times when people just don’t seem to understand you. But who are they to
mock you in your weakness and flatter you in your victory? I mean, everybody had been there
– or still there, no one’s exempted. Just that you yourself know that your down, you must find
things to cheer you up, if not totally at least something to make you feel better, like what the
narrator did. He made writing as his outlet for forty years of solitude. There’s nothing wrong if
your feel down today, what’s the fault is that when you let it make you feel down. There’s much
more things to enjoy in life, “twice to make four”.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 30, 2010

Kevin L. Samejon
 I, myself, am becoming so frustrated at some point with this “Underground Man”. I
mean, he adore things that he thought at last to be detested. He has this feeling of loving
something which he doesn’t actually love. He’s easily disgusted with people whom he want to
have connection to. I’m going crazy – I hope not. I discovered that the man is somewhat
“papansin” and exult himself in terms of language. He’s a romantic but what he lacks is
interaction. He is easily demoralized at some point. There was a part in the story that he
wanted to take revenge in this officer because of not throwing him outside the tavern? But
what I felt his like seeking for some physical communication with other people because, yes,
his life is so isolated – he just reads, and reads and reads. However, even of his desire for
revenge, he can’t still stand against the bearing of the officer. Why? Because he (officer) is
someone of high social status. I don’t really get it at first but now I do understand. Just to have
social interaction and to feel like his a living creature he did these things – I hope I’m on the
right track – but even how he dressed himself up he still went unnoticed by the officer.

What’s the big deal with the officer? Why an officer?

Sometimes a person really want to prove something from himself more than what he
know of himself or what others knew about him. Some breakthrough. Something special. For
the Underground Man that’s by making others see how low they are compared to him or just to
have a plain social interaction. Yes, there were times when you want to be able to do things for
honor or self-worth; the sad part is when you fail. One may want to be an effective speaker
because he’s already a composed writer, and vice versa. It will always come but the good thing
is that when you became ready to face things, to fail or succeed, whichever.

I think, soon, the officer will soon notice him and he’ll achieve a true sense of social
equality.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 30, 2010

I felt that this Underground Man is too ecstatic with what he reads. I mean when he
relates with the life of Napoleon and from Lord Bryon’s Manfred. It’s like his living in the
picturesque, perfect world, a world of language, of literature. Yeah! Now I get it, he is so much
in to with language and literature – to Romanticism – because language is used everyday! And
literature, ahmm, I hope it used in everyday conversation, sure it does. Now back to the man’s
dream, yeah, he is very titillated with these things because he can relate to this. But as what I
can observe there were times when he get so full of these stuff that he want some real-life
interaction just like what he did when he tried it to Anton Antonych Setochkin, the chief of his
department, every Tuesdays. But because his anxious for another experience he visited his
former classmate, Simonov. He does want social interaction but even with Simonov whom he
believes is in his league he still feels disgust towards him.

Kevin L. Samejon
 I wonder, because it’s like there are just days when he possibly visit those people, if
there’s a societal factor which hinders the total exposure of the man to the society and have his
awaited social interaction?

Ahead of him, I think, he will never have that happy ending, to fully appreciate social
interaction and will again and again delve in to his fancies, and dreams and so forth.

There were times when you just want to have someone to talk to like what happens to
he Underground Man. But, I don’t know, I’m not that suspicious as him or if I went to someone
whom I want to talk to is then and there shed with disgust because of something that I don’t
desire for my friends or acquaintances of have.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 30, 2010

That’s it! The Underground Man is somewhat insecure because he grew as an orphan.
He’s like wanting to ace everything just that though he gained prestige and respect in his
attainments at school he is still out because he’s more than cautious, too much, enough for
others to look down on him in disdain. My guess is now confirmed. The man wants attention
and social interaction. I mean, hello! He’s always on the world of his own where he extols
himself and considers others as narrow-minded, unliterary person and at times he want to get
out find the harshest things as an outlet for interaction – but can’t really foster true
relationship as for his friend in his youthful years. Yeah (ting)! I can infer he’s like a masochist
who finds pleasure on humiliating his self. Take for example the time when he visited Simonov
and insisted to pay a dinner with his 3 former classmates; one of them is his least favorite.
Even he knows he lacks money to pay for this dinner he still insisted and even owes money
from his servant. He felt uncomfortable but still he want to show that he’s worth all their
respect and proves himself. It’s like what only matters to him are authority and submission.

I can’t relate at him at this point, though there are times I want to prove something, it’s
not like his that it’s out of anger, or revenge maybe, or disgust or prove someone as futile and
it’s I who’s higher than anyone.

Will he still have a genuine relationship with his co-human being? Will he have time for
him to ponder on why things like that (no social connections) happen to him?

