Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Monday, March 5, 2007

My Story so far...

The sun burned against the pale blue sky, filling the air with a hot, sweltering sensation, making Antonio’s navy blue tunic stick to his sweaty back. The light brown wheat bent and swayed softly in the light breeze like gentle waves washing over seaweed. It brushed against Antonio, bristling and tickling his ankles. Deciding to take a break Antonio pushed his straw hat up farther onto his forehead, and used his rough hands to brush his dark, coffee colored hair out of his eyes. While picking at the dirt from under his stubby fingernails, Antonio raised his deep brown eyes that gazed across the farm. His eyes traced over the wheat, over the tall stalks of corn and across to the clay scalloped roof and burnt red stucco of his house.
Suddenly, Antonio was startled by a deep voice with a thick Spanish accent, “Antonio.” Turning to see who had said his name, Antonio’s eyes met the thin but good natured face of his neighbor Raul. Greeting his neighbor kindly, Antonio set down his metal shovel and walked to where Raul was standing.
“So, what brings you to my farm on such a nice day,” began Antonio who was curios to know the reason.
“Well...each time Spain lays one more restriction on us, I say to myself: I’m going to get them some day, and the rise of our taxes last month was just the last straw. But this time I said to myself: By golly, it is time for me to take action,” Raul’s thick mustache twitched as he spoke. “So I am starting to organize a group of fellow farmers to fight for Independence because I can’t do it all by myself, and I was wondering if you would be a part of the group,” his tone sounded so casual that it was like he had been asking what Antonio had eaten for breakfast. Checking to see if he had heard correctly, trying to make his voice sound just as laid-back as Raul’s, Antonio asked , “you mean, going and fighting the Spaniards, right? I mean if your joking, you better tell me right now cause...wow who gave you this idea...I mean...are you all right?” He had definitely not succeeded in a relaxed tone, and was now trying very hard to control his baffled and confused facial expressions.
“That’s right, I am talking about fighting Spain”, Raul chucked looking Antonio straight in the eye, “ but if you aren’t ready to do it, then I guess...” his voice faded, disappointment filled his eyes and traveled across his face as he turned his back and started to walk away. Antonio watched as Raul made his way through the wheat, his back hunched and eyes cast downward. Antonio hated making others unhappy, it seemed to suck all the joy out of him too, so without realizing what he was about to do, Antonio opened his mouth.
“Uh, Raul...I...I’ll think about it” When Raul turned back around, his face glowed with excitement again and with a big grin he basically flew to the spot where Antonio was standing. Taking Antonio’s hand, Raul began to pump it up and down, “thank you, thank you, thank you.” This time turning around with a spring and walking happily back across the vast farm. “Thank you,” Raul yelled once more over his shoulder, whistling to himself as he reached the fence dividing Antonio’s farm with another neighbors.
It was worth it, seeing Raul so thrilled, to ask Maria and just hope her answer would be one that Antonio could except.
All through the rest of the day Antonio thought of what Raul had said and as the hours went by Antonio felt more and more passion for his land and rights. Raul was right, nothing was going change if they did not act soon. Anger had bubbled inside him long enough. It had all started when limitations had been imposed by the Spanish government. First, they had been banned from growing crops that might have competed with those grown or made in Spain. Then, they had been banned from making goods that might have competed with those grown or made in Spain and then they could not trade with foreigners. The taxes had started to become higher and higher and now they were so unreasonable that Antonio had to work four more hours each day to keep food on the table. So many other regular people had gone to fight against Spain, why couldn’t he? He wanted his rights and was willing to fight for them! The more Antonio thought about it, the more the idea stuck into his head. He decided to just get it over with and ask Maria as soon as he got home. Independents was the only thing he thought about for the rest of the afternoon while working under the blazing sun.

