Throughout history you hear "The American Dream" referenced numerous times. For many people the reality of just living in America is a dream come true, others strive for more and dream of becoming rich and famous. The majority of Americans live our their dreams by having a family, settling down with a good job, and raising their kids the right way. No matter how you look at it, "The American Dream" can be satisfied many different ways. Fitzgerald attempts to portray this circumstance and how it does differ throughout and in the end of the book.
Gatsby is perhaps the most prominent character in the book that Fitzgerald talks about his American Dream throughout the plot. Gatsby's dream was in a sense based off of one person, Daisy. When Gatsby and Daisy first fell in love around the time of the war, Gatsby thought she would wait for him, but because he was not as rich and went off to war, Daisy went and married Tom, a more well off man. Gatsby's dream then became to become wealthy, so that he could eventually get Daisy back in his life.
Obviously we know that this dream did not come completely through. Although Gatsby did reach out to Nick and Jordan and did reaquaint himself with Daisy, his dream of them "riding off into the sunset" so to say did not happen. Daisy wasn't so willing to just up and leave Tom and eventually Gatsby was killed. This can be viewed different ways about just what Fitzgerald was trying to portray about "The American Dream". One view may be that although Gatsby was wealthy and lived lavishly, he did not end up happy or with what he wanted most. Obviously this pointing at the fact that money cannot buy you happiness. The other theme that this could be hitting is that Gatsby had worked so hard, waited so long, he still "failed" in the end. In other words, you can't always end up with what you want or how you want it, no matter how hard you try.
Other characters are also personalized in the story to aim at the American Dream. George for one, is a character who was much like many Americans in the fact that George wanted to own his own shop, make a decent living, and live his life happily with his wife. George however, did not reach this dream as his wife cheated on him for a more wealthy man and George could not compare because he was located in the ashes. Daisy is also portrayed as a woman who's American Dream was based off of a materialistic want. Daisy wanted nice things and wanted to live nice. But seems to not be sincerely happy because of this desire for materialistic items.
Fitzgerald aims to take his own take on the American Dream throughout The Great Gatsby. He tries to include the positive and morally right dreams like George. However he also knocks at the 20s where most people wanted one thing and one thing only, materialistic items.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Blog #9
The argument on abortion. My stand: against allowing it.
Points:
Points:
Humanity of the act of abortion.
- unborn babies are beings from the moment of conception. They become a fetus, where the develop and grow, such as humans do. There fore killing a fetus is the same as killing a being.
- Fetuses feel pain during the procedure.Any abortion after 20 weeks would cause the baby to feel, and I quote from Kanwaljeet J. S. Anand, MBBS, DPhil, Professor of Pediatrics at U of Tennessee, "severe and excruciating pain."
- The basis of our Found Fathers states in the Declaration of Independence that "All men are greated equal, that they are endowned by their Creator with certain unalenable Rights." the act of taking this fetus, which will some day grow up to be a human being that will live by these foundations, is depriving them of their unalienable rights.
- As for the argument that an unborn fetus is not a living being that deserves to have the rights given by the foundation of the country, if the bacteria and microorganisms found of Mars are counted as living life, than how is a fetus not considered the same?
- abortions cause psychological damage, in a peer-reviewed study by the southern Medical Jornal, more than 173,000 that women who aborted at 154% more likely to committ suicide
- because of the increase in estrogen level and the increase in breast size in preparation of pregnancy, when an abortion abrubtly stops the pregnancy, immature cells are left in the breats increasng potential risk of breast cancer. ( organizations that support this finding)
- regardless of "keeping God and government separate" or however they try and spin that, the Founding Fathers built this nation and our foundation on faith. "One nation, under GOD" ; "endowed by their CREATOR" the sixth commandment simply states, "Thou shall not kill."
- at conception the embryo is geneticall distinct from the mother. A developing embryo is genetically differnet from a mother, different from the sperm and egg that created it.
- an embryo has 46 chromosomes, sperm and egg have 23. A geneticist can distinguish between DNA of an embryo and sperm and egg. But not the difference between the chromosomes of embryo and full-grown human being.