I think during the meal he will fill the dinner with his wisdom or even have a fight with
Zverkov or even to his closest Simonov. Or during that dinnertime, his schoolmates will try to
embrace the Underground an but the man will be puffed up and will cause the early dismissal
of the dinner. He may even lack money to pay and will borrow from his former schoolmates
and will soon look down even more the man of no social connection.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 30, 2010

Kevin L. Samejon
 At this point I’m feeling tired of the attitude (and with reading) this Underground Man’s
close encounter with “life”. I felt that he is so paranoid of the world and he’s so negative –
arghh – self-loathsome, self-exalting person. I don’t know, at the first parts I felt sympathy but
now it changed into, pity. He’s blinded which made him speak arrogantly towards his
schoolmates during the dinner, too suspicious and cunning towards others, and he felt those
people are the ones who need repair but actually it’s him who badly, really, needs it. Wow, I
must the author is good at stirring emotions. At that night their relationship with others is
filled with wider gap and though he wants reconciliation he still sees that in the end it’s
Zverkov who will ask for forgiveness in his “dishonor”. I am glad that at last he recognized that
he has been relating his dreams to what he reads, but so stubborn, he still looks after it’s
completion.

Anyway, my prediction came true. There has been a commotion among them. I’m not
happy of the commotion of course but of that my prediction fitted what happened. I will
predict once again. After following the guys to the brothel, I think the Underground Man will
have the prostitute a one-night stand. But of course, he will still feel satisfied until the day
when all of his schoolmates will bow down, not literary.

Will he find living life not on a perilous situation? Will the boys still be able to forgive
each other? Will the underground still reach Siberia(just kidding)?

There were times when I don’t even understand myself but I hope I will be able to
understand myself, be positive, a will have extensive and healthy social connections around the
globe – not like the Underground Man.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 30, 2010

Pitiful Underground Man felt offended reality. When the man ends his speech the
prostitute confronts him that the speech is too bookish. Which appeals as an impassionate
person. He has these speeches of condemnation and love for children but I think this
condemnation is only the reflection of him especially when he said that only few will mourn for
her because of her dreadful profession, and the love is a love from books he reflect to himself
only. Because, in his speeches he doesn’t really create a sense of relationship, he prides to
make a woman moved by his speech, or actually forced her to feel that way. But what touched
me about the severity of this man’s problem is when the prostitute showed something like a
token of love, that is, a token showing that she is no ignorant of true and sincere love –
compared to the ‘no comment’ Underground Man who has none.

Will the man be able to marry the prostitute? Will he still find peace with his
schoolmates?

I think he would be more isolated than ever, I don’t know what would be the indicator
of it but I think. After he leave the narrow-room I think he would wonder if he is really satisfied
with life or is really what he thought he was.

Kevin L. Samejon
 I don’t like to condemn but o do have the tendency to be bookish on my speech.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 11, 2010

I felt bad on how this Underground Man tries to make everyone submit to him like on
his manner of writing to Simonov. I felt that he wants everyone to, I don’t know, bow down
before him when he feels friction between his co-humans (?) Even on how he plays with the
thought of Liza, it seem that there’s too much egotism on him. He is blatting about that he
educated Liza; he tries to awaken her soul and have somehow compelled her to love him. The
thought of Liza coming on his house is something that he’s afraid or just plain uncomfortable
on how his apartment looks like. On issue on the chapter that I read is when he tries to
dominate Apollon. Yes, maybe that’s why! He’s like translating relationship with someone to be
submission, if he’s not the one to submit to the other maybe it’s him who will dominate the
other. I believe that’s the reason why Apollon himself is bitter.

And yeah, why would the Underground Man be tyrant with his servant if he himself
draws back with a stare? Why is he so blaming? Isn’t he smarter than that as what he claims he
is?

I guess after Liza saw what happened he would be endeared to him more. Yeah, because
Liza would sympathize with the Underground Man more. She would enter the room and talk
about the matter with her deepest understanding but the Underground Man would be furious
that would send Liza out of the room.

There are times when, out of pride, you feel to brag about something and in the same
way the Underground Man felt give up when you felt overpowered and just follow the other.
It’s like a psych war in which you have to own or you’ll be owned. I hardly remember some of
those events but I think I have the same tendency, in the slimmest chance.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 30, 2010

These were the hard times. It’s when you blame someone because of your insecurity
and pride but that person instead shows you a great sympathy and agonize with you. That’s
what had happened to Liza and the Underground Man. The Underground Man confronted Liza
with a tirade but after the speech, the real Romantic sense fell on Liza. He embraced the man
with tears and made the man tear before her. At this time, I felt that what Liza wanted to do is
to help him in a sincere, pure heart unlike him who is out of bitter spirit. I felt that the man
exploits the woman sexually is because he felt that she has overpowered him. The point that he
want to impose Romanticism in everything around him like on his encounter with the officer
who ditched him, and on a duel. No one took him seriously until this woman showed the true
essence of Romanticism in him.

