*simulacrum- an image or representation of someone or something

*apocryphal- of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true (Always related to something LARGE, dubious authorship mostly related to political rumors)

*venal- corrupt, able to be bribed

*venial- a fault, offense or sin that is slight and pardonable

*venereal- sexual desire or sexual intercourse; to sell yourself
*‘VEN’ - to sell. root word

*inveterate- settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like

*teleological- the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by postulated causes. Fate, everything is driving to a specific end.
-Movies such as “Matrix” or “Knowing” where characters and the plot are driven toward a destined ending with a set conclusion are teleological stories. These stories normally relate every situation to the final ending.

8/20 Thursday
*canonical- authorized; recognized; accepted: canonical works. Conforming to orthodox or well-established rules or patterns, as of procedure.
-Milton and Keat’s works are two of many canonical readings that are recommended for all educated readers.

8/24 Monday
*gambit- an opening in which a player seeks to obtain some advantage by sacrificing a pawn or piece
-To me The Fly was somewhat disturbing, as it seemed to criticize and reflect upon the horrors of a man’s loss. The story begins when old Mr. Woodifield visits an office of his old boss whom he served before suffering a stroke. The two men enjoys each other’s companies, and during the conversation Woodifield says he cannot recall something he wanted to tell the boss. Then the boss encourages Woodifield to drink some of his whisky, and the drink works as a gambit, bringing back the memory of the dead son.


8/31 Monday
*pinguid- of the nature of or resembling the fat; oily or greasy
-When Janice squeezed the pinguid hamburger displayed in front of the table, yellow oil dripped from the meat.

9/9 Wednesday
*sophism- a specious argument for displaying ingenuity in reasoning or for deceiving someone. any false argument; fallacy.
-In Borges’ “Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius,” it’s said that “For one of those gnostics, the visible universe was an illusion or (more precisely) a sophism. Mirrors and fatherhood are abominable because they multiply and disseminate that universe.” In the modern definition, a sophism is a confusing or illogical argument used for deceiving someone. This idea is predominant through out Borges’ short story. When the narrator in the story discusses about the “nine coins” the readers may try to find the significance of its meaning but in reality it may be intended by the authors to just confuse his readers.

9/10/Thursday
*the boston common a public area in downtown boston is the main settin for the shrot story the patriot which is about a man who argues to such an extent that it becam >> change the sentence
-A public area in downtown Boston called the Boston Common, is the main setting for the short story "The Patriot", which is about a man who argues to such an extent that it became sophism.

9/14/Monday
*endemic- native or restricted to certain country or area
-In the analysis of Kafka's Metamorphosis by Margaret Breen, the writer brings out the point that though America is known to be composed of many cultures, Americans are in reality endemic to only their understanding of the culture. Many resist to adjust and take in other cultures and remain endemic to only their ground, unable to accept any other culture aside from their own, such as homosexuality and Muslims.