BLOG #7 – Consider the notion that everything is an argument. Choose one of the two books you read this summer – compose a critical analysis of the book addressing what argument the author is making – consider the author is making this argument indirectly (think of what theme/ societal comment the author is making, and go from there). Your opinion should be central to this topic
Sue Monk Kidd's, Secret Life of Bees, is an argument for women's empowerment, and for racism. The Boatwright sister's, three main characters, are all strong, independant, successful African American women. They seem to embody her argument that women can be and should be independent no matter their color.
She also argues that racism is irrational. It is revealed through Lily's stay with the boatwright sister's that Lily harbors a small amount of racism through her growing up in a racist area. The more Lily becomes attached to the sister's, the more Lily realizes that there is no need for her racism towards them, therefore that it is irrational for her to have harbored these feelings all along.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Blog 5
BLOG 5 – reflect on our class discussion today on how the box man chooses solitude over what society says he should do. Write about any one question brought up during that discussion (for example, is there such a thing as nonconformity, is conformity necessarily a bad thing, discuss the extent to which high schoolers live by this principle, etc.).
Is conformity necessarily a bad thing?
Everyday, I walk through the halls of Vacaville Highschool and i see conformity. I see conformity in the way girls straighten their hair, wear their too-tight tops, and the way they skip lunch to fit into those Lucky jeans. I see conformity in the way guys ride through the halls on their long boards, listen to their i-pods, and the way they wear flat brimmed hats. But as I take a step into the door of any of my AP classes i see the conformity that takes place there. The conformity to achieve good grades, get into amazing colleges, and overall be the future for tomorrow's society. Good conformity.
So, here lies the question: Is conformity a bad thing?
In my opinion, not all conformity is bad. The conformity that I surround myself with is good conformity; the conformity to better ourselves as human beings by striving for a good education.
High schoolers are the number one conformists, we conform to be popular, or to fit in. But we, as teenagers, also have a choice to either conform for worse or for better. I'll choose the latter.
Is conformity necessarily a bad thing?
Everyday, I walk through the halls of Vacaville Highschool and i see conformity. I see conformity in the way girls straighten their hair, wear their too-tight tops, and the way they skip lunch to fit into those Lucky jeans. I see conformity in the way guys ride through the halls on their long boards, listen to their i-pods, and the way they wear flat brimmed hats. But as I take a step into the door of any of my AP classes i see the conformity that takes place there. The conformity to achieve good grades, get into amazing colleges, and overall be the future for tomorrow's society. Good conformity.
So, here lies the question: Is conformity a bad thing?
In my opinion, not all conformity is bad. The conformity that I surround myself with is good conformity; the conformity to better ourselves as human beings by striving for a good education.
High schoolers are the number one conformists, we conform to be popular, or to fit in. But we, as teenagers, also have a choice to either conform for worse or for better. I'll choose the latter.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Blog 6
BLOG #6– With “The Box Man” in mind, choose a subject that would normally be described in a negative way by your average person. Modeling Ascher’s approach, use your own personal experiences to persuade someone to see that subject in a different light.
I type the URL into the search bar, press enter. When the website's home page appears I type in my username, and my password and there, right in front of me is endless communication with loved ones, and far away friends.
In the time it takes internet explorer to load the page, I have already "liked" what everyone is doing today, asked my friends questions about our homework, and commented my long-distance best friends new photos. It reminds me whos birthday is when, and it lets my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins check in and see how life is treating me. It also lets fundraisers and extracurriculars gain support, along with local charities and businesses.
While I update my status to fill in friends and family, Others lose touch and fall slowly away from today's electronic society.
I type the URL into the search bar, press enter. When the website's home page appears I type in my username, and my password and there, right in front of me is endless communication with loved ones, and far away friends.
In the time it takes internet explorer to load the page, I have already "liked" what everyone is doing today, asked my friends questions about our homework, and commented my long-distance best friends new photos. It reminds me whos birthday is when, and it lets my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins check in and see how life is treating me. It also lets fundraisers and extracurriculars gain support, along with local charities and businesses.
While I update my status to fill in friends and family, Others lose touch and fall slowly away from today's electronic society.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Blog 4
BLOG 4: Using “The Box Man” as a model, compare and contrast two things that are different but ironically similar (like how the Box Man is ironically similar to the two old ladies because they are all alone, but the women never would have compared themselves to a homeless man.)
The bully and the bullied. One, a bulky, buffed-up, loud, nuisance while the other, a scrawny, red-headed, freckled kid clutching onto his lunch money.
The bully spends his days finding "the bullied", taking his lunch, pulling up his whitey-tighteys, and calling him dweeb. He walks down the hallways, watching as other kids "book-it" in the other direction. No one wants a confrontation. No one talks back to him. No one stands up for themselves. After a long day of pushing freshmen, and back sassing teachers, he comes home to reality. He is unhappy and hurting the bullied does not help his inner issues. Deep down he is insecure.
The bullied spends his days being shoved in lockers, and hiding in the bathroom. He tries at all costs not to be noticed in the hallways, and prays that his perpetual wedgie will stop hurting by sixth period. He slumps down in his desk dreading the final bell, dreading his next encounter with the bully. He walks down the halls, head down, not looking or talking to anyone. His days adventures with the bully have taken there toll. Like everyday, he goes home feeling unwanted, self conscious, and insecure about himself.
Looking at the two of them, they do not look alike, they do not spend their free time in the same way, they are in most ways, absolutely different. But people can be two completely different beings, but have the same issues.
The bully and the bullied. One, a bulky, buffed-up, loud, nuisance while the other, a scrawny, red-headed, freckled kid clutching onto his lunch money.
The bully spends his days finding "the bullied", taking his lunch, pulling up his whitey-tighteys, and calling him dweeb. He walks down the hallways, watching as other kids "book-it" in the other direction. No one wants a confrontation. No one talks back to him. No one stands up for themselves. After a long day of pushing freshmen, and back sassing teachers, he comes home to reality. He is unhappy and hurting the bullied does not help his inner issues. Deep down he is insecure.
The bullied spends his days being shoved in lockers, and hiding in the bathroom. He tries at all costs not to be noticed in the hallways, and prays that his perpetual wedgie will stop hurting by sixth period. He slumps down in his desk dreading the final bell, dreading his next encounter with the bully. He walks down the halls, head down, not looking or talking to anyone. His days adventures with the bully have taken there toll. Like everyday, he goes home feeling unwanted, self conscious, and insecure about himself.
Looking at the two of them, they do not look alike, they do not spend their free time in the same way, they are in most ways, absolutely different. But people can be two completely different beings, but have the same issues.
Blog 3
Blog 3: Choose one of the two books you read this summer as part of your summer enrichment and compose a critical review. Imagine this review would appear in the New York Times – your audience is well read professionals. Make sure you are clear about whether they should read this book or not and why.
Secret life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd's, Secret Life of Bees, is a delightful tale of powerful women, strong tradition, endless friendships, and beekeeping. Lily Owens, the narrator and bright fourteen-year-old who brings this story to life, lives with her unloving, emotionally detached father T. Ray in Sylvan, South Carolina. Lily's mother was shot in an accident that T. Ray blames on Lily. Motherless, Lily strives to know who her mother was and where she had traveled. When her "stand in" mother Rosaleen, a large, feisty African American, runs into trouble with three of Carolina's biggest racists, Lily decides it is time to leave Sylvan, and her past behind. Taking with her only a few articles of clothing and three of her mothers things; a picture of an African American Virgin Mary, gloves, and a picture of her mother, Lily and Rosaleen break out of jail and head for Tiburon, South Carolina.
Arriving at an eyesore of a pink house, Lily and Rosaleen are introduced to the Boatwright sisters; August, the beekeeper, June, the musician, and May, the emotional one. Lily gives them a fake identity, and asks if her and Rosaleen can stay with them for a while. August graciously invites them to stay, and here is where the real story begins.
This novel is filled with the true value of friendship, motherly love, and growing up. It takes you on a journey, following Lily's change form girl to young women, her acceptance of race, and her acceptance of her mothers choices.
It is a light, heartfelt read. Great for any and all age. Sue Monk Kidd's writing style is flawless, and so descriptive you'd swear you were in the South, too.
I highly, highly recommend this to anyone looking for a short story about life and the trials and tribulations in it.