Kevin L. Samejon
 I thought this was the end of the story, too bad, I have to made another prediction, just
few (or one) of my prediction just came true. I think the next thing that will happen is Liza will
bear them a baby and the Underground Man and her will live what the Underground Man long
desired “life”. As for his friends, they would cross each other’s path again and he will find
power on becoming humble that will make him ask for forgiveness and make peace to them all.
For Appollon, he would leave the Underground Man and retire.

Will he be able to break free from his Romantic ideology and find real life in living it and
not revising his environment?

Liza is the real picture of Romanticism, I must say and the man, never mind him, just
kidding. Yeah, sometimes it’s hard to swallow your pride but this life taught me, duly seconded
by the story, that pride is the only poison that when swallowed can bring healing.

Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 30, 2010

I’m wrong. I become literal and not ‘literary’ as what the underground man constrict
me. He’s not on the underground cavern or sort of, but his in hi psychological underground.
He’s no better than anybody else, actually his not in a good shape. There hasn’t been any
reconciliation of ideology; actually he still puffed up. No ‘happily ever after’ to him and Liza, no
baby – NO REDEMPTION.

I felt that his demeaning demeanor caged him forever on the underground he put
himself in. I found that the appearance of Liza on his life is actually a key to open his prison cell
on the underground but he wouldn’t want to go out. He’s like a sadomasochist on how he
treats himself and others. He wasn’t able to go out and live nor had these social interaction and
relationship. He tried to humiliate the woman by giving something like a bribe but he doesn’t
realize that she has her own pride. Pitiful.

It’s hard to contemplate but initially I want to say that if he there’s another chapter I
hope that he would have had felt how living really feels and relationship means. Even the
author would end his life there through social ecstasy or something but at least there was a
time when there has been truth in the ‘life’ that he had lived.

Will there be still any Underground Man – among us, or us ourselves? Can they/us
break free as soon? Will they/we be able to see that circumstance, that person as our key to get
out to the bondage that restrains us from the life of living?

Part 2

#23

Kevin L. Samejon
You’re usurping my distinction.
I’m on the lead, bow down.
Uh? Unliterary being, ungrateful creature
I helped you. I help you know.

Your were once barren

I carried you with all dignity
Can’t you hear me?
With all dignity!

I brought your dirt to light

I dusted it off with all “beautiful and lofty”
Beautiful and lofty.
You don’t even deserve it, be grateful

The tears, oh the tears!

Unliterary shedding,
You should have the senses by now.
You’re killing me – arghh – literally.

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part I
Book Title: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck November 19, 2010

The friendship fostered between George and Lennie was brotherly, I find it that way. I
felt that even in how rude they talk, which made me uncomfortable, George still have
compassion for the friend. Every moment they reecho their visions, it exhilarated my emotion
too. But when the time came when Lennie broke the neck of the flopping wife of Curley, I never
thought that would be the end of their friendship. What I actually felt is that the ‘’mercy-killing”
executed by George doesn’t make him bad at all – it amplifies how he cared so much for his
buddy that he doesn’t find anyone worthy to take his life from him than himself (George).

More than 2000 years ago I heard a similar story. It’s just that my Friend died instead of
me. Actually, the dumb-headed, lost, and sin-filled being was I. Yet, even I should be the one to
pay the prize, it was Him who paid it in full. He was the George in the story with the twist, that
He owned the fault, guilt and shame to free me and let me ‘tend rabbits’.

Another connection I had is not about death. It’s a about confrontation. I got a girl friend
that was always blocked by mostly anyone she knew, why? She’s somewhat full-of-hot-air to
them, I can sometime agree to the observation. But every time she was rebuked she still insists.
I understand my other friends wanted to stop her pretentious spirit. Like Lennie, this girl
friend of mine share same trait ‘ilusyonada’ at that. And my other friends and myself is George.
We shoot this gal with a luger to end her pretensions. Before she was invicible, at least now
she’s better. It took a long time to make the bullet reach the junction of her skull though.

I wonder why did the author put to Curley’s father that weight on the story? Why didn’t
he author develop the father’s role that much? Why are they having cursing words on their
conversation, foul, rude words? What is the measure of a man’s love to a brother?

After the death of Lennie, I think George would have a hard time coping with the
situation thus making time to recollect their memory on that side of the lake. Yes, George will
learn his soft side. He will be sent out from the farm they’re working and he’ll find himself
another place to work. I don’t see him to be as lively as before but with what had happened, he
would likely have more time fulfilling their dreams with the remnants of his buddy in his heart
but I hope he would not live in the past.

