Dear Abigail,
They say that time heals all wounds and I assure you, that has been the truth in my case. I just wanted to begin by telling you that I forgive you unconditionally. You must return home. It has been six months since John Proctor‘s death and I have been dying of solitude. You must return to me Abby and forgive me just as I have forgiven you. I cannot stand being so lonesome. Salem despises me for all of my diligent work. They are all jealous fools. I need you and you need me. The hope of finally finding you is the only thing that gets these old bones moving every day. Now that I have found you, I must say that I cannot stand selfishness in anyone Abby and I hope that is what I am not seeing with you. I hesitate to say this, but it must be done. I have heard that you have become a harlot in Boston. This breaks my heart in two and draws sympathy to me from every inch of my being. You have soiled my name yet again. I would not mind that you fulfill your sensual pleasure so long as it did not threaten my very life. Last week a dagger was placed in my door with a note attached to it which threatened my very survival. How could yew? Why wood yew? I will run yew through! The threats played upon my fears and I ran to the courthouse and pleaded for help but they were too selfish to help a minister who had been bringing them to God since they could recall. Later that evening I hid within my study and waited for night to fall. By then I was surrounded by walls and the thickness of my overturned altar. It was impervious to any shot or blade. I had blessed numerous traps to give them a holy efficiency in subduing my aggressor and within the first hour of my refuge I had heard the soft thumping of a drum. It was neither loud nor sharp enough to be a firearm, but I approached my window ever so cautiously and peered onto my land. To my happiness there was no armed mob waiting to hang me by my entrails, but was no drum either. There was a fire ablaze in the center of my property. I did not sense my foe’s presence, however I waited six more hours, as one can never be too careful. When I arrived in my yard the fire was still burning! I had deduced that these logs must be an expensive breed. They bore a strong resemblance to my very own yew logs which I had received over my time as a minister. I ran over to my cache of yew logs and to my dismay they were not where those boys had stacked them. I noticed that there was a log not too far from my location. I walked over to it and stooped down to examine it when I noticed another right in front of it and another in front of that one. There was an entire trail that led me from my yew cache all the way to the fire. My precious logs! I broke down and wept. I was wallowing in my sadness and my mind sought out the worst possible scenarios that could have happened to put my mind at ease. I imagined my house being robbed. I chuckled at the fact of any man attempting to venture in that fortress. The entire house was solid yew and could not be broken into by anyone on their mightiest day. At that exact moment the fire finished burning as though it had been washed away by my tears. I dried my eyes and smelled more burning yew. I thought the aggressor was a fool to bring more wood to burn than I already possessed on my property. I turned round to see the madness unfolding. My home was completely engulfed by flames. So pray you Abby, return home before I lose more wood. I promise that I will allow you to earn your forgiveness back on the conditions that you relinquish your promiscuous ways and appreciate me as your father. You may wish to return quickly as I will eliminate your desire to be evil, for I will whip the devil out of you!
Sincerely,
Reverand Parris
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
December 16, 2009
Advance Placement English Language and Composition/ Mr. George
The Crucible: Write a one page character description of John Proctor
Uncle Sam John Proctor am
Proctor is a righteous man in an evil society.
Proctor is the only man in The Crucible who is and demonstrates true integrity. Proctor did not shy away from death, and in doing so he earned forgiveness from himself, Elizabeth, and God. Proctor’s corpse fell with such an impact upon the trigger the sound of a gunshot rang into Salem’s homes and through the people’s hearts and minds: “I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statutes" (Miller 129). Danforth cocked a revolver at himself and the hysteric court he represented. Proctor’s corpse fell with such an impact upon the trigger the sound of a gunshot rang into Salem’s homes and through the people’s hearts and minds.
Proctor is like the United States. He represents ideals and concepts far greater than himself. The people of the United States have always fought and died for themselves when their ideals have been threatened. In the same way, Proctor laid down his life for the eradication of witchcraft. Even in times of error, the United States has stood by its flag and tried to follow the constitution the best way its people knew how. Proctor still valued his commandments even when he failed to follow them. United States soldiers fought and died to help secure victory during World War II Nazi tyranny came to a screeching halt. In the same respect, Proctor liberated Salem from its Witch hunt hysteria by laying down his life for other.
Proctor bears a striking resemblance to the musician Tom Morello who had been arrested on multiple occasions protesting for the rights of the American people.
Michael Rossi
December 16, 2009
Advance Placement English Language and Composition/ Mr. George
The Crucible: Write a one page character description of John Proctor
Uncle Sam John Proctor am
Proctor is a righteous man in an evil society.
Proctor is the only man in The Crucible who is and demonstrates true integrity. Proctor did not shy away from death, and in doing so he earned forgiveness from himself, Elizabeth, and God. Proctor’s corpse fell with such an impact upon the trigger the sound of a gunshot rang into Salem’s homes and through the people’s hearts and minds: “I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statutes" (Miller 129). Danforth cocked a revolver at himself and the hysteric court he represented. Proctor’s corpse fell with such an impact upon the trigger the sound of a gunshot rang into Salem’s homes and through the people’s hearts and minds.
Proctor is like the United States. He represents ideals and concepts far greater than himself. The people of the United States have always fought and died for themselves when their ideals have been threatened. In the same way, Proctor laid down his life for the eradication of witchcraft. Even in times of error, the United States has stood by its flag and tried to follow the constitution the best way its people knew how. Proctor still valued his commandments even when he failed to follow them. United States soldiers fought and died to help secure victory during World War II Nazi tyranny came to a screeching halt. In the same respect, Proctor liberated Salem from its Witch hunt hysteria by laying down his life for other.
Proctor bears a striking resemblance to the musician Tom Morello who had been arrested on multiple occasions protesting for the rights of the American people.
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Crucible read to the end
Quote 1:
"If retaliation is your fear, know this-I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statutes" (Miller 129).
Analysis 1:
Danforth demonstrates how ridiculous sixteenth century courts were. The modern day American idea of a law is that a law is created to serve and protect people. Any law that does not do so is an unjust law. Danforth is virtually stating that he will kill those who refuse to follow these unjust laws. This idea of ruling with an iron fist has many occurrences throughout human history. Louis XVI was beheaded by french revolutionists who thought it to be their duty to rid themselves of the tyrant. In the same way witchcraft had been eradicated by the end of The Crucible. The revolutionaries of Proctors time where set off by him and others like him to destroy Salem's hysteric tyranny. One can build a throne of bayonets, but he cannot sit on it for long.
Quote 2:
"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" (Miller 143).
Analysis 2:
Throughout The Crucible Proctor has been grappling with Elizabeth to try to get an ounce of forgiveness from her. In the end Proctor realized what Elizabeth had been trying to tell him all along, that he needed to forgive himself. