Ana Trejo Dr. Randall English 1102-03 23 January 2017 Conquered Battles Blood streaming down faces and bombs exploding in the air are what come to mind when one thinks of a war or a battle, but not all wars or battles are bloody and tangible. Some battles are fought within oneself. A battle everyone, including the protagonist of "Birthmark" by Miranda July, faces is the battle of beauty. "Birthmark" by Miranda July is a short story about a girl who had a prominent port-wine birthmark, and after the removal of her birthmark, the girl was left questioning her identity and beauty. The girl realized near the end of the story that she was beautiful because of her birthmark, not in spite of it. Miranda July's short story "Birthmark" shows that people's imperfections are what make them uniquely beautiful and peculiarly interesting through the actions, thoughts, and relationships of the protagonist. Miranda July carefully planned the main character's actions for the readers to see how people's flaws make them compellingly beautiful. Although the battle of beauty is internal, there are external factors that come into play as well. Society is one such pressure. "She didn't think she would have bothered if she hadn't been what people call 'very beautiful except for'" (July 170). The girl would not have removed her birthmark if it were not for society's judgment. However, the action of removing her birthmark was vital. If the protagonist would have not gotten her birthmark removed, she would have never realized how much of her identity and beauty was concentrated within her birthmark. In addition to using the girl's actions to portray how people's blemishes are the reason for people's allure, Miranda July also used the girl's thoughts. Right after the birthmark's removal, July wrote, "Then you know that winning is many things, but it never the thing you thought it would be" (171). This quote is the first sign of the protagonist's regret. The protagonist had not yet realized the magnitude of removing her birthmark, but she was starting to feel a "a real sense of loss" (July 172). The girl's thoughts then noticeably seeped into her feelings: "She would see a couple and one of them would have a port-wine stain and the other would clearly be in love with this stained person and she would hate her husband a little. And [her husband] could feel it" (July 172-173). The protagonist thought that her husband would not have been attracted to her if he would have met her with her port-wined stain. However, July shows the readers in the end that the husband would love the girl even more with her birthmark because the imperfect birthmark is part of her perfect beauty. Along with the protagonist's actions and thoughts, July shows how people's imperfections are why people are beautiful through the protagonist's relationships with her husband and even strangers. As aforementioned, the girl and her husband "wordlessly excused each other for not loving each other a.

1. Ana Trejo
Dr. Randall
English 1102-03
23 January 2017
Conquered Battles
Blood streaming down faces and bombs exploding in the
air are what come to mind when one thinks of a war or a battle,
but not all wars or battles are bloody and tangible. Some battles
are fought within oneself. A battle everyone, including the
protagonist of "Birthmark" by Miranda July, faces is the battle
of beauty. "Birthmark" by Miranda July is a short story about a
girl who had a prominent port-wine birthmark, and after the
removal of her birthmark, the girl was left questioning her
identity and beauty. The girl realized near the end of the story
that she was beautiful because of her birthmark, not in spite of
it. Miranda July's short story "Birthmark" shows that people's
imperfections are what make them uniquely beautiful and
peculiarly interesting through the actions, thoughts, and
relationships of the protagonist.
Miranda July carefully planned the main character's
actions for the readers to see how people's flaws make them
compellingly beautiful. Although the battle of beauty is
internal, there are external factors that come into play as well.
Society is one such pressure. "She didn't think she would have
bothered if she hadn't been what people call 'very beautiful
except for'" (July 170). The girl would not have removed her
birthmark if it were not for society's judgment. However, the
action of removing her birthmark was vital. If the protagonist
would have not gotten her birthmark removed, she would have
never realized how much of her identity and beauty was
concentrated within her birthmark.
In addition to using the girl's actions to portray how
people's blemishes are the reason for people's allure, Miranda
July also used the girl's thoughts. Right after the birthmark's

2. removal, July wrote, "Then you know that winning is many
things, but it never the thing you thought it would be" (171).
This quote is the first sign of the protagonist's regret. The
protagonist had not yet realized the magnitude of removing her
birthmark, but she was starting to feel a "a real sense of loss"
(July 172). The girl's thoughts then noticeably seeped into her
feelings: "She would see a couple and one of them would have a
port-wine stain and the other would clearly be in love with this
stained person and she would hate her husband a little. And [her
husband] could feel it" (July 172-173). The protagonist thought
that her husband would not have been attracted to her if he
would have met her with her port-wined stain. However, July
shows the readers in the end that the husband would love the
girl even more with her birthmark because the imperfect
birthmark is part of her perfect beauty.
Along with the protagonist's actions and thoughts, July
shows how people's imperfections are why people are beautiful
through the protagonist's relationships with her husband and
even strangers. As aforementioned, the girl and her husband
"wordlessly excused each other for not loving each other as
much as they had planned to" (July 173). The girl's marriage
was negatively affected because the girl thought that she was
beautiful in spite of her imperfections and not because of her
imperfections; not until her birthmark came back did she realize
that she was wrong in thinking that way. Not only was her
marriage affected, but her encounters with strangers were
affected, too. As soon as she removed her birthmark, she saw
people treated her differently. "Any fool on the bus could play
the game of guessing how perfect she would look without [her
birthmark]. Now there was not this game to play, there was just
a spent feeling "(July 171). In that moment, the character
realized deeply within herself that she should have never
removed her beautiful birthmark.
In summary, "Birthmark" by Miranda July conveyed
through the protagonist's actions, thoughts, and relationships
that people's imperfections are what make them distinguished

3. and compelling. Concerns about beauty are everywhere. People
might not have a birthmark on their face, but everybody has
some kind of imperfection. The removal of the girl's birthmark,
the thoughts of regret the girl had, and the negative
relationships the girl had served to show July's readers that they
must accept their imperfections. Once people accept their
beautiful flaws, their internal battles against beauty will be
conquered.
Reading Response Guidelines
For each Reading Response, you will discuss each assigned
reading in 2-5 sentences for a total of 50 words or more
1.) What is the theme or moral of what you read and why do you
feel this way (include at least one specific quote for each work
and/or reference at least one specific passage or part – and the
page number for fiction or drama or line number for poetry).
2.) What is your opinion of each work you read? Did you like
the work and why or why not? How did the work make you feel
and at what part? Be specific
3.) Would you consider this work to be literature – why or why
not – and would you recommend others read this work? Again,
be specific.
The more detailed you are in your responses, the easier the
reflection essays will be when you write them -and subsequently
the research essays.
Example:
In “Oliver’s Evolution” by John Updike, the theme is each
person makes their own life, no matter the hardships they have
encountered or what kind of parents or upbringing they have
had. Updike adds an added thesis of expectations and how when
we find someone who is worse off than ourselves, it is a true

4. demonstration of character if we can rise above in order to help
those weaker than ourselves, as Oliver did with his wife and
children. He became a better parent than his parents and a better
man than many in society today by taking responsibility for his
decisions and actions and doing what he knew was right to help
those who needed help and couldn’t save themselves. In doing
so, he also saved himself. I loved this story and found the theme
to be completely accurate. I also like how short the story is and
how easy the writing was to follow. I would consider this story
literature because it has a so many significant themes and really
grabs and sticks with the reader, letting them understand more
about themselves.
Reflection Essays
For each Reflection Essay, you will write a minimum of five
paragraphs and 300 words. Do not include any scholarly sources
or outside references.
The point of these essays is to create a clear thesis or opinion of
a work’s theme or point. Then, in at least three body
paragraphs, you will defend and prove your position by
analyzing at least 1-2 quotes from your chosen work(s) in each
body paragraph.
The quotes are your proof and evidence, and you will
incorporate significant passages from your readings by using
quotations with a parenthetical citation afterward (Smith 8),
demonstrating proper MLA formatting and the ability to include
quotes within an opinion/persuasive/argumentative essay where
the focus is on your ideas and on defending those ideas.
For example:
Thesis: In “Sadie and Maud,” neither protagonist is truly happy
or more successful than the other because Gwendolyn Brooks’s
message to readers is living life based on the expectations of
others – whether meeting those expectations or rebelling against
them – leads to lack of individuality and genuine happiness.
First Body Paragraph: When Brooks writes, “Sadie scraped life
with a fine tooth comb” (l.5), she suggests Sadie both struggled

5. to make ends meet as well as enjoy each moment to the fullest.
Being a single mother, Sadie was judged and held at arm’s
length by the people in her town, causing her and her children’s
life to be harder than necessary. Sadie, while rebelling against
the status quo and social obligations, never found true
happiness and identity as an outcast who was marginalized to
the outskirts of society. Sadie was true to her adventurous
spirit, but she was never accepted by her community and was
made to live an empty life of labels and loneliness.
Notice how the above example presents a clear and effective
thesis (opinion and topic). The body paragraph presents a quote
and the line numbers for the poem in parenthesis after the
quote. The quote is then discussed and analyzed to prove and
further define the essay’s thesis.
Also notice how the opinion of the student is given without the
use of personal pronouns like “I” or “me” or “you” – and how
the sentences sound more authoritative and direct. As a result,
you should avoid using personal pronouns in your essays.
Instead, be direct and professional in your writing.
Follow the essay structure:
Introduction Paragraph
· Grab Attention
· Give some background and context
· Present your thesis clearly (opinion and why)
Body Paragraphs
· Transition readers into the paragraph (First, While, In order
to…)
· Introduce the point of the paragraph
· Introduce your quote
· Discuss/Analyze the quote
· Repeat if necessary (adding scholarly quotes and discussion)
· End the paragraph by returning to your thesis – how have you
proven part of your overall point?
Conclusion Paragraph

6. · Transition to the end (Ultimately, Finally, Without a doubt)
· Recap your main points
· Review your thesis (use fresh language)
· End with a bang! (Be thought-provoking; make us glad we
read your essay)