Blogging Notes

Blogging Notes

1. Personal liberation in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest seems to involve overcoming yourself and figuring out who you really are.
2. Ratched is often viewed as something bda that is out of ordinary in a not so good way. Nurse Ratched is viewed the same in the novel. Her name is pretty ironic.
3. Women were making a name for themselves in this time period and it showed.
4. There are a lot of hints at racism, but it’s not full blown or anything like that.
5. He’s like the leader in the book, just like Christ is a leader in life. He also talks about a crown of thorn, which Jesus had. Comparing himself in a subtle way?
6. The patients in the mental hospital rebel against Nurse Ratched, the lady in charge, much like Americans were rebelling against the laws and regulations.
7. It gives insight to what his character is like. The parallels is that both communism and liberalism need to end and people just need to live in unity.
8. Chief Broom has a lot of conlictions as a narrator. His mind is kind of scattered, but I guess overall he would be reliable. Indian plays into his name and character. He thinks the combine will save everyone.
9. Both have to deal with thoughts and the mind and how it works.
10. Hippies used a lot of drugs that were involved with the book and none of them seemed to be concerned about the effects that the drugs would have  on their bodies.
11. It can be used as like, a motivational took on how to break free from society.
13. The patients all try to have a democracy and have a voice, but they’re completely shut down by Nurse Ratched.
14. Chaos interferes and stops a lot from happening.
15. It shows that his character is willing to take chances.
16. A machine.
17. Liberation is portrayed when Nurse Ratched doesn’t think the patients are ready to leave the ward, but they do anyway. They’re rebelling against her.
18. When his character appears to be kind of out of it.
19. It was a theme because it went from never happening at all to happening a whole bunch, so it shows change.
20. “The loonies” take the time to think about everything, and analyze things in a way that “sane” people don’t take the time to do, and on a level that we wouldn’t even comprehend. I think insanity is the only response, because if something is out of the ordinary, it’s marked as crazy. Labeling came immediately without justification or explanation. It was all ridiculous.
21. I think to best reform society, you have to understand it and how it works first.
22. Imagery, similes, hyperboles, and metaphors are all very popular throughout the novel. It really enables the reader to go more in-depth with the whole story. 

Research page 110

From bar owners to men of the house, a lot of people opposed women's suffrage for several reasons. Bar owners were in fear that if women had a voice they would put them out of business by moving to get rid of alcohol. Others believed that if women had a voice then all domesticated happenings would disintegrate. Women wouldn't play the same role as they did before and nobody wanted to chance that.

It was after World War I that people really started pushing for the movement. People believe that women should have the right to vote and put in their two cents, so to speak. January of the year 1918 brought that movement. Soon after President Wilson announced his support, states began allowing women's suffrage.


http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/subtitles.cfm?titleID=39

Citizens Book pg. 102

1. Research the relationship between Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment. 


Emancipation Proclamation was a military measure taken by President at the time Abraham Lincoln that freed all slaves.The Thirteenth Amendment was the amendment to the United States Constitution that outlawed slavery all together. The relationship between the two is that they both have freed slaves and were government enforced.
  
Both the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment had to do with the freedom of slaves and were both introduced and enforced by some type of official government. The difference would be that the amendment was more concrete than the EP. It stated that slavery was abolished; it no longer could be practiced under any circumstance. Alas, both are still equally important to history. 

Citizens Book pg. 95

1. Research what happened to the Cherokees who were removed from their land.

The government, led by President Andrew Jackson, forcably removed the Cherokee Indians from their homelands because of the resources that were found on said lands. Some Cherokee's went willingly, and others decided to try and fight for their land. The Cherokee didn't end up winning that fight and were forced out of their territory to go on the Trail of Tears (which over 4,000 Cherokee died on) to Oklahoma.


Source: http://www.teachushistory.org/indian-removal/approaches/what-happened-along-trail-tears

For Research #3

How are amendments ratified? 

Article V of the US Constitution gives government the right to ratify any amendment (or change) in the constitution. A two-thirds majority vote in the House and in the Senate, or even by a constitutional convention has to come up with a majority vote to the change in constitution. Legislation has to pass an act for the amendment to be considered. The President has no say. However, the proposition is only the beginning of the process.

An amendment becomes part of the Consitituion if and only if it is ratified by a three-fourths vote. After that, and probably months of publicity and getting used to, the proposed amendment is now an actual change in the Constitution, and life continues.

Sources: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/ss/ssconamd.htm

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. <http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution/>

For Research 2

How could slaves become free in ancient Rome? 