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part II
Book Title: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

#13 Write a letter to the author

January 6, 2011

Dear John,

There, you have your novel. I chose it not only because it’s a short novel but also
because of the title. Yes, many would tell that to you, let me add to their number.
The novel is short but let me tell you, it is not an easy read. Technically, reading it with
the ‘should-be-censored’ words somehow make me uncomfortable. Also the slang sometimes
is ‘too’ slang for a Filipino like me, but don’t worry it’s still comprehensible.
I enjoyed reading your novel especially at times when George soothes Lennie with what
they wanted to own, much with when Lennie follows what George enumerates, “What about
the rabbits George?”
I must say the way you describe the pampering of Curley’s wife’s hair and the breaking
of her neck made a lump on my throat that almost made me pause for some days and even
dread to resume reading. The sound of the neck cracking is still crisp in my senses.
The death of Lennie does bring me grief. I can almost cry, with such gentle soul whose
sole desire is to tend rabbits, because the text strongly established its relation to me, as a
reader. I even posted my feeling about the matter on my FaceBook status. And shared it with
some of my AB English classmates.
Don’t you worry; I have learned something aside from technicalities and emotional
feedback. I have learned that you wanted us to see the love connecting both ‘brothers’. I
believe that it’s not only the love but the life some ill people face and the hardship others face
to achieve their dreams.
I would also like to thank you for this novel. I only read it on e-book and I hope you’ll
send me a hardcopy soon!
God bless and more power!

Faithfully yours,

KEVIN L. SAMEJON
Reader

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part II
Book Title: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

#11 Tell how you would react if you were one of the characters in the story. Describe a part that
surprised you. Did you ever have similar experiences?

If I were George on the part where all the workers had fun on a brothel, or a club in
today’s sense, I would rather have stayed on the farm and rest and save the money I would be
spending instead. Or if not, I will be going with my buddies but would go back to the farm first
to save the life of Curley’s wife and also the job Lennie and I are employed.

The part that surprised me is when Lennie broke the neck of Curley’s wife. And in my
experience, it’s not somebody’s neck that I broke but my 13K worth phone and after it was
broken, I lost it. I felt so scared with what would be the reaction of my mom who paid for it. It’s
embarrassing for her to know because the phone doesn’t even last a year, and 13K during
2008 is still a big deal of money. Oh well, I had my dad’s tirade and had suffered almost a year
with no cellphone.

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part I
Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky December 30, 2010

I wonder if the Simonov did make time to understand the Underground Man on a
deeper level would the man be able to break free from the underground? Will the
Underground Man have another chance like what he had with Liza?

At first I thought of the man as a pitiful, wise and noble – I felt I was wrong. He was a
good juggler of thoughts and fine ideas on the first parts. He’s having “enjoyment” on most of
those parts. I felt sympathy for the Underground Man and deep reverence on what he fought
for, not all of it though. I had not seen anything that would make me condemn the man but on
the later part I felt something condemning about him. Don’t get me wrong I am also
condemnable myself, but for the sake of reflection let me condemn.

Let me give you the main two points. First, he’s masochist. He treats real encounter with
‘life’ as to inflict physical pain. An example was when he wanted to be thrown out to a tavern
himself. Second, he’s a man of fancy. He projects fictional, book-only scenes which he wanted
to impose in real life and when it’s not fulfilled, he condemns. The other reasons were: he
doesn’t want to be overpowered, he like tirade, purely pretentious, and, most of the time, easily
overwhelmed.

I felt he’s almost aware about it when the true sense of Romanticism fell on Liza. That
was when after his tirade, Liza embraced her with tears and what Liza wanted to do is to help
him in a sincere, pure heart. I felt that the man exploits the woman sexually was because he felt
that she had overpowered him. The point that he want to impose Romanticism in everything
around him like on his encounter with the officer who ditched him, and on a duel. No one took
him seriously until this woman showed the true essence of Romanticism to him.

I’m wrong. I become literal and not ‘literary’ as what the underground man constrict
me. He’s not on the underground cavern or sort of, but his in his psychological underground.
He’s no better than anybody else, actually his not in a good shape. There hasn’t been any
reconciliation of ideology; actually he still puffed up. No ‘happily ever after’ to him and Liza –
NO REDEMPTION. I felt that his demeaning demeanor caged him forever on the underground
he put himself in. I found that the appearance of Liza on his life is actually a key to open his
prison cell on the underground but he wouldn’t want to go out. He’s like a sadomasochist on
how he treats himself and others. He wasn’t able to go out and live nor had these social
interaction and relationship. He tried to humiliate the woman by giving something like a bribe
but he doesn’t realize that she has her own pride. Pitiful.