“I’m home”, yelled Antonio letting the screen door slam, as he stepped into the white and yellow kitchen. Catching himself just in time to remove his mud caked shoes before stepping onto the white tiles which would save himself from a scolding later.
“Hello...” he called out, “Maria?” Antonio walked through there quant kitchen taking in the dirt free floor and sparkling counter tops. Something was definitely not right, the last time the house had been this clean Maria’s father had died. The memory was so clear in Antonio’s mind it was as if it had happened yesterday. He had been walking through the house just as today, noticing that everything was spotless. Then, as Antonio approached the living room he had heard grief-stricken sobs and there was his wife kneeling over her father’s body. He remembered rushing to Maria’s side trying to comfort her while reaching to move her fathers arms and legs that were splayed out in the wood coffin laying across their black flecked oatmeal carpet. But before Antonio could touch him, Maria had screamed hysterically, pulling Antonio’s hand away and not letting him come close to her now dead father.
Antonio’s body suddenly shivered, not clear whether it was the thought of the memory or the chilly November breeze that had just come throw the open window. Praying that everything was alright, Antonio anxiously stepped over the metal thresh hold in to the small dining room whose walls were covered in thousands of small pictures. The room was the same as the kitchen, the cracked wood table had been polished, the plates in the dark brown cupboard had turned the color of a white egg, matching the pearly white of the dress Maria had worn on their wedding day. This photo hung above the small chestnut shelf, containing old books their covers tattered and ripped but still containing stories that Antonio had read over and over again. The cream colored curtains hanging from the large two windows that looked out into the feathery wheat field looked as if they had been scrubbed vigorously. Antonio was now positive that something was wrong, only when Maria had bad news would she clean the house this obsessively. He had never understood how cleaning would help a person deal with a problem, Antonio preferred to sit on the porch alone, away from the yells of his four year old son, Enrique or the giggles of his 11 year old daughter, Anita. He would sit on the old front steps, light his pipe and think, long past the golden sun had fallen to rest behind the Andes mountains streaking the sky with vibrant colors which Maria liked to call God’s paintbrush.
Finally, Antonio found Maria sitting calmly in the living room, her pale yellow dress blending perfectly with the couch that sat in the corner of the small but cozy room. Her legs were daintily tucked behind her while she stitched what looked to be a shirt for Enrique. Maria’s dark hair was gently swept into a loose bun, making her ears stick out, but not so much that it distracted from her thick eyelashes and beauty mark just below the crease of her left eye.
Antonio approached her cautiously, it didn’t look like anything was wrong, but why was the house so clean then? Well here I go, thought Antonio.
“Hello, I’m home”
Startled Maria Looked up from her sewing. Seeing that it was Antonio who had spoken her face lightened and a huge smile spread across her face. Getting up from the couch and onto her tip toes she gave Antonio a quick kiss on the cheek. How peculiar thought Antonio, now he was really confused.
“Is Anita OK,” asked Antonio.
“Of course,” replied Maria her airy but practical voice whispering in Antonio’s ear.
“Where is Enrique?”
“He is taking the nap he always takes at 4:30 each day.”
“Well, then what is the matter,” Antonio asked again, not knowing what else could be wrong if Maria and the children were both fine.
“Nothing, why are you so worried?” Maria’s nose was crinkled, her face
now puzzled. So then Antonio told her about coming in and finding the house completely clean. “I clean the house every week,” Maria laughed, the sound tinkling in the otherwise silent house. Adding, “you just don’t notice. But guess what,” her tone changing now into a more smug tone, “Haiti gained independence two weeks ago, Alíta found out today and told me when she brought José over to play.”
Antonio was overjoyed, this showed hope for the fight against Spain, if Haiti could win over France surely they could win over Spain too!
“Isn’t it wonderful?” Maria said not waiting for answer before telling Antonio that their family friends Alíta, Daniel and José would be coming over to celebrate and eat dinner with them. This took Antonio by surprise, how was it possible that they could barely feed their own family and Maria had invited another family to eat with them. Antonio wondered what they would be eating, bread crumbs? But he did not mention his thoughts, for Maria looked so happy. Antonio also decided that he would have to save asking about fighting Spain for the next because he did not have the heart to break the joyous atmosphere that had suddenly filled their home.
