Young Writers Society

Just wanted to say that this is so relatable 😭

Howdy Hey! Gengar here, not to review but just to say: I am also taking Ap classes, I feel your pain. Also this poem is very well-written and emotional

Time for a Black Cat Review!!

MEOW! Hello, friend! My name is Ellie and today I will be reviewing using my very own Black Cat Review Method! It is very similar to the incredible YWS S'more Method but I have Halloween-ified it and made it spooky! My little black cat friend, Vladimir, wants to offer his opinion on your amazing literary piece:

Mystical Witch Hat - What I See, Observe, and Interpret

I absolutely love this, right from the first line. I love the comparison of sweat and tears and money and numbers. As I read this, it felt very relatable to me

I loved this line:

it’s just that all the voices all around have

but i’m starting to think that my teacher
lied to me. all i see is my losses (“but remember
not to include sunk costs in your calculations”)

they say that napoleon was defeated at the
battle of waterloo, but how could they know

i also probably failed my economics exam.

they say that global warming will lead to
worse conditions in the future, but perhaps
a little warmth is all we need to keep
pushing forward, instead of shivering in the dark
(it’s starting to get cold around these parts)

I hope you have a spook-tastical day, filled with black cat mischief!

Well, this is relatable to say the least.

"sweat rolls down my cheek like tears, but
i’m not crying, i’m happy, i’m making tons
and tons of money, but these numbers, so big–
become so small in the blink of an eye
maybe i’m crying after all"

Immediately, I'm able to tell which exam (some form of Economics) is being spoken of. The repetition of 'I'm ___' helps reinforce the stream-of-consciousness nature of the poem.

"you know, i’m actually quite satisfied with
lots of things, maybe not my life, but actually
i guess i’m quite satisfied with my life,
it’s just that all the voices all around have
convinced me that it’s not the right path after all"

Here, the narrator enters denial, they've refused The Call. They consider that maybe they don't need to pass their exams. This passes them along the Hero's Journey so that they can meet their mentor. It's well executed in its briefness.

"they say marginal cost equals marginal revenue,
but i’m starting to think that my teacher
lied to me. all i see is my losses (“but remember
not to include sunk costs in your calculations”)
they said. i think they might be wrong, but
i also probably failed my economics exam."

Here's the mentor. the teacher reminds the narrator how to do their calculations, and they reach their lowest point here, believing they've failed and there's nothing they can do.

"they say that global warming will lead to
worse conditions in the future, but perhaps
a little warmth is all we need to keep
pushing forward, instead of shivering in the dark
(it’s starting to get cold around these parts)"

Here's the light at the end of the tunnel. The narrator realises that they need to push forward and they'll pass if they try by making an analogy relevant to the AP Environmental Science exam. This reinforces the theme of the AP Exam's difficulties, while also (possibly) hinting towards another AP Exam the narrator is taking.

"they say that napoleon was defeated at the
battle of waterloo, but how could they know
that it was truly over for him? i still think
he may stand back up to reclaim his empire
any day now. gosh, history is so confusing"

There is a relevant analogy that you pull off well here, saying that maybe you just need to make a stand to pass the exam, all you need to do is try. The narrator's classes are also possibly expanded to AP World History, furthering their backstory.

"anyways, i hope i pass my ap exams"

The title drop at the end resonates with me, who's taking APHG and APFL&C exams, and surely will with anyone else also taking them, by making a statement that will surely hit home with anyone who is taking even one AP Exam.

Anyways, good luck.