With the departure of what I consider as his key to freedom, I may infer that he will
forever live in the ‘underground’ he knew. I don’t put out the hope but I think, if there is, it is as

Kevin L. Samejon
thin as a thread. He will continue laying his arguments though, and like a mousetrap, he’ll wait
until someone will try to listen to him and intoxicate him/her with his ideology.

Sometimes a person really want to prove something from himself more than what he
know of himself or what others knew about him. Some breakthroughs. Something special. For
the Underground Man that’s by making others see how low they are compared to him or just to
have a plain social interaction. Yes, there were times when you want to be able to do things for
honor or self-worth; the sad part is when you fail. One may want to be an effective speaker
because he’s already a composed writer, and vice versa. It will always come but the good thing
is that when you became ready to face things, to fail or succeed, whichever. There were times
when people just don’t seem to understand you. But who are they to mock you in your
weakness and flatter you in your victory? I mean, everybody had been there – or still there, no
one’s exempted. Just that you yourself know that your down, you must find things to cheer you
up, if not totally at least something to make you feel better, like what the narrator did. He made
writing as his outlet for forty years of solitude. There’s nothing wrong if your feel down today,
what’s the fault is that when you let it make you feel down. There’s much more things to enjoy
in life, “twice to make four”.

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part II
Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

#18 Write a poem about one of the ideas or characters in the novel. Three to four stanzas

How I love the great outdoors

How I long to be there once more
How I hope for more sorrows
How I desire power forever more

I was not your typical guy

You may not always understand me
But you should understand me anyway
Because if not, you’ll hear my tirade

Having human-o contact is my pleasure

Having them notice me is my joy
But keep out anyone who oppose me
Keep out all who are ‘unliterary’

Whatever means, however it may seem

I want everyone to recognize my ingenuities
As a person who adores ‘beautiful and lofty’
I, even down here may crush my adversaries

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part II
Book Title: Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

#8 Ask questions about things that confuse you or that you wonder about. Describe your feelings
about the event s in one chapter.

I wonder, because it’s like there are just days when he possibly visit those people, if
there’s a societal factor which hinders the total exposure of the man to the society and have his
awaited social interaction?

Will he be able to take vengeance against that person he himself, I think, dread? The
person who made him live that way so badly. Will he be able to escape out his prison
(figurative)?

Will he still have a genuine relationship with his co-human being? Will he have time for
him to ponder on why things like that (no social connections) happen to him?

Will he find living life not on a perilous situation? Will the underground still reach
Siberia(just kidding)?

Will the man be able to marry the prostitute? Will he still find peace with his
schoolmates?

Will he be able to break free from his Romantic ideology and find real life in living it and
not revising his environment?

And yeah, why would the Underground Man be tyrant with his servant if he himself
draws back with a stare? Why is he so blaming? Isn’t he smarter than that as what he claims he
is?

Pitiful Underground Man felt offended reality. When the man ends his speech the
prostitute confronts him that the speech is too bookish. Which appeals as an impassionate
person. He has these speeches of condemnation and love for children but I think this
condemnation is only the reflection of him especially when he said that only few will mourn for
her because of her dreadful profession, and the love is a love from books he reflect to himself
only. Because, in his speeches he doesn’t really create a sense of relationship, he prides to
make a woman moved by his speech, or actually forced her to feel that way. But what touched
me about the severity of this man’s problem is when the prostitute showed something like a
token of love, that is, a token showing that she is no ignorant of true and sincere love –
compared to the ‘no comment’ Underground Man who has none (Chapters 6-7).

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part I
Book Title: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad January 27, 2011

If there were the same stories like the fate of Kurtz on Africa, why would the Company
don’t send reinforcement for him there? Yes, there is a race for power and wealth, expansion,
that time but considering that they consider themselves as ‘civilized’, wouldn’t it be civilized to
have truly rescue stranded people, than push one’s interest? Does the pursuit and such
exploitation is duly recognized and permitted by higher authorities, though they might be a
private company? Intervention of higher powers might have solved some humanitarian
dilemmas in Congo, right?

I felt a sense of civilization on Marlow’s soul when he distributed biscuits to each of the
captive Africans. The European yarn also intrigues me but I guess it shows how civilized
people do uncivilized practices in Africa, how they become uncivilized themselves. Yes, I’m
always talking about being ‘civilized’ cause it’s the strong message I absorbed from the novella.
Here, we can see what his cousin consider a “universal genius” (Kurtz) can be disdainful on his
‘methods’. One clear manifestation of it was the round ball ornaments, but actually severed
heads, on tip of fence poles. But yeah, when a hint of extreme character is not duly addressed it
may undesirable deeds. I felt bad for what happened to Kurtz, he was so frantic with ivory
collection and even repulse Marlow and his team through the cannibals, that he suspects
someone who talks about ivory. I think it’s just best for him when Marlow brought him back,
though he didn’t reach the Europe but at least he had his story safe on Marlow’s.

In my teen years I had stumble on the thought of “Am I doing the right thing? What’s the
‘right’ thing anyway?” I felt concerned. Like Marlow, he weighed things, he consider ideas,
which will be his springboard on arriving a belief. He recalled the days when the Romans first
saw his ancestors as savage as in the people in Africa. On his words, I felt that he is trying to
contemplate that maybe because of cruelty his ancestors fought the Romans, this might be true
to what the Africans felt when the Company inhumanely make them work, almost hovering
between life and death. Back to what I do, I consider ideas, situations like when I ask myself
“What would I feel if I do this to myself” I do this to have a glimpse of what actions should I
take. Referring to Marlow, I guess he might have use the same trick, like the way he did
towards enslaved Africans.

I think Marlow, after few years, will disclose the story of Kurtz. Though it may be
against his will to exterminate the savages, for the sake of his friend and to avoid such moral
degeneration and health degeneration to happen again, he will expose to the government how
brute these people back in Africa are. He might therefore be a catalyst to exploit as much ivory
they can and bring ‘civilization’ to the place.

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part II
Book Title: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

#2 Character profiles

“Kurtz, like Marlow, can be situated within a larger tradition. Kurtz resembles the archetypal “evil
genius”: the highly gifted but ultimately degenerate individual whose fall is the stuff of legend. Indeed,
Kurtz is not so much a fully realized individual as a series of images constructed by others for their own
use. As Marlow’s visits with Kurtz’s cousin, the Belgian journalist, and Kurtz’s fiancée demonstrate,
there seems to be no true Kurtz. To his cousin, he was a great musician; to the journalist, a brilliant
politician and leader of men; to his fiancée, a great humanitarian and genius. “

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part II
Book Title: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

#14 Draw pictures of your favorite parts of the novel

Kevin L. Samejon
 Part II
Book Title: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

#14 Draw pictures of your favorite parts of the novel

Kevin L. Samejon
 Reading Logs
English 75

Heart of Darkness
by Joseph Conrad

Presented by:
Kevin Samejon

Presented to:
Prof. Mely Subiere

Part I

Kevin L. Samejon
Book Title: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens February 10, 2010

After making the realization of Scrooge about Christmas, I think he would become a
better person now. His clerk, Cratchit, would have more coals on the fireplace than what he’s
used to. Because of Ebenezer’s opened heart, he would have more passion as to continue what
his friend, Marley, has been doing when he was alive (as inferred on the first chapter of the
novel).

Things really change when an agent that make you realize stop by in a moment of your
life. I was like any other student in my elementary years until I have received the grace. As I
continue growing in the likeness of my Master, I am prompted to recollect all the things I have
done, those times that I become sour because my parents can’t satisfy my desires, the time I
become angry because of an unyielding classmates at school, the pain I inflict to others because
they have caused me harm first, the nuisance I made just to get noticed, the point that I become
hypocrite as to act like someone who is infallible, and the crazy things that brought me to
shame, guilt, doubt and a heavier burden.

I think without the knowledge of Christ, I would be like Ebenezer Scrooge who dreads
every reason to celebrate, every reason to understand. Marley showed up to put light on what
had been doing with his life and revealing him that he’s not the one who is really hurt with
those things but it’s Marley. It is just like Christ, as he commanded that everything that we do
to others is what we are doing to Him, the things has a direct effect to him. Now, as he already
shed light our ‘illnesses’, we are demanded to have our hearts free from all the world’s
bondage of sin.

How he treat everyone, especially during Christmas, make me want to “Scr-uish”

Ebenezer, but that passed by already. I felt bad about how Ebenezer treated his clerk, an
additional coal would mean more comfort to them two but Scrooge never mind a bit. As he
change to an enlightened person I learned the deeper hole that caused him who had he become
that time. I was exhilarated when the story is at its peak and especially when Scrooge finally
got out from his shell into, and as the author and Scrooge put it, a Merry Christmas!

I wonder why Marley’s loss means so much to Scrooge? I also can’t figure out the
importance of what Scrooge said to hi nephew “Why did you marry”?