It was eleven o’clock. Antonio lay in bed beside Maria. Her soft breathing which normally helped Antonio fall asleep now rung in his ears minding him of the wind that had been blowing as he had talked to Raul. Antonio was now overcome by the cool air that surrounded his crops and house outside. He reached for the extra blanket that always rested at the foot of there bed, but it wasn’t there, reminding himself that Maria had sold it last week when they had desperately needed money. Spain was to blame for their money shortage, all their restrictions that had been implied had made life so much harder. Antonio realized again that his thoughts had concluded in thinking about Spain and Raul’s request. It seemed almost impossible to erase the idea from his head. Antonio spent the next half hour trying to not think of Spain, which he failed completely and finally fell asleep, joining Maria in a dreamland where rights were equal and lived an untroubled life.
Antonio woke, the open door of the room and empty place in the bed indicated that Maria was already up. Sitting up in bed, Antonio smiled as Anita walked into the room. The sun hitting her light brown hair making it turn a brilliant auburn as she crossed to were Antonio was sitting.
“Good bye,” Anita said, gone before Antonio could ask her where she was headed.
Then Antonio reminded himself that this was morning he would ask Maria bout going to fight Spain. Quickly getting out of bed Antonio got dressed and headed in to the kitchen were Maria stood. Trying to make his voice sound casual, Antonio began.
“So, I heard that some of our neighbors are setting out to fight Spain.”
“Yes, I have heard talk about that too,” Maria replied shortly, while wiping her hands on a tattered red apron tied around her slender waist. Suddenly the small kitchen was filled with a tense silence. Maria waited, stirring the simmering stew, in a thick metal pot with violent strokes.
“Well, I was…uh...thinking that—
“Antonio, I know what you are thinking and the answer is NO!”
She had become enraged so quickly that Antonio could not speak for a few moments. They stood there just staring at each other as the tea-kettle began to whistle matching the mournful sound of the wind coming through the small window above the stove. Antonio’s gaze shifted to the pale yellow curtains sprinkled with white flowers as they floated silently in the cool breeze. The tea-kettle was still screeching obnoxiously in his ears making his thoughts swim even more. Maria looked as though she had no urge to silence the water, her feet seemed glued to the floor and her eyes stuck in the same harsh glare. So, stepping around Maria to turn off the water, Antonio took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak, but instead of his voice coming out, Maria’s shouting filled the air once more.
“How can you even think about leaving this family? If you left, you would make this family even poorer,” Maria screeched, then she added under her breath “if that is even possible. We are barely able to survive and you are mentioning leaving, what kind of person would do that? Well, I’ll tell you, an Idiot, that’s who. It doesn’t even seem like you remember we have two young children: what will they do without a father?”
Maria had lost control and was now sniffling, her dark chocolate eyes now glistened with tears. She took a shaky breath and continued, her voice quivering uncontrollably. “There would be nobody to farm, the children need you, I need you,” Maria now had tears streaming down her face, falling over her soft scarlet lips and making wet streaks across her chestnut skin.
Suddenly Maria had fallen into Antonio’s arms, her muffled sobs soaking his red tunic with fat, salty tears.
Antonio had not been prepared for this, he could feel the frustration churning in his stomach as his thick eyebrows stitched together making his face so troubled that he had to close his eyes to remove the expression. He hadn’t realized how bad he had wanted the answer to be yes, the thought of just staying home, letting his family get poorer and poorer didn’t even seem like option anymore. Maybe Maria would change her mind, but usually when she gave an answer she meant it and even if her opinion changed, she was too stubborn to admit it.
Her warm body was still tense in Antonio’s arm but was relaxing just a little bit more every time she took a breath inhaling the mixed scent of soil and tobacco which came from Antonio’s body.
Finally drawing away from Antonio’s grasp Maria stood in front of him, wiping her last tears that had streaked down her cheeks. Her eyes were now red and swollen but had not lost the determined look that bore through Antonio. Maria opened her mouth, this time her angry yells did not come out but a small trembling voice.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized, “I just don’t want you to leave, what if you didn’t come back.” Antonio had never heard Maria this minute and helpless.
“Its Ok,” Antonio lied, reaching to tuck a piece of Maria’s hair behind her ear. He wished Maria would just snap out of this weird attitude, and tell then that everything she had said had just been a joke. But instead of this, Maria turned and walked towards the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and within thirty seconds had started crying once more. But this time Antonio made no attempt to comfort her. He stood, now aware that the stew Maria had been stirring had simmered over and was covering the stove, filling his lungs with an overwhelming burnt smell.

