journal #24

Semester exams is something I think every student dreads. The worst part about it is that it kind of ruins the excitement of Christmas break. Break seems so close, yet so far away. Eight semester exams stands between you and freedom. I remember my first set of final exams that I experienced freshman year. I remember being completely paranoid and not knowing how much or how long to study for so I had started studying at least two weeks in advance. I was so anxious about them and was constantly bugging my teachers to give me the study guides as soon as possible so I could prepare myself. I probably went through over two hundred note cards or more to make flash cards for myself. Not surprising, I aced all of my exams and had no reason to worry as much as I did. It was my first set of exams though so you cannot really blame me. Being my junior year now, it seems almost impossible to study two weeks in advance. It is hard enough trying to study for your final tests and finish your projects that are due the week before final exams even starts. Junior year has definitely been the most challenging year so far and I am sure my exams will be just as challenging. My plan to study is simply becoming a social outcast. this weekend. I have little plans for this weekend so I my time will be consumed with studying, studying, and more studying. I think one of the best ways to study, for me anyways, is to not procrastinate and wait until the night before to study for the final. My process includes making note cards of all the study guides and then caring around the note cards with me everywhere. Any spare moment I had, whether its riding in the car, or extra time left over at the end of class, I use it to whip out my note cards and study for my exams. Something else I think is important in preparing for finals is to make sure you have a filling breakfast the morning of. There is nothing worse to be distracted by when you are testing, than a growling tummy.

Journal #23

Being self sufficient is actually the reasoning for why my family and I just moved. We were living in a really nice house in a neighborhood that we loved, but have recently moved in the past week in order to be self sufficient. Our new house is not in a neighborhood and sits on fifteen acres of land. With this new land, we plan on growing trees, starting  a huge garden, and maybe even raising chickens. All of this in order to be self sufficient. To me, being self sufficient is being independent and living and doing things on your own. It means not being dependent or reliable on others in order to survive. This is something that Emerson is really emphasizing in his essays that we have read so far. He talks about self reliance which is very similar if not identical to self sufficiency. I think to be self sufficient you must have a good work ethic. This is because you are doing this by yourself, so if you decide not to work, then nothing will get done. Responsibility also plays a big role in being self sufficient because if whatever you are doing fails, or does not get done, there is no one else to blame but yourself. Being self sufficient is a very good characteristic to have I think because it is something that you will need for your entire life and something I think you must possess to be a successful adult. Your mom and dad are not always going to be there to take care of you and pay for everything. Although it is great now, you will eventually have to learn how to provide for yourself. This is one of the reasons my parents are stressing me about getting a job. They want me to get experience and see what it is like to work and earn for myself. I definitely understand where they are coming from and am currently job hunting. Hopefully within the next few weeks, I do will be on my way to being a more self sufficient individual.

Kateb's Analysis

Kateb's analysis of Emerson's Self-Reliance was very interesting to see. One of the things I liked about it was that we could see someone else's reactions and the perspective of someone who read the exact same thing I did. It is always interesting to see what other people get out of it that differs from you. I really liked the way that Kateb brought up the topic of Emerson's Self Reliance. Instead of going straight into analyzing it, he explained how it has been quoted and used even in advertisement and commercials as well (Kateb). It is just kind of a fun fact that you would not know from only reading Emerson's essay. In the beginning Kateb also takes the time to kind of explain Emerson's style of writing. He explains it as very assertive, but not always supported. "In fact, many of the assertions are not assertions at all. He does not stand behind most of his utterances, even though he expends his full virtue in them. In his experiments, he is more like Plato than even Nietzsche is. Emerson is not Thoreau" (Kateb). One of the things Kateb does a really good job is using support through out his analysis. He uses several quotes and different sources to back up what he is talking about. One example would be when he quotes all of the things that significant people had said about Emerson. The quotes stated exactly who said them and used accurate citing of his sources as well. These quotes described Emerson's character, helping you get a better idea of Emerson's perspective while reading his essay. One quote was by Walt Whitman who explained how Emerson is the type of person who does not take an exact side, but is open minded and sees all sides. Whitman also talks about how Emerson was trying to influence others to believe in little besides themselves, being self-reliant(Kateb). One of the key points talked about in Emerson's Self-Reliance is the importance of individualism and self trust. Kateb takes not of this and further expands on this idea. He talks about how in order to be self reliant, you must also have self trust. This is what gives an individual the ability to be their own person and be creative. "Every individual is a new individual and can, with self-trust, do in the world something not yet done but worth doing. Creativity is always possible; creativity is actual when people trust themselves"(Kateb). I liked this part of Kateb's analysis because I think it effectively elaborates the potential and importance of self trust and individualism that Emerson talked about in his essay. One of the things I personally took out reading Emerson's Self Reliance was that individual experience is more valuable than something you are taught or read about in books. Kateb noticed this as well and expanded on Emerson's idea. "The fact is that Emerson insists with a characteristic insistence that we can assimilate our active experience only retrospectively and that this condition is not lamentable but productive of intense intellectuality. It may be easier to observe immediately than to experience immediately, but memory is needed even to make the best of one's immediate observations" (Kateb). Overall I think Kateb's analysis was very well written and definitely helped understand Emerson's essay form a different point of view.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Self-Reliance and the Life of the Mind." In Emerson's Transcendental Etudes. Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University. 2003. Quoted as "Self-Reliance and the Life of the Mind" in Bloom, Harold, ed. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Updated Edition, Bloom's Modern Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc

Journal #22

Snow is a wonderful gift that can be a blessing and a curse. Too much snow can cause many problems, but the right amount can be awesome. Being born in Michigan and growing up there has made me no stranger to what "real" snow is. Here in Illinois, the concept of a lot of snow is much different than in Michigan. Springfield is not really known for getting a lot of snow, but some years we do get a pretty good amount. Nothing compared to the blizzards in Michigan though. We drive up usually every other winter to Michigan to visit my family. Around the time where their snow receiving is at its peak.I remember one year when we visited, there was over five feet of snow! I thought it was the coolest thing ever. My grandpa used his giant tractor to clear the driveway of all snow and piled it into one huge mound. This was literally like twelve feet tall. It was ridiculous. The cousins and I went to town. As soon as we got the okay, we quickly threw on all of our snow gear and headed outside to the great mound. We made some pretty epic snow forts and even burrowed tunnels through the massive pile. It was an eleven year old's dream come true. Then of course hours later when we were all worn out, we came back into the house where grandma had hot chocolate waiting for us. Like I said though, too much snow can cause problems. This could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on if you like being stuck in your house or not. I remember my freshman year when we got a good amount of snow one night and it was enough to cancel school. Since the streets were not plowed, we could not drive anywhere, but it could not stop me from walking to my two best friend's house who lived in the neighborhood. It ended up being the perfect snow day.  

Journal #21

Emerson's quotation covers a very mature matter. My initial reaction reminds me of the stage in life where you are finally figuring out the truth of the world. That the clouds are not made of cotton candy and life is not always great and dandy and sweet as candy. The reality is, life is not perfect and neither are you. People are going to let you down and there is nothing you can do about it. Even the person you look up to the most will one day disappoint you. They are not perfect either, despite what you think. This quotation reminds you to be your own person, separate from others. Relying on other people is weakness. That is basically what this is implying. I do not believe this is always the case, but I do agree that people disappoint. Especially in today's society where we have such high standards for each other. This quotation also focuses on the importance of individuality. It says "imitation is suicide". I like this part of the quote because it is very blunt and does not beat around the bush. I feel like this is something that is definitely applicable to our society today. Everyone feels like they have to look and act a certain way in order to be accepted. When really, you were made an original for a reason and if you try to be like everyone else, you always fall short. An original is much more valuable than a copy. This reminds me of another quote I have heard before, but I do not remember who the author is. It talks about being yourself, everyone else is already taken. From this, I also got the idea that good things only come through hard work. This is explained in the part about the kernel of corn. Overall, I have learned so far that Emerson is very supportive of self-morals, hard work, and self-reliance. All of these fitting the characteristics of Romanticism.

Journal #20

The cycle of life is a complex cycle that has been occurring since the beginning of time. Ever since a creepy crawly crawled, a feathered bird took flight, and a hungry carnivore hunted, the cycle of life has been present. The petite but significant beetle, searches the dirt ground for a satisfying meal of dirt and waste. Growing plump off of his findings his life is short lived as it serves for a greater purpose. The meal of another, such as a tan striped mere cat named Timone or a husky grown warthog named Pumba. As displayed in the classic Disney movie, The Lion King, the circle of life is simply apart of how life works. As the small slender mere cat or fat warthog or more likely a feathered bird of the sky survives off of bugs such as the beetle, they  too serve a purpose in the cycle of life. Whether they know it or not, they too will be hunted and used as food energy for a mammal larger than them. Low in the prairie grass crouches a hungry lioness stalking its prey. Its focused eyes are locked on the warthog following its every move. Even when it is lost from sight, the skilled lioness naturally is able to pick up its scent and follow the sound of the breaking twigs as the oblivious warthog travels through the brush. Moving slowly and cautiously across the earth's floor, the lioness pursuits its prey. Then suddenly, with a ginormous leap the lioness jumps through the air at the exasperated warthog now drained from the heat of the afternoon sun. As the sucessful lioness licks her lips and enjoys the sweet taste of victory, the cycle of life is continued. Even the great predator of  the jungle cannot escape death. Even if not by being captured and eaten by another mammal, the lioness too will eventually die like the rest and become a part of the earth. There the beetle enjoys his meal as the cycle of life is completed.

Journal #19

The sky was dark and pitch black on this night
with the air full of silence as the crowd
waited in patience and joyful delight
to view fireworks from their chairs on the ground.

Then suddenly a boom echoed the sky.
The first firework had gone off with a bang
Bright beams across darkened clouds they did fly.
Trails left to descend while the echo rang.

It is the annual celebration
of our country's birth, the 4th of July,
the date the states became a great nation
and reason of the soldier's battle cry.

For on this day, a document was signed,
the Declaration of Independence,
great men of integrity were the kind
to sign this with faith hope and allegiance.

This Declaration led our men to war.
Many lives were lost but for freedom's sake.
Families and friends caused to split and tore
while loved ones fought a great country to make.

Remember as you watch the colors glow
and marvel at our flag as freedom waves,
how we got here to this place we love so,
the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Journal #18

As I pondered the multitude of eyes beaming at me from the magnificent creature, I noticed hiding behind it stood a beautiful mermaid, curiously peeking behind its protector. The creature in front of me kept the mermaid from my sight though. The creature stretched out its long plump tentacles and tilted its head in confusion of my means. Every move I made, the multitude of eyes followed me. Every time I tried to make eye contact with the mermaid hidden behind it, the massive tentacles moved in my way. Unsure of how to proceed, I reached into my pocket and searched for the pearl I had found earlier. Using this flawless beautiful ball as a symbol of peace, I stretched out my hand towards the strange creature there before me. Suddenly, the mermaid squealed in delight at the sight of the pretty pearl. Her aqua shaded tail wagged back and forth like a dog who you are about to reward with a treat. She fearlessly passed by her guardian and received the pearl with a warm smile. It was not until this moment that I realized her true beauty. This magnificent creature with long brown curly locks floating gently in the water and piercing green and blue speckled eyes was absolutely breathtaking. Then there was her tail that reflected the sunlight, each time showing of its sparkling aqua scales. Lastly, on top of her head laid a shell and pearl crafted tiara. The pearls were flawless, much like the one I had given her. The rest of the shells shown brightly in a way that would put diamonds to shame. It was as if all the pieces had finally been put together in my brain. The strange guardian creature, the hesitance to my presence, the warm smile and sincere kindness, and then of course the one of a kind tiara. I was in the presence of princess Andrina. It was the same moment that I realized her true identity, that she had gone, disappearing as mysteriously as she had arrived.

Journal #17

As the light blue fuzz feathered through the warm current of air purring form the heating vent, the noisy fast paced students piled into the still defrosting room. The high pitched squeaking of pulling out the stools and clicking noise of the computers opening filled the once quiet room. It was a typical Thursday in Mr.Langley's A2 honors English class. All eyes focused on their outdated screens in front of them, the students began typing away at their daily journal entry. The students work distraction free until their concentration is broken by the sound of the timer going off, causing several students to jump in surprise at the loud sound. Attention is then turned to the large bright touch screen board with black wide printed sentences written repeatedly down the page. This can only mean one thing. It was a sentence study day. The groans and complains of the high school students came automatically at the sight. Nevertheless, they unhappily pulled out their homework from their folders. After doing so they naturally searched for a different colored pen in which to grade as well. One by one the students passed on the thin black pointer stick like a baton, each taking a turn to diagram the sentences written. This was a long process, each step accompanied by hands in the air and the occasional arguing of who is right or not. Laughs are also shared at the expense of the befuddled student accidentally touching his or her paper to the board creating a random jagged line across the screen. Then of course, the mysterious wonder of how to undo it keeps Mr.Langley as well as the students left in curiosity. Finally, the first sentence is complete. The board is a colorful, messy yet organized display of prepositions, verbs, adverbs, clauses, phrases, infinitives, subjects, direct objects, etc. This process continues until the points are tallied up, and the grading is complete. The anxious students then sit in wait to be released by the high pitched sound of the bell.

Journal #16

Something very unique happened yesterday during Mr.Walworth's B3 Psychology class. As you know, the high school musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is performing this weekend. Their opening night is today and so yesterday afternoon they got out of their classes to run through the entire show. Before they ran through the show, they had pictures for the musical taken. This means that everyone was dressed in their costume, stage make-up, and had their hair done. Pictures for the musical happened during B2 and the musical rehearsal would not start until after lunch, so that means that they were walking around in their costumes and stage make-up for their third hour class. Hannah Siehr is playing the role of Snoopy in the musical and when she walked into Psychology class, she was all done up as a dog. No joke. When she first came in, I was putting my books away. She said "Hi Sabrina!" and I recognized the voice, looked up and then realized that the person in front of me did NOT look like Hannah. I was talking to a dog. It was great and I had no idea that she was going to be in her dog make-up for class. She got all kinds of looks from everyone else in the room and she just kept repeating over and over "I'm in the musical! I'm not that weird I swear!" every time someone new walked into the room. It was quite entertaining. Hannah consisted of her white face, black nose, and black lined doggy mouth. Along with this, she had her hair stuffed into two black socks, which were her floppy ears. It was quite a sight to see. Everyone got a kick out of it, and it was nevertheless good advertisement. You could not help but just look at her and smile. It is a good thing that Hannah is confident and can laugh at herself, because that is probably the only way she could have gotten through all the stares. Everyone knows she is one of the best singers in the school too, so really no one can judge her anyways. Seeing Hannah all dressed up as Snoopy, only makes me that much more excited to see the show this weekend.

Journal #15

Someone who I greatly miss lives across the Atlantic Ocean in Europe. Paul Boucherie was a foreign exchange student from last year from France. He was hilarious. Paul stayed with the Good family and became a very close friend. Some of my favorite memories with Paul happened in Madrigals. Tucker Good had been involved in Madrigals all four years and so it was no surprise that he convinced his foreign exchange student to join in. I remember one class when we were learning a French song for Madrigals and he just laughed at our sorry attempt to pronounce the French words. With his help, our accents were not horrible. Paul was also involved in band as a part of the drum line. The drum line was one of my favorite parts of the football games and I always yelled "Go Paul!" when he played. He later joined track with us and ran for the first time. To put it nicely, running was not his forte. Nevertheless, he had fun and it was nice to have him on the team and hang out with him outside of school. I love getting to know the foreign exchange students because they are so unique. One of the things is that I just love accents, but I also think it is so interesting to learn about their culture and what they like the most about America. It is funny to see someone's perspective of us and our country from someone who is here for the first time. One of the hardest things about becoming friends with a foreign exchange student is that you know you will eventually have to say goodbye. The year goes by so quickly and you do not even notice it until they only have a few weeks left in the United States. I remember going to his going away party with Micalister and promising ourselves that we were not going to cry. We broke that promise. It was very emotional and we left in tears, but it was so good to see him one last time. We promised to keep in touch though. One of the great things about Facebook and other social media sites is that they allow you to communicate with people all over the world. This, as well as skype, makes it possible to still keep in contact with friends even though they are thousands of miles away. I hope someday to visit him in France, but for now I have to settle with Skype and Facebook.

The Pit and The Pendulum

Romanticism follows the Rationalism period, taking over in the early eighteen hundreds. This style of writing is the complete opposite of Rationalism in the way that it values feelings over reasoning. Edgar Allen Poe was one of the most famous writers during this period and his short story, The Pit and the Pendulum fits the characteristics of Romanticism well. Poe's work of literature demonstrates the power of imagination, value of individual freedom, and lastly the dominance of psychological fears. All of these meet the criteria for this period.

The power of imagination is one of the many characteristics of American Romanticism. This is displayed repeatedly throughout The Pit and the Pendulum. When the character first comes to his senses, he is engulfed in fear. He was desperate to know where he was, but he was afraid that when he opened his eyes, there would be nothing to see. He was correct. He was suffocated by the darkness. He was overwhelmed and his imagination was racing. "I reached out my hand, and it fell heavily upon something damp and hard. There I suffered it to remain for several minutes, while I strove to imagine where and what I could be" (Poe 265). Having his sight taken away, his imagination was only encouraged to think the worst. His imagination also misguided him in the measurements of his cell. He had imagined his dungeon to be twice the actual size of it, which was twenty-five feet (Poe 268). The power of imagination on a person's feelings is what Romanticism feeds off of.

