The will to survive. Mother and child. The prerogative given to every human being. But who really knows who has control over this vital responsibility?
Take the Titanic for example. Who was really to blame for that "unsinkable" ship going down? Some would say it was the engineers fault, because they did not make the hull strong enough. Others would claim that it is the captain's fault for ignoring the six warning signals, all of them informing the captain that danger was ahead. Or maybe it was Mother Nautre's fault for setting an iceburg there. Others, still, were convinced that the sole reason the Titanic sank was for the weight of the potatoes of on board.Whichever you agree with does not matter; in fact, it is difficult to decide which is to blame (I think we can rule out the potato idea.) Who is to blame for the deaths of 1,517 people?
A good example of the zeal to survive can be found in the Call of the Wild. When Buck, a faithful family dog, is taken away and sold by a greedy farm hand. As the novel progresses, Buck abandons his fromer self, a friendly, loveable pet, and adopts a more primal way of life in order to survive the brutal climate he was sold into. Buck never would have been forced to adapt had he not been thrown into such a circumstance. So who is to blame for his struggles? The greedy farm hand? Mother Nature? The other dogs for making survival so difficult?
Maybe no one has contol over there life. Or maybe we all have every bit of contorl of our lives on this planet. All I know is that whichever view point you take, we all have an effect on our lives, and ultimitley, our suvival.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
3B Paragraph Promt Response
"Of the several reasons why the book is a classic, perhaps the most important is the portrayal of Victor Frankenstein as a compassionate utopian destroyed by hubris."- Dean Kootz
I believe that Dean Kootz is right. Victor Frankenstein stated that he had one of the happiest childhoods on the planet. His happiness was destroyed by his own superfluous scientific curiosity. If Frankenstein had never tried to prove that he could create a human, he never would have found his life ruined. Dean Kootz was right about Victor Frankenstein, he was as perfect as a human could get until he was destroyed by his own pride.
I believe that Dean Kootz is right. Victor Frankenstein stated that he had one of the happiest childhoods on the planet. His happiness was destroyed by his own superfluous scientific curiosity. If Frankenstein had never tried to prove that he could create a human, he never would have found his life ruined. Dean Kootz was right about Victor Frankenstein, he was as perfect as a human could get until he was destroyed by his own pride.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Creating Life: Frankensteien
If given the power to create life as Frankenstein did, I do believe would choose not to. I think that a human trying to create another human- in the unconventional sense- is wrong. However, I will not lie to you and say that I would not be intrigued by the idea.
As a member of the Christian Faith, my objections to the idea of creating life should be obvious to you. I feel that it is God's place to create such things, and God's only. If someone tried to create life- using embryos, cloning, you name it- is 1) out of your power and 2) imperfect. Things can go wrong. Look and Frankenstein's creation for proof.
On the flip-side, I would be interested, all religion put aside. Creating something as complex as a human with your own hands would be both fascinating and alarming. It would, in a sense, make you feel power.
Again, I would be interested, but it is wrong.
As a member of the Christian Faith, my objections to the idea of creating life should be obvious to you. I feel that it is God's place to create such things, and God's only. If someone tried to create life- using embryos, cloning, you name it- is 1) out of your power and 2) imperfect. Things can go wrong. Look and Frankenstein's creation for proof.
On the flip-side, I would be interested, all religion put aside. Creating something as complex as a human with your own hands would be both fascinating and alarming. It would, in a sense, make you feel power.
Again, I would be interested, but it is wrong.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Thoughts before Frankenstein
Frankenstein. The classic horror story. Everyone has had childhood nightmares about a not-quite-alive green monster coming to eat them. Before my eleventh grade English class reads this creepy tale, I have a few thoughts to share.
Can man create life?
As a Christian, no, I do not believe man can develop another human being. That is God's territory. However, all religious beliefs put aside, I do believe it is possible. However, with the technology we have these day, the humanoid may not be as easy to create, nor as crude, as Dr. Frankenstein's monster.