Saturday, March 3, 2007

Rising Action of Story

“I’m home”, yelled Antonio letting the screen door slam, as he stepped into the white and yellow kitchen. Catching himself just in time to remove his mud caked shoes before stepping onto the white tiles which would save himself from a scolding later.
“Hello...” he called out, “Maria?” Antonio walked through there quant kitchen taking in the dirt free floor and sparkling counter tops. Something was definitely not right, the last time the house had been this clean Maria’s father had died. The memory was so clear in Antonio’s mind it was as if it had happened yesterday. He had been walking through the house just as today, noticing that everything was spotless. Then, as Antonio approached the living room he had heard grief-stricken sobs and there was his wife kneeling over her father’s body. He remembered rushing to Maria’s side trying to comfort her while reaching to move her fathers arms and legs that were splayed out in the wood coffin laying across their black flecked oatmeal carpet. But before Antonio could touch him, Maria had screamed hysterically, pulling Antonio’s hand away and not letting him come close to her now dead father.
Antonio’s body suddenly shivered, not clear whether it was the thought of the memory or the chilly November breeze that had just come throw the open window. Praying that everything was alright, Antonio anxiously stepped over the metal thresh hold in to the small dining room whose walls were covered in thousands of small pictures. The room was the same as the kitchen, the cracked wood table had been polished, the plates in the dark brown cupboard had turned the color of a white egg, matching the pearly white of the dress Maria had worn on their wedding day. This photo hung above the small chestnut shelf, containing old books their covers tattered and ripped but still containing stories that Antonio had read over and over again. The cream colored curtains hanging from the large two windows that looked out into the feathery wheat field looked as if they had been scrubbed vigorously. Antonio was now positive that something was wrong, only when Maria had bad news would she clean the house this obsessively. He had never understood how cleaning would help a person deal with a problem, Antonio preferred to sit on the porch alone, away from the yells of his four year old son, Enrique or the giggles of his 11 year old daughter, Anita. He would sit on the old front steps, light his pipe and think, long past the golden sun had fallen to rest behind the Andes mountains streaking the sky with vibrant colors which Maria liked to call God’s paintbrush.
Finally, Antonio found Maria sitting calmly in the living room, her pale yellow dress blending perfectly with the couch that sat in the corner of the small but cozy room. Her legs were daintily tucked behind her while she stitched what looked to be a shirt for Enrique. Maria’s dark hair was gently swept into a loose bun, making her ears stick out, but not so much that it distracted from her thick eyelashes and beauty mark just below the crease of her left eye.
Antonio approached her cautiously, it didn’t look like anything was wrong, but why was the house so clean then? Well here I go, thought Antonio.
“Hello, I’m home”
Startled Maria Looked up from her sewing. Seeing that it was Antonio who had spoken her face lightened and a huge smile spread across her face. Getting up from the couch and onto her tip toes she gave Antonio a quick kiss on the cheek. How peculiar thought Antonio, now he was really confused.
“Is Anita OK,” asked Antonio.
“Of course,” replied Maria her airy but practical voice whispering in Antonio’s ear.
“Where is Enrique?”
“He is taking the nap he always takes at 4:30 each day.”
“Well, then what is the matter,” Antonio asked again, not knowing what else could be wrong if Maria and the children were both fine.
“Nothing, why are you so worried?” Maria’s nose was crinkled, her face
now puzzled. So then Antonio told her about coming in and finding the house completely clean. “I clean the house every week,” Maria laughed, the sound tinkling in the otherwise silent house. Adding, “you just don’t notice. But guess what,” her tone changing now into a more smug tone, “Haiti gained independence two weeks ago, Alíta found out today and told me when she brought José over to play.”
Antonio was overjoyed, this showed hope for the fight against Spain, if Haiti could win over France surely they could win over Spain too!
“Isn’t it wonderful?” Maria said not waiting for answer before telling Antonio that their family friends Alíta, Daniel and José would be coming over to celebrate and eat dinner with them. This took Antonio by surprise, how was it possible that they could barely feed their own family and Maria had invited another family to eat with them. Antonio wondered what they would be eating, bread crumbs? But he did not mention his thoughts, for Maria looked so happy. Antonio also decided that he would have to save asking about fighting Spain for the next because he did not have the heart to break the joyous atmosphere that had suddenly filled their home.