Along with the power of imagination, the longing for individual freedom is another factor of Romanticism. This is what the character hopes for the entire story. He is held as a prisoner both physically and mentally. At first his hope for freedom is through escape, but when faced with the reality of the situation, he sets his sights for freedom through death. "But the moment of escape had arrived. At a wave of my hand my deliverers hurried tumultuously away. With a steady movement- cautious, sidelong, shrinking, and slow- I slid from the embrace of the bandage and beyond the reach of the scimitar. For the momentt, at least, I was free" (Poe 272). This section of The Pit and the Pendulum, this desire to taste freedom, is key to Romanticism.

Lastly, the influence of psychological fear is very important in the Romanticism style of writing. This is all about what is going on inside your head and your internal battles. This is first seen when the character is having troubles distinguishing the difference between his dreams and reality. "This sense of having a memory of that which did not in fact occur is central to the story's ambiguity, for as the narrator tries to remember his experience, it is not clear whether the memory is of a real event or a dream event that has been forgotten" (May). Psychological fear also provided the character with the internal battle between surrounding to death or fighting to stay alive. In the end, his hope is enough to keep him stable. This idea of psychological fear is directed more towards the dark side of Romanticism, which is what Poe is known for.

The power of imagination, desire for freedom, and influence of psychological fear are all key elements to the Romanticism writing style. Henry Allen Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum, uses these elements to reach both the reader's emotions and feelings. This is the main difference between Romanticism and Rationalism. Henry Allen Poe, along with many other writers of this style, succeeded in doing just this.

May, Charles E. "Alternate Realms of Reality." In Edgar Allan Poe: A Study of Short Fiction. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1991, pp. 96–97. Quoted as "Dreams and Reality in the Story" in Harold Bloom, ed. Edgar Allan Poe, Bloom's Major Short Story Writers. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 1998. (Updated 2007.) Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= BMSSEP39&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 5, 2012).

Poe, Edgar A. "The Pit and the Pedullum." Glencoe Literature. Ed. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 263-73. Print.

Journal #14

I have two very scary moments that have occurred in my life. One of them happened last year at the end of the summer, the last day of summer actually. My friend Amanda and I had spent the entire night at the fair having a good time, but it was getting late and it was time to go home. We had parked about four blocks from the entrance in some random person's yard. It was about ten o'clock at night when we were walking back to our car. During the walk, there were these drunk guys drinking on a porch that we had to walk by. They tried talking to us, but we kept on walking. It was pretty sketchy. After we got a little ways from the house, we noticed one of them was following us. We freaked out. We started walking as fast as we could and immediately called my mom. We were so pumped up on adrenaline and fear that I had to focus just to control my hands from shaking while dialing my mom's number. We were able to make it to our car safely, but it definitely shook us up. I think the fear was created because of the unknown. We had no idea what this guy was doing or his intentions so we just assumed the worst. Another very scary moment in my life occurred a few weekends ago. This was when I went to my first haunted house with my friends. I am an easily scared person and this was a really big deal for me. I was fine one the car ride there, but once I realized this is really happening, I got extremely anxious. In line for the haunted house, I was literally almost in tears from being so scared. They had zombies walking around while you waited in line, and of course they love messing with scared girls that they can get a good scream out of. This would be me. I refused to let go of my friend and I did not even want to look up to see if they were still there. I also kept my eyes closed for the majority of the haunted house. I think I was mostly scared because it was a new experience for me. I had no idea what to expect, all I knew was that by the end of the night, I would be terrified.

Journal #13

Overall I did not think the Franklin Virtues Project was all that bad. I think I probably gained more than I lost and it went a lot better than I thought it would. One of the things that I gained from this project that was most valuable was probably communication skills with people from other schools and then video editing skills from making the YouTube video.Being able to communicate for a project with someone not right in front of you is something that I think was very beneficial to practice. This is not a skill that we had to use only in this case, but it is something that can help us out later in life, for example if your job requires it. I would say that video editing skills were good to learn as well. I had never uploaded a video onto YouTube before this project so it was interesting to me to see how it all works. I think this is a useful skill to know because you just never know when this might be something you will lose later done the road. Along with being the video editor, it helped me learn patience. Practicing this was hard, but it was good for me. In a group project, you never know who is going to hold up their end and who is going to ride off of others work. This project taught me to be patient with the other members in my group. Something I think that could be improved is that if someone in your group fails to finish their part of the video, it would not affect the other members in the group's grade. This would make it less stressful for the video editor. I do not think it should be their responsibility to do someone else's work and then they get the credit for what you did. I would also say that the other class at Farmington should not have a blocked email so it is easier to keep in contact with them.

Analysis of Franklin's Virtues & Success

Benjamin Franklin was a very rational man whose logic and reasoning skills were unmistakable in his thirteen virtues. He created and followed these in a serious manner.  Success is defined as "the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors " ("Success"). In this case, Franklin was attempting to become a better person and based off this definition, he was indeed successful. He accomplished this by creating the virtues specifically off of his personal opinion, using a scientific approach and procedure, and then keeping himself accountable and consistent.

The first step Franklin took towards success was making sure that his virtues lined up with what he specifically believed would benefit not only him, but anyone who attempted. He had attended public sermons where they explained their own virtues, but Franklin did not necessarily agree with them all. He then took matters into his own hands and decided to make his own (Franklin). His virtues included what he believed to be the basic essentials for a human being. He made these not only applicable to himself, but also diplomatic in the way that they would not challenge the consensus of people's beliefs during this time period. By writing these virtues from his own opinion, they were personable. He was therefore able to easily relate to the virtues and set himself up for success.

Along with having a personal relationship with the virtues, his scientific approach aided Franklin in his success as well. Being a rational man, Franklin put much thought into the process in which he would execute his goal of living out all thirteen virtues. He used the scientific method to plan his schedule in which to attempt the given virtue, as well as record and analyze his results. In Tuckerman's criticism of Franklin's character, he shares how he also believes science was a key to Franklin's success saying, "But while official duty and patriotism gave Franklin occasion to propagate and actualize so many useful and requisite principles,—to become the thinker and advocate,—the incarnated common-sense of his country and his time,—there was another sphere of mental activity, another range of sagacious enterprise, in which he expatiated with kindred success" (Bloom 2). Science allowed Franklin to organize his ideas and procedure to reach his goal.

Lastly, after succeeding in following his set thirteen, he then followed up with his success by keeping himself accountable. Franklin did this by not throwing away his book that tracked his attempts to follow the virtues, but instead keeping it as a reminder for himself. Franklin's Autobiography talks about how he always kept in on him. This way, even though he was not recording his results every day, he still had it available to pull out when he felt that he was slipping (Franklin). By being accountable for his actions, Franklin was able to maintain consistent success in becoming a better person.

Overall, Franklin's steps led him all the way to success. By taking the time to make his goal personable, he made it easier for him to relate and be motivated. By using science, he could collect his ideas and procedures to keep him on track. By staying accountable, his success in becoming a better person was not short lived. Along with Franklin's thirteen virtues, his process of successfully mastering them can be applicable as well. Following his example, one may also achieve success.

Bloom, Harold, ed. "The Character of Franklin." BenjaminFranklin, Classic Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online.Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=&iPin=C C VBF019&SingleRecord=True (accessed October 29, 2012).

Franklin, Benjamin, Dixon Wecter, Larzer Ziff, and Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1959. Print.

"Success." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/success>.

 

Journal #12

I think today's American Dream would have to do with living your own life. America is one of the few countries where for the most part, you can express yourself freely and live how you choose. You have to live with the consequences but they are your own decisions to make. Some of these freedoms include the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion. This was one of the main reasons people came to America in the first place. Another aspect of the American Dream I think would definitely be free market. The opportunity to own and profit off your own business is a huge plus. I think people associate the American Dream with being successful in whatever business you decide on and being able to provide for yourself and your family. Today, I think being considered successful is highly influenced by how much money you make.I personally think this is not necessarily true, but that's just how our society sees it. You can be successful in more ways that money though. Maybe you have a successful family or a job that you love even if it is not the most high-paying. I think our definition of success today has been kind of rewritten to only what the majority of society considers successful. The pursuit of happiness is considered one of our God given rights according to the Declaration of Independence. I think being happy in America is simply living your own life with your own choices. I don't think there is a strict definition of happy in America like success because everyone is different. People are happy for many reasons. It could be because of their family, their home, their relationships, their job, their wealth, their faith, and so much more. I think it is people's right to do what makes them happy, but if it means breaking the law to do so, than its their choice and responsibility to live with the consequences.

Literary Anylsis: Franklin's system of virtues

Benjamin Franklin's set of virtues were very impressive and exemplifies the rationalism well. Rationalism is really focused on facts. Unlike the other types of writing we have read like the Puritan's writings, this type does not evolve God as much. With the Puritans writings, they referenced and backed up their points with God and Scripture, while with rationalism the authors supports his statements with facts and examples. Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography shared very similar themes with the rationalism style.

One of the first relations Franklin's autobiography has with rationalism is that they both deal with Deity. Benjamin talks about how he does believe in God and that there is a Creator. However, he is not nearly as involved as the Puritans are. He was raised as a Presbyterian so he had his own views. This deism though is what brought him to church where they talked about the virtues they thought to be valuable. Benjamin Franklin respected these virtues but did not agree with them full-heartily. In reaction to this, he wrote his own system of virtues.

The main reason we can relate Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography to rationalism is because it based off of facts. Benjamin even says towards the beginning of his writing how he believed in facts. "My conduct might be blamable, but I leave it, without attempting further to excuse it; my present purpose being to relate facts, and not to make apologies for them" (Franklin, 82). Benjamin Franklin's virtues include the following: temperance, silence, order resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. (Franklin, 83 & 84) The order for his system of virtues is no coincidence. He wrote them in the way that he would personally be able to master one, which would then prepare him for the next. This way, he will be able to continue to master the list easier without breaking some of the earlier ones. After listing his system of virtues, he then goes on to explain the reasoning for this order in more detail. This is very factual and personal for him which goes along with the factual ideas of rationalism. An example of this might his first virtue, which is temperance. He picked this one to be first because it would clear his mind which is vital to his process and will keep him from distractions. After he mastered this virtue he moved onto silence, which he said was much easier acquire after mastering temperance. He continues to go on to his other virtues using the same idea.
Franklin's process for keeping himself accountable to his system of virtues was also very factual. It involved a chart where he would mark every virtue he broke that day. He was surprised at first with the amount of dots on the page, but found satisfaction as the dots started to diminish as time went on. He also created a schedule which also helped him stay accountable.

Overall, Benjamin Franklin's autobiography and rationalism share the main ideas. His process and way of thinking is very factual just like rationalism. Along with his idea of deism, they two compare very similar to each other.

Franklin, Benjamin, Dixon Wecter, Larzer Ziff, and Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1959. Print.

Journal #11

There are several virtues a good person should live by. Instead of listing all of them though, I can summarize it by simply being Christ like. If you do your best to follow His example and live like Jesus did, you will in the process, live a life with great virtues. One of these virtues would be generosity. This is a good quality to have, and something Jesus absolutely valued. He was selfless and never put His needs above others. An example of this would be the feeding of the five-thousand. This is how God wants us to live, unselfishly and not only focused on meeting our own needs, but helping others. Another virtue to live by would be patience. Every day we are faced with obstacles that are going to take time out of day. Whether it is traffic, crazy little kids you are babysitting, a line to the cash register, or waiting for your food to heat up in the microwave, you must have patience. Learning to have patience with the little things like this, will make the more demanding things easier. God demonstrates patience continually in the Bible. An example would be when He tells Moses to go back to Egypt to set His people free. Moses made every excuse in the book, but God was patient with him and showed him he was not alone. Respect is a virtue that is important to have as well. In most cases, when you respect others, they will respect you in return. This can apply to yourself as well. Having self-respect is just as important. How do you except others to respect you, if you do not respect yourself? Respecting your teachers, parents, and class mates is important as well. Getting into this habit will help you later in life when you have a boss and co-workers. Valuing respect is a quality that will never go out of style. All of these virtues are important, but like I said, you can meet all of these in the process of living a Godly lifestyle.

Reflection: Declaration of Independence

Everyone knows the date of when The Declaration of Independence was signed. We have a holiday devoted to it. Not everyone knows the contents of it though and more specifically the writing technique behind it. This was my first time really analyzing The Declaration of Independence and looking at it with a goal perspective really opens your eyes.

There are several uses of propaganda and errors of faulty logic in The Declaration of Independence. The first example that I noticed was during the first few paragraphs. Here it mentions "the opinions of mankind" and "all men". This is a type of errors to the reference called appeal to the people (Recognizing Propaganda Techniques and Errors of Faulty Logic). In this technique, the writer tries to persuade you by including the popularity. In this case, is it referring everyone. Another technique used towards the beginning was testimonial. In this case, it talked about God entitling the nature of their laws.This is used towards the end of the writing as well when it refers to the court and government. "We, therefore, the representatives of the United States, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world.." (Jefferson, 124). The use of transfer propaganda was also used. This was not apart of the document itself, but in our books, the title of The Declaration of Independence does use our country's flag as the background.

One of the main uses of propaganda/ errors of faulty logic I found while reading, was "name calling". This is a technique in which the author pins negative images and thoughts to a person or idea that they are against. This is usually due to the fact that they cannot support themselves so they tear done others, but I think Thomas Jefferson was justified in the way that he talked about Great Britain because he did have evidence to support his negative remarks towards them. He even starts this section of his speech with "To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world" (Jefferson, 122). He then goes on to explain how the King of Great Britain is tyrant who is only hurting his people. Jefferson backs this up by providing examples of this including that he has forbidden to assent laws, refused his governors to pass laws, and neglects to attend to the suspended laws. (Jefferson) Jefferson continues to rant about the King of Great Britain's failure to meet the needs of the people and provides evidence for every slam he makes. "He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people" (Jefferson, 124).

The use of propaganda and errors of faulty logic can really affect the reader's reaction to it. I never really thought to compare The Declaration of Independence to it though. This was a new approach to reading something we are all familiar with. I can definitely see how propaganda and errors of faulty logic can persuade a reader to agreeing with, voting for, or buying what the author is saying.

"Recognizing Propaganda Techniquesand Errors of Faulty Logic." Recognizing Propaganda--Guide to Critical Thinking--Academic Support. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/as/404.htm.

Wilhelm, Jeffrey D., Douglas Fisher, Kathleen A. Hinchman, David G. O'Brien, Taffy Raphael, and Cynthia Hynd. Shanahan. Glencoe Literature. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print.

Journal #10

Mr. Langley, I believe it is beneficial for both students and faculty if you were to bring in Brach's Star Brites mints next class. This would benefit our learning environment for several reasons. The first benefit of bringing in mints is it gives the students something to look forward to. We follow a strict schedule of school every day, every week, every year. Anything out of the ordinary or special that breaks this pattern will be very appreciated. Doing something like this is just another way to show us that you care about us. It lets us know that you are thinking about us and admire our hard work. Rewarding your students every now and then is something everyone can benefit from and all teachers should take note.

If you bring in Brach's Star Brites mints next class, you will not only show your students you care about them, but it will also create a healthier environment. Everyone has those days when you just do not feel like getting out of bed. It is Monday morning, and you have a long week ahead of you. Failing to wake up to your alarm, you find yourself rushing to get out the door to get to school on time. In doing this, you forget to brush your teeth. Gross. You have now gone almost ten hours without treating your mouth with proper care. You roll into second hour English, where the lesson plan for class is to have a group discussion. Because of your bad breath, your fellow students are now distracted. Instead of listening to your insightful perspective of The Crucible , they are too busy focusing on your morning breath. What a shame. This is unfortunate for both your fellow students and yourself.

Now Mr.Langley, you would not want your students to be distracted from learning would you? Of course not. Please do us all a favor, and bring in Brach's Star Brites mints next class. You will not only gain the affection of your students, but also set us up for a successful class in a healthy learning environment.

Journal #9

Autumn is a fun season. It is not my favorite by any means, but I do enjoy this time of year. My favorite season is probably summer. I just love being stress free, tan, and soaking up the sun. I suppose I love autumn too. One of the main reasons I liked autumn is because it is football season. I love football. It has always been a part of my life. I grew up watching my brother play football since he was in third or fourth grade. I was dragged to every one of his games when I was little so I was kind of forced to love it. I actually really enjoyed going to his games once he got to high school and that was beneficial for myself because that is where I met the people I would be going to high school with in a few years. I love everything about football and every Friday night in fall it is safe to say I am at a football field somewhere. My family also follows the professional league so our Sunday afternoons consist of watching the Chicago Bears play. Another reason I enjoy fall is because of the weather. I love wearing jeans and it is so comfortable to simply walk around in jeans and a sweat shirt. It is also perfect weather for bonfires. I find it really beautiful the way that the leaves change colors as well. Nature is just cool. I love driving down a street with a lot of trees and seeing all of the yellow, orange, and red leaves. Another reason I enjoy the fall season is because of the holidays. I love Halloween and Thanksgiving. I dress up for Halloween every year. No shame. I think this year I am going to be a mermaid. I also love Thanksgiving and it is one of my favorite holidays because I always spend it with family. Also because there is always a football game on as well. You really cannot go wrong with family, food, and football. Autumn is a great time of year.

Journal #8

An emotional situation that my family and I went through happened this past summer. It had to do with my cat, Mulligan. Mulligan was our kitty that we had since he was nine months old. My sister actually found him in our back yard.  I think I was a third or fourth grader when we found him and I remember it was sometime in November. He was only a little kitten and if we had not have saved him from the cold and harsh weather outside, he most likely would not have made it. We brought him in and took care of him. The next day we took him to an animal shelter but not one had reported a missing kitten. We even went door to door asking the neighbors if they knew who he belonged to. In the end, no body claimed him so he became a part of our family. My sister decided to name him Mulligan, because in golf it means "do-over or second chance". It fit the situation perfectly. One distinguishable characteristic about Mulligan is that he had a stub for a tail. We are not sure how it happened, all we know is that was the way he has always been since we found him. Mulligan was a good kitty and it was not until he was a lot older that he started causing problems. When he was about eleven or so he started really biting people. It started when we went on vacation and he stayed with my Dad's nurse while we were away. While he was there, he bit her hand and actually drew blood. She had to get medical attention. Because of this, we had to fill out an animal control paper about him. It would not be such a big deal if this was the only time he did it. It did not stop here though. A couple months later he bit my mom too. The bite also drew blood and she had to go on anti-biotic. This was getting serious and we could not imagine him biting somebody else, like my baby cousin or someone. Acting rationally, we decided that the best decision was to put him down.

Literary Anaylsis Essay: Edwards vs. Miller

The past few literature pieces we have read have actually been enjoyable to read. I find them not as boring as some of the other things we had to read over the summer and I think these two are easier to relate to. "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards and The Crucible by Arthur Miller were both interesting reads. Both pieces of writing addressed the beliefs of the Puritans but in completely different ways. Their approach to the subject differed, but they were both still effective. By reading "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", we are able to compare and see the relationship of those themes to the characters and events in The Crucible.

One of the main themes of "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards is about how you are a sinner and need forgiveness from an angry God. He goes into great detail about how we are basically dangling above the pit of hell in God's hands unless we confess to the Lord for our wrong doings. He understands the punishment for our sins and how we can only be saved if we confess. This is a similar theme in The Crucible. The plot spends a great deal of the time in court. Here, many accused townspeople, almost all who are innocent, come to be tried. The reality of this is that they are given two options, to confess or be hanged. It is either this or be put in jail. An example of this would be at the end of the book when John Proctor is brought forth from jail for the opportunity to confess. At first, John is silent and unsure of himself and the right decision, but after talking to his wife Elizabeth, she assures him that he must do what he must to live, but that the decision was ultimately up to him. She refused to judge him. In the end, he signed his confession, but then ripped it up and chose death over having his name ruined. (Miller, 144)

In a way, this event is similar to what Jonathan Edwards is talking about. In order to have your sins forgiven and escape the flames of hell, you must confess. You cannot accept forgiveness though by lying about your confession. This is what John was doing. In a modern day setting, it would be like asking God to forgive you for doing a certain sin, but going on and doing it anyways. Your heart is not in it. John's heart was not in his confession and the judge could sense that. Once  you confess, God's mercy and love is just poured over you. In Edward's writing he talks about rejoicing in the hope and glory of God. (Edwards, 99) In The Crucible John would be rewarded with his life. Although I do not agree with the trial of Proctor, it can kind of give you an idea of what Edwards is talking about.

Overall I really enjoyed both writings. I think both authors did a good job in displaying their beliefs. They were both very effective. The writings complimented each other well and I think reading both can help you understand the context that much more.



Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts. Harmondsworth, Eng.: Penguin, 1976. Print.

Wilhelm, Jeffrey D., Douglas Fisher, Kathleen A. Hinchman, David G. O'Brien, Taffy Raphael, and Cynthia Hynd. Shanahan. Glencoe Literature. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print.

Journal #7

Bullying is a serious problem that is an everyday occurrence. Something like bullying effects not only the victim being bullied, but also the bully himself. If you are being told the same thing everyday, like being told you are worthless, you will start to believe it sooner or later. Some victims being bullied shrug it off and say it does not bother them, but honestly, those comments can stick in their head. You never know the effects of your words on someone's life and that is why you have to be so careful with what you say, even if you are just joking around. Another effect of the victim would be that they themselves might start to bully others. This could be their way of taking revenge on the person who bullies them and make them feel better about themselves. Either way it is not going to help anyone. I always wonder why people feel the need to put others done and you cannot be too quick to judge. You never know, they might have a really bad home life and so when they come to school they take it out on everyone around them. Or they are simply really insecure as a person and use it to make themselves look or feel better than others. It really is sad that they have to resort to bullying. Another effect of the victim of being bullied could go as far as suicide. This is a very real and serious situation that unfortunately happens in our society today. It really is heartbreaking that these victims feel that there are no other ways out than to take their own life. Bullying not only effects the victim of the bullying, but also the bully. Bullying can give the person who is doing it, a bad reputation and will undoubtedly push people away. No one wants to hang around someone who is putting you down all the time. It can also ruin opportunities for that person in the future. If this becomes a habit for you, that will not fly in a work environment. It can also ruin relationships for that person. Bullying is just a bad deal for both sides.

Reflection Blog: Human Nature

Human nature is a common theme in pieces of writing we have been reading so far. I enjoy this topic because it shows that whoever the person is, everyone still has the same human needs and desires.  One of the books that demonstrated this was "The Moon is Down" where it showed the more sensitive side of the German Nazis. It reminded us that they have a family and desire relationships just like we do. The Crucible by Arthur Miller displays human nature as well. Themes of human desires dealt with in this writing include sexual desires and lust, not taking responsibility for your actions, and wanting people to believe what you have to say.

Like I said, one of the first human desires dealt with are sexual desires and lusting. This has to do with John Proctor and Abigail Williams. Abigail used to be a servant at the Proctor household, but had been fired by his wife, Elizabeth. John and Abigail were having a sexual affair, while Goody Proctor was ill. This is something that nobody else knows about and they kept it a secret between the three of them as to not soil their name. When John tell Abigail he will be coming to her no longer, she focuses all of her attention on vengeance towards Elizabeth.  (Miller, 22) Abigail sets her up to make it seem like she is involved in witchcraft in hopes to get rid of her for good. It is not until Act 3 that the truth about them is out when John confesses to the court. (Miller, 110)  John naturally lusted after Abigail and had to suffer the consequences for his actions.

Another human nature addressed is not taking responsibility for your actions. The blame game is a common occurrence in this play. It seems like everyone is pointing fingers and trying to throw the accusations onto someone else. An example of this would be when Abigail is asked if what John Proctor confesses about the affair is true and she avoids giving the judge an answer. "Abigail: If I must answer that, I will leave and I will not come back again!" (Miller, 111) After this she then completely changes the subject by faking that Mary Warren is taking the form of a yellow bird and threatening to hurt her. Her influence over the other girls gets them to join her. (Miller, 115)

One last example would be the desire to be believed when you are telling people your side of the story whether it is the truth or not. This occurs in the court room when Mary Warren is hysterically trying to make her case that she is innocent and that everything Abigail is saying is a lie. Unfortunately, Abigail puts on too good a show for Danforth to believe her. (Miller, 115) Everyone wants to be accepted and believed when you are explaining yourself and legitamately telling truth and Mary demonstrates this very well.

The Crucible demonstrates human nature very well. It shows the side of people that everyone has. This concept really adds to any writing and makes it more realistic as well as relatable. I am looking forward to contiue reading and seeing how this effects the plot.

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts. Harmondsworth, Eng.: Penguin, 1976. Print.

Journal #6

There are consequences for every decision you make, whether good or bad. Blaming someone for something they did not do would obviously fall under the bad. There can be several consequences to this bad decision. One of the first consequences would be that the lying would not stop here. That is the thing with lying, once you start you cannot stop. That is why it is so dangerous. If you lie and say that someone did something that they really did not, you would have to continue to lie to make this scenario make sense. Then you would have to lie to cover up this lie so they do not find out. You just keep piling it on and adding more until eventually you are buried in your own lies. You may get away with it and you may not, but if it does get let out than your reputation will forever be scarred. It is like the little boy that cried wolf. You if you are known for lying consistently,when you actually tell the truth, no one will believe you. Another consequence of blaming someone for something they did not do would be that you would lose that person's trust. I know if someone started spreading false rumors about me there is no way I would ever be able to trust them again, even if they apologize. That is just how it works. There is also the possibility that the person you blame something for, blames something else on you in return. Depending on the person you accuse, they may give it right back to you out of revenge. In The Crucible this whole blaming something on someone innocent seems to be a theme. The major blame being thrown around is about witchcraft. This is something that without a doubt, will do major damage to someones image. Abigail Williams is the blamer in this situation. She blames Elizabeth Proctor for using witchcraft to stab her in the stomach. Abigail accomplishes this by planting a needle in the doll that was given to Elizabeth to make it appear that she used voodoo on her. It will be interesting to read if Abigail receives consequences for her actions.

Reflection Blog: True Colors

I remember taking the True Colors personality test last year in Mr. Tadla's health class. I ended up testing as a blue personality. Apparently this meant that I was a romantic and was also emotional and cared for people. I thought it was pretty dead on. When we took this personality test in class a few days ago, I scored the ranking of gold, which means that I am a planner. Only two other students besides me got the same results. I find personality tests to be very interesting because I like to see how other people think differently and how we are all unique. These True Colors personalities are present in the characters of The Crucible as well. Now these characters obviously did not go online and take a personality test, but we can tell through their actions which category they could fall under.

One of the characters we discussed in class was Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris' niece. In class, we decided that she could be categorized as either orange or green, a doer or a thinker. Abigail is one of the main characters and I think is one of the least complex. She could definitely be classified as a thinker in the way that she is one of the more deceiving characters. One of her characteristics is being quite manipulative, which she has demonstrated numerous times. An example of this would be during Act 1 of The Crucible when she lies about what they were doing in the woods and tries to cover it up and turn the blame away from herself. (Miller, 42). Like  I said, she could easily be apart of the doer group as well. Abigail is one to not only think of ideas, but follow through with them. She uses this in a very dangerous form though, in the way that she accuses innocent people simply out of revenge. Abigail Williams absolutely hates Elizabeth Proctor. It is no secret. Elizabeth's husband, John Proctor had actually been having an affair with Abigail, but John had recently told Abigail that he would come to her no longer. "Proctor: Abby, you'll put it out of mind. I'll not be comin' for you more" (Miller, 22). This gave Abigail all the more reason to hate Elizabeth. Acting on this revenge, she sets Elizabeth up to make it appear that she is involved with witch craft, and more specifically, voodoo. Abigail had cleverly, placed a needle under the dress of a doll Mary had made to give to Elizabeth and then faked being stabbed to make it look like it had been Elizabeth's doing. (Miller, 76).  This example alone displays the doer side of Abigail Williams and her cruel and evil vengeance towards Elizabeth Proctor.

Discussing and evaluating the True Personalities of the characters really helps you better understand kind of the reasoning behind their actions. It also gives you an idea of their personal tendencies and history to have an idea of what their actions might be in the future. As we continue to read The Crucible by Arthur Miller, it will be interesting to see how the true personalities of the characters effect the plot.

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts. Harmondsworth, Eng.: Penguin, 1976. Print.

Journal #5

I think this article explains very realistic punishments for this time period. Technology is everywhere and teens especially seem to be taking a part of it. Social media is a huge factor in this. I personally can relate to this since I am constantly checking these on my phone. Whether it is Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, there is always something to stay updated by. This has become a source of communication between teens and is very popular. Smart phones, such as iPhones or Androids, make is so much easier and convenient to stay up to date with these trends since all of these are right on your phone. Obviously, most teens are extremely attached to their phones and their social media sites so when you take these away from them, they will not be very happy. This is something that I think would be a very fair punishment depending on the situation. I know from experience how devastated and upset I get when I am grounded from my phone. That and taking away my car keys is probably one of the most effective ways to punish me. I feel like it is the same way for a lot of other teens. When you take their phones away, you are basically taking away their connection to the rest of the world. It really depends on the teen being punished though. I mean everyone is different and for some teens, it would not affect them as much if you take these away. Punishments simply need to be something that has a negative affect on the teen so they realize that they do not like the punishment and do not want to have to experience it again. This will in theory keep them from acting in the way that got them in trouble. I know for myself, I would definitely learn from the experience and stay out of trouble when I realize my phone is on the line.

Reflection Blog: The Crucible Act 1

Act 1 of The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a very interesting read so far. Unlike the other pieces of Puritan writings we have read and blogged about, "The Narrative of Restoration and Captivity of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" by Mary Rowlandson, "Upon the Burning of our House" by Anne Bradstreet, and pieces of "Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford, The Crucible is written as a play and its contents contain background information and dialogue. I really enjoyed it for those reasons because of my interest in theater. The Crucible  is definitely different and refreshing from the other pieces of Puritan writings we have already encountered. Nevertheless it still demonstrates the qualities of the Puritans.

One of the first qualities I noticed was of course their dependence on God. This has been a similar theme in Puritan writings that we have already read and it was no surprise that it is present in this one as well. Arthur Miller portrays this differently than the other writers did though. Instead of using lots of scripture and Biblical references through out the story, he shows their need for God through the characters actions and words. While Betty is in this condition, her father Parris, the Reverend turns to God for answers. He is very concerned for his daughter and always has someone watching her. He calls in Reverend Hale and prays for her twenty-four seven. They also sing Psalms, which Betty cannot bear to hear. He refuses to believe this is witch crafts doing and turns to God for answers.

Another quality of the Puritans is a form of legalism. They were very strict to their religion and if you doubted them or if your belief systems were different, they would consider you sinful, demonic, evil, or even a witch. This is so far what the  plot of The Crucible is about. Betty, Tituba, Mercy, and Abigail were some of the few messing around with witch craft. This included drinking blood, dancing in the forest, speaking with the Devil, and conjuring up the dead. This kind of behavior is not taken lightly by the rest of the Puritans and they tried their best to keep it hidden. Because of the legalism, the Puritans believed that people who did this were from the Devil or must be a witch. They would then kill them by either burning, hanging, or drowning them. They cannot fathom the thought of them not believing and acting the same way as they do for their religion.

An overall breakdown of the Puritans beliefs is very strict. They need every thing a certain way, and are legalistic like I had said. It's their way or the highway. An example of this would be the horror of witchcraft in the village and the violent deaths of the accused "witches". To be apart of their religion, you had to completely surrender yourself to it and follow it exactly. I have a feeling that this is going to be a conflict in the plot as we continue to read The Crucible.

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts. Harmondsworth, Eng.: Penguin, 1976. Print.

Journal #4

My favorite vacation I have ever been on in my entire life is by far when my family and I traveled to London, England for a week last summer. It was an experience of a life time. Obviously, England is very far away and to get there we spent fourteen long painful hours on a plane. The plane was very nice though and they did take care of us, but being in one spot for fourteen hours anywhere is a drag. I remember we had little television screens on the back of the chairs in front of us so we could watch specific movies that were playing. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. This plane ride was also the first time I ate a meal on a plane. I am not just talking about little peanuts and pretzels, but a legit meal. I was a little hesitant at first on what we were going to be fed, but it was surprising very good. For dinner, we could pick between chicken or pasta. I now understand the joke about not having beef on airplanes. My mom and I both picked the pasta. Each part of the meal was in its own separate container, but it really was not bad. I think with our pasta we had bread, green beans, and then a little cheesecake for dessert. Later into the flight we were also given a "snack". I put snack in parenthesis because it was a huge and very filling snack. There was a deli sandwich, a  full size candy bar, crackers, chips, and then a drink as well. I was very impressed with my food. This was probably the only high light of the extremely long plane flight. The rest of the flight was awfully long and I felt like we were flying forever. On our little television it showed where we were on the map and how much longer it was until we landed. I found myself pathetically staring at the screen waiting to land. I swear time pasted slower on that plane. The effects of the long flight were not being able to sleep and nausea when we landed. It was well worth it all though, because London was amazing.

Reflection Blog: Plymouth Plantation

The History of Plymouth Plantation is very similar to the other pieces of literature written by the Puritans. "A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" by Mary Rowlandson  and "Upon the Burning of our House" by Anne Bradstreet, are the only other Puritan writings we have read so far, but they seem to have similar themes. One of these themes would be their unmistakable presence of their faith in their writings. This is a huge characteristic of the Puritans and it is not surprising that their beliefs are seen in their literature as well. They not only just mention their relationship with God, but more so revolve their relationship with God around what they are experiencing and therefore writing. They definitely do not lay it on thinly. I think this is a very admirable trait of the Puritans and I can appreciate that they are not afraid to be and express themselves just the way they are through their writing. Plymouth Plantation talks a lot about how God helped them and was always there for them. I think one of the themes of this writing would be exactly that. How God can help you overcome obstacles if you simply put your faith in Him. "Seeing therefore the course was probable, they must rest herin Gods providence, as they had done in other things" (Bradford, Ch. V). Another characteristic of Puritan Writing that is reflected in Plymouth Plantation is how personable it is. The Puritans write very personally and honestly. An example of this would be the way that a big chunk of this literature piece is of letters. You see Bradford mentioning the dates and to whom and from whom each letter consisted of. "Your loving friend, Robart Cushman. Dartmouth, August 17. 1620" (Bradford, Ch. VIII). A similar theme with the Puritan's writings is how straight forward it is. This is something we also noticed in  "A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" by Mary Rowlandson  and "Upon the Burning of our House" by Anne Bradstreet. They tend to not exaggerate or complain about their unfortunate situation at the time, but simply state the facts about it saying this is what it was like. They are very humbled people, due to their trust in God, and I have yet to read about them complaining or questioning God's plan for them or their present state. This is also an admirable act and a good lesson for people to still read about today. I think that is one of the reasons that Plymouth Plantation is still taught and talked about. I actually find it very refreshing to read about the Puritans and their morals and strong faith. As a Christian, I definitely know how easy it can be to question God's plan and timing and be hesitant to trust that He has everything under control. Reading about the hardships the Puritans went through, and how that did not even shake their trust, I find so impressive. I feel like I can personally relate to them and it makes it that much more interesting and easier to read about history that may not be as exciting. The Puritans are definitely a people to model yourselves after.

Bradford, William, and Harvey Wish. Of Plymouth Plantation. New York: Capricorn, 1962. Print.

Journal #3

Honestly, I would not feel very great about being held hostage. I have never had to really think about what I would do in this situation. Some of my favorite books involve hostage situations. In middle school, we read a very interesting story about a girl who was taken hostage with her twin sister. The girl survived and was able to get away, but her twin sister was not as lucky. The rest of the plot involves her kidnappers continuing to hunt for her while her extremely protective brother does his best to keep her safe. I feel like my first reaction to being kidnapped would be fear and panic. I know I would try to fight them off and do my best to defend myself, but after being successfully taken hostage, I think I would simply be scared to death. During the first few days I think I would probably try to think of a way to escape of course. In the stories that we read, "A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" by Mary Rowlandson  and "Upon the Burning of our House" by Anne Bradstreet, both victims of the tragic situations coped by prayer and their trust in God. I feel that in this situation, I would do the same. There is no situation that God cannot handle and He is big enough to take care of anything you are dealing with. Being held hostage is no exception of this. I am sure I would be completely unsure of how or when or if I would escape my hostages, but I know for sure that God would not leave me. I would be praying twenty four seven in this situation. This would be the main way that I would cope. One of the reasons I think most people would become terrified in a situation like this would be because of the loneliness. I know, and even in a situation like this, that I am never truly alone. God will always be there.

Reflection Blog

Both "A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" by Mary Rowlandson and "Upon the Burning of our House" by Anne Bradstreet reflect the qualities of Puritan writing very well. One of the first reasons why they reflect the qualities of Puritan writing so well is because they are two different types of writings. "A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" takes the form of a book, while "Upon the Burning of our House" takes the form as a poem. Both styles of writing are effective and I think worked well for this subject. Another quality of Puritan writing that I noticed while reading these two pieces of literature was the Biblical scripture used through out the writings. This alone shows the Puritans' faith in God and their strong hold on their religion. One of the first Biblical references used talks about the story of Job and how when something terrible happens, there is only one surviving messenger to tell the news. This is how Mary Rowlandson feels about her story and experience. Another scenario where scripture is used is when Mary is struggling with loss, sickness, and unknown conditions of her children. Even in this uncertain time she knows God is always there. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee. Psal. lv.22" (Rowlandson, 85). "A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" also closes with a Bible verse and "Upon the Burning of our House" makes a reference to the book of Job as well. (Bradstreet, 91) I enjoyed the fact that these writings involved Bible scriptures and found them easy to relate to since I am personally familiar with the verses. An overall positive tone is a quality of both writings as well. This was actually very surprising to me. When I first read that this was going to be about kidnappings, invasion, and destruction of property, I figured the general mood would be quite melancholy. This was not the case however. Both authors were able to explain their tragic experiences while still maintaining a feeling of hope and strength. I think this was accomplished by the attitudes of each writer. Even though they were in horrible situations, they never gave up hope. An example of this was when Mary was almost at the point of starving,  yet she thanked God for the little food that she did have. Mary also talked about not focusing on the many little problems she is dealing with at the time, and focusing on the future and the salvation of the Lord. Anne Bradstreet also demonstrated this. An example would be when her house was burning and she could no longer bare to look, so she prayed by herself about how the Lord gives and takes away and blessed His name. They put their trust in God. They know that life on earth is only temporary and that no matter what hardships they face, they can look forward to life in heaven. "The world no longer let me love, My hope and treasure lies above" (Bradstreet, 91). This was one of my favorite quotes of "Upon the Burning of our House". Overall I really enjoyed both pieces of writings and I think they definitely represented the qualities of Puritan writing well.


Wilhelm, Jeffrey D., Douglas Fisher, Kathleen A. Hinchman, David G. O'Brien, Taffy Raphael, and Cynthia Hynd. Shanahan. Glencoe Literature. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print.

Journal #2

On a small farm in Tennessee, there lives a Bernese mountain dog named Bella. Bella grew up on the farm since she was a small pup, and was now, herself, expecting puppies of her own to be born any day. All of the animals on the farm were eager for the puppies arrival and so supportive of Bella. One of Bella's best friends on the farm was an orange tabby cat named Stubs. Stubs got his name because when he wandered up to the farm, he had only half a tail. And every time you ask him what happened, the story changes. Early on a Tuesday morning, Bella yelled to Stubs, "The puppies! They're coming!" Stubs leaped into action and did all he could to make her  more comfortable. Soon enough they had arrived, nine balls of fluff experiencing the world for the first time.  The puppies grew extremely fast, with a loving mother and best friend keeping a close eye on them. They kept the puppies from the rest of the farm animals until they were old enough to get around easily.. When the puppies were five weeks old, Bella decided to take them out for the first time. All of the animals were thrilled to finally meet them. One of the first friends they met was Mary the lamb. "The puppies are so beautiful, Bella!" "Thank you, Mary, they sure.." "Mom! Mom! I'm hungry!" "Me too Mom! Me too!" The puppies yelps had stopped Bella mid-sentence. Bella fed her puppies then moved on to visit Gary the goat. "Do they sleep well for you?" "It depends on.." "Mom I want to go play!" "Let's run outside!" Bella knew this interrupting had to stop. Bella explained to her puppies about patience and not interrupting others when you have something to say. She told them the next time they want to talk while she's talking, to put their paw on her leg so she knows, and then wait for her to finish. Lastly, they went to visit old Molly the cow. Bella and Molly chatted without one interruption from the puppies. "You sure have well-behaved little angels, Bella! Because of their good manners, I have a treat for them." Molly then dropped three large bones in front of their little faces. The puppies learned that having good manners, has its benefits!

Journal #1

This is the story of how the tiger got its stripes. Wild cats have always been the "top dogs".  Lions, tigers, all at the top of the food chain. Tigers have not always been there though. A long time ago, lions were the only reigning felines of the desert. As you know, lions travel in prides and one of the most famous and first prides in history lived in Africa in the Zambian plane. In this pride, there was of course a leader and his name was Tiger meaning , protector. Tiger was the fastest, strongest, bravest, and most suitable for head lion of the pride. He lead with great power and was a good leader and cared for everyone in his pride. Everyone looked up to Tiger and aspired to be just like him. Tiger had a loving lioness partner and a cub, which they named Tau. Tiger loved Tau more than anything in the world. One afternoon, in was extremely hot in the Zambian plane, and the pride could not remember the last time it had rained. Everything was dry and the heat was too powerful to bare. Tiger knew they were running low on food though and took a small group of lions out to hunt. Tiger licked his cub, Tau goodbye and headed out. When Tiger and the group were done hunting, they came back to find the entire plain in flames. A forest fire had struck and the fire was engulfing the entire area. The lions were scattered about helplessly trying to escape the flames. Tiger acted quickly ordering all of the lions to follow him to the river. When they reached the river, all of the lions were accounted for but one, his cub, Tao. Without hesitation, Tiger sprinted back to the plain as fast as his legs could carry him. He searched frantically, yelling for his beloved son. Then, trapped in the branches of a fallen thorn tree, he saw Tao unconscious from the smoke. Tiger crawled his way through the tangled thorn branches, tearing his skin with every step. He reached his son, scooped him up in his mouth, and traveled the same painful route out of the thorns. He slowly makes his way out of the now dying flames and travels back to the river where he collapses. He succeeded in saving his son, but he himself was not so lucky. Out of respect for their fallen leader, the pride uses the ashes left from the fire, to draw on black stripes to represent and remember the cuts Tiger endured, as the ultimate protector.

Jim Burden in My Antonia

Jim Burden is the other main character besides Antonia Shimerda in "My Antonia" by Willa Cather. Along with being a main character, he is also the perspective from which the book is written. This story takes place in Black Hawk, Nebraska and is of Jim Burden looking back at his past as an adult. Jim is described as being very romantic, caring, and bright. When we first meet Jim, his character is only ten years old. By the end of the book, we can really see how much he has matured. He is an orphan and lives on a farm with his grandparents. When the Shimerda's move in as their neighbors, Jim has no idea the effects they will have on him, especially the daughter, Antonia.  "I first heard of Antonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America" (Cather, 9). They had moved all the way from Bohemia and their move would have been a lot more challenging without the help of the Burdens. Jim was even the one who taught Antonia English. At first, Antonia saw herself as superior to Jim simply because she was four years older than him. But from the moment Jim saved them both from a five and a half foot snake, she considered themselves equal. The relationship and friendship between Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda is really what makes up the majority of the book. They are both very influential on each other and love each other like siblings. Their friendship is tested in several ways and especially through separation. Jim goes on to pursue his education while Antonia is stuck at home to work and support her family. Antonia later comes to town and finds work there and their friendship is reignited. They love being able to see each other every day, but once again life's demands causes them to part ways. Towards the end of book, after Jim had become a successful lawyer, he visits Antonia and finds her to be exactly as he remembered her. Their life-long friendship was tested consistently, but still remained unshaken. I think Jim was an admirable character and I enjoyed reading the book from his perspective.

Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Barns & Noble, 2003. Print.

Tone of My Antonia

Tone is a very important part of any book and "My Antonia" by Willa Cather is no exception to this. This book is a novel that takes place between the 1880s and 1910 and the setting is Black Hawk, Nebraska. The perspective is of Jim Burden looking back at his life and his friendships as an adult so the tone is very narrative. Books like this that simply tell a story or their life tend to have this type of tone. Narrative is not the only tone used in "My Antonia" though. For most of the story, the tone is more sad. The reason for this is because of saddening events that occur. One of these events was the death of Antonia's father Mr.Shimerda. After moving all the way from Bohemia, Antonia and her family have a hard time adjusting to the new country. Mr.Shimerda struggled the most though and his homesickness became severe. He eventually became so unhappy that he took his own life. This was an especially tragic event because it really came out of no where. Willa used dramatic irony in this situation which really made the tone more effective. The tone was also sad and dark during the winter where farm life was always a lot more demanding. An example of this was when all the snow came and the hardships with shoveling it all and still trying to take care of the animals. "The flakes came down so thickly that from the sitting-room windows I could not see beyond the windmill- its frame looked dim and grey, unsubstantial like a shadow" (Cather, 52). One last tone used in "My Antonia" by Willa Cather is nostalgic. This is because of the fact that the perspective of this book is written from Jim looking back at the past. The entire story is kind of like one big flashback and of Jim Burden reminiscing his childhood. These tones used were very important and effected the way the reader received the book.

Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Barns & Noble, 2003. Print.

Review of My Antonia

"My Antonia" by Willa Cather was a very well written book, in my opinion. I enjoyed it for several reasons. One of the first reasons was because of the characters. My favorite character in this book was Antonia Shimerda. I liked her a lot because of her characteristics. Antonia is a very independent, optimistic, hard working, adventurous woman and I think she is very admirable for that. I also liked that she was from Bohemia and I found the immigration parts of the book to be very interesting. My favorite part of the book about her was probably the way she handled herself when her fiance, Larry Donovan left her pregnant with his child. She was so strong in this situation and I loved that she kept the baby and loved it all the same. She was shameless even though she had a reason to simply give it up. "She loved it from the first as dearly as if she'd had a ring on her finger, and was never ashamed of it. It's a year and eight months old now, and no baby was ever better cared-for" (Cather, 190). Another character I enjoyed reading about was Jim Burden. I thought he was a likable character and I was pleased with the story being told from his point of view and seeing his thoughts. His relationship with Antonia was probably what I enjoyed the most. Their friendship was so honest and real that you could not help, but love it. It was encouraging to see that no about of distance between Jim and Antonia could shake their life-long friendship and sincere love for each other. This book reminded me a lot about "The Little House on the Prairie" series. These were some of my favorite books while growing up and it was nice reading something with a similar theme. The only thing I did not enjoy about this book was probably the length, which is not a big deal. It was very detailed and wordy, but I guess without it, it would not be the same book. "My Antonia" was definitely my favorite of the four books I read.

Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Barns & Noble, 2003. Print.

My Antonia question #8

"My Antonia" by Willa Cather reflects events in history very well. I think the author did a good job describing events and you could really picture what it was like back then. One of the main reasons the events are reflected so well is because of the amount of detail put into this book. Willa is very specific about the setting and describes the environment very well so it is easy to picture in your head while reading. One of the main historical events I picked out was the gold rush in Alaska. This was very exciting for the people of this time and the author reflected that well. One of the girls from the book, Tiny Soderball actually makes a small fortune from it. Other events reflected was when dancing became popular and the different dances that came to town. Antonia loved them and was a natural dancer. I think overall events in history were reflected well. As far as responsibilities Cather believed existed between various groups in society, I think the town workers and farm workers were one of them. I think this just because of the completely different lifestyles the two groups lived and how manual labor for a woman was looked down upon. On the farm, Antonia worked in the fields like the men, but when she came in town to work she had to present herself as a lady. If Antonia had come to town looking like she did on the farm, she would be judged more than she already was. Another set of responsibilities I think Cather believed in could have existed between different groups in society was between men and women. Now I do not think there was a huge difference, but it did seem like the women were meant to work in the home while the men had job. When Antonia was forced to work in the fields, it was not common. Examples of the men having real jobs would be Antonia's ex-fiance, Larry Donovan, who was a railroad conductor, and also Jim Burden, who became a lawyer. The jobs the women had in this book consisted of littler occupations like dress making or a laundry service. I think Willa Cather was probably influenced by the Alaskan gold rush and new immigrants to the country.

Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Barns & Noble, 2003. Print.

My Antonia question #7

Willa Cather uses several techniques while writing "My Antonia" to engage the audience and make the story effective. Some of the techniques used would be tragedy, betrayal, and love. Like I said, tragedy is one of the first techniques used in this story. An example of this would be the death of Mr.Shimerda in the first section of the book. Mr.Shimerda and his family had just moved to Black Hawk, Nebraska and he struggled with the move a lot harder than the others. Mr.Shimerda was extremely homesick and was not happy in this new country. He missed it so much that he thought the only solution was to take his own life. This was a very tragic event and both the Shimerda family and Burden family were devastated. "Old Mr. Shimerda is dead, and his family are in great distress. Ambrosch came over here in the middle of the night, and you must not bother them with questions" (Cather, 61). This event, although tragic, really brought everyone closer together. Another technique used in this book was betrayal. This was farther in the book towards the end. Antonia Shimerda was going to be married to Larry Donovan. When Larry loss his job, however, he no longer had intentions on marrying her. He stayed with her until she ran out of money and then he walked out of her life. He deserted her and left her pregnant with his child. Antonia was heart broken and yet she still tried to make the best of the situation. She loved the baby and was a wonderful mother. In the end of the book, she ends up having ten children. One last technique used I think was love. I do not mean this in the way between husband and wife love or anything but simply the loving friendship between Antonia Shimerda and Jim Burden. Their friendship was encouraging and it was enjoyable to read how they overcame their separation and maintained their friendship for life. All of these techniques used really added to the book and made it that much more interesting to read.

Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Barns & Noble, 2003. Print.

My Antonia question #6

I think there are many reasons that we still read the book "My Antonia" by Willa Cather today. These reasons would be the message, characters, and lessons taught from reading this book. The plot of this story is all about friendship and the past. In this book, Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda have a life-long friendship that is tested in several ways including separation. The past is involved because of the perspective, which is Jim Burden looking back at his life as an adult. I would say the message of their story would be how friendships and relationships  effect a person's life. An example of this would be when Antonia and her family first move to Black Hawk, Nebraska. Being immigrants, they are foreign to farm life and the Burdens really help them to adapt. Also, Jim and Antonia's friendship was very influential on both of them in the way that Jim taught Antonia English, and then the way Jim lit up when Antonia was around. Another reason we can still enjoy this book today is because of the timeless characters. One of my favorite characters is Antonia and she can be very relatable to a large range of readers. One way she is relatable is because she is a very independent and strong woman. This is very admirable, and being a woman myself, I enjoyed these character traits in her. Antonia is also relatable in the way that she had to stay at home and work to support her family. This is something that people today still are faced with and a lot of families have to deal with things of this nature. She is relatable in the way that her husband deserted her with a baby as well. Unfortunately this is quite common in our society today, but it was also admirable how she was unashamed of her baby and loved it all the same. "I replied that grandmother had written me how Antonia went away to marry Larry Donovan at some place where he was working; that he had deserted her, and that there was now a baby" (Cather, 179). One last reason for why we still read this book today is because of the lesson. From this book, one can learn that hard work pays off and that no amount of distance can break true friendship.

Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Barns & Noble, 2003. Print.