Secret life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd's, Secret Life of Bees, is a delightful tale of powerful women, strong tradition, endless friendships, and beekeeping. Lily Owens, the narrator and bright fourteen-year-old who brings this story to life, lives with her unloving, emotionally detached father T. Ray in Sylvan, South Carolina. Lily's mother was shot in an accident that T. Ray blames on Lily. Motherless, Lily strives to know who her mother was and where she had traveled. When her "stand in" mother Rosaleen, a large, feisty African American, runs into trouble with three of Carolina's biggest racists, Lily decides it is time to leave Sylvan, and her past behind. Taking with her only a few articles of clothing and three of her mothers things; a picture of an African American Virgin Mary, gloves, and a picture of her mother, Lily and Rosaleen break out of jail and head for Tiburon, South Carolina.
Arriving at an eyesore of a pink house, Lily and Rosaleen are introduced to the Boatwright sisters; August, the beekeeper, June, the musician, and May, the emotional one. Lily gives them a fake identity, and asks if her and Rosaleen can stay with them for a while. August graciously invites them to stay, and here is where the real story begins.
This novel is filled with the true value of friendship, motherly love, and growing up. It takes you on a journey, following Lily's change form girl to young women, her acceptance of race, and her acceptance of her mothers choices.
It is a light, heartfelt read. Great for any and all age. Sue Monk Kidd's writing style is flawless, and so descriptive you'd swear you were in the South, too.
I highly, highly recommend this to anyone looking for a short story about life and the trials and tribulations in it.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Blog 2
BLOG #2: Recall your own nonfiction literary history. List any nonfiction books (the “other literature”) that you have read that fall into the following categories: autobiography, diary, biography, history, criticism, personal essay collection, journalists, political commentary, scientific topics, nature topics and humor. After listing such works, list any famous lines, ideas, issues or themes remembered from the nonfiction works you have listed. Recall from memory what you can. Discuss a particular philosophy on life that was imparted to you through one of those works. Consider the extent to which you would emulate this philosophy in your own life.
All But My Life- Autobiography
Diary of Anne Frank- Diary
Nirvana- Biography
Founding Brothers- History
Flags of Our Fathers- History
Surviving the Nazi Death Camps- Biography
Amelia Earhart- Biography
Mr Blue Jeans- Biography
Corporal Punishment Articles- Journalists
Steroid Articles- Journalists
Little House on the Prairie- Autobiography
lines:
“Now I have to live,” I said to myself, “because I am alone and nothing can hurt me any more.”- ABML
"Men make history"- FB
All But My Life displays the theme of hope. The girl ends up with absolutely nothing but still has an optimistic out look on life. I emulate this philosophy immensely in my life. I believe we all should have a hopeful outlook on life. Everyone needs to get back up when they get thrown down.
All But My Life- Autobiography
Diary of Anne Frank- Diary
Nirvana- Biography
Founding Brothers- History
Flags of Our Fathers- History
Surviving the Nazi Death Camps- Biography
Amelia Earhart- Biography
Mr Blue Jeans- Biography
Corporal Punishment Articles- Journalists
Steroid Articles- Journalists
Little House on the Prairie- Autobiography
lines:
“Now I have to live,” I said to myself, “because I am alone and nothing can hurt me any more.”- ABML
"Men make history"- FB
All But My Life displays the theme of hope. The girl ends up with absolutely nothing but still has an optimistic out look on life. I emulate this philosophy immensely in my life. I believe we all should have a hopeful outlook on life. Everyone needs to get back up when they get thrown down.
Blog 1
Blog Entry 1 - Please compose a creative introduction of yourself to your classmates. You must keep your introduction to not more than 50 words, and it must as fully as possible introduce yourself to us, in a creative way.
Family and food. Synonyms to my close-knit Italian family. Sitting around large, wooden tables passing pasta, bread, and conversation. The chewing of meals and the clinking of glasses drowned out by loud chatter and joyous laughter. I have always grown up with strong family ties and a strong sense of my heritage.
Family and food. Synonyms to my close-knit Italian family. Sitting around large, wooden tables passing pasta, bread, and conversation. The chewing of meals and the clinking of glasses drowned out by loud chatter and joyous laughter. I have always grown up with strong family ties and a strong sense of my heritage.