It was eleven o’clock. Antonio lay in bed beside Maria. Her soft breathing which normally helped Antonio fall asleep now rung in his ears minding him of the wind that had been blowing as he had talked to Raul. Antonio was now overcome by the cool air that surrounded his crops and house outside. He reached for the extra blanket that always rested at the foot of there bed, but it wasn’t there, reminding himself that Maria had sold it last week when they had desperately needed money. Spain was to blame for their money shortage, all their restrictions that had been implied had made life so much harder. Antonio realized again that his thoughts had concluded in thinking about Spain and Raul’s request. It seemed almost impossible to erase the idea from his head. Antonio spent the next half hour trying to not think of Spain, which he failed completely and finally fell asleep, joining Maria in a dreamland where rights were equal and lived an untroubled life.
Antonio woke, the open door of the room and empty place in the bed indicated that Maria was already up. Sitting up in bed, Antonio smiled as Anita walked into the room. The sun hitting her light brown hair making it turn a brilliant auburn as she crossed to were Antonio was sitting.
“Good bye,” Anita said, gone before Antonio could ask her where she was headed.
Then Antonio reminded himself that this was morning he would ask Maria bout going to fight Spain. Quickly getting out of bed Antonio got dressed and headed in to the kitchen were Maria stood. Trying to make his voice sound casual, Antonio began.
“So, I heard that some of our neighbors are setting out to fight Spain.”
“Yes, I have heard talk about that too,” Maria replied shortly, while wiping her hands on a tattered red apron tied around her slender waist. Suddenly the small kitchen was filled with a tense silence. Maria waited, stirring the simmering stew, in a thick metal pot with violent strokes.
“Well, I was…uh...thinking that—
“Antonio, I know what you are thinking and the answer is NO!”
She had become enraged so quickly that Antonio could not speak for a few moments. They stood there just staring at each other as the tea-kettle began to whistle matching the mournful sound of the wind coming through the small window above the stove. Antonio’s gaze shifted to the pale yellow curtains sprinkled with white flowers as they floated silently in the cool breeze. The tea-kettle was still screeching obnoxiously in his ears making his thoughts swim even more. Maria looked as though she had no urge to silence the water, her feet seemed glued to the floor and her eyes stuck in the same harsh glare. So, stepping around Maria to turn off the water, Antonio took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak, but instead of his voice coming out, Maria’s shouting filled the air once more.
“How can you even think about leaving this family? If you left, you would make this family even poorer,” Maria screeched, then she added under her breath “if that is even possible. We are barely able to survive and you are mentioning leaving, what kind of person would do that? Well, I’ll tell you, an Idiot, that’s who. It doesn’t even seem like you remember we have two young children: what will they do without a father?”
Maria had lost control and was now sniffling, her dark chocolate eyes now glistened with tears. She took a shaky breath and continued, her voice quivering uncontrollably. “There would be nobody to farm, the children need you, I need you,” Maria now had tears streaming down her face, falling over her soft scarlet lips and making wet streaks across her chestnut skin.
Suddenly Maria had fallen into Antonio’s arms, her muffled sobs soaking his red tunic with fat, salty tears.
Antonio had not been prepared for this, he could feel the frustration churning in his stomach as his thick eyebrows stitched together making his face so troubled that he had to close his eyes to remove the expression. He hadn’t realized how bad he had wanted the answer to be yes, the thought of just staying home, letting his family get poorer and poorer didn’t even seem like option anymore. Maybe Maria would change her mind, but usually when she gave an answer she meant it and even if her opinion changed, she was too stubborn to admit it.
Her warm body was still tense in Antonio’s arm but was relaxing just a little bit more every time she took a breath inhaling the mixed scent of soil and tobacco which came from Antonio’s body.
Finally drawing away from Antonio’s grasp Maria stood in front of him, wiping her last tears that had streaked down her cheeks. Her eyes were now red and swollen but had not lost the determined look that bore through Antonio. Maria opened her mouth, this time her angry yells did not come out but a small trembling voice.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized, “I just don’t want you to leave, what if you didn’t come back.” Antonio had never heard Maria this minute and helpless.
“Its Ok,” Antonio lied, reaching to tuck a piece of Maria’s hair behind her ear. He wished Maria would just snap out of this weird attitude, and tell then that everything she had said had just been a joke. But instead of this, Maria turned and walked towards the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and within thirty seconds had started crying once more. But this time Antonio made no attempt to comfort her. He stood, now aware that the stew Maria had been stirring had simmered over and was covering the stove, filling his lungs with an overwhelming burnt smell.