Part I

Kevin L. Samejon
Book Title: Perfume: The Story of A Murderer by Patrick Süskind March 28, 2010

What is innate in us can bring us pain, grief, anxiousness, satisfaction, gladness or all
other emotions. What happened to Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is quite disturbing. I felt that after
he was given birth and this intrinsic sense of smell consumed him as he grew up, he is damned.
He was so amazing at that especially when he distinguished rocks from frogs, to dewdrops and
marsh, wow, it’s just so amazing. I just didn’t think it was right for him to be so obsessed with
scent most especially when he is starting to murder virgins for the search of that “perfect
scent”. It’s disheartening when he found out that he has no clues of scent himself. I think it’s
not good for him to have gone farther to his knowledge of extracting fluids for the purpose of
perfume. True he had this gift, the downside is, he can’t control the urge and become searching
in the whole part of the novel until his death.

I wonder what is the significance of the peculiar death of Jean, since, as I put it, he was
eaten with the most low-profile people of that time? I also want to know why doesn’t he have
his own scent? And how come he managed to live walking such distance and having such
putrid conscience?

As there was a drop left in the vial Jean had, I think when it will be released from it
another wave of, let’s take it educationally, orgy that will happen on that market place thus
putting Jean’s name to remembrance of his quite noble sense of smell.

Obsession has also laid hands on me – that is of gadgets. From portable music player, to
cellphone, camera, laptop, those typical things that a geek wanted to have. But what amazed
me is that I never bought a single peso just to have these. I had an 8GB iPod 3rd Generation, an
N82 N-Series Nokia phone, a Sony DSC-W370 Cyber-shot Digital camera, and the drooling 15”
Intel Core i5 (2.4GHz with 4GB of RAM) MacBook Pro 2010. But on the other hand, satisfying
your obsession is a dangerous thing, especially when it met that standard of carnal-ism and
temporary-ism. Everything that we may have in this frail life we experience is just as futile as
the dust in our eyes. We try to satisfy every detail of being, from clothes we wear, to the food
we want, the drinks we wanted to intoxicate ourselves, the places we want to have gone and
brag, the wealth we possess, the fame and the glamour and power, the cars and all that the
world has to offer but as I desire to satisfy myself with these things I affirm my foolishness. It’s
not bad to be have these things, but loving these things above the things that worth the most,
family, friends, and our relationship to God, that’s the time it becomes perilous. I was checked
with this truth when I heard the passage of the scriptures that said, “What shall it profit a man
if he gain the whole world but lose his own soul in hell”. Also I was checked when I have seen 2
of my phones and a camera was broken, confirming the fact that it is not that important as I
thought it was. There’s much more than this world has to offer, and it starts and ends with God.

Part II

Kevin L. Samejon
Book Title: Perfume: The Story of A Murderer by Patrick Süskind

#16 Pretend you are a newpaper reporter whose job is to interview one of the characters. Write
your interview. Make sure the questions you ask allw the character to give a sentence or two long
answers. At least one page long. Two would be better.

The interview was done the time when Jean-Baptiste Grenouille was
held captive by in the town of Grasse after the death of Laura
Richis before the discovery of buried women bodies. Kevin Samejon,
the Editor-In-Chief of the Grasse Gazette, took the report.

Kevin: An evening to you Mr. Grenouille.

Jean: An evening.

Kevin: Let’s have this very quick. I know that you are not a
talking guy but let me ask you questions.

Jean: (nods)

Kevin: You are their primary suspect in this heinous murder in

town; do you feel guilty about it?

Jean: I am just a worker, a journeyman in Madame Arnulfi’s perfume

house.

Kevin: Okay.. .

Jean: I am fond of scent but do not directly mean that it is I who

did all this.

Kevin: How about all the portable perfume paraphernalia that the
authority found with you near the cliff where Laura was murdered.

Jean: I am a worker of the perfume house who is fond of innovating

scents. I am studying myself to be a better one.

Kevin: With the hair of Laure?

Jean: (cuts the eye contact)

Kevin: Do you have any relation to the series of killings?

Jean: I am an, a perfumer.

Kevin: The murderous acts where condemned by all the citizen of the
city and even the church they want you to be executed immediately.
Jean: The fact that I was a worker of the perfume house does not
bring me to execution.

Kevin: The fact that you have Laura’s hair can mean something, what
does it mean then?

Kevin L. Samejon
Jean: (breathes heavily)

Kevin: To end, we have just received a report that the magistrates

have decided to execute you tomorrow; they have found buried hairs
on your room at the perfume house and stripped women. For record,
what do you want to say to your loved ones as a farewell?

Jean: I am Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, I am an orphan and I have a

precious gift of smell.

The story was published the next day.

Part II
Book Title: Perfume: The Story of A Murderer by Patrick Süskind

#17 You have become a character in your novel. Write how you felt when things were happening
that you had no control over. Describe this in detail. ¾ of a page to one page typed. [like a diary
entry] long.