- definition of life/death. death used to be defined by the cessation of heartbeat. If death is defined by the cessation of the heart, than is a heartbeat the proof of life? If so than the almost all abortions would be outlawed because the heart is formed by the 18th day in the womb. Even if the criterion for death is brain wave activity now, most abortions would be outlawed because the brain is developed within 40 days in the womb.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Blog #7
Walt Whitman - Walt Whitman was a poet and journalist bron May 31, 1819 in West Hills, New York. He was the second of eight surviving children, so he grew up in an average family for that time period.He grew up on a decently large size of land however his father had sold some of it as he grew up. As Walt grew up his love for America that he has shown throughout his life can be attributed to his parents. His brothers are named after U.S. presidents, GW, Thomas Jefferson, and Andrew Jackson. When Whitman was 17 he began teaching ata one room schoolhouse in LongIsland, where he taught for 5 years. He then turned his attention to journalism, starting his own weekly paper and eventually becoming the editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
Walt made his name in poetry in 1855 when he self published a collection of 12 poems titled Leaves of Grass. The more free verse style of poetry departed Whitman from traditional rhyme and meter pieces.Although the book received little attention at first, after catching Ralph Waldo Emerson's eye gained slight popularity and resulted in Whitman releasing a 2nd version of 33 poems.
Whitman is known as perhaps the most influencial poet in American history.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow- Henry Longfellow was born on February 27,1807 in Portland, Maine as the 2nd of 8 children in the family. He was enrolled in a dame school at the age of three and by age six was enrolled at the private Portland Academy. There he developed into a fine student and learned the art of speaking Latin. He wrote his first poem, a poem showing his love and patriotic beliefs called The Battle of Lovell's Pond in 1820. Two years later, at the age 15 he enrolled in Bowdoin College in Maine, where his grandfather was a founder of the college and father a trustee. Later in life he joined the language faculty at Havard University. His poem Voices of the Night brought him into the starlight popularity. He went on to write "The Village Blacksmith," Evangeline," and "Hiawatha." in his later years, showing where he got his name known for simplicity and gentleness in his pieces. He was known as a "thoroughbred gentleman" and always kept an optimistic view in all his writings. He wrote books during his teaching career at Bowdoin and Havard, giving him the title of one of the most influential writers of all time.
Whitman and Longfellow, had for starters the fact that they were both great writers in common. Both are referenced as perhaps the most influential, innovative writer (or poet) in American history. Each having their own arguements. They also have other characeristics of writing and living in common. They were both part of the first generation to born into this "New America" where it was completely formed and a separate nation in its own. This gave them a different background than authors and thinkers in the past. Past writers of any sort had that feeling and rememberance of having Great Britain in their life and a lot of that history and beliefs transfered over into their artifacts of writing. Whitman and Longfellow had none of that, so their beliefs and feelings they expressed throught poetry differed, such as Whitman's love and belief in democracy and America. They also have a sort "openness" in their writings in common. Whitman was known to have no style, no structure to his writing, and has been criticized because of it. But isn't poetry based on the open mind and the idea that you can truly do what you want to express what you feel. From what I have learned about poetry is that the authors that "break the rules" and be innovated are the ones we glorify. Longfellow had structure, but was so optimistic and free flowing in his writings and poems that he as well comes off in this category.
The difference between the two men are vast, as are all differences between two people. But one that caught my eye is how they were raised, Whitman grew up in a large family, (which so did Longfellow) but it seems to come off that his family struggled. His father had sold their land and struggled trying retrieve back throughout Walt's life. As Walt grew older his family issues grew, his brother was an alcoholic and his sister was mentally impaired. Longfellow, although shared the same amount of siblings, grew up in the first brick house in Portland, Maine. His grandfather sounds like the kind of grandpa who gives his grandchildren and family more than they need. His grandfather was a founder at Bowdoin College and father a trustee so I imagine the money couldn't have been too tight.
Although the two writers have their own stories, own styles, and own legacies, I have learned that both men can be paired together as some what simliar, but I am now definitely sure that both authors were great writers, and all the claims of them being "one of the most innovative and influential writer or poet in history" is a valid and true point.
Walt made his name in poetry in 1855 when he self published a collection of 12 poems titled Leaves of Grass. The more free verse style of poetry departed Whitman from traditional rhyme and meter pieces.Although the book received little attention at first, after catching Ralph Waldo Emerson's eye gained slight popularity and resulted in Whitman releasing a 2nd version of 33 poems.
Whitman is known as perhaps the most influencial poet in American history.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow- Henry Longfellow was born on February 27,1807 in Portland, Maine as the 2nd of 8 children in the family. He was enrolled in a dame school at the age of three and by age six was enrolled at the private Portland Academy. There he developed into a fine student and learned the art of speaking Latin. He wrote his first poem, a poem showing his love and patriotic beliefs called The Battle of Lovell's Pond in 1820. Two years later, at the age 15 he enrolled in Bowdoin College in Maine, where his grandfather was a founder of the college and father a trustee. Later in life he joined the language faculty at Havard University. His poem Voices of the Night brought him into the starlight popularity. He went on to write "The Village Blacksmith," Evangeline," and "Hiawatha." in his later years, showing where he got his name known for simplicity and gentleness in his pieces. He was known as a "thoroughbred gentleman" and always kept an optimistic view in all his writings. He wrote books during his teaching career at Bowdoin and Havard, giving him the title of one of the most influential writers of all time.
Whitman and Longfellow, had for starters the fact that they were both great writers in common. Both are referenced as perhaps the most influential, innovative writer (or poet) in American history. Each having their own arguements. They also have other characeristics of writing and living in common. They were both part of the first generation to born into this "New America" where it was completely formed and a separate nation in its own. This gave them a different background than authors and thinkers in the past. Past writers of any sort had that feeling and rememberance of having Great Britain in their life and a lot of that history and beliefs transfered over into their artifacts of writing. Whitman and Longfellow had none of that, so their beliefs and feelings they expressed throught poetry differed, such as Whitman's love and belief in democracy and America. They also have a sort "openness" in their writings in common. Whitman was known to have no style, no structure to his writing, and has been criticized because of it. But isn't poetry based on the open mind and the idea that you can truly do what you want to express what you feel. From what I have learned about poetry is that the authors that "break the rules" and be innovated are the ones we glorify. Longfellow had structure, but was so optimistic and free flowing in his writings and poems that he as well comes off in this category.
The difference between the two men are vast, as are all differences between two people. But one that caught my eye is how they were raised, Whitman grew up in a large family, (which so did Longfellow) but it seems to come off that his family struggled. His father had sold their land and struggled trying retrieve back throughout Walt's life. As Walt grew older his family issues grew, his brother was an alcoholic and his sister was mentally impaired. Longfellow, although shared the same amount of siblings, grew up in the first brick house in Portland, Maine. His grandfather sounds like the kind of grandpa who gives his grandchildren and family more than they need. His grandfather was a founder at Bowdoin College and father a trustee so I imagine the money couldn't have been too tight.
Although the two writers have their own stories, own styles, and own legacies, I have learned that both men can be paired together as some what simliar, but I am now definitely sure that both authors were great writers, and all the claims of them being "one of the most innovative and influential writer or poet in history" is a valid and true point.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Thoreau-like say what?
As I sit here, eyes locked forward at a single fence post, watching a splinter of the wood flip down, and flip up from the wind, and flip down, and flip up. I cannot help but feel the slight heat from the rays coming down upon my back. Without the accompany of the gracious breeze, a sweat may begin to come about. Dull, cool stone press against my legs, and I stand up find a pillow of green grass, and lie down, crunching the leaves, making them squirm and falter beneath my body. All there is to listen to is the wind galloping in and out of the tree branches, hitting every single one just enough to make them shake. Sounds of a slight chirp of a bird here and a bird there, perhaps singing a song to one another, or flustered by the wind blowing so energenticly. I look straight in front of my head, rested on the grass, the tips of the grass dancing back and forth, leaves widgeting slightly.
A breeze picks up, rustling the trees even more, almost as if the trees are telling the wind to stop blowing. the win listens, and stops for a moment; only to tease the trees and blow an even larger gust to follow. Leaves skate across the ground, catching on long strands of grass, begging the wind to blow harder and let them free. Isn't that what we all want? For the wind to blow, and blow harder, only to set us free, let us be ourselves, and enjoy what the wind has brought us.
A breeze picks up, rustling the trees even more, almost as if the trees are telling the wind to stop blowing. the win listens, and stops for a moment; only to tease the trees and blow an even larger gust to follow. Leaves skate across the ground, catching on long strands of grass, begging the wind to blow harder and let them free. Isn't that what we all want? For the wind to blow, and blow harder, only to set us free, let us be ourselves, and enjoy what the wind has brought us.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Blog #3
Reverend Hale
1. Reverend Hale to me is a major character. Without Hale the "hype" of witchcraft most likely would have died right when it started. He came into Salem and lit a fire underneath everyone about the act of witchery. Without this character there would not be more accusations towards people, he gave the "afflicted" girls the power to accuse civilians in Salem because he created this idea that the girls had the right to accuse anyone they wanted.
2. Reverend Hale is that guy in your school that thinks he's the shit. That believes he is just a world beater and that anything he says or does, should be taken as "holy". He is motivated by his so called fame. He thinks so highly of himself, but maybe rightfully so. People treat him as if he is this meiah and that he knows everything about witchcraft. He thinks so highly of himself, and to me it seems like maybe he even knows he doens't know all that, but convinces himself with a load of crap that he is right.
3. Reverend Hale's conflict within the story is that he helped bring it upon the story. If Hale doesn't show up prancing around Salem with talk of witchcraft, then maybe the girls faking their "illness", give up and Salem stays as normal as it possibly can. He shows up in the beginning of the play and his presence alone adds to the conflict, then he goes and interrogates Tituba and the girls and eventually all of the accused and many of the town.