Exposition for Story

The sun burned against the pale blue sky, filling the air with a hot, sweltering sensation, making Antonio’s navy blue tunic stick to his sweaty back. The light brown wheat bent and swayed softly in the light breeze like gentle waves washing over seaweed. It brushed against Antonio, bristling and tickling his ankles. Deciding to take a break Antonio pushed his straw hat up farther onto his forehead, and used his rough hands to brush his dark, coffee colored hair out of his eyes. While picking at the dirt from under his stubby fingernails, Antonio raised his deep brown eyes that gazed across the farm. His eyes traced over the wheat, over the tall stalks of corn and across to the clay scalloped roof and burnt red stucco of his house.
Suddenly, Antonio was startled by a deep voice with a thick Spanish accent, “Antonio.” Turning to see who had said his name, Antonio’s eyes met the thin but good natured face of his neighbor Raul. Greeting his neighbor kindly, Antonio set down his metal shovel and walked to where Raul was standing.
“So, what brings you to my farm on such a nice day,” began Antonio who was curios to know the reason.
“Well...each time Spain lays one more restriction on us, I say to myself: I’m going to get them some day, and the rise of our taxes last month was just the last straw. But this time I said to myself: By golly, it is time for me to take action,” Raul’s thick mustache twitched as he spoke. “So I am starting to organize a group of fellow farmers to fight for Independence because I can’t do it all by myself, and I was wondering if you would be a part of the group,” his tone sounded so casual that it was like he had been asking what Antonio had eaten for breakfast. Checking to see if he had heard correctly, trying to make his voice sound just as laid-back as Raul’s, Antonio asked , “you mean, going and fighting the Spaniards, right? I mean if your joking, you better tell me right now cause...wow who gave you this idea...I mean...are you all right?” He had definitely not succeeded in a relaxed tone, and was now trying very hard to control his baffled and confused facial expressions.
“That’s right, I am talking about fighting Spain”, Raul chucked looking Antonio straight in the eye, “ but if you aren’t ready to do it, then I guess...” his voice faded, disappointment filled his eyes and traveled across his face as he turned his back and started to walk away. Antonio watched as Raul made his way through the wheat, his back hunched and eyes cast downward. Antonio hated making others unhappy, it seemed to suck all the joy out of him too, so without realizing what he was about to do, Antonio opened his mouth.
“Uh, Raul...I...I’ll think about it” When Raul turned back around, his face glowed with excitement again and with a big grin he basically flew to the spot where Antonio was standing. Taking Antonio’s hand, Raul began to pump it up and down, “thank you, thank you, thank you.” This time turning around with a spring and walking happily back across the vast farm. “Thank you,” Raul yelled once more over his shoulder, whistling to himself as he reached the fence dividing Antonio’s farm with another neighbors.
It was worth it, seeing Raul so thrilled, to ask Maria and just hope her answer would be one that Antonio could except.
All through the rest of the day Antonio thought of what Raul had said and as the hours went by Antonio felt more and more passion for his land and rights. Raul was right, nothing was going change if they did not act soon. Anger had bubbled inside him long enough. It had all started when limitations had been imposed by the Spanish government. First, they had been banned from growing crops that might have competed with those grown or made in Spain. Then, they had been banned from making goods that might have competed with those grown or made in Spain and then they could not trade with foreigners. The taxes had started to become higher and higher and now they were so unreasonable that Antonio had to work four more hours each day to keep food on the table. So many other regular people had gone to fight against Spain, why couldn’t he? He wanted his rights and was willing to fight for them! The more Antonio thought about it, the more the idea stuck into his head. He decided to just get it over with and ask Maria as soon as he got home. Independents was the only thing he thought about for the rest of the afternoon while working under the blazing sun.