Do I believe in immortality?
The answer to that is 'no.' As an avid Harry Potter fan, I do not believe that the Philosopher's Stone- or anything similar to it, for that matter- can exist. In contradiction to this, immortality can be achieved in other ways than living forever. Just look at the Greek and Roman achievements- we have never forgotten them.
Of all the books we have read in this class, I am most excited about reading Frankenstein. I just hope that it cracks up to my expectations!
Can man create life?
As a Christian, no, I do not believe man can develop another human being. That is God's territory. However, all religious beliefs put aside, I do believe it is possible. However, with the technology we have these day, the humanoid may not be as easy to create, nor as crude, as Dr. Frankenstein's monster.
Do I believe in immortality?
The answer to that is 'no.' As an avid Harry Potter fan, I do not believe that the Philosopher's Stone- or anything similar to it, for that matter- can exist. In contradiction to this, immortality can be achieved in other ways than living forever. Just look at the Greek and Roman achievements- we have never forgotten them.
Of all the books we have read in this class, I am most excited about reading Frankenstein. I just hope that it cracks up to my expectations!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
2012 Theme Word
I choose the word friendship. Despite popular belief, I struggle with making and maintaining friendships with people. I have two that I really trust and love, but both have moved away- I rarely get to see them. It's been hard, but I haven't really felt the effects until recently. I think this is what has caused my friendships with people at this school (said friends being a whopping 3 people) to shutter and become uneven.
I've thought about this, and I've come to the conclusion that I should retie certain bonds with old friends. I've become distant with them, pushing them away and throwing up walls because of the hole that usually contain the two. (I'm making it sound like they died...) This hasn't helped my situation in the slightest. However, in my defense, I feel easily betrayed, sometimes even questioning loyalties, and this is exactly what has gotten me into this rut. I need to focus on forgiveness- maybe that should have been my word.
This year, I really feel obligated to find more friends, even though I will never be able to replace the two that I have. This is easier said than done. I'm a very shy person, and feel awkward even around people I've know for years. But I've made a vow to myself (and my parents) that I intend to keep. I want to befriend new people.
In time, I believe my wounds will heal. But until then, I need to become a more outgoing, friendly person.
I've thought about this, and I've come to the conclusion that I should retie certain bonds with old friends. I've become distant with them, pushing them away and throwing up walls because of the hole that usually contain the two. (I'm making it sound like they died...) This hasn't helped my situation in the slightest. However, in my defense, I feel easily betrayed, sometimes even questioning loyalties, and this is exactly what has gotten me into this rut. I need to focus on forgiveness- maybe that should have been my word.
This year, I really feel obligated to find more friends, even though I will never be able to replace the two that I have. This is easier said than done. I'm a very shy person, and feel awkward even around people I've know for years. But I've made a vow to myself (and my parents) that I intend to keep. I want to befriend new people.
In time, I believe my wounds will heal. But until then, I need to become a more outgoing, friendly person.
Monday, December 19, 2011
My Antonia: Book Review
Willa Cather in her novel My Antonia offers her view of life during the pioneer time.
How would My Ántonia be different if it were told from Ántonia's perspective?
If the story was told from Antonia's perspective, I do not think that much would change much at all. The hardships and outcomes would be different, obviously, but the overall theme would be the same. Both Antonia and Jim become who the are because of the trials they had to overcome in their childhood (ie, Mr. Shimerda's death, moving in with grandparents, and long hard winters).
How effective is Cather, a woman, at narrating a story from the point of view of a man? Does Jim sound like a man writing, or does the narrative sound like a woman pretending to be a man?
I think that Willa Cather does an excellent job at narrating My Antonia. Jim sounds like a man writing, even if he does sound like a rather laid-back, carefree man.
Why do you think Jim changed the title from Antonia to My Antonia?
I think he changed the name of the title to show that Antonia was a key factor in his life. She helped him become the man he is, and vice versa. The title change showed how important their friendship was.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story. It has all the key factors that novels should have, friendships, hardships, and learning to grow up.