1. Reverend Hale to me is a major character. Without Hale the "hype" of witchcraft most likely would have died right when it started. He came into Salem and lit a fire underneath everyone about the act of witchery. Without this character there would not be more accusations towards people, he gave the "afflicted" girls the power to accuse civilians in Salem because he created this idea that the girls had the right to accuse anyone they wanted.
2. Reverend Hale is that guy in your school that thinks he's the shit. That believes he is just a world beater and that anything he says or does, should be taken as "holy". He is motivated by his so called fame. He thinks so highly of himself, but maybe rightfully so. People treat him as if he is this meiah and that he knows everything about witchcraft. He thinks so highly of himself, and to me it seems like maybe he even knows he doens't know all that, but convinces himself with a load of crap that he is right.
3. Reverend Hale's conflict within the story is that he helped bring it upon the story. If Hale doesn't show up prancing around Salem with talk of witchcraft, then maybe the girls faking their "illness", give up and Salem stays as normal as it possibly can. He shows up in the beginning of the play and his presence alone adds to the conflict, then he goes and interrogates Tituba and the girls and eventually all of the accused and many of the town.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Assignment #2
Today, I heard a sermon given by a powerful minister, Jonathan Edwards. It was part of the Great Awakening, and did Edwards ever awake the minds of the congression. Myself being one of the few ministers not getting stirred up in this "awakening", thought very low of his sermon. Although some people do need to remeber why we came here, and who brought us here, we also came for our own religous freedom, so why should we turn into the people we escaped from? Using words such as "anger" and "wrath" of God. He is not an angry God, He is forgiving, and understanding, at least in my eyes from my own ministry. "It is everlasting wrath. It would be dreadfull to suffer this fieceness and wrath of Almighty God". However he was not even aiming this sermon at the sinners of today, the men that truly deserve persecution, but instead intended at the "naturals", the men who are not "blessed" in the church. His wording and descriptions not only astounded me, but turned me away at points to not want to hear this sort of painful words towards our beliefs. "The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect ovre the fire." and ".. nothing that you have ever done, nothing you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment." This makes God seem like a man that favors "His" people in the church over every other person. That unless you do exactly what someone like Mr. Edwards says, you are going to hell, and will suffer His "wrath". Not only to I not believe what Edwards is saying, I am fully against it, which is why I am not involved with the Great Awakening nonsense that is happening in our supposedly "free" land.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Writing is something I have found has always came easy to me, I've never really had to try, or work at it, but it has always interested me. No matter what sort of writing I've had to do, whether academic or personal, I usually find myself enjoying writing whatever is assigned. I won't lie to you, in a lot of cases I don't wait until the very end, but I find it easier to enable my creativeness in writing when I'm at home, or at least by myself and not in a class full of students in the lab. I feel like my strength in writing is that I really try to connect with whomever I am writing to, or my audience. I want them to picture a scene or some sort of picture in their head just as I am doing the same while writing it. I always think everything through in my head, having my thoughts be a step in front of my fingers as I type whatever it is I am writing. Then when I get on a roll, everything just becomes second nature for me and I really enjoy myself. I do feel like obviously starting a piece of writing is a weakness of mine. I just never can seem to find a certain way on how to put my piece together at the beginning, usually taking me a vast amount of time to figure out my plan. But overall I feel like writing as a whole is a strength of mine, and is something I am pursuing to improve and hopefully further on in college and afterwards.
To be honest I do not know any questions I have about he portfolio assignment. I think it sounds like something that I won't really fret about. Obviously not having a semester final is something that caught my eye about the assignment. Writing is one of my favorite things to do, so any writing assignments will not bother me at all. As to any units I am excited about, I have heard a ton about Huck Finn and that unit from the class ahead of us, so that is something I am anxious about. But really I don't know if you can say I am excited for any particular unit, but more of the general chance to better my writing. That's what I am most excited for. As you were talking about the class and how writing would be so prevalent in class, I was one of the few students not wetting their pants at the time. It's something that excites me and something that makes me want to strive to be better.
To be honest I do not know any questions I have about he portfolio assignment. I think it sounds like something that I won't really fret about. Obviously not having a semester final is something that caught my eye about the assignment. Writing is one of my favorite things to do, so any writing assignments will not bother me at all. As to any units I am excited about, I have heard a ton about Huck Finn and that unit from the class ahead of us, so that is something I am anxious about. But really I don't know if you can say I am excited for any particular unit, but more of the general chance to better my writing. That's what I am most excited for. As you were talking about the class and how writing would be so prevalent in class, I was one of the few students not wetting their pants at the time. It's something that excites me and something that makes me want to strive to be better.
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