Both Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle, are multi-faceted stories with central themes that repeat themselves throughout. The strongest and most repeated theme is that of control, especially when shown through the eyes of each book's main character. ... In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie, the main character, is shown in her middle age returning to her hometown. ... Merricat feels as if he were trying to take Constance away from her. ... The act of her killing her family is not exactly even specific enou...

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• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

I told Kyle and Tim that I couldn't go and watch the game with them. ... The cop looked me straight in the eyes and said, "I"m sorry, Matt, they died in that horrible crash." ... Everyone walked past the Cristmans and me, showing their regards. ... When I step in a car now, I hope they keep me safe and watch out for me. ... I pray every day and night that God will keep my family and friends safe and healthy. ...

• Word Count: 1343
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The man's ice cold eyes stared into the distance, probably locked on his last view of life. ... Laura had the most beautiful brown curly hair and her eyes were so dark yet full of so much life. ... I was too late, the rescue crews were gone and I received no answers that day. ... I remember watching helplessly as a nun got chased down the street by a group of people just because she had light skin. ... I thanked god that my cell door was locked otherwise I was going to be next. ...

• Word Count: 1595
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Heading into the town, the sun was setting and I noticed everybody was indoors, with all their windows locked and shut. ... The bar lounge was huge, stretching from one corner to the other, filled with many drunk men and women who were just there, looking as if they were having a good. ... She was a perfect wife in my eyes I thought. ... It was on a Sunday that Alexandra and I were suppose to be wed. ... My heart started to beat faster and my feet were getting cold. ...

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• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

Seeing everybody that last time just bought tears to my eyes. ... I remembered sitting in front of the television watching college basketball games together; Ryan loved Carolina basketball. These were fun years that I would never forget. ... They were on their way to the project and already in the car. ... He stated that we can't explain why Ryan was taken from us, but he figured that God must want someone to make him laugh, so he took the best. ...

• Word Count: 1271
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

She watched me struggle through pain, and all she wanted was to help. ... My whole agreement with God was, if I got better, I would be a better person, a person just like my mom. Being in the hospital we got to know many people who were also sick. We were like one big, sick family. ... She is a superstar in my eyes and a great mother. ...

• Word Count: 1453
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

"I wish I were dead...With my father, my mother, and my sister! ... Many of the customers that she received on her first day were unkind and some were kind. ... Phoebe is like "god's angel." ... He is watching her and introduces himself to her. ... "With the lids drooping over her eyes-now lifted for an instant, and drawn down again as with leaden weights." (162) Holgrave's story about the Pyncheon family, mesmerized Phoebe. ...

• Word Count: 2022
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School