Monday, February 12, 2007

sorry for some reason my outline got cut off, so here is again:

Exposition:
· A family of four is living in Columbia under the power of Spain.
· The father, Antonio is a farmer
· He is having to work really hard to feed his family but is living with it.

Rising Action:
· The Spanish enforce even more restrictions for the people of Latin America to follow.
· Antonio and his family suffer greatly from these restrictions.
· They are barely able to survive.
· The family hears about how many of their fellow farming neighbors have joined as a group and are going to try and fight against the Spanish for freedom and independence.
· Antonio wants to join this group of neighbors and be able to fight for his rights.
· Antonio’s wife, Maria is scared for her husband and will not let him go
· However, Antonio is determined and sneaks out in the middle of the night to fulfill his yearn for independence.
· Antonio makes a very good friend named Miguel who is another farmer and they fight together side by side
Climax:
· The army Antonio and Miguel belong to fights an unusually large group of people representing Spain
· Miguel gets killed
· Antonio becomes very depressed
· Meanwhile Maria (Antonio’s wife) has concluded that Antonio is dead and is preparing to get married to another man


Falling Action:
· Antonio is so depressed he decides to come home
· When he returns to his village he is met with the neighbor telling him his wife is getting married
· Quickly Antonio finds where the wedding is and walks there
· He walks in on the wedding and has to stop his wife from getting married

Resolution:
· After seeing Antonio Maria decides not to get married again
· Antonio returns to his farm with his family
· They live there happily

Saturday, February 10, 2007

story outline

Exposition:
· A family of four is living in Columbia under the power of Spain.
· The father, Antonio is a farmer
· He is having to work really hard to feed his family but is living with it.

Rising Action:
· The Spanish enforce even more restrictions for the people of Latin America to follow.
· Antonio and his family suffer greatly from these restrictions.
· They are barely able to survive.
· The family hears about how many of their fellow farming neighbors have joined as a group and are going to try and fight against the Spanish for freedom and independence.
· Antonio wants to join this group of neighbors and be able to fight for his rights.
· Antonio’s wife, Maria is scared for her husband and will not let him go
· However, Antonio is determined and sneaks out in the middle of the night to fufill his

Climax:

Falling Action:

Resolution: