PREFACE
So long as there shall exist, by virtue of law and custom, decrees of damnation pronounced by society, artificially creating hells amid the civilization of earth, and adding the element of human fate to divine destiny; so long as the three great problems of the century---the degradation of man through pauperism, the corruption of woman through hunger, the crippling of children through lack of light—are unsolved; so long as social asphyxia is possible in any part of the world;—in other words, and with a still wider significance, so long as ignorance and poverty exist on earth, books of the nature of Les Misérables cannot fail to be of use.
This passage painted a picture of all the different things the main characters go through throughout the course of this book. It gives a glimpse to what will unfold throughout the book. It states that one of the main problems of society is the degradation of man through pauperism, I agree with this, even as it applies to today's terms. A main thing in society if your social class or how much money you have. And if you don't have much, people look down on you and judge you, not bothering to look at the actual situation. By listing this as an issue, Les Mis makes one think about it, and how their actions and thoughts may be affecting others.
MY PREFACE
So long as there shall exist, by the terrors of society, uncorruptible governments eroded away by selfishness, horrors created amongst people who have known nothing but, and the sacrifice of people for unjust causes; so long as these three great problems of society--the dissolution of hunger through others indulgence, the manipulation of citizens through propaganda, and the labeling of man through social class--are left unresolved; so long as corruption of society is possible in any part of the world; in other words, and with a still wider significance, so long as ignorance and corruption exist on earth, books of the nature of the hunger games cannot fail to be of use.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Bok Project Option: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Character Options
1. Personality Profile for Tris: “ISTP” aka “Introvert Sensor Thinker and Perceiver” or “The Crafter”
Basic Summary: The novel I am doing a report on is called “Divergent” by Veronica Roth. The book tells the story of Tris, a girl trying to decide her future. Whether to stay in her own “faction”, which would be Abnegation or to join a different one such as Amity, Candor, Erudite, or Dauntless. Each of the Faction have a quality the promote because they think the lack of hat quality is what caused the world to fall apart. Abnegation promotes selflessness, Candor promotes honestly, Erudite promotes knowledge, Amity promotes kindness, and Dauntless promote Bravery. She ends up choosing Dauntless, and has to get used to the completely different atmosphere.
Description of Tris according to the Myers Briggs test includes:
Strengths
Good at getting themselves out of jams (as the main character, this is one of her best quality, she narrowly dodges multiple situations. For example, she gets in trouble for leaving the dauntless compound and going to the erudite one. She weasels her way out of the situation by convincing Eric, one of her manipulative supervisors, the she just ran away because she was embarrassed over being rejected. In multiple situations, she convinces others by her actions that she is not a threat, making them underestimate her.)
Skeptical and analytical (can be toward the other factions)
Natural non-conformists (doesn’t conform to the Dauntless way of society completely, but it is partially because she is divergent, or a person who could belong to more than one faction.)
Typically tough-minded (has to be to be dauntless)
Adventurous risk-takers (again, it’s a dauntless thing. She actually, during initiation, was the first person to jump into the then unknown)
May show strong marks towards ingenuity (yes)
Weaknesses
Rarely plans things out (she just goes wherever the situation takes her, she doesn’t have time to plan when she is propelled into action)
Can be very blunt and insensitive (not necessarily)
Disdain for hypersensitivity in others ( almost immediately dislikes Albert for crying over being homesick at night (all the initiates sleep in barracks), but mostly because it makes her feel homesick too)
May not take aspects of life as seriously as others would like (in some cases, takes being divergent seriously, but doesn’t always take Four’s advice as seriously as she should, and ends up frustrating him)
Others may read them as being indifferent (not really, she has to be tough though)
Not typically in touch with their emotions (yes, mostly just confused about her feelings towards Four (though to the reader it is obvious that he likes her), her family when she finds out all the things they have hidden from her, and her indecisiveness between her old faction and her new one)
Tris is an introvert, even though she has many friends she has to be alone sometimes. Especially with all the weight of secrets she is carrying around on her shoulders. At one part she says “I sit in a hallway I don’t recognize. I walked here because I needed to get away from the dormitory” She does this multiple times throughout the novel. Tris is more of a sensor than intuitive, though it is almost a tie. She gets distinct feelings about things, more than actually knowing things. Tris, if she is to survive as a Dauntless initiate, she must be be thinker. She has to be able to know what to do in tough situations and act on it. She must be able to perceive other’s emotions. For example, violence is prevalent among the initiates, especially Drew and Peter, who have set their eyes on bringing down Tris, who's scores threaten theirs. She has to be able to tell when their violent tendencies are starting to emerge so she can quickly make herself seem as if she isn’t threat by seemingly submitting to them.
1. Personality Profile for Tris: “ISTP” aka “Introvert Sensor Thinker and Perceiver” or “The Crafter”
Basic Summary: The novel I am doing a report on is called “Divergent” by Veronica Roth. The book tells the story of Tris, a girl trying to decide her future. Whether to stay in her own “faction”, which would be Abnegation or to join a different one such as Amity, Candor, Erudite, or Dauntless. Each of the Faction have a quality the promote because they think the lack of hat quality is what caused the world to fall apart. Abnegation promotes selflessness, Candor promotes honestly, Erudite promotes knowledge, Amity promotes kindness, and Dauntless promote Bravery. She ends up choosing Dauntless, and has to get used to the completely different atmosphere.
Description of Tris according to the Myers Briggs test includes:
Strengths
Good at getting themselves out of jams (as the main character, this is one of her best quality, she narrowly dodges multiple situations. For example, she gets in trouble for leaving the dauntless compound and going to the erudite one. She weasels her way out of the situation by convincing Eric, one of her manipulative supervisors, the she just ran away because she was embarrassed over being rejected. In multiple situations, she convinces others by her actions that she is not a threat, making them underestimate her.)
Skeptical and analytical (can be toward the other factions)
Natural non-conformists (doesn’t conform to the Dauntless way of society completely, but it is partially because she is divergent, or a person who could belong to more than one faction.)
Typically tough-minded (has to be to be dauntless)
Adventurous risk-takers (again, it’s a dauntless thing. She actually, during initiation, was the first person to jump into the then unknown)
May show strong marks towards ingenuity (yes)
Weaknesses
Rarely plans things out (she just goes wherever the situation takes her, she doesn’t have time to plan when she is propelled into action)
Can be very blunt and insensitive (not necessarily)
Disdain for hypersensitivity in others ( almost immediately dislikes Albert for crying over being homesick at night (all the initiates sleep in barracks), but mostly because it makes her feel homesick too)
May not take aspects of life as seriously as others would like (in some cases, takes being divergent seriously, but doesn’t always take Four’s advice as seriously as she should, and ends up frustrating him)
Others may read them as being indifferent (not really, she has to be tough though)
Not typically in touch with their emotions (yes, mostly just confused about her feelings towards Four (though to the reader it is obvious that he likes her), her family when she finds out all the things they have hidden from her, and her indecisiveness between her old faction and her new one)
Tris is an introvert, even though she has many friends she has to be alone sometimes. Especially with all the weight of secrets she is carrying around on her shoulders. At one part she says “I sit in a hallway I don’t recognize. I walked here because I needed to get away from the dormitory” She does this multiple times throughout the novel. Tris is more of a sensor than intuitive, though it is almost a tie. She gets distinct feelings about things, more than actually knowing things. Tris, if she is to survive as a Dauntless initiate, she must be be thinker. She has to be able to know what to do in tough situations and act on it. She must be able to perceive other’s emotions. For example, violence is prevalent among the initiates, especially Drew and Peter, who have set their eyes on bringing down Tris, who's scores threaten theirs. She has to be able to tell when their violent tendencies are starting to emerge so she can quickly make herself seem as if she isn’t threat by seemingly submitting to them.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Dense Question: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Text:
What besides the science book inspired William to create the windmill? Was it
for personal benefit or to help other people?
William first got the idea to make a windmill by looking at science books in the library. Though if this was his only motivation, I doubt he would have gone through with it. William thought ahead about how a windmill could positively affect his family and community. This was his ultimate inspiration. If he could do something to help his family in the harsh times they were going through he would, and he did by making the windmill. Yet, the windmill got a lot more attention than William could have ever thought. Even after he became famous for making his windmill, he still aspired to help his community by building many other things such as a well for clean drinking water without having to travel miles. William's family was his main inspiration, he built his windmill for others benefit, not his own.
Other Literature: In Anthem, was Equality motivated through himself or the need to help others? Compare Equality's motives to William's motives.
One main theme of Anthem is ego, so it makes sense that Equality's motivation to create light was mostly for himself. There was one point where he decided he wanted to share it with the rest of the world, but when that chance was denied, he quickly drew it back in and kept it as close to him as possible. This is very different from William, who, when his ideas about his windmill were denied, he worked even harder to finish it and prove them wrong. Though William was not living in a society with as harsh rules as Equality was, he still pushed his idea. That showed dedication, and his motivation to help his people. Equality's escape from his society without even looking back and taking his light with him showed that in the end, the light was for himself.
Reader: Describe a situation when you have been motivated by your own needs or others needs to create something. Why were you motivated this way? Was it a good thing?
When
I was younger I would always create plays. I would come up with characters and
a story and get my sister to join in as well. I used to think I would become a
famous actress one day, so it was important for me to act as much as I could.
The motivation of making my dream come true made me do more and more with
theater. I loved creating scripts, and even putting on shows with my dolls.
Most of the time it is good to be motivated, unless you are motivated for the wrong
reasons. My creation of the many different plays were beneficial to me because
that inspired me to become even more involved in theater, even though I don’t believe
I will become a famous actress anymore.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Anthem Advanced Research Essay
3. Is Anthem a realistic portrayal of life in a totalitarian society? Compare the fictionalized society in Anthem to a real dictatorship, past or present. Some options are Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, Cuba, China, Cambodia, etc.
Throughout history, there have been numerous totalitarian societies. Some of the most commonly thought of are Soviet Russia, Cuba, China, Cambodia and most of all Nazi Germany. In most cases, things have not turned out for the better. The society in Anthem would also be considered totalitarian. The people have no say, the world council decides everything, as did Hitler in Nazi Germany.
In the grand scheme of things, Hitler’s effect on Germany was physically and mentally scarring where the world council’s effect on the whole society in Anthem was mentally scarring. The lack of freedom to think as an individual crippled people. The lack of freedom to think almost turned into just the lack of thinking, they don’t need to think anymore, their council does it for them.
In Anthem, the past society is mentioned several times, but it is not mentioned in such graphic terms as to know what exactly that society was like. One thing you learn is about the downfall of that society and how a new one, the one in which Anthem takes place, rises. The council took advantage of the society’s weakness to make it fit into their views and beliefs, after a while, people forgot what it was like to think for themselves. They weren’t even individuals anymore, they were a group. The situation in Nazi Germany was very similar, after World War One, Germany was in a devastating state. It was in debt and suffering from many loses from the war. Hitler saw an opportunity and he took it. He was appointed Chancellor of Germany by the president at the time and started to pave the way for his big ideas about how Germany should be, including a Germany free of Jews. He took advantage of the people and manipulated them through the power of words and fear.(“Holocaust History” Germany: Establishment of…)
Many books were burned in Nazi Germany, mostly ones which contradicted the new views and primary beliefs of Germany during World War Two. There were huge bonfires in the middle of cities burning thousands upon thousands of books. Just like in anthem, the old books from the previous society were burned to ashes so the citizens wouldn’t get any ideas about rebelling or even figuring out how things work. If they can control the rate at which they discover new inventions, they can ultimately control the whole society, because by doing that they are keeping track of their time used and resources. (“Holocaust History” Book Burning…..)
In Anthem, it is clear that people did not object to the new society, but it might not have been that they didn’t object, they might not have had a chance to. When Hitler rose to power in Germany, no one was given the chance to say “no.” ("E.5. The Functioning of the Nazi.….) It is implied that Anthem is a Post-Apocalyptic Society, therefore, the nation as a whole would be severely weakened. Their resources would be drained, and their world would essentially be over. The people would almost be waiting for a leader to come along to raise them up, and when someone finally does, no matter who it is, they aren’t going to say no. As previously stated, Germany was incredibly weakened. People didn’t know where things were headed until it was too late, and by then-it didn’t seem wrong-it was just part of their everyday lives, just as the citizens in Anthem didn’t know that they could think as an individual. They let a selected group of people control their lives. Though the citizens lives were not taken away, something just as important was, their freedom. A person without their own personal freedom is hardly a person at all, they cannot act or speak for themselves, and cannot express their own opinion.Though it might have seemed that the public had a choice in Germany, and in Anthem, if you look at the situation, they really didn’t. (Cmarada, Jake. “The Nazification….)
Though this piece of work is fiction, it could as well be nonfiction, as hard as that is to believe. Though it seems unrealistic that people nowadays could be manipulated as easily as they were in Anthem, Nazi Germany is proof of this. It is not uncommon for this to happen either. The aspects of the situation is very similar to what was described in Anthem. But the fact of the matter is, when given a dire situation, and faced with hardships, people crack, and will reach out to anyone who will help them up.
Works Cited
Cmarada, Jake. "The Nazification of German Society." Www.ithaca.edu. Ithaca University, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ithaca.edu/history/journal/papers/fa03Nazification.htm>. Page 8-11
"E.5. The Functioning of the Nazi Regime: State and Society." E.5. The Functioning of the Nazi Regime: State and Society. Colby College, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.colby.edu/personal/r/rmscheck/GermanyE5.html>. Page 7
"Holocaust History." Book Burning. The United States Holocaust Museum, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005852>. Page 4
"Holocaust History." Germany: Establishment of the Nazi Dictatorship. United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005204>. Page 5-7
Throughout history, there have been numerous totalitarian societies. Some of the most commonly thought of are Soviet Russia, Cuba, China, Cambodia and most of all Nazi Germany. In most cases, things have not turned out for the better. The society in Anthem would also be considered totalitarian. The people have no say, the world council decides everything, as did Hitler in Nazi Germany.
In the grand scheme of things, Hitler’s effect on Germany was physically and mentally scarring where the world council’s effect on the whole society in Anthem was mentally scarring. The lack of freedom to think as an individual crippled people. The lack of freedom to think almost turned into just the lack of thinking, they don’t need to think anymore, their council does it for them.
In Anthem, the past society is mentioned several times, but it is not mentioned in such graphic terms as to know what exactly that society was like. One thing you learn is about the downfall of that society and how a new one, the one in which Anthem takes place, rises. The council took advantage of the society’s weakness to make it fit into their views and beliefs, after a while, people forgot what it was like to think for themselves. They weren’t even individuals anymore, they were a group. The situation in Nazi Germany was very similar, after World War One, Germany was in a devastating state. It was in debt and suffering from many loses from the war. Hitler saw an opportunity and he took it. He was appointed Chancellor of Germany by the president at the time and started to pave the way for his big ideas about how Germany should be, including a Germany free of Jews. He took advantage of the people and manipulated them through the power of words and fear.(“Holocaust History” Germany: Establishment of…)
Many books were burned in Nazi Germany, mostly ones which contradicted the new views and primary beliefs of Germany during World War Two. There were huge bonfires in the middle of cities burning thousands upon thousands of books. Just like in anthem, the old books from the previous society were burned to ashes so the citizens wouldn’t get any ideas about rebelling or even figuring out how things work. If they can control the rate at which they discover new inventions, they can ultimately control the whole society, because by doing that they are keeping track of their time used and resources. (“Holocaust History” Book Burning…..)
In Anthem, it is clear that people did not object to the new society, but it might not have been that they didn’t object, they might not have had a chance to. When Hitler rose to power in Germany, no one was given the chance to say “no.” ("E.5. The Functioning of the Nazi.….) It is implied that Anthem is a Post-Apocalyptic Society, therefore, the nation as a whole would be severely weakened. Their resources would be drained, and their world would essentially be over. The people would almost be waiting for a leader to come along to raise them up, and when someone finally does, no matter who it is, they aren’t going to say no. As previously stated, Germany was incredibly weakened. People didn’t know where things were headed until it was too late, and by then-it didn’t seem wrong-it was just part of their everyday lives, just as the citizens in Anthem didn’t know that they could think as an individual. They let a selected group of people control their lives. Though the citizens lives were not taken away, something just as important was, their freedom. A person without their own personal freedom is hardly a person at all, they cannot act or speak for themselves, and cannot express their own opinion.Though it might have seemed that the public had a choice in Germany, and in Anthem, if you look at the situation, they really didn’t. (Cmarada, Jake. “The Nazification….)
Though this piece of work is fiction, it could as well be nonfiction, as hard as that is to believe. Though it seems unrealistic that people nowadays could be manipulated as easily as they were in Anthem, Nazi Germany is proof of this. It is not uncommon for this to happen either. The aspects of the situation is very similar to what was described in Anthem. But the fact of the matter is, when given a dire situation, and faced with hardships, people crack, and will reach out to anyone who will help them up.
Works Cited
Cmarada, Jake. "The Nazification of German Society." Www.ithaca.edu. Ithaca University, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ithaca.edu/history/journal/papers/fa03Nazification.htm>. Page 8-11
"E.5. The Functioning of the Nazi Regime: State and Society." E.5. The Functioning of the Nazi Regime: State and Society. Colby College, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.colby.edu/personal/r/rmscheck/GermanyE5.html>. Page 7
"Holocaust History." Book Burning. The United States Holocaust Museum, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005852>. Page 4
"Holocaust History." Germany: Establishment of the Nazi Dictatorship. United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005204>. Page 5-7
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Creative Writing: Anthem
6. Rewrite the meeting between Equality and Liberty from her perspective.
We, Liberty 5-3000, were working in the fields when we saw them for the first time. We pretended no to notice their staring, for not only is it against the law to pay more attention to one more than another, but it was also a bit disorienting. Just as we could not take it any longer someone called our name and we turned and walked away, our job finished.
After that we wondered if we would ever see them again. We knew it was wrong, but we couldn’t stop thinking about them, we couldn’t help it. The next day, and all the days after, they came and watched us work in the fields.
After a while, we got used to their staring and became almost comfortable with it. We tried to ignore it, but my curiosity got the best of me, it is one of my greatest sins. We worked our way over to the hedge where they waited, I lost track of where I was going and got closer than intended. My eyes widened as I realized how close we were, we spun around, but stopped in our tracks. They met our eyes with an expression we couldn’t quite place. Suddenly realizing what was happening, we swiftly turned and walked away.
That night was one of the worst ones yet, the head of our house lectured us on the things about our society that we knew before. How and why it was founded, our greatest achievements, the strict laws. But while they were talking about the laws, we could not help but feel as if every eye was on us. Throughout their speech we noticed some holes in the story of our society, to speak of this would be a great sin of course, but it circled in our mind all night. Later, we realized that that was the start of losing our faith in our society.
The next day, we were fulfilling our daily duties, we glanced over at the road, and sure enough, there he was standing there watching us. Before we could stop it we realized that we were smiling, we tried to stop, but we couldn’t. We tilted our head up to the sky and felt the sun on our face. The bell rang for us to go, we looked back once over our shoulder, a ghost of a smile still on our face.
After that, we became less reserved, we looked them straight in the eyes everyday. Until one day, they raised their hand to their forehead and moved it slowly with their palm facing down, and everyday, we do it back.
We were at the moat when they spoke to us. As if compelled by something, we started moving slowly towards them, we then stood for a moment when they said “You are beautiful Liberty 5-3000.”
“What is your name?” We responded, surprising ourselves, but still going along with it.
“Equality 7-2521,” he replied.
“You are not one of our brothers, Equality7-2521, for we do not wish you to be.” we say.
Though it couldn’t be described in words, we knew they understood what we were saying.
“No, nor are you one of our sisters.” they said.
“If you see us among scores of women, will you look upon us?” we ask, a pang of an emotion we couldn’t name running through us.
“We shall look upon you, Liberty 5-3000, if we see you among all the women of the earth.” As soon as those words came out of their mouth, whatever we had been feeling vanished into thin air.
Then we asked, “Are the street sweepers sent to different parts of the city or do they always work in the same places?”
“They always work in the same places,” they answer “and no one will take this road away from us.”
Their eyes twinkled with something undefinable, “Your eyes, are not like the eyes of any among men.”
They did not respond to that, and instead asked, “How old are you?”
“Seventeen.” we whispered for we knew what they were thinking about, a look of pain passed over their face, we smiled as if trying to be reassuring, but we believe it comes across as sadness.
We look over our shoulder and see our sisters approaching us, we hastily grab our bag of seeds and spread them around the field, our hands trembling in the process.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Student Created Question: Anthem
Question 28: What is International 4-8818’s purpose? Why did Ayn Rand include him?
In books, movies and T.V. shows, there are always the brave, strong heroes who save the day, over and over again. They are on the cover of books, and various posters, but the often overlooked person in the background is possibly just as important, if not a more important character. This person is often called the “best friend,” “partner” or, most of all, the “sidekick.”
Though in real life, the sidekick switches. I know if my life was a book, there would be no clear sidekick, because it depends on the situation on who the clear “hero” is, but friendship is something that is easy to see no matter what. Most people that I know do not have a gaggle of followers drifting behind them every step of the way, which I believe is a good thing. Though the “hero” may change daily, they always have a friend to back them up. In Anthem, International is this friend.
The sidekick is often times seen throughout standard book series, such as Ron in Harry Potter, Grover in Percy Jackson, and even Gale in the Hunger Games. One thing all these characters have in common is their ability to stand behind the “hero” of the story no matter what. For instance, when, in the Chamber of secrets, Ron stood by Harry even when coming face to face with his worst fear, spiders. These are the moments sidekicks are made for, to show their devout loyalty to the hero, and their friend. Loyalty is one of the main traits International expresses towards Equality.
International is Equality’s sidekick, even though it is forbidden by the law, International favors Equality over others and vice versa. Though International does not go into the cave when Equality discovers it, he doesn't say anything to the council. Though that might seem easy to believe in our society, in the society in Anthem, it is unthinkable. International is initially Equality’s follower, he is important in the structure of the story, because even though this story is so different, it still has the hero, sidekick, love interest, and villain. And in order for a hero to be successful, they must have a sidekick.
In books, movies and T.V. shows, there are always the brave, strong heroes who save the day, over and over again. They are on the cover of books, and various posters, but the often overlooked person in the background is possibly just as important, if not a more important character. This person is often called the “best friend,” “partner” or, most of all, the “sidekick.”
Though in real life, the sidekick switches. I know if my life was a book, there would be no clear sidekick, because it depends on the situation on who the clear “hero” is, but friendship is something that is easy to see no matter what. Most people that I know do not have a gaggle of followers drifting behind them every step of the way, which I believe is a good thing. Though the “hero” may change daily, they always have a friend to back them up. In Anthem, International is this friend.
The sidekick is often times seen throughout standard book series, such as Ron in Harry Potter, Grover in Percy Jackson, and even Gale in the Hunger Games. One thing all these characters have in common is their ability to stand behind the “hero” of the story no matter what. For instance, when, in the Chamber of secrets, Ron stood by Harry even when coming face to face with his worst fear, spiders. These are the moments sidekicks are made for, to show their devout loyalty to the hero, and their friend. Loyalty is one of the main traits International expresses towards Equality.
International is Equality’s sidekick, even though it is forbidden by the law, International favors Equality over others and vice versa. Though International does not go into the cave when Equality discovers it, he doesn't say anything to the council. Though that might seem easy to believe in our society, in the society in Anthem, it is unthinkable. International is initially Equality’s follower, he is important in the structure of the story, because even though this story is so different, it still has the hero, sidekick, love interest, and villain. And in order for a hero to be successful, they must have a sidekick.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
This I beleive Essay
I Believe in True Friendship.
I believe in that moment when you look at your friend and you both know exactly what the other is thinking. I believe in the times when I’m laughing so hard at something they said, that we are both on the floor clutching our sides, as if we were about to fall apart. I believe in the times when you are so mad or hurt by your friend, that you convince yourself that you are still mad at them, but when you see them, that anger dissolves. I believe in the moment where a friend, as good as their poker face may be, looks into your eyes and you know there is something wrong. I believe in true friendship.
As much as I wish that all friendships were true, I know they aren’t. Sometimes people befriend other people because they have money, or they are extremely smart, or have something that they want. Not because they actually want to be “best buds”. With a true friend, you always know where you stand. There is never a question about who you are to them, you just know.
When something happens, it hurts twice as much when having to do with your best friend. My truest friend is the one I have the most issues with. Not because we are dramatic people, just because we know each other so well. She knows me like I was herself, so she knows that I am over something almost the instant it happens; but I still act like I’m mad because I still should be. She apologizes anyway, and is sincere about it. We talk about it, and within 5 minutes, are talking about something completely different, all the while a huge grin is slapped on our faces.
My truest friend is the one who I can tell anything to. The person I don’t even hesitate to send the awful picture of me on snap chat to. The person who gets me to admit things, even when I won’t admit them to myself. I much as I pretend to be reluctant about telling her things, I’m secretly relieved that one other person knows. It’s nice to know someone cares enough to pester you until you spit out what you were worried about. A true friend is also one who listens to all my seemingly endless and pointless stories about how I lost my pencil earlier that day. She nods and shakes her head at just the right times, even though I know she isn’t that interested.
Friendship is by no means perfect. We stumble and trip our way through so many relationships, we tend to fall through most of them. But the friends that are real and true, are the ones that, when I trip, they catch me and say “I got your back”.
I believe in that moment when you look at your friend and you both know exactly what the other is thinking. I believe in the times when I’m laughing so hard at something they said, that we are both on the floor clutching our sides, as if we were about to fall apart. I believe in the times when you are so mad or hurt by your friend, that you convince yourself that you are still mad at them, but when you see them, that anger dissolves. I believe in the moment where a friend, as good as their poker face may be, looks into your eyes and you know there is something wrong. I believe in true friendship.
As much as I wish that all friendships were true, I know they aren’t. Sometimes people befriend other people because they have money, or they are extremely smart, or have something that they want. Not because they actually want to be “best buds”. With a true friend, you always know where you stand. There is never a question about who you are to them, you just know.
When something happens, it hurts twice as much when having to do with your best friend. My truest friend is the one I have the most issues with. Not because we are dramatic people, just because we know each other so well. She knows me like I was herself, so she knows that I am over something almost the instant it happens; but I still act like I’m mad because I still should be. She apologizes anyway, and is sincere about it. We talk about it, and within 5 minutes, are talking about something completely different, all the while a huge grin is slapped on our faces.
My truest friend is the one who I can tell anything to. The person I don’t even hesitate to send the awful picture of me on snap chat to. The person who gets me to admit things, even when I won’t admit them to myself. I much as I pretend to be reluctant about telling her things, I’m secretly relieved that one other person knows. It’s nice to know someone cares enough to pester you until you spit out what you were worried about. A true friend is also one who listens to all my seemingly endless and pointless stories about how I lost my pencil earlier that day. She nods and shakes her head at just the right times, even though I know she isn’t that interested.
Friendship is by no means perfect. We stumble and trip our way through so many relationships, we tend to fall through most of them. But the friends that are real and true, are the ones that, when I trip, they catch me and say “I got your back”.
Persuasive Essay: Why You Should Join Drama Club.
Dear Friend,
You may be hesitant about joining Drama club, but I would really appreciate it if you
would consider what I have to say. While Drama Club is full of opportunities, it is not just
plays. In fact, at Hoggard High School, there is only one drama club play a year. Just
because you are in drama club, it doesn’t mean that you have to get on stage in front of
everyone, you can help out backstage. I personally love acting, but I love the “behind the
scenes” stuff too!
Maybe you become shy when talking in front of an audience, maybe you want to get
over that fear of public speaking, I think joining drama club would really help you with that.
Getting over your fear of talking in front of people could be really helpful for when you have
to present projects or make a speech, it would be especially beneficial for when senior
project comes around. I am a perfect example of this, I always used to get nervous when
talking in front of people, but after I took drama, I didn’t even get nervous talking in front of
my classes. For instance, last year in world history, we had to do a lot of projects that we
had to present in front of the class. At first, I was very nervous and my hands would shake
and my voice would tremble slightly. But then, after just a few months in drama, my hands
didn’t shake anymore, and my voice trembled less. And that was only after a few months.
by the end of the year, my voice was clear, my hands did not shake, and I wasn’t anxious
about presenting anymore. Though you might be doubtful, you could be able to get rid of
your nerves too! In addition, it has helped me be able to talk to people I don’t know that
well and still be able to hold a conversation. This was very helpful at the beginning of this
year. I was put in classes with very few of my friends, but it’s only a month into the new
school year and I already have met so many new people.
Hardworking students tend to get stressed out with the work required of your classes,
but while it is important to do your work, it is just as important to be able to relieve some
stress. I have four honors classes this semester, all I do throughout the school day is think
about how much I have to do for homework and if I’ll have time to do it. Just sitting in the
drama room watching people participate in the numerous improvisational games is so
entertaining, you don’t even think about what you have to do when you get home, or how
you didn’t understand what they did in class that day. You watch all the great actors get up
on stage and make a scene come to life, not knowing where it’s going to go, or how it’s
going to end. Every time a new actor gets on stage, your on the edge of your seat in
anticipation, wondering what they will do now. You get lost in everything that is going on,
you don’t even realize how time is ticking by, you don’t think for one second about your
classes. I know, from personal experience, how beneficial this can be.
One thing that Drama Club offers is the opportunity to be a “techie” which is what the
students who work the play are called. “Techies” run the lights, sound effects, make the
set and the props, sometimes they even help out with costumes and make-up. “Techies”
do not act in the play at all. The only time they are seen is if they are moving the set on or
off the stage. Although, at times the actor might do that job. I love being up on stage
performing, but one of my other favorite things to do is create things, which is what
“techies” do. I know you are a creative individual, and I think being able to make things for
a play will help you express yourself, while having fun.
School may be your main focus, as it should be, but you should be able to relax and
enjoy yourself at the same time. You do not participate in after school activities because
you say you “have a lot of homework” or you “don’t have time”. The reason you work so
hard is to get in the college of your choice, but colleges look for diversity in applicants.
They want you to specialize in something, and they want to see commitment and
dedication. One source says that several qualities that colleges look for are put to use
many times in theater, showing your ability to be organized and even how well you can
concentrate on something and research it. Colleges are a lot more likely to choose a
student who has mostly A’s and a few B’s that participates in after-school activities with
leadership roles, than choose a student with all A’s. Colleges like to see something
different, as great as you think your transcript may be, they have seen it all before. Unless
you join a club, like drama club, you might not get into the college of your choice. (“Music
and Drama...”)
I honestly think joining drama club would be beneficial to you. So many good things can
come from it, I have had such amazing experiences and you will too! Sign up with the
Drama Club President, Drama Club will be glad to have you. It will be an amazing
experience. I really hope you will consider what I have told you.
Sincerely,
Cecilia
You may be hesitant about joining Drama club, but I would really appreciate it if you
would consider what I have to say. While Drama Club is full of opportunities, it is not just
plays. In fact, at Hoggard High School, there is only one drama club play a year. Just
because you are in drama club, it doesn’t mean that you have to get on stage in front of
everyone, you can help out backstage. I personally love acting, but I love the “behind the
scenes” stuff too!
Maybe you become shy when talking in front of an audience, maybe you want to get
over that fear of public speaking, I think joining drama club would really help you with that.
Getting over your fear of talking in front of people could be really helpful for when you have
to present projects or make a speech, it would be especially beneficial for when senior
project comes around. I am a perfect example of this, I always used to get nervous when
talking in front of people, but after I took drama, I didn’t even get nervous talking in front of
my classes. For instance, last year in world history, we had to do a lot of projects that we
had to present in front of the class. At first, I was very nervous and my hands would shake
and my voice would tremble slightly. But then, after just a few months in drama, my hands
didn’t shake anymore, and my voice trembled less. And that was only after a few months.
by the end of the year, my voice was clear, my hands did not shake, and I wasn’t anxious
about presenting anymore. Though you might be doubtful, you could be able to get rid of
your nerves too! In addition, it has helped me be able to talk to people I don’t know that
well and still be able to hold a conversation. This was very helpful at the beginning of this
year. I was put in classes with very few of my friends, but it’s only a month into the new
school year and I already have met so many new people.
Hardworking students tend to get stressed out with the work required of your classes,
but while it is important to do your work, it is just as important to be able to relieve some
stress. I have four honors classes this semester, all I do throughout the school day is think
about how much I have to do for homework and if I’ll have time to do it. Just sitting in the
drama room watching people participate in the numerous improvisational games is so
entertaining, you don’t even think about what you have to do when you get home, or how
you didn’t understand what they did in class that day. You watch all the great actors get up
on stage and make a scene come to life, not knowing where it’s going to go, or how it’s
going to end. Every time a new actor gets on stage, your on the edge of your seat in
anticipation, wondering what they will do now. You get lost in everything that is going on,
you don’t even realize how time is ticking by, you don’t think for one second about your
classes. I know, from personal experience, how beneficial this can be.
One thing that Drama Club offers is the opportunity to be a “techie” which is what the
students who work the play are called. “Techies” run the lights, sound effects, make the
set and the props, sometimes they even help out with costumes and make-up. “Techies”
do not act in the play at all. The only time they are seen is if they are moving the set on or
off the stage. Although, at times the actor might do that job. I love being up on stage
performing, but one of my other favorite things to do is create things, which is what
“techies” do. I know you are a creative individual, and I think being able to make things for
a play will help you express yourself, while having fun.
School may be your main focus, as it should be, but you should be able to relax and
enjoy yourself at the same time. You do not participate in after school activities because
you say you “have a lot of homework” or you “don’t have time”. The reason you work so
hard is to get in the college of your choice, but colleges look for diversity in applicants.
They want you to specialize in something, and they want to see commitment and
dedication. One source says that several qualities that colleges look for are put to use
many times in theater, showing your ability to be organized and even how well you can
concentrate on something and research it. Colleges are a lot more likely to choose a
student who has mostly A’s and a few B’s that participates in after-school activities with
leadership roles, than choose a student with all A’s. Colleges like to see something
different, as great as you think your transcript may be, they have seen it all before. Unless
you join a club, like drama club, you might not get into the college of your choice. (“Music
and Drama...”)
I honestly think joining drama club would be beneficial to you. So many good things can
come from it, I have had such amazing experiences and you will too! Sign up with the
Drama Club President, Drama Club will be glad to have you. It will be an amazing
experience. I really hope you will consider what I have told you.
Sincerely,
Cecilia
AP Essay: All Summer in a Day
1.
Writers often highlight the values of a culture
or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture or society
because of gender, race, class, or creed. Choose a play or novel in which such
a character plays a significant role and show how that character’s alienation
reveals the surrounding society’s assumptions and moral values.
What if you had
never seen the sun? If you had never felt it’s warmth on your face, if you had
only seen thunderstorms and endless amounts rain pouring down from the sky,
would you believe the sun existed? All Summer in a
Day by Ray Bradbury, script by Hoggard's honors drama class, depicts this situation.
Margot is
isolated and bullied because of her differences. She came from Earth to Venus
when she was young. Unlike the indigenous Venusians’, Margot remembers the
earth. She remembers it’s warmth and beauty, and how it is “The color of
flaming bronze.” Margot, the protagonist, is optimistic about the sun’s
“emergence” on Venus for the first time in 10 years.
The people on
Venus are cold, cruel people. The local children even bully Margot, because she
is so different than the rest of them. She is literally an “alien” to them,
because she was born on a different planet. The children’s lack of sun contrasts
with Margot’s remembrance of it. Since Margot’s arrival on Venus, she has
become washed out like the others, but she has not let that affect her enthusiasm.
Her spirit remains, even when it should have been broken long ago. She
continually fights and attempts to stand up for herself and is knocked down
over and over again. But in the end it just isn’t enough.
A.P. Writing Prompt: The Perks of being a Wallflower
In some novels and plays certain parallel or recurring events prove to be significant. In an essay, describe the major similarities and differences in a sequence of parallel or recurring events in a novel or play and discuss the significance of such events. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Throughout The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, the main character Charlie repeats one thing “I hope they are happy.” He says it in many different ways, shapes and forms, but he says it numerous times nonetheless. Charlie grows as a person, but you can tell there is something off about him, that something isn’t quite right. It’s not the fact that none of his friends are his own age, or that he seems to have been in numerous traumatizing experiences without major side effects. It’s the fact that he always wishes other people were happy, but not himself.
There are very few self-pity moments in this novel, if it were any other novel, it would be a good thing, but Charlie needs those moments. He is so wrapped up in what he thinks other people want, he doesn’t see what they truly need, and doesn’t understand what he, himself, needs. This is ultimately where things start to go downhill for him. If you just read the last sentence of every letter that Charlie writes, you would see how he starts to slip and can’t seem to keep himself from falling. By Charlie putting other people first and almost pushing himself aside, we see that Charlie is not acknowledging his abandonment of himself. It is slowly made clear he isn’t stable anymore.
It is a good thing to want people to be happy, but it is one of the most common things Charlie thinks about. By treading on the happiness of others so much, we start to see that Charlie isn’t happy. He has become depressed and almost unresponding. In this case, it is unhealthy. At the end of the book, things start to look better for Charlie; he even urges the reader to "beleive that things are good"(213). You can tell by his tone how honest he is, leaving the reader with a sense of resolution. While he still, once more, repeats "I want everyone to be happy," it is not the same way as before. He says it in the sense that he is happy, and wants everybody around him to be happy as well.
Throughout The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, the main character Charlie repeats one thing “I hope they are happy.” He says it in many different ways, shapes and forms, but he says it numerous times nonetheless. Charlie grows as a person, but you can tell there is something off about him, that something isn’t quite right. It’s not the fact that none of his friends are his own age, or that he seems to have been in numerous traumatizing experiences without major side effects. It’s the fact that he always wishes other people were happy, but not himself.
There are very few self-pity moments in this novel, if it were any other novel, it would be a good thing, but Charlie needs those moments. He is so wrapped up in what he thinks other people want, he doesn’t see what they truly need, and doesn’t understand what he, himself, needs. This is ultimately where things start to go downhill for him. If you just read the last sentence of every letter that Charlie writes, you would see how he starts to slip and can’t seem to keep himself from falling. By Charlie putting other people first and almost pushing himself aside, we see that Charlie is not acknowledging his abandonment of himself. It is slowly made clear he isn’t stable anymore.
It is a good thing to want people to be happy, but it is one of the most common things Charlie thinks about. By treading on the happiness of others so much, we start to see that Charlie isn’t happy. He has become depressed and almost unresponding. In this case, it is unhealthy. At the end of the book, things start to look better for Charlie; he even urges the reader to "beleive that things are good"(213). You can tell by his tone how honest he is, leaving the reader with a sense of resolution. While he still, once more, repeats "I want everyone to be happy," it is not the same way as before. He says it in the sense that he is happy, and wants everybody around him to be happy as well.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Video Post
Taylor Swift is one of my favorite singers, I admire her and what she stands for. She isn't famous by association, she started her career from the ground up and I appreciate that about her. Her songs are relatable and tell stories, if you pause and listen to the lyrics.
I absolutely love this music video. It's fun and quirky, and unlike most music videos these days, it actually tells a story and goes along with the song. The video to You Belong With Me never gets old, when it came out years ago, I said "It's the best music video ever!" while it may not be the "best" anymore, it is still one of my personal favorites. Yes, it tells that standard "I like him, but he's with her" story, but who doesn't secretly love that theme and that song?
Mark of Athena Book Project: Epilogue
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT
“Over here.” She called.
Percy rushed to her side and helped her up, her broken ankle was almost healed, but their long fall didn’t help their bruises and scratches. He knew she was exhausted, but they had to start moving before something found them. Just sitting there, they were easy prey for whatever was lurking in the shadows.
Annabeth winced, but continued stumbling alongside Percy. She could already hear cackling in the distance, it seemed as if they had already been discovered. She could still hear Arachne’s chilling voice threatening her, it wouldn’t long before she was on her feet and searching for them too.
“Hey, are you ok?” Percy asked. “Your just so quiet.” She could barley make out anything in the darkness, but she knew him so well, she knew the concerned look he would have on his face.
“I’m fine,” Annabeth said with as much courage as she could muster. “Just thinking.”
“We will get through this,” Percy replied, “I know we will. The others will meet us on the other side and everything will be normal again. We can even go back to school and take the kind of tests that don’t involve almost dying.” he joked.
Annabeth almost laughed, but stopped herself when she remembered what a dire situation they were in. She sighed and leaned her head on Percy’s shoulder.
“What are we going to do Percy? I don’t know how to get us out of this.”
“Well, we have to find the doors of death and close them, hopefully Leo can get the others to the other side soon so we can close them at the same time.” he said.
Annabeth frowned, “But you know it’s not that simple.”
“Let’s just pretend it is, for now.” Percy said.
Annabeth nodded, looking back at the empty darkness behind them. Tartarus really was endless, she could almost feel how vast it was. Though there was no one around for miles, Annabeth shivered imagining the thousands of eyes watching them, waiting for their quest to fail.
All of a sudden, a huge roar erupted from behind them, this time Annabeth knew she wasn’t imagining it. To most people, it might have seemed hopeless, but they had been to Hades and back, literally. If we can do that, we can do this, Annabeth thought.
“Run?” She asked
“Run.” he said, and they took off.
Epilogue
A moan echoed through the darkness. “Annabeth, are you there?” Percy whispered, afraid that anything louder would call attention to them. “Over here.” She called.
Percy rushed to her side and helped her up, her broken ankle was almost healed, but their long fall didn’t help their bruises and scratches. He knew she was exhausted, but they had to start moving before something found them. Just sitting there, they were easy prey for whatever was lurking in the shadows.
Annabeth winced, but continued stumbling alongside Percy. She could already hear cackling in the distance, it seemed as if they had already been discovered. She could still hear Arachne’s chilling voice threatening her, it wouldn’t long before she was on her feet and searching for them too.
“Hey, are you ok?” Percy asked. “Your just so quiet.” She could barley make out anything in the darkness, but she knew him so well, she knew the concerned look he would have on his face.
“I’m fine,” Annabeth said with as much courage as she could muster. “Just thinking.”
“We will get through this,” Percy replied, “I know we will. The others will meet us on the other side and everything will be normal again. We can even go back to school and take the kind of tests that don’t involve almost dying.” he joked.
Annabeth almost laughed, but stopped herself when she remembered what a dire situation they were in. She sighed and leaned her head on Percy’s shoulder.
“What are we going to do Percy? I don’t know how to get us out of this.”
“Well, we have to find the doors of death and close them, hopefully Leo can get the others to the other side soon so we can close them at the same time.” he said.
Annabeth frowned, “But you know it’s not that simple.”
“Let’s just pretend it is, for now.” Percy said.
Annabeth nodded, looking back at the empty darkness behind them. Tartarus really was endless, she could almost feel how vast it was. Though there was no one around for miles, Annabeth shivered imagining the thousands of eyes watching them, waiting for their quest to fail.
All of a sudden, a huge roar erupted from behind them, this time Annabeth knew she wasn’t imagining it. To most people, it might have seemed hopeless, but they had been to Hades and back, literally. If we can do that, we can do this, Annabeth thought.
“Run?” She asked
“Run.” he said, and they took off.
Quotes
- A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows you are slightly cracked. – Bernard Meltzer
- The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. – Mark Twain
- Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. – Ambrose Bierce
I really like the quote "Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret". I completely agree with it. Ambrose Bierce knew what he was saying when he said that, which to me is kind of ironic.
When I look at this quote, it makes me think of saying something you don't mean, or shouldn't have said, even if it was true. When people are angry and they are venting you can tell they are just blowing off steam, or you can tell they really mean what they are saying, because they are filled to the brim with passion from what they are fussing about. I find myself being more persuasive and effective when I'm talking in the heat of the moment, but then one person or the other says something, without even thinking it through, possibly ending a friendship.
This quote makes people think about the consequences of their word choices, good or bad. Because words are one of the only things-that once they are said-can not be taken back.
Another quote I like is from Mark Twain, "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up." Which, the more I think about it, the more I realize how true it really is.
When you are trying to cheer someone up, you don't use a sad, morose tone. You use the happiest tone you can muster, even if it might be fake. The person you are trying to cheer up won't believe you if you don't actually sound upbeat. The more you talk positively, the more you start feeling better and not as upset as you might have been earlier.
When I read this quote, I automatically think of my friend Hallie. Not just because Mark Twain is her ancestor, but because she is always the person to cheer me up and vice versa. I am not easily fooled, if someone is insincere I can tell. It's the same with cheering someone else up. If we are both in an upset mood, we can't cheer up each other up unless we are actually sincere about it. By meaning what we are saying to cheer each other up we are ultimately helping ourselves out, being we are not in as awful a mood as before.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Essay Test
Essay Question: The soldier’s identity has been slowly impacted throughout the war. Has their identity as individuals evolved positively or negatively as an effect of the war? How has this affected the soldiers?
The soldiers are no longer individuals, but a group, a system. They have been defaced by the war. But while the system is one main contributor to the loss of their identity, the men themselves are the main factor. Paul says “I often sit over against myself as if before a stranger.”(273) Paul doesn’t even recognize himself as a person anymore. A person’s identity is their whole entire being, their name, their religion, who they are as a person, even who they are to other people. To have that taken away from you, well, like Paul said, you become a stranger, even to yourself.
Before the boys were persuaded to enlist in the army, they were full of life, full of hopes and dreams. They knew where their life was going to go from the second they graduated. The boys knew what they were going to do as an occupation after they had served their term. Yet- amidst the blood and gore, the fallen comrades, and pure terror-they lost all of it. They started to feel “confused and hopeless” (87). They had no idea what they were going to do after the war, because they couldn’t even imagine anything “worth lying in the muck for”(87). This is the first point in the book where it is evident how hopeless they really have become. Paul says “We are fleeing. We fly from ourselves. From our life.”(87) Each solider is split into two different people, one is standing firm and the other is running away. The traits that they had in “peacetime” are fleeing as a result of the war. Everything they know is ripped out from underneath them, revealing their true identity is not who they used to be, but is who they are when faced with hardships and struggles.
A main part of a person’s identity is their individuality. In the army, in order to succeed as a nation, soldiers have to act as one, as a whole. Everyone has to be in time with one another, there has to be communication and drill. There has to be a system. The system is what makes the nation a success, but in this book, it’s ultimately a downfall for the soldiers. “This soldier……has forgotten all else but marching.”(95) The soldiers now don’t even know how to do the things the same way they did before. How could they go back home, sit down at their kitchen table, and carry on as if nothing had changed? All they know now is war. The way they think, act, even speak has been altered by their experiences at the front. Paul starts to think of everything in dark ways, he is surrounded by death and it invades his thoughts. The earth which he used to think of as warm and embracing turns him away. He no longer sees the light at the end of the tunnel, only the never ending darkness. The soldiers personality starts to become diluted; they fade to fit in with the rest of the soldiers. Paul writes, “It is as though formerly we are coins of different provinces; and now we are melted down, and all bear the same stamp.”(272) The soldiers have been made to fit the system. They are no longer individuals.
The soldiers, though their outward appearance might not have changed, their identity has, and not for the better. They are unsure of themselves now; they don’t know how things could ever be the same. Paul “believe[s] [they] are lost.” And they will never be found.
The soldiers are no longer individuals, but a group, a system. They have been defaced by the war. But while the system is one main contributor to the loss of their identity, the men themselves are the main factor. Paul says “I often sit over against myself as if before a stranger.”(273) Paul doesn’t even recognize himself as a person anymore. A person’s identity is their whole entire being, their name, their religion, who they are as a person, even who they are to other people. To have that taken away from you, well, like Paul said, you become a stranger, even to yourself.
Before the boys were persuaded to enlist in the army, they were full of life, full of hopes and dreams. They knew where their life was going to go from the second they graduated. The boys knew what they were going to do as an occupation after they had served their term. Yet- amidst the blood and gore, the fallen comrades, and pure terror-they lost all of it. They started to feel “confused and hopeless” (87). They had no idea what they were going to do after the war, because they couldn’t even imagine anything “worth lying in the muck for”(87). This is the first point in the book where it is evident how hopeless they really have become. Paul says “We are fleeing. We fly from ourselves. From our life.”(87) Each solider is split into two different people, one is standing firm and the other is running away. The traits that they had in “peacetime” are fleeing as a result of the war. Everything they know is ripped out from underneath them, revealing their true identity is not who they used to be, but is who they are when faced with hardships and struggles.
A main part of a person’s identity is their individuality. In the army, in order to succeed as a nation, soldiers have to act as one, as a whole. Everyone has to be in time with one another, there has to be communication and drill. There has to be a system. The system is what makes the nation a success, but in this book, it’s ultimately a downfall for the soldiers. “This soldier……has forgotten all else but marching.”(95) The soldiers now don’t even know how to do the things the same way they did before. How could they go back home, sit down at their kitchen table, and carry on as if nothing had changed? All they know now is war. The way they think, act, even speak has been altered by their experiences at the front. Paul starts to think of everything in dark ways, he is surrounded by death and it invades his thoughts. The earth which he used to think of as warm and embracing turns him away. He no longer sees the light at the end of the tunnel, only the never ending darkness. The soldiers personality starts to become diluted; they fade to fit in with the rest of the soldiers. Paul writes, “It is as though formerly we are coins of different provinces; and now we are melted down, and all bear the same stamp.”(272) The soldiers have been made to fit the system. They are no longer individuals.
The soldiers, though their outward appearance might not have changed, their identity has, and not for the better. They are unsure of themselves now; they don’t know how things could ever be the same. Paul “believe[s] [they] are lost.” And they will never be found.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
This I beleive
Favorite Essay:
Favorite Video Essay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av2jgY8c85E
Favorite Video Essay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av2jgY8c85E
This I Believe Poem
I
believe in true friendship.
I believe in wearing white after Labor Day.
I believe in wearing white after Labor Day.
I
believe in pursuing what I love, even if it might not work out.
I
believe in talking to people, face to face instead of over the phone
I
believe in getting so lost in a book you have no clue what’s going
on around you.
I
believe in going the extra mile to do what is necessary to get
something done
I
believe in watching movies, even if I have seen them a thousand
times.
I
believe in “stopping
to smell the roses” and not let life pass me by.
I believe
in being able to trust someone with all my heart
Monday, October 15, 2012
Comparison Contrast Essay
The optimist: a delightful person who always looks on the bright side of life, and doesn’t take it too seriously. They are often fun to be around and make great company. The Pessimist: a person who is never satisfied because “nothing” ever goes right for them, they are often whining and complaining about every little thing. While there are many different countries and cultures around the world, one thing remains the same; the people will always be either pessimists or optimists.
For the optimist, the glass is always half full. They appreciate the little things in life and don’t make things too complicated. They see things for how they really are, good or bad, and decide to look on the positive side. When surrounded by this type of people, I often find myself more carefree and even more hopeful. Though I would consider myself to be an optimist, I occasionally get very frustrated about things I shouldn’t get upset about. When I get a bad grade, I tend to freak out. I have always been told “If you don’t get all A’s you won’t get into the college of your choice” or “If you don’t get straight A’s you’ll have to work at McDonalds when you grow up”. Therefore, I put a lot of pressure on myself and it ruins my day if I get a bad grade. I go to lunch and sit there solemnly, and immediately ten different people jump on my case. Some concerned, and some just curious. They encourage me and tell me that everything will be ok. The optimists are always the ones to support me, they always know that things will work out for the best, even if it doesn’t seem like it will at that point in time. I also stress less when amidst the optimists. It’s almost as if weights have been lifted off my shoulders.
In a pessimist’s mind, the glass is always half empty. They are doubtful and judging even at the best of times. One of my dear friends is the most pessimistic person I have ever met; it’s almost painful to talk to her because of all my hope that is lost in the process. Any good feeling I had before talking to them, vanishes within the course of a few minutes. She assumes things without a better understanding of them, and makes snide comments and often calls things “stupid” or “weird”. I am a self-proclaimed book nerd; I love to read almost any type of book. One thing that I always do is try to share with my friends a great book or book series they would enjoy. I describe it; gushing about how good it is, smiling from ear to ear, so thrilled that they might be able to enjoy it too. “That sounds really stupid, who would even read that?” her sharp words pierce the air, and my excitement pops like a ballon. I try to justify myself, and convince her that it’s a lot better than it sounds, but she just stares at me, with the same expression indented on her face. If they aren’t happy, no one can be happy, they think of themselves first and put others down. Ultimately, they are missing out on life; they are so focused on what they won’t do, they don’t think about what they should do.
When you walk into a room, it’s almost easy to pick out the optimists and pessimists. The optimists will be the people sitting, smiling and chatting amongst themselves. The pessimists will be the bitter people in the corner of the room frowning, and not socializing, obviously not happy to be there. They are consumed with their displeasure and often take it out on other people. When I am excited about something, they immediately tear it down, while the optimists support me and encourage me to go on, just like I should have in the first place.
Unfortunately, there will always be pessimists in the world. No matter how far you go, there will always be people there waiting to tear you down. But, just as there are pessimists there are optimists, who will always be there to catch you when you fall.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Who I am
You know the saying “Every picture is worth a thousand words?” Well, it’s the same with people, except, people are worth a trillion words. You look at a person and think you know them by being able to describe them in five words, but human beings are more complex than that. If every person was worth a mere five words, each person wouldn’t really mean much. But a person isn’t worth five words, everyone has a purpose, and what they are meant to do has to do with who they are. Who they are is described by hundreds of thousands of individual words. It all comes full circle. I realized that no one can be described in just a few hundred words. If I tried to describe myself using too few words, you wouldn’t really understand who I am.
I am a bookworm, so, I love to read. To me, one of the best things is curling up with a great book. I count down the days until a new book in a series comes out. My parents even used to threaten to take away my books when I was younger because I would come home and immediately start to read, ignoring all the rest of my homework. I love reading because you become so lost in a story that are completely unaware whats happening around you. It’s as if you can escape from reality, if only for a little while.
Unlike myself, my sisters do not like to read. I have an older sister and a younger sister, meaning I am the middle child. Both of my siblings I argue with, but at the same time I love both of them with all my heart. I think I am lucky as a middle child. I am not the first to go through things, so I know what to do when it’s my turn. I have someone to look up to and tell everything to. A sister is different than a friend because you really can tell them anything and them understand, their your family, they won’t give up on you. I honestly feel bad for my younger sister, she’s so much younger than my older sister and I, that it’s almost not fair to her. She does not have the playmate that I had when I was younger, neither does she have the relationship that I have with my older sister. I know that she might not ever get that opportunity, because by the time she’s grown up enough for me to be able to talk to her like I would an actual friend, I’ll be out of the house. It’s not fair, but as my mom would say, “life is not fair.”
I am flexible, but at the same time, not really. I can do a split, but I’m not “flexible” in the terms that I don’t like to change things that I was planning on doing. I like order even though my room is a mess, it’s kind of an oxymoron if you think about it. It just depends on the situation. I guess I just don’t like surprises, at least the bad kind. That’s why I am always prepared for anything. I pack twice as much as other people, so I always have everything I need. I like to know whats going on around me, I’m observant. I can tell things about people just by watching them or listening to them, especially once I get to know them. I can tell what people are thinking when I see their expressions. I’ll ask their opinion of something, but I already see it in their face what it is, I don’t even need to know the answer anymore.
I have recently realized that I am a leader. I am always the person to make plans, even if someone else suggests it, I always end up doing to actual planning. Once, my friends and I went to see a movie, and we were trying to decide what to do after. I didn’t say anything, and they couldn’t make a decision. Finally I chipped in and told them what I thought we should do and they all agreed. Honestly, I don’t like to be the center of attention, but being a leader feels good.
I love to laugh, though my sense of humor is very dry. I am the type of person who likes funny people, especially because I’m not a “class-clown”. I have a very dry sense of humor, sometimes I say something, and people start to laugh. All the while I’m thinking “what’s so funny?.” I love it when people understand me, and know how to make me laugh, and what to say. No matter how upset I am, if you can make me laugh, I know everything is going to be alright.
I would consider myself to be a good friend, I like to talk, but I’ll listen too. I’m generally a pretty honest person, if somethings bothering me, I’ll normally talk about it with one of my friends. Friendship is one of the most important things to me. When I was younger, I always wanted that “best friend” who lived around the corner. The one you would always play with on weekends and grow up with, just like in the movies. As I got older, I realized how rare that actually was. I had, and still have, such good friends, I just didn’t even realize it.
My biggest pet peeve is hypocrites. For example, when the first time you tell people about something and they say it’s “stupid” and “weird” and they don’t even give it a chance. Then, half a year later, it’s one of the most popular things to read or wear, and then they go out and read it or wear it. I understand that people’s opinions can change, but if they had actually given it a chance in the first place, they would not have a change in opinion because they would have had their mind already made up. Also it bothers me when people say things like “I would never hate someone” and then go talk about people behind their backs in a hateful way. People shouldn’t say one thing then do another, to me, it’s not right.
I am modest, but I’m not talking about the clothing way. I don’t like to talk about myself, unless its a story that I was involved in, or a really great accomplishment. I do not like to talk about myself because I feel snobby. I feel as though I am being selfish and putting myself before others, and I don’t like that. While, lets be honest, everyone loves the temporary attention, I feel awkward and tend to direct the attention to other people. For example, sometimes I will say I only got this because of that. Maybe I don’t give myself enough credit sometimes, but thats just not my personality.
I think I’m tougher than people give me credit for. We do this thing with my youth group every year when we go to Caswell called “sock wars”. Basically, my friend said it’s “like the Hunger Games, but with socks”. Your goal is to get the socks off of the other people’s feet. People didn’t go after me last year because they didn’t think I was a threat. Finally, they started to realize that I was better than they thought, no one could believe I lasted that long. I was fourth, and this year, I was third. Maybe by my senior year I’ll even be first.
One flaw I know I have is getting discouraged easily, when something bad happens, like I get a bad grade or mess up something, I almost completely give up. Once I am more motivated though, I get back on track and work hard on whatever I need to. As long as I am determined, I can do anything.
I am extremely talkative, my mom always tells me that I could talk to a brick wall. In all honesty, I probably could, as long as I knew what the wall wanted to talk about. It used to be that I would only talk to people in-depth if I knew them well, but for some reason, this year is different. I became friends with people I would have never guessed I would have last year.
I am me, and nothing can change that. Not the clothes I wear, or the friends I have, not the good times or the bad. I’m me, and that’s all I ever need to be. I’m Cecilia, and I cannot be summed up in a few hundred words.
I am a bookworm, so, I love to read. To me, one of the best things is curling up with a great book. I count down the days until a new book in a series comes out. My parents even used to threaten to take away my books when I was younger because I would come home and immediately start to read, ignoring all the rest of my homework. I love reading because you become so lost in a story that are completely unaware whats happening around you. It’s as if you can escape from reality, if only for a little while.
Unlike myself, my sisters do not like to read. I have an older sister and a younger sister, meaning I am the middle child. Both of my siblings I argue with, but at the same time I love both of them with all my heart. I think I am lucky as a middle child. I am not the first to go through things, so I know what to do when it’s my turn. I have someone to look up to and tell everything to. A sister is different than a friend because you really can tell them anything and them understand, their your family, they won’t give up on you. I honestly feel bad for my younger sister, she’s so much younger than my older sister and I, that it’s almost not fair to her. She does not have the playmate that I had when I was younger, neither does she have the relationship that I have with my older sister. I know that she might not ever get that opportunity, because by the time she’s grown up enough for me to be able to talk to her like I would an actual friend, I’ll be out of the house. It’s not fair, but as my mom would say, “life is not fair.”
I am flexible, but at the same time, not really. I can do a split, but I’m not “flexible” in the terms that I don’t like to change things that I was planning on doing. I like order even though my room is a mess, it’s kind of an oxymoron if you think about it. It just depends on the situation. I guess I just don’t like surprises, at least the bad kind. That’s why I am always prepared for anything. I pack twice as much as other people, so I always have everything I need. I like to know whats going on around me, I’m observant. I can tell things about people just by watching them or listening to them, especially once I get to know them. I can tell what people are thinking when I see their expressions. I’ll ask their opinion of something, but I already see it in their face what it is, I don’t even need to know the answer anymore.
I have recently realized that I am a leader. I am always the person to make plans, even if someone else suggests it, I always end up doing to actual planning. Once, my friends and I went to see a movie, and we were trying to decide what to do after. I didn’t say anything, and they couldn’t make a decision. Finally I chipped in and told them what I thought we should do and they all agreed. Honestly, I don’t like to be the center of attention, but being a leader feels good.
I love to laugh, though my sense of humor is very dry. I am the type of person who likes funny people, especially because I’m not a “class-clown”. I have a very dry sense of humor, sometimes I say something, and people start to laugh. All the while I’m thinking “what’s so funny?.” I love it when people understand me, and know how to make me laugh, and what to say. No matter how upset I am, if you can make me laugh, I know everything is going to be alright.
I would consider myself to be a good friend, I like to talk, but I’ll listen too. I’m generally a pretty honest person, if somethings bothering me, I’ll normally talk about it with one of my friends. Friendship is one of the most important things to me. When I was younger, I always wanted that “best friend” who lived around the corner. The one you would always play with on weekends and grow up with, just like in the movies. As I got older, I realized how rare that actually was. I had, and still have, such good friends, I just didn’t even realize it.
My biggest pet peeve is hypocrites. For example, when the first time you tell people about something and they say it’s “stupid” and “weird” and they don’t even give it a chance. Then, half a year later, it’s one of the most popular things to read or wear, and then they go out and read it or wear it. I understand that people’s opinions can change, but if they had actually given it a chance in the first place, they would not have a change in opinion because they would have had their mind already made up. Also it bothers me when people say things like “I would never hate someone” and then go talk about people behind their backs in a hateful way. People shouldn’t say one thing then do another, to me, it’s not right.
I am modest, but I’m not talking about the clothing way. I don’t like to talk about myself, unless its a story that I was involved in, or a really great accomplishment. I do not like to talk about myself because I feel snobby. I feel as though I am being selfish and putting myself before others, and I don’t like that. While, lets be honest, everyone loves the temporary attention, I feel awkward and tend to direct the attention to other people. For example, sometimes I will say I only got this because of that. Maybe I don’t give myself enough credit sometimes, but thats just not my personality.
I think I’m tougher than people give me credit for. We do this thing with my youth group every year when we go to Caswell called “sock wars”. Basically, my friend said it’s “like the Hunger Games, but with socks”. Your goal is to get the socks off of the other people’s feet. People didn’t go after me last year because they didn’t think I was a threat. Finally, they started to realize that I was better than they thought, no one could believe I lasted that long. I was fourth, and this year, I was third. Maybe by my senior year I’ll even be first.
One flaw I know I have is getting discouraged easily, when something bad happens, like I get a bad grade or mess up something, I almost completely give up. Once I am more motivated though, I get back on track and work hard on whatever I need to. As long as I am determined, I can do anything.
I am extremely talkative, my mom always tells me that I could talk to a brick wall. In all honesty, I probably could, as long as I knew what the wall wanted to talk about. It used to be that I would only talk to people in-depth if I knew them well, but for some reason, this year is different. I became friends with people I would have never guessed I would have last year.
I am me, and nothing can change that. Not the clothes I wear, or the friends I have, not the good times or the bad. I’m me, and that’s all I ever need to be. I’m Cecilia, and I cannot be summed up in a few hundred words.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
My Quiz Results for the Myers-Briggs personality quiz!
Your Quiz Results:
Strengths
| Weaknesses
|
Famous and Fictional ENFJ's include:
|
Monday, September 17, 2012
About Me!
My name is Cecilia, I am in the tenth grade. I love to read and write. I also love theater, pretty much anything that has to do with theater actually. I play the piano and participate in Theater dance outside of school.
Favorite Color: Coral, Pink, or Gold.
Favorite Animal: Pigs, the cute ones, like from Charlotte's Web
Favorite Book: I think my favorite book that isn't a series would have to be The Outsiders.
Favorite Book Series: Oh gosh, Mortal Instruments, Maximum Ride, The Mediator, Percy Jackson, and too many more to count!
Favorite Movie: Legally Blonde, because it never gets old. :)
Favorite Authors: I love Sarah Dessen (What happened to Goodbye, Along for the Ride, etc.) I also love Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, Kane Chronicles, etc.) and Meg Cabot (The Mediator, 1-800-WHERE-R-U?, most famously The Princess Diaries *not my favorite....at all*, etc.) I could go on and on........
Book I recommend: Maximum Ride, Sometimes, it can sound really weird, but it's really amazing and I wouldn't recommend it if I didn't think most people would like it.
Future Career: I want to do something in the movie industry, or fashion industry, or I would love to be a writer/publisher for teen books.
Favorite Store: It's a tie between Delia*s and Nordstrom.
Favortie Band: Paradise Fears
Favorite Musician: Taylor Swift, B.O.B., The Ready Set ( there is only one person, even though it sounds like there are more).
Favorite Quotes: "Sarcasm is the refuge for the imaginarily bankrupt." -Mortal Insruments
"Even broken wings can fly away."-Sanctuary by Paradise Fears
(honestly, there are too many to list)
Favorite Color: Coral, Pink, or Gold.
Favorite Animal: Pigs, the cute ones, like from Charlotte's Web
Favorite Book: I think my favorite book that isn't a series would have to be The Outsiders.
Favorite Book Series: Oh gosh, Mortal Instruments, Maximum Ride, The Mediator, Percy Jackson, and too many more to count!
Favorite Movie: Legally Blonde, because it never gets old. :)
Favorite Authors: I love Sarah Dessen (What happened to Goodbye, Along for the Ride, etc.) I also love Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, Kane Chronicles, etc.) and Meg Cabot (The Mediator, 1-800-WHERE-R-U?, most famously The Princess Diaries *not my favorite....at all*, etc.) I could go on and on........
Book I recommend: Maximum Ride, Sometimes, it can sound really weird, but it's really amazing and I wouldn't recommend it if I didn't think most people would like it.
Future Career: I want to do something in the movie industry, or fashion industry, or I would love to be a writer/publisher for teen books.
Favorite Store: It's a tie between Delia*s and Nordstrom.
Favortie Band: Paradise Fears
Favorite Musician: Taylor Swift, B.O.B., The Ready Set ( there is only one person, even though it sounds like there are more).
Favorite Quotes: "Sarcasm is the refuge for the imaginarily bankrupt." -Mortal Insruments
"Even broken wings can fly away."-Sanctuary by Paradise Fears
(honestly, there are too many to list)
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