The difference between here and there, here being America and there being ancient Rome, is that slavery was gone about a different way. In Ancient Rome, slavery was harsh, yes, but the slaves there knew they had a potential to be free. In America, it wasn't often that a slave was just let go. In Ancient Rome, they had that opportunity.

Ancient Roman times gave slaves the opportunity to eventually not be slaves anymore. They could buy there way out of slavery, (however that may happen seeing as they're slaves, where would they get the income from?) or maybe their masters would find it deep in their hearts to let them go after the work they needed done was done. However, that might be more punishment in itself. How would a slave survive not knowing what it's like to be free? As a slave they got shelter, food and water. They would have to find a way to survive on their own.

Source: Manumission, Slaves, and Freemen (pbs.org)

Research From Citizens Book #1

Does slavery still exist in the world? Why does it still exist there?

In places like Sudan, yes slavery still exists. Government doesn't really reach to solve it and it happens. However, I'm going to take a whole different approach to this question. It might be wrong, but I think it's a valid point. Slavery may not exist everywhere, but human trafficking does.

Contrary to common belief, human trafficking happens in the United States too, not just other countries. Every state in this wonderful country has had a report for human trafficking, including Washington D.C., and some other U.S. territories. Thousands of men, women, and children are trafficked to America and sold for more times than not, sexual desires. Lesser cases involve forced labor, but they're still there.

Doesn't that sound awfully like what we learned as slavery in our history classes?

I hope my approach isn't completely wrong.


Source: Frondt, Tina http://www.womensfundingnetwork.org

http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/united_states_of_america

Angela's Ashes Questions (Limerick)

1. I think the people in Limerick think that their judgement is okay, and in a way it can be justified. The McCourts are strangers and come in hoping for a lot. They don't really expect anything, but they hope. The people of Limerick are very standoff-y, but it also states that the small city isn't very much better off than the new family in town. They don't want to help them and give them things that they struggle with already.

2. In the most non-offensive way possible, I think most of the people in my area wouldn't really mind if a book like McCourt's came out. I mean, I guess it can go in different ways. A lot of people near me LOVE attention whether it would be good or bad, so they would just eat it up that a book was written and they were involved. Others are more private and would probably get upset. It would be split up.

"Knavery's plain face is never seen till used"

Iago is saying that he's only serving under Othello to take advantage of him. Not everyone can be masters and be in charge, and at the same time not all those who are in charge should be leaders. Some masters are too harsh toward their slaves who have done nothing but good. Those are the ones that should be punished. He's saying that the slaves who appear to be faithful and hardworking, are really the ones that are being deceitful and are looking out for themselves.

Iago's reasonings: He wants revenge on Othello for the accusation of sleeping with his wife, being with Desdemona, and not giving him (Iago) the job that he deserves.

There isn't really any hardcore evidence for all of the things that Iago accuses Othello of. Instead, there are the thoughts that Iago has. He thinks all of these things happened, probably because he's just jealous of Othello and blows things way out of proportion. Because Othello supposedly did all of these horrible and awful things to Iago, Iago has every right to do horrible and awful things to Othello.
Iago is just kind of crazy, if you ask me.

Funeral Speech Comparison

So the funeral speech in Invisible Man and the funeral speech from Mark Antony can compare and contrast in many ways.
Firstly, they both involve the people there that are listening to the speech. The speakers draw them in and involve them. Also, both speeches speak scarce of the deceased and lack some personal information and history about the person being spoken about that would probably be involved in a regular funeral speech.
At the same time, the speeches are different. Mark Antony's speech is more old timey in the speech, while TIM's is more modern. Also, TIM gets more emotionally involved in his speech. He slips up and gets emotional when he shouldn't. Mark Antony on the other hand gets more...I don't even know how to explain it. It seems like he's more involved with what everyone else has to think.

Declaration of Independence Writing Workshop (Late Much?)

Fellow students! We have been made a fool of! All the homework and problems we're given that we think go toward our grade are in fact not! The only ting our hard work goes to is the trash can. It's absolutely unacceptable and we need to make a change.
The principles and teachers at this "wonderful" institution has played us as fools. Absolute fools.
They enforce rules that even our mama's don't believe in.
They assign work that isn't even pertaining to what we're currently "learning"
They draw out processes that shouldn't even have been introduced in the first place.
So here's what we need to do!
Take a stand!
 Show them we know what we're doing!
We have rights!
We should be able to sit where we want and with whoever we want!
We should be able to relax at night instead of being overwhelmed with homework from 5-11!
WE HAVE RIGHTS!
It's time our school starts recognizing them.
Take a stand students! TAKE A STAND!


So. I did the writing workshop about writing our own declaration of independence to our classmates. Nothing was meant by it, it's clearly fictional (:

"Letters From Birmingham Jail" P.A.S.S.

Purpose & Audience

1. To emphasize where he is and what he's talking about.
2. Everything is ironic because they kinda go against what they believe in, and they do bad things to get good results.
3. He uses "us" and "we" to involve everyone and not just a select few.
4. The thesis is stated at the very end of the first paragraph.

Style & Structure

1. In the first few paragraphs.
2. Throughout the entire letter in my personal opinion. I guess there are a few specific parts, but yeah, throughout the whole thing.
3. Moreover. Then. Now. Before.
4. To show that it is not just a problem in one place, but a problem everywhere with every kind of person.
5. He does this to show that he's intelligent and not part of the stereotype his race seems to have, and to get his point across clearer.
7. He wants everyone to join with the same views. He's kind of successful. He just wants everyone to get along, basically.

Insults

Thou art a bawdy clay-brained pantaloon!
Translation (In my own words):  "You're stupid and below me." 


Verily, thou art naught but a spongy rug-headed hedge-pig
Translation (In my own words): "You're nothing but a nappyheaded ignorant pig." 




Verily, thou art naught but a lumpish sour-faced maggot-pie
Translation (In my own words): "You're nothing but an overweight bitter stuck up miscreant." 


Thou be a purpled common-kissing pignut
Translation (In my own words): "Slut." 


Verily, thou art naught but a gleeking full-gorged clack-dish
Translation (In my own words): "You're nothing but an all out overenthusiastic geek." 

Jefferson Responses

Purpose & Audience

1. Jefferson's intentions with the Declaration was to point out all the things that the King did wrong and why they shouldn't be under his control anymore. I think he made his point pretty clear.
2. Jefferson made his argument reasonable by putting detail on things and explaining his points, and making a clear, precise argument.
3. The audience, I think, was meant to be everyone who cared and wanted freedom.
4. Jefferson makes a very, very effective argument. He really knew how to draw people's attention toward him and his writings, and not to mention to get attention to what he thought was right and what he wanted.
5. He addresses them to show that he's trying to be equal and fair.
6. He states his thesis, I think, at the end. Maybe he does this so that he can tie everything together and make the audience really take in and think on what he said.



Style & Structure 

1. I think the DOI uses deductive reasoning because of all the things it depends on. For example, he talks about getting rid of things that aren't needed.
2. He uses repetitive pronouns and collective phrases and words to make everything flow smoothly.
3. I think he lists all of his grievances to really get his point across, instead of summarizing them.
4. I think it's highly effective, because it shows that he isn't the only one writing it. Other people, "we," feels the same way he does. It makes it that much more powerful.

Thanks to Modern Science...Journal Entry

It was pretty convincing in the fact that obviously society makes mistakes and puts people where they shouldn't need to go. But at the same time, we all knew that already.

Dear ACLU,
The fact that innocent people are dying because a handful of selected citizens believe them to be guilty is horrible.  Nobody should ever be put on death row, and if they are, there needs to be DNA evidence or at least a confession. If there isn't, what evidence is being used? A gut feeling? I hate to break it down, but that is NOT evidence. Like, what are the jurors and people doing with their lives, besides ending the lives of others? It's horrible, and something, anything, needs to be done about it. Step up. You have the voice and the power that modern people like me don't. Honestly. Do something. Now would be nice.

Thanks,
A concerned and pissed off citizen.

The Storm

Reading Literature
1. The storm led to the "storm" in the story. Calixta cheated on her husband. At the same time, when the storm ended, everything in everyones life was happy and blissful.
2. I think its a little of both. The saying is true, yes, everyone is happy. But at the same time, there are a lot of secrets that could crush that happiness everyone is experiencing.
3. The stories details tells us that Calixta is seemingly very beautiful.

Journal Entry
The stories title could not only refer to the storm taking place in the story, but also to the events, or "storm" in the story. Calixta takes a chance by losing herself in a lost love while her husband is away. It could cause a lot of drama. That being said, the title could also refer to a calm before the storm that the readers have to infer on their own.

Good Luck Good Night SOAPSTone

Speaker:  Most of the time, Edward Murrow.
Occasion: The 1950's and 60's, during  the time of McCarthyism and all that.
Audience: The nation viewing the TV program, especially the ones under McCarthy's spell.
Purpose: To shine light on the wrong that McCarthy was doing.
Subject: Outing McCarthy.
Tone: Serious. Dull. Expected. Daring. More seriousness.

