What does the story signify?
The story signifies the differences between the social classes in society. One class is focused on a party, while the other class is dealing with the death of a loved one.
How does it signify?
The class that would be considered the higher social class is also above the other class in location. The lower class literally lives below the higher class, because the higher class people live on the top of the hill.
The lower class is associated with really dark diction. They live in "mean little cottages," and a "dark knot of people stood outside" of the house. To Laura these people were different, dark, dreadful, and she was grateful that she was not living in this class of people. She was so grateful t hat, in the end, she stated that life is "simply marvelous." But in the same way that she was pleased to be in her class, these people were pleased to be in their class. The dead man seemed "happy," "wonderful," "beautiful." Neither of these classes communicated with each other on a normal day, and they both seem like they are okay with the harsh reality that they are different and always will be.
I did pretty well. I got the general theme of the story and kind-of expanded in the right direction. I didn't get anywhere near what Diane got, but I understood the main idea of the story.
It is really neat to see the connections between Laura and Persephone. It makes this short story seem much more significant. I did not notice this myself, so it makes me wonder what else I am missing in literature.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
It's Rarely Just Illness
Thomas Foster points out that illness is used in literature all the time because it is present in life all the time. He also points out "certain principles governing the use of disease in works of literature." One book that I recall that has a main character die of a disease is A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks (I use him a lot, I know). The principles are listed below.
1. Not all diseases are created equal.
The disease that plagues this character is cancer. Cancer is the sort of disease that catches every one's attention. Sure, there are treatments for some types of cancer, but when you hear someone mutter the word cancer, you generally get scared. Cancer is a disease that is often used in literary works because it is so prominent in the real world.
2. It should be picturesque.
There is a certain image that pops in every one's head that is associated with cancer. But, Jamie is different because she doesn't use chemotherapy, so she is not bald. She does still have the weak strength that is present in all cancer patients. She is pale and bruising, but her skin looks sort of angelic and beautiful.
3. It should be mysterious in origin.
Today cancer is much more understood than it was when it first appeared, but it is still quite mysterious. Most cancers do not have cures, there are treatments for almost all cancers, but they are almost as brutal as the disease itself.
4. It should have strong symbolic or metaphorical possibilities.
People who are battling cancer are fighting an internal war. While Jamie is fighting this internal war, Landon, Jamie's boyfriend, is fighting a battle within himself. He is trying to become a better person for Jamie because she is the greatest person he has ever known. He puts up with harsh comments and dirty looks from his old friends because he has ditched them to be with Jamie.
Jamie's disease is accepted with the theme of this book because the theme is "love conquers all." Even though Jamie is dying at such a young age, Landon still shows her a great life. Jamie is a preacher's kid and is a very devoted Christian, and throughout Jamie's struggle Landon also becomes a Christian. Even though Jamie is dying and their life together is ending, they still have hope that they will get to complete their life together in Heaven.
1. Not all diseases are created equal.
The disease that plagues this character is cancer. Cancer is the sort of disease that catches every one's attention. Sure, there are treatments for some types of cancer, but when you hear someone mutter the word cancer, you generally get scared. Cancer is a disease that is often used in literary works because it is so prominent in the real world.
2. It should be picturesque.
There is a certain image that pops in every one's head that is associated with cancer. But, Jamie is different because she doesn't use chemotherapy, so she is not bald. She does still have the weak strength that is present in all cancer patients. She is pale and bruising, but her skin looks sort of angelic and beautiful.
3. It should be mysterious in origin.
Today cancer is much more understood than it was when it first appeared, but it is still quite mysterious. Most cancers do not have cures, there are treatments for almost all cancers, but they are almost as brutal as the disease itself.
4. It should have strong symbolic or metaphorical possibilities.
People who are battling cancer are fighting an internal war. While Jamie is fighting this internal war, Landon, Jamie's boyfriend, is fighting a battle within himself. He is trying to become a better person for Jamie because she is the greatest person he has ever known. He puts up with harsh comments and dirty looks from his old friends because he has ditched them to be with Jamie.
Jamie's disease is accepted with the theme of this book because the theme is "love conquers all." Even though Jamie is dying at such a young age, Landon still shows her a great life. Jamie is a preacher's kid and is a very devoted Christian, and throughout Jamie's struggle Landon also becomes a Christian. Even though Jamie is dying and their life together is ending, they still have hope that they will get to complete their life together in Heaven.
Archetype
An archetype is a topic or theme that appears over and over in books. It is something that is pleasing to read or hear about, so it is used numerous times in literature and movies, and it is accepted with open arms almost every time.
There are tons of archetypes, but one of my personal favorites is "true love." There are millions of books that involve "true love," whether it's the story of how it came to be, or the struggles that come with it, it is present everywhere. From the time we are born to the time we die, we are fascinated by love: kids hear about it in fairy tales, teens read about it in books, adults spend their life trying to find and keep it.
One book that I remember had a lot to do with true love was Dear John by Nicolas Sparks. It is a story about a guy in the army, stationed in Germany, that comes to the United States for a two week vacation in his hometown, and while he is home he meets his one and only "true love." This love is tricky though, because he is only home for two weeks, then he has to go back to Germany. So to keep their love alive they write letters to each other, hence the name Dear John. It sounds super cheesy and cliche, but because humans are so fascinated with love, it works. Every time.
Thomas Foster truly opened my eyes to the patterns that are in literature. Archetypes are everywhere and I never even knew they existed before Foster.
There are tons of archetypes, but one of my personal favorites is "true love." There are millions of books that involve "true love," whether it's the story of how it came to be, or the struggles that come with it, it is present everywhere. From the time we are born to the time we die, we are fascinated by love: kids hear about it in fairy tales, teens read about it in books, adults spend their life trying to find and keep it.
One book that I remember had a lot to do with true love was Dear John by Nicolas Sparks. It is a story about a guy in the army, stationed in Germany, that comes to the United States for a two week vacation in his hometown, and while he is home he meets his one and only "true love." This love is tricky though, because he is only home for two weeks, then he has to go back to Germany. So to keep their love alive they write letters to each other, hence the name Dear John. It sounds super cheesy and cliche, but because humans are so fascinated with love, it works. Every time.
Thomas Foster truly opened my eyes to the patterns that are in literature. Archetypes are everywhere and I never even knew they existed before Foster.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Assignment 5- ...Except Sex
In this day and age, sex is absolutely everywhere. It is in literature, movies, TV shows, commercials, billboards, and pretty much anywhere else you look. Thomas Foster explains that sex is often glossed over in literature and movies for many reasons. One movie that suggested sex is August Rush. Sex is nowhere near the main theme of the movie, and it is only suggested once, but, nevertheless, it is there.
Louis and Lyla meet on the rooftop of a building, and share a special connection. Only hours after they meet they are shown kissing on screen. The next screenshot is of wind chimes swaying in the wind. Then they are shown fast asleep wrapped in each others arms. This all happens within the first ten minutes of the movie.
The way that this relationship played out shows quite a lot about the theme of the movie. This movie is all about music; both Louis and Lyla are amazing musicians, and their son, August/Evan, is a musical prodigy. The image and sound of the wind chimes as the cover for what was actually happening is extremely fitting for this movie. Instead of showing waves in the ocean or fireworks, a musical symbol was used. So right off the bat the viewer gets the impression that music is an important tool used in telling this story.
Louis and Lyla meet on the rooftop of a building, and share a special connection. Only hours after they meet they are shown kissing on screen. The next screenshot is of wind chimes swaying in the wind. Then they are shown fast asleep wrapped in each others arms. This all happens within the first ten minutes of the movie.
The way that this relationship played out shows quite a lot about the theme of the movie. This movie is all about music; both Louis and Lyla are amazing musicians, and their son, August/Evan, is a musical prodigy. The image and sound of the wind chimes as the cover for what was actually happening is extremely fitting for this movie. Instead of showing waves in the ocean or fireworks, a musical symbol was used. So right off the bat the viewer gets the impression that music is an important tool used in telling this story.
Monday, August 8, 2011
He's a Christ Figure
There are Christ figures everywhere in literature. One character that sticks out to me as a Christ figure is Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Sure, he was never crucified or employed as a carpenter. He never died and rose again, but he possessed many Christ like qualities.
Atticus was very self-sacrificing. Atticus, a white man, defended Tom Robinson, an African American, in a court case in the early 1900s when racial segregation was still widely prominent. No other white man in this time would do anything for an African American, so by being Tom's lawyer Atticus showed that he cared for others more than he cared for himself. He didn't sacrifice his life for Tom, but he did sacrifice his reputation as a lawyer and as a human being to try to give Tom justice.
Atticus was also good with children. He was a single dad raising his two kids, and he always seemed to know the right thing to say. Whenever Scout or Jem had a problem they would go to Atticus seeking advice or comfort and he always came through. The kids loved their father because he showed so much love for them.
Atticus was portrayed with arms outstretched...well, not literally. He didn't always have his arms outstretched, inviting everyone in, but his attitude was that everyone was equal and everyone should be treated with compassion, so it seemed that he could have his arms outstretched. He had compassion for everyone and everything. Even in the days of the trial he did not judge his opposing side. He taught his kids that you can't judge someone because you don't know what their life is really like. He lived his life everyday with this mindset.
Atticus is not Christ by any means, but his heart and many of his actions portray the actions of Jesus Christ.
Atticus was very self-sacrificing. Atticus, a white man, defended Tom Robinson, an African American, in a court case in the early 1900s when racial segregation was still widely prominent. No other white man in this time would do anything for an African American, so by being Tom's lawyer Atticus showed that he cared for others more than he cared for himself. He didn't sacrifice his life for Tom, but he did sacrifice his reputation as a lawyer and as a human being to try to give Tom justice.
Atticus was also good with children. He was a single dad raising his two kids, and he always seemed to know the right thing to say. Whenever Scout or Jem had a problem they would go to Atticus seeking advice or comfort and he always came through. The kids loved their father because he showed so much love for them.
Atticus was portrayed with arms outstretched...well, not literally. He didn't always have his arms outstretched, inviting everyone in, but his attitude was that everyone was equal and everyone should be treated with compassion, so it seemed that he could have his arms outstretched. He had compassion for everyone and everything. Even in the days of the trial he did not judge his opposing side. He taught his kids that you can't judge someone because you don't know what their life is really like. He lived his life everyday with this mindset.
Atticus is not Christ by any means, but his heart and many of his actions portray the actions of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Reading List
Les Miserables (1862) by Victor Hugo is a book I am really looking forward to reading because I am going to see the musical in September. I would like to read this book before I see the play so I have a good understanding of what is actually going to happen before I step foot in the theater. I'm going to read the abridged version, so it is about 400 pages and the style could be hard to read because it includes French words throughout the novel, but I feel that I could enjoy this book tremendously if I actually apply myself to it.
Little Women (1868) by Louisa May Alcott is a book I have always heard about, but never read. It seems to be a reigning classic, and after doing some research I found it on the list of titles used on the AP literature exam. It is a pretty lengthy book, but it is a children's classic so it should be pretty easy to read.
Pride and Prejudice (1818) by Jane Austen is extremely highly regarded and I have had it recommended to me by numerous people. It has about 250 pages and Jane Austen is known for having a tough writing style, but in the reviews I read on the internet I saw that many people said the book was witty and humorous. This book is set in the nineteenth century, but the plot seems like a fun and interesting romantic story so I will probably enjoy this book a lot.
The Hunger Games (2008) by Suzanne Collins has been recommended to me by pretty much everyone I talk to. This book seems like it has something for everyone. It isn't too long, and it is modern so the writing style isn't too difficult. The plot seems incredibly interesting, and I have heard on many occasions that it is a page-turner. I am really looking forward to reading this book.
Wuthering Heights (1847) by Emily Bronte was recommended to me by Natasha. She read this book last year and really enjoyed it, and we often have the same taste in books, so I will probably enjoy it too. It is a pretty lengthy, dark, love story that is told in a series of flashbacks, so it could get confusing but I should be able to read and enjoy it with some effort.
The Awakening (1899) by Kate Chopin is a book that appears on the list of titles used on the AP lit test many times. I had never heard of it until I saw that list, but after research I decided that it would be a pretty enjoyable read. It is the story of a married women that feels trapped in a loveless marriage. It is quite short and the subject matter will most likely keep my interest so I should not have a problem reading this book. I am actually looking forward to reading this book.
What Happened to Goodbye (2011) by Sarah Dessen was recommended to me by Natasha. She got me hooked on Sarah Dessen a couple years ago, so we both have to read every new book that she comes out with. It has about 400 pages, but it is a modern young adult novel so it should be pretty easy to read. This is a book that I will read when the rest of my life seems overwhelming; it is quite simple so it will be a good escape book.
Into the Wild (1997) by Jon Krakauer is a book I stumbled upon in one of the lists on Ms. Weygandt's wiki page. After reading some of the reviews online, and taking a gander at the first couple pages, I figured that this book would be worth my time. The story seems like it will be pretty interesting and it is only 207 pages, so it should be pretty easy to read.
The Help (2009) by Kathryn Stockett is a book I have considered reading for quite a while. I had a teacher recommend this book to me right when it came out, but at the time I was busy reading other books so I didn't pick it up. Now that a movie is coming out I have more motivation to get a jump on this book. It is a pretty long book, but it has had extremely high praise and the storyline seems quite interesting. I am really looking forward to reading this book.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2005) by Stieg Larsson has been on my reading list for quite some time. I have been looking forward to reading this book for a while, but I just never seemed to have the time. This year I WILL make sure I read this book. At about 600 pages it is pretty long, but the plot seems incredible and all the reviewers gush about how much of a page-turner it is. It doesn't seem like it will be that challenging to read once I finally find the time to pick it up. Apparently it is also becoming a movie in the near future, so now I want to read it all the more.
Little Women (1868) by Louisa May Alcott is a book I have always heard about, but never read. It seems to be a reigning classic, and after doing some research I found it on the list of titles used on the AP literature exam. It is a pretty lengthy book, but it is a children's classic so it should be pretty easy to read.
Pride and Prejudice (1818) by Jane Austen is extremely highly regarded and I have had it recommended to me by numerous people. It has about 250 pages and Jane Austen is known for having a tough writing style, but in the reviews I read on the internet I saw that many people said the book was witty and humorous. This book is set in the nineteenth century, but the plot seems like a fun and interesting romantic story so I will probably enjoy this book a lot.
The Hunger Games (2008) by Suzanne Collins has been recommended to me by pretty much everyone I talk to. This book seems like it has something for everyone. It isn't too long, and it is modern so the writing style isn't too difficult. The plot seems incredibly interesting, and I have heard on many occasions that it is a page-turner. I am really looking forward to reading this book.
Wuthering Heights (1847) by Emily Bronte was recommended to me by Natasha. She read this book last year and really enjoyed it, and we often have the same taste in books, so I will probably enjoy it too. It is a pretty lengthy, dark, love story that is told in a series of flashbacks, so it could get confusing but I should be able to read and enjoy it with some effort.
The Awakening (1899) by Kate Chopin is a book that appears on the list of titles used on the AP lit test many times. I had never heard of it until I saw that list, but after research I decided that it would be a pretty enjoyable read. It is the story of a married women that feels trapped in a loveless marriage. It is quite short and the subject matter will most likely keep my interest so I should not have a problem reading this book. I am actually looking forward to reading this book.
What Happened to Goodbye (2011) by Sarah Dessen was recommended to me by Natasha. She got me hooked on Sarah Dessen a couple years ago, so we both have to read every new book that she comes out with. It has about 400 pages, but it is a modern young adult novel so it should be pretty easy to read. This is a book that I will read when the rest of my life seems overwhelming; it is quite simple so it will be a good escape book.
Into the Wild (1997) by Jon Krakauer is a book I stumbled upon in one of the lists on Ms. Weygandt's wiki page. After reading some of the reviews online, and taking a gander at the first couple pages, I figured that this book would be worth my time. The story seems like it will be pretty interesting and it is only 207 pages, so it should be pretty easy to read.
The Help (2009) by Kathryn Stockett is a book I have considered reading for quite a while. I had a teacher recommend this book to me right when it came out, but at the time I was busy reading other books so I didn't pick it up. Now that a movie is coming out I have more motivation to get a jump on this book. It is a pretty long book, but it has had extremely high praise and the storyline seems quite interesting. I am really looking forward to reading this book.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2005) by Stieg Larsson has been on my reading list for quite some time. I have been looking forward to reading this book for a while, but I just never seemed to have the time. This year I WILL make sure I read this book. At about 600 pages it is pretty long, but the plot seems incredible and all the reviewers gush about how much of a page-turner it is. It doesn't seem like it will be that challenging to read once I finally find the time to pick it up. Apparently it is also becoming a movie in the near future, so now I want to read it all the more.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
It's More Than Just Rain or Snow
Thomas C. Foster says that, in literature, "weather is never just weather." It always symbolizes something more: a theme, a mood, a tone. In The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger, weather is especially important. The first sentence of almost every chapter is a weather update, and it is always more important than just weather.
Rain is constantly used to express the emotions of the characters in the novel. One example is on the day of the wedding. The two main characters are marrying each other. From the time they wake in the morning there is a torrential downpour, and there is no sign of it letting up. The rain symbolizes their overwhelming uncertain and nervous feelings. As soon as the wedding is over, and the nervous feelings disappear, the rain stops.
Tragedy appears many times in this novel, and snow is all around during these tragedies. Snow is full of beauty and wonder, but it has the possibility to turn dangerous and ugly. These tragedies were all complete accidents. The days seemed like any normal day, or possibly even a great day, but in the wake of this happiness things got out of control and it all turned ugly. Tragedies and death are inescapable in life; just like snow, they are all inclusive. When the snow appears in this novel, the tragedy is never far away.
I always noticed that the weather was used in literature, but I never fully understood the complexity that just one form of precipitation, or lack of, can have on the piece of literature as a whole.
Rain is constantly used to express the emotions of the characters in the novel. One example is on the day of the wedding. The two main characters are marrying each other. From the time they wake in the morning there is a torrential downpour, and there is no sign of it letting up. The rain symbolizes their overwhelming uncertain and nervous feelings. As soon as the wedding is over, and the nervous feelings disappear, the rain stops.
Tragedy appears many times in this novel, and snow is all around during these tragedies. Snow is full of beauty and wonder, but it has the possibility to turn dangerous and ugly. These tragedies were all complete accidents. The days seemed like any normal day, or possibly even a great day, but in the wake of this happiness things got out of control and it all turned ugly. Tragedies and death are inescapable in life; just like snow, they are all inclusive. When the snow appears in this novel, the tragedy is never far away.
I always noticed that the weather was used in literature, but I never fully understood the complexity that just one form of precipitation, or lack of, can have on the piece of literature as a whole.
A Fairy Tale
Everyone knows the story of Cinderella. That is probably the reason why it is used so often in literary works and other entertainment purposes throughout the years. The new music video by Rascal Flatts uses the story of Cinderella in a different way than it is usually portrayed.
There are still certain symbols that make it seem like the story of Cinderella. There is a formal ball, a clock that strikes midnight, and the, ever present, glass slipper. What is different, though, is that the characters have met before.
The song is about a couple that has recently broken up, and when they see each other they pretend that the breakup is "easy" for them. Upon hearing the song I thought "this is just another breakup song: nothing special." But, after seeing the music video I really began to love this song. By comparing this relationship to the relationship of Prince Charming and Cinderella there is a new-found appreciation. The lyrics in the song are pretty miserable, but the parallels leave the viewer with hope of a reconnection. The video ends with the guy finding the glass slipper, so the viewer infers that the main characters have the chance of rekindling their relationship.
Most of the time the fairy tale parallels come of super cheesy, but I quite enjoyed this one. I enjoy a happy ending so the parallel with this music video really works for me.
There are still certain symbols that make it seem like the story of Cinderella. There is a formal ball, a clock that strikes midnight, and the, ever present, glass slipper. What is different, though, is that the characters have met before.
The song is about a couple that has recently broken up, and when they see each other they pretend that the breakup is "easy" for them. Upon hearing the song I thought "this is just another breakup song: nothing special." But, after seeing the music video I really began to love this song. By comparing this relationship to the relationship of Prince Charming and Cinderella there is a new-found appreciation. The lyrics in the song are pretty miserable, but the parallels leave the viewer with hope of a reconnection. The video ends with the guy finding the glass slipper, so the viewer infers that the main characters have the chance of rekindling their relationship.
Most of the time the fairy tale parallels come of super cheesy, but I quite enjoyed this one. I enjoy a happy ending so the parallel with this music video really works for me.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Intertextuality
Spoilers for A Bend in the Road
Intertextuality is the ongoing interaction between poems or stories. It links characters, situations, or themes from past works of literature into present day literature, and, in result, there are no completely original pieces of literature.A Bend in the Road, by Nicholas Sparks, is a love story that involves great tragedy. It has many similarities to the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet.
In A Bend in the Road, the main character, Miles, experiences tragedy when his wife dies in a hit-and-run car accident. He doesn't feel like he will ever love anyone again. Then, when he meets Sarah, he immediately notices the connection he has with her. He can't stop thinking about her; he is enthralled by her. It is almost like love at first sight. In Romeo and Juliet, when Romeo sees Juliet he is entranced by her presence. They fall in love when they first meet each other, but their families keep them apart from the very beginning. While Miles and Sarah did fall in love at first sight, they didn't have a family problem that was keeping them from being with each other, at least they didn't think they did. Just when Miles and Sarah's relationship starts to get really serious, more evidence about the hit-and-run accident surfaces. When the driver of the car is revealed to be Sarah's brother, Sarah and Miles are torn apart.
The theme of both of these pieces of literature is "love conquers all." Even though Romeo and Juliet both die in the end, their love still prevails over the rivalry in their families. Miles and Sarah are both still living in the end of A Bend in the Road, but for a while they are separated by this tragedy that stands between them. In the end, love and forgiveness prevail and Miles and Sarah reunite.
The intertextuality in both of these books helped me when I was reading. Even though I read A Bend in the Road after I read Romeo and Juliet, I still appreciated the modern day example because it helped me understand Romeo and Juliet better.
Friday, June 17, 2011
A Quest
Thomas C. Foster, in How to Read Literature Like a Professor, reveals that every trip is a quest. If this is true, then quests are everywhere in literature and movies. One of my personal favorite movies, The Wedding Date, involves a quest.
Quester(s): Kat Ellis and Nick Mercer. Kat is a single woman in her mid-thirties who is uncomfortable with her relationship status. While she is desperately looking for a professional escort in the newspaper she finds Nick. He agrees to be her date on this eventful quest.
A Place to Go: They go to England for her younger sister's wedding.
A Reason to Go: Kat has to go because it is her sister's wedding. Nick goes along with Kat because Kat's ex-fiance is the best man at the wedding, and she wants to appear happy and in love, when, in reality, she is still hung up on her ex-fiance.
Challenges and Trials: Leading up to the wedding Kat has to deal with her dysfunctional family and her ex-fiance. A piece of information is revealed that sends Kat into a depression, and almost shatters the relationship between the bride and groom, the day before the wedding.
The Real Reason to Go: Like in any romantic comedy, Kat and Nick's plan to make the best man jealous backfires and in the end Kat and Nick fall in love. This simple quest turned into an incredible journey that helped two soul mates find each other.
Quester(s): Kat Ellis and Nick Mercer. Kat is a single woman in her mid-thirties who is uncomfortable with her relationship status. While she is desperately looking for a professional escort in the newspaper she finds Nick. He agrees to be her date on this eventful quest.
A Place to Go: They go to England for her younger sister's wedding.
A Reason to Go: Kat has to go because it is her sister's wedding. Nick goes along with Kat because Kat's ex-fiance is the best man at the wedding, and she wants to appear happy and in love, when, in reality, she is still hung up on her ex-fiance.
Challenges and Trials: Leading up to the wedding Kat has to deal with her dysfunctional family and her ex-fiance. A piece of information is revealed that sends Kat into a depression, and almost shatters the relationship between the bride and groom, the day before the wedding.
The Real Reason to Go: Like in any romantic comedy, Kat and Nick's plan to make the best man jealous backfires and in the end Kat and Nick fall in love. This simple quest turned into an incredible journey that helped two soul mates find each other.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Toulmin Teacher Argument
How can we raise the status of teachers in the United States? In this article Zeke Vanderhoek states that we need to pay them more, give them "autonomy," and "encourage professional growth." I completely agree with his philosophy. We need to raise the quality of teachers in order to raise their status, and if we do these three things for the teachers we could end up with a much better education system. Teachers do not feel like they are important. Sure, they are teaching the young minds of America, but how much of that do they have input on? Teachers do not have the freedom to be able to teach the way they want to. In schools today, teachers are given clear goals, strict curriculum, minimum freedom, and in turn, they are not teaching to the best of their abilities. Most teachers know their students: what they want, what they feel, how they learn. The people picking the curriculum do not know anything about this generation of kids. They should not be the only people that pick the material that kids learn; the teachers should be able to have a say in the matter, too. Vanderhoek also proposed that teachers should "observe and learn from talented peers in other classrooms." At school there are some teachers that are wonderful: they teach the material, they keep the kids interested, they motivate the kids, but there are other teachers that haven't got a clue about how to actually "teach." Those are the teachers that would exceptionally benefit from observing other teachers. By seeing how the good teachers interact with kids, the other teachers would learn what works for kids, what needs to be changed in their lessons, and how to better future lessons. Vanderhoek also stated that teachers should be paid more. In the world that we live in today money is extremely important. More money would make the teachers have more motivation. At school teachers are always complaining about the small amount of money they make, but if this was increased they would have less to complain about. Some may say that if teachers were given more freedom that they would not teach what students need to learn. But if they are still given "clear goals" about what needs to be taught this would not be the case. They would simply have more freedom so that they could choose the way that they teach their given material. This proposal will increase the quality of current teachers. If the quality of current teachers is increased, then the quality of students is increased. If the quality of students is increased, then the quality of future teachers is increased. If the quality of future teachers is increased, then the status of teachers in the United States rises.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
"The Great Gatsby" Essay
Fitzgerald's reflective hopelessness expresses that the world, now cluttered and gloomy, has lost its opportunity to get to the promising future. No matter how hard we try, we cannot make the future what we want it to be, we have already passed the best times.
The diction used in the passage shows polar opposites. The new world is "inessential," "dark," "obscure." The old "island" was "flowered," a "green breast" with "enchanted" opportunities. It was full of beautiful nature, hopeful dreams, wonderful possibilities. But in the new world nothing seems possible: everything is very gloomy, brooding, negative. There used to be such a beautiful place, but it is gone now. It has been replaced with the "inessential" things of the new world.
In the last two paragraphs Fitzgerald uses syntax and metaphor to pin down his point: we are trying so hard to get to the future, but we keep getting pushed back. We won't make it. We are "boats against the current;" no matter how hard we try we just keep losing ground. We can't seem to go forward. Right before he uses this metaphor he uses really powerful syntax. Right in the middle of a very positive, powerful, pleasing sentence, he stops. He doesn't even finish his thought. The beginning of the sentence expresses the positive attitude that we have to have to try to make it to the future, but the abrupt stop shows his pessimistic attitude towards the future. The hyphenated stop proves that he thinks we will never make it to a good, happy future; we have already passed the best of times.
We are trying to get the best out of the future, but according to the passage Fitzgerald believes that the best time was the past, and the future is impossible to achieve. He has no hope for us to have a good future, because the past was such a wonderful place. But we continue to try to achieve our dream, even if it is long gone.
The diction used in the passage shows polar opposites. The new world is "inessential," "dark," "obscure." The old "island" was "flowered," a "green breast" with "enchanted" opportunities. It was full of beautiful nature, hopeful dreams, wonderful possibilities. But in the new world nothing seems possible: everything is very gloomy, brooding, negative. There used to be such a beautiful place, but it is gone now. It has been replaced with the "inessential" things of the new world.
In the last two paragraphs Fitzgerald uses syntax and metaphor to pin down his point: we are trying so hard to get to the future, but we keep getting pushed back. We won't make it. We are "boats against the current;" no matter how hard we try we just keep losing ground. We can't seem to go forward. Right before he uses this metaphor he uses really powerful syntax. Right in the middle of a very positive, powerful, pleasing sentence, he stops. He doesn't even finish his thought. The beginning of the sentence expresses the positive attitude that we have to have to try to make it to the future, but the abrupt stop shows his pessimistic attitude towards the future. The hyphenated stop proves that he thinks we will never make it to a good, happy future; we have already passed the best of times.
We are trying to get the best out of the future, but according to the passage Fitzgerald believes that the best time was the past, and the future is impossible to achieve. He has no hope for us to have a good future, because the past was such a wonderful place. But we continue to try to achieve our dream, even if it is long gone.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Is Property Bad?
I qualify Forster's point of view in My Wood. He states that property "makes [him] feel heavy," and a "restlessness comes over him" when he owns property. He makes it seem like property does that to everyone, no matter what. I agree that property can make people feel "heavy," but I don't necessarily think that it has to have that effect on people. I don't think it is bad to own property if it is not lauded like it is a god. Some people treat their property better than they treat other people; that is not right, but if property is merely property I don't see anything wrong with it.
3rd Nine Weeks Book List
I read 3 books, the equivalent of 6 books.
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles (p. 384...3 books)
- Change of Heart (p. 447...2 books)
- Private (p. 227...1 book)
I really enjoyed Private by Kate Brian. The book is about Reed Brennen, a smart, poor girl that gets the chance of a lifetime: to get away from her mom and go to a prestigious private school. She immediately realizes that she does not belong; she is an outsider. When she discovers the Billings Girls she is enthralled. She desperately wants to be in this clique, but even though they look perfect, they really have dark secrets. I enjoyed this book because it is the typical teenage girl book part of the time, but other times it is a mystery.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Prisoners of Consumerism
"In a consumer society there are inevitably two kinds of slaves: the prisoners of addiction and the prisoners of envy." -Ivan Illich (1926-2002)
Consumerism is taking over our lives. Everyone is either always buying needless things or wants, but cannot afford, these needless things. The quote above, by Ivan Illich, proves that point. He says that everyone is either a "prisoner of addiction" or a "prisoner of envy." This means that some people are addicted to buying; they always need to buy more. The other half wants what the wealthy have, but cannot seem to afford it. Based on all of the information we have read on this topic, consumerism is a bad thing. People become too greedy and obsessive with buying all the time that they are "slaves" to the society. No good comes out of a consumer society.
Consumerism is taking over our lives. Everyone is either always buying needless things or wants, but cannot afford, these needless things. The quote above, by Ivan Illich, proves that point. He says that everyone is either a "prisoner of addiction" or a "prisoner of envy." This means that some people are addicted to buying; they always need to buy more. The other half wants what the wealthy have, but cannot seem to afford it. Based on all of the information we have read on this topic, consumerism is a bad thing. People become too greedy and obsessive with buying all the time that they are "slaves" to the society. No good comes out of a consumer society.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Making Memories
The article that we read mentioned that many advertisers were trying to promote items that create memories. This advertisement is promoting family game night. The advertisers are saying that by buying clue, and other board games like it, many memories will be made. This commercial shows a picture perfect family, and makes the viewer think that they are this close because they bought this game and started a game night. The parents, kids, and even teenagers are excited about "Wednesday." Will most families really have a game night every week like this family does? Probably not. If other families are anything like mine they will do a game night for about two or three weeks, and after that everyone will be too busy. But, the commercial is hopeful and makes it seem like family game nights can make everyone's life better, and that is exactly what people want to see during a recession.
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