Diary,

Kevin L. Samejon
 I am still in shock. My daughter died on the place I expect we’ll be safe.
She was left naked with shaved hair. I don’t know what to do now, I don’t
know what to think. I am thinking of mourning for her, I am thinking of
revenge. I woke up early this morning because of a rustling sound on my
daughters room, no dog’s had ever barked to signal a call. After I saw her
breathless, I called the council and we assembled today. The house decided
to kill and search everyone who showed suspicious behavior. Many young
men were killed today but we we’re still troubled. The man was even
excommunicated to the church but we still feel helpless.
Tomorrow we will have another search. I believe the man who did
this to my daughter will not go unpunished. He will be tortured and
executed publicly. Tomorrow will be his last, the council decided to take the
measures to another level. We will be calling the attention of our
neighboring towns and cities just to seize this murderer. Many virgins were
already dead. This madness should end tomorrow.
After the long day in the council, we resolved to take all the possible
measures we could to capture the criminal. There will be no escape of him
now. I will even approve his death.
As the breeze tonight here on my daughter’s bed blow strongly, I feel
her talking to me to seek and seize the criminal, my only daughter whose
very presence is a remembrance of her mother.
Until this moment, I can’t believe that she’s dead, it was like her
birthday a week ago, and she’s already a lady. I treasure her and anyone
who stole the treasures of mine shall pay it twice and lots more beside.
Antoine Richis

Part II
Book Title: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

# 21 Choose a familiar melody, such as Mary Had a Little Lam, and change the lyrics so they
pertain to the novel. Perform your song inform of the class. This may be done with a group, if you
all read the same novel.

Hey Ebby, Ebby

from the tune of Hey Fiddle-diddle

Kevin L. Samejon
 Hey Ebby, Ebby, you ol’ filthy habits
Had brought you your doom these days

You just wouldn’t smile

You just wouldn’t give
To tell you frankly you’d gone astray

Hey Ebby, Ebby, you ol’ filthy habits

Had brought you your doom these days

Christmas is giving
Of love and of sharing
But you just won’t have displayed

Hey Ebby, Ebby, you ol’ filthy habits

Had brought your your doom these days

The ghosts had visited from past to future

Listen to them and obey

Hey Ebby, Ebby, your new happy spirit

Had brought you your sun these day

The dogs now won’t flee

The chorus won’t stop
And you even add ol’ Cratchit’s pay

Part II
Book Title: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

# 32 Write a letter to one of the characters in the novel. (Proper letter from was taught to you)
Discuss actions in the book and Ask him/her questions as well as offer any advice you can. Size 12
font! One full page. Four or more paragraphs for top marks.

Block 9, Zone 6
Fatima, General Santos City
February 10, 2011

Kevin L. Samejon
Dear Bob,

I have read much about you, good things about you. Also, I read of how your family
struggles even during Christmas. I felt sorry about how Mr. Scrooge treat you, and everyone
he’s acquainted to, even those persons he knows.
I hope you wouldn’t mind but why are you still working at Scrooge’s counting house? I
mean, there is more humane employers out there (or I hope there still employers out there)
that would certainly treat you as a person not as a work-horse. Even in the cold day’s of eve
you only have a candle that gives you heat, why won’t you complain? Why are you reserve
during those times. And I can’t believe you have worked that long years with such a person. I
can’t believe you manage to be with him all-year-round passing seasons and times making
your petty compensation fit your big family. You are a diligent man and I believe there’s
someone out there that is looking for someone like you. Someone who has the same character
that you have.
By the way, how’s life back there? I pray everything is fine. Is Tiny Tim getting better?
He is such a “jolly good fellow” I bet, how I love to see your family next Christmas.
But Bob I really adore how you make yourself comfortable and yielding even though
Scrooge is one grumpy ol’ man. I mean, who could do it better? You managed to stay long hours
to work with him and to note, not just hours, years with him. The way he treat you just a sure
radiance of your character. Without it, you won’t be honed to a better man you are now. I also
salute you on how you carry your family through with your salary and still you are able to
bring joy to our Tiny Tim’s heart. You propagate your relationships thought there were times
that the burden you carry is more than you can. You are a blessed man.
Remain in good courage my friend. Endure these dark days and you will reap your
bounty this harvest, very soon that you thought it was. I hope you will improve and be better
than when you slept every night. I hope you will find time with Scrooge and tell him my
greetings.
I will pray for you and your family always. God bless you all there!

Your friend,

Kevin Samejon

Reading Logs
English 75

Kevin L. Samejon
 A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens

&

Perfume: The Story of A Murderer

by Patrick Süskind

Presented by:
Kevin Samejon

Presented to:
Prof. Mely Subiere

Kevin L. Samejon