Half-Hanged Mary SOAPSTone

Speaker: Mary Webster.
Occasion: She was being hanged for witchcraft, but she really was an innocent.
Audience: The readers, and also in a way, her accusers.
Purpose: I think the purpose was for people to see that you could write wrongs, and that what's meant to be will be. She obviously wasn't meant to die just yet, so she didn't die. She suffered some, but didn't die.
Subject: I think the subject would have to be the witch trials, and the difference between good and evil.
Tone: The tone was kind of dark, but at the same time, it was enlightening. It opened the eyes of the readers to the way things were back in that era.

Are You Now or Were You Ever?

1. Miller attempted to make life real again through his play by portraying real life issues. Trust is a major one. Not everyone was trusted in the Crucible, with evidence through all the people that were accused of witchcraft. One would accuse the neighbor they grew up with if there was even a sense of suspicion, all because of the ideas that were drilled into ones head. Miller also showed real life problems of guilt, pride, relationships, and, in a sense, love.

2. They didn't acknowledge the truth. Paul's testimony was so remarkable because he made great points that most wouldn't and made people think about a lot.

3. The theme would be epiphany's, or realizations and recognition. This theme relates because it's talked about how certain aspects (McCarthyism) are brought to life, so therefore; recognition, and realization.

4. The meaning of that saying, I think, is that the Devil is very seductive and people can get sucked into his works and lose their beliefs without even realizing it. When they do realize it, it's too late.  The vital think to remember is the distinguished line between right and wrong, and to remember your morals and ethics.

9/11 Journal Entry

The difference between the impact of the mural and of the photograph, in my opinion, is that the mural is more serious, and the photograph is a little happier because of the two girls playing. I think that I found the photograph more moving, because it shows that people can move on from a tragedy, and also the photograph emphasizes the innocence of a child.

9/11 Reading Images

1. The mural includes the date of the attack, the American Flag, and stars.

2. The impression that the photograph wants to create is one of thought. The artist wants the viewer to think about the meaning of the mural. The details make the reader think of America because of the flag, and the date because of the "in memory."

3. Both, because of the variety.

Crucible Overview

Overall, I was actually really interested in The Crucible. The Salem witch trials have always fascinated me, and reading something dealing with them was cool. Abby and her little friends really got on my nerves. Innocent people were losing their lives because of being accused of something they actually were. It was irritating. But overall, The Crucible had a good message and was a good read.

Shooting an Elephant Writing Workshop

Many a time have I been in a situation that went against my beliefs. Peer pressure plays a huge role in society this day in age. People want you to be like them, or they don't want you with them at all. Sometimes that conflicts with what you believe in. I had friends who got themselves into situations that were a little less than appropriate for someone our age. On occurrence, there was a time when everyone was choosing to do something, and, because I couldn't get myself out of there, I was forced to take part in something that I didn't want to do. Sure, it was something silly, but nontheless. I didn't want to do it and I had to.

Shooting an Elephant Journal Entry

I wouldn't say that Orwell is a coward. I think that he was in a tight situation at the time. He was in a strange place at an awkward time, and he was outnumbered. He knew what people wanted, and he wanted their acceptance. So he gave in and killed the elephant. As for racism, well, not really. I didn't find this essay to be all that interesting, if you want me to be honest. It's hard to explain how I feel toward it. Maybe I'll come back and edit it later.

Shooting an Elephan

1. Orwell is hated by large numbers of people in Burma because he is from the European decent.
2. Local officials want something done with the elephant because it's proving to be a problem with the townspeople.
3. Orwell decides to kill the elephant because it is what people expect him to do.
4. Orwell was glad the collie was killed because that means he wouldn't get in trouble for shooting the elephant

1. The real nature of imperialism means giving into the desires of others. You do what others expect of you, instead of doing what you want to do.
2. I think in a way, Orwell wrote this essay to both inform and to persuade. He wanted to inform people of the problem, and persuade them to not fall into it.

The Scarlet Letter Overview

I've never been more uninterested, and at the same time so drawn into a book before. Like ever. In the beginning, reading the book was kind of crucial. The language was hard to understand, the detail was overwhelming. However, as time progressed, I grew used to Nathanial Hawthorne's way of writing. Overall, it was a good book. I was a bit disappointed at the ending, however. I wish Hester and Dimmesdale would have had the opportunity to be together. I think they would have been great if they ever had the chance to be a functional couple. I think Pearl would have turned out better, even though the book says she turned out great. I guess I'm just a sucker for a happy ending. The ending we got wasn't necessarily bad. To me, I guess it was just a tad bittersweet.

Finishing School - Journal Entry

     Many a time have I sat in class, when a simple thought would wander through my mind; "When am I ever going to use this?" Oh, it never fails to make me roll my eyes and sigh in annoyance. Math isn't something that really appeals to me or the field of work I plan to go into, and I don't need to know the history of the world to listen to people talk about their lives, or to be out on the field getting the latest news story, and especially not when I'm cuddled up with my laptop, writing a new chapter to the novel I'm working on. I don't need numbers or history for that! That's what Google is for (:
     Sometimes, yes, I'm proven wrong and find myself thinking that I'm glad I knew something. Emphasis on sometimes. I suppose one day I'll be grateful for all the knowledge I had the privilege of being taught. But for now, I'm just another selfish and unsatisfied teenager who thinks certain things are just a waste of time, and who teachers roll their eyes at.
     A+ for honesty! (:

Civil Disobedience - Critical Reading Questions

1. I personally prefer a democracy. I like to have a say in things, and I don't like to be commanded on everything I do. With a democracy, citizens have say in certain aspects, and government doesn't control every breath a person takes. 

2. "That government is best which governs least." Thoreau would love to see that government all over the place, where it's there, but at the same time, doesn't hold a hundred percent control. 

3. Thoreau defines the best possible kind of government as one that does not constrict its people. Americans will get the best possible kind of government, when they themselves can act as it. 

4. Thoreau is in a way asking all of his readers to voice their thoughts on government, and to not hold back. His argument is persuasive and makes people contemplate the way they live. 

5. If I were to counter Thoreau's objections to standing government, I would use examples about how if there were no government, a lot of people wouldn't know what to do with their lives when it comes to certain subjects, and about how it would more than likely be chaotic and start conflicts. 

Emerson's Self-Reliance: Critical Reading Questions

1. Aspects of today's American culture that reflect Emerson's belief in self-reliance, I think, would maybe be free thinking? Also, the fact that people often change their minds and are often misunderstood with what they are saying. Possibly.
2. Recall: Conspiracy, joint-stock company.
Interpret: Society's main purpose, according to Emerson, is to take away all free thought and individuality.
Draw Conclusions: Emerson believes people should be affected by the way others perceive them as nonchalant. It shouldn't matter what people think of you.
3. Pythagoras, Socrates, and the rest of the scientists were all widely known and misinterpreted. To be great is to be misunderstood is an backed up by all the greats in the world were in some way, shape, or form misunderstood at one point or another.
4. Foolish is important because it makes a clear point on Emerson's opinion on what he was writing of. Emerson thinks that each person's reason for living is, in one way of description, to take away something from another, whether it be mentally or physically. He pinpointed individuality and freedom of thought.
5. When Emerson says divine, I think in a way he is saying fate. What circumstances one is going to go through is already predetermined, and going to happen regardless.
6. I think I would choose "to be great is to be misunderstood" as a guideline for personal conduct, because I love the irony of it, and it's telling that it's okay to not be perfect, and you can still make something of yourself regardless of perfection.

Journal Entry #1 (:

     The day was fading. Clouds filled the sky, making the last rays of sunlight slip away. The evil Vulture flew through the dark sky, the amazing Spider-man unconscious in his arms. A smirk slipped across the evil face of the flying villain as he dropped the hero into a huge water tank, a haunting laugh emitting from his lips.
     It wasn't long after the Vulture flew away that the chilled water from the tank awoke the half spider, half man who was trapped inside. Realizing the situation he was in, Spider-man scolded himself for being so careless as to let this happen to him. What was he thinking? The solution was simple; shoot the web that weaves itself through his veins. Spider-man lifts his arm up, index and pinky finger pointed toward the sky, and then! Nothing. He tries again, furrowing his brow when a continuous result of nothing keeps occurring. What was happening? Suddenly, the realization hits him. He didn't refill the spidey web after the last time he used it. There was nothing internally mixed to save him.
     Spider-man knew he had to try something else; anything to save him from drowning or suffocating in the cool water that surrounds him. Several failed attempts are made to climb the tank wall, but it's just too slippery! Think spider-man, think! Just like that, the peices of the puzzle come together. Thinking is the one thing he needs to do. All he had to do to get free, is calm down and use his head. Eyes closed, Spider-man takes several deep breaths. His adventurous eyes snap open when it comes to him. Just above his head was a ladder! The ladder that would lead to his salvation! And lead it did. Minutes later, Spider-man crawls to the moonlit night, knowing he had to find the Vulture and end the evil that was sure to come if he didn't. But first, to refill his spidey-web. Spider-man took off into the foggy night, back to his downtown studio apartment. He knew what he had to do.

Why Hello There :)

So I was told before we posted anything assignment related, we had to make a post saying we knew what we were doing. To all my AP classmates out there, hey, I think I know what I'm doing!
Kaythanksbye :)