How would My Ántonia be different if it were told from Ántonia's perspective?
If the story was told from Antonia's perspective, I do not think that much would change much at all. The hardships and outcomes would be different, obviously, but the overall theme would be the same. Both Antonia and Jim become who the are because of the trials they had to overcome in their childhood (ie, Mr. Shimerda's death, moving in with grandparents, and long hard winters).
How effective is Cather, a woman, at narrating a story from the point of view of a man? Does Jim sound like a man writing, or does the narrative sound like a woman pretending to be a man?
I think that Willa Cather does an excellent job at narrating My Antonia. Jim sounds like a man writing, even if he does sound like a rather laid-back, carefree man.
Why do you think Jim changed the title from Antonia to My Antonia?
I think he changed the name of the title to show that Antonia was a key factor in his life. She helped him become the man he is, and vice versa. The title change showed how important their friendship was.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story. It has all the key factors that novels should have, friendships, hardships, and learning to grow up.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Effect of Setting
Author Willa Cather embedded literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, within her writing.
"As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea. The red of the grass made all the great prairie the colour of wine-stains, or of certain seaweeds when they are first washed up. And there was so much motion in it; the whole country seemed, somehow, to be running."
"The grave, with its tall red grass that was never mowed, was like a little island."
"Winter comes down savagely over a little town on the prairie. The wind that sweeps in from the open country strips away all the leafy screens that hide one yard from another in summer, and the houses seem to draw closer together. The roofs, that looked so far away across the green treetops, now stare you in the face, and they are so much uglier than when their angles were softened by vines and shrubs.
Chunk #1: Comment the effect of the setting on the characters within the novel.
The setting of this novel has a major effect of the characters, Antonia especially. After her fathers death, she becomes driven to prove herself, working hard on her family's new farm. She becomes tan, her hair becomes long and ragged, and she becomes bulkier because of the hard work she has become dedicated to.
Chunk #2: discuss the effect a setting on you, including imagery (lots of adjectives) and a simile or a metaphor as you describe the land.
The tree in my front yard symbolizes a refuge to me, especially during a rain shower. The canopy of leaves protects me and the swing underneath from rain drops above. In the background, gently playing, piano music plays. The rain loves music, and dances along to the beat as she falls. Sitting beside me, warm, a cup of steaming black coffee. In my hands, a book. A thick, juicy book, filled with excitement and adventure I haven't fathomed. This is my moment of bliss, under the tree, my book, the rain, and me.
"As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea. The red of the grass made all the great prairie the colour of wine-stains, or of certain seaweeds when they are first washed up. And there was so much motion in it; the whole country seemed, somehow, to be running."
"The grave, with its tall red grass that was never mowed, was like a little island."
"Winter comes down savagely over a little town on the prairie. The wind that sweeps in from the open country strips away all the leafy screens that hide one yard from another in summer, and the houses seem to draw closer together. The roofs, that looked so far away across the green treetops, now stare you in the face, and they are so much uglier than when their angles were softened by vines and shrubs.
Chunk #1: Comment the effect of the setting on the characters within the novel.
The setting of this novel has a major effect of the characters, Antonia especially. After her fathers death, she becomes driven to prove herself, working hard on her family's new farm. She becomes tan, her hair becomes long and ragged, and she becomes bulkier because of the hard work she has become dedicated to.
Chunk #2: discuss the effect a setting on you, including imagery (lots of adjectives) and a simile or a metaphor as you describe the land.
The tree in my front yard symbolizes a refuge to me, especially during a rain shower. The canopy of leaves protects me and the swing underneath from rain drops above. In the background, gently playing, piano music plays. The rain loves music, and dances along to the beat as she falls. Sitting beside me, warm, a cup of steaming black coffee. In my hands, a book. A thick, juicy book, filled with excitement and adventure I haven't fathomed. This is my moment of bliss, under the tree, my book, the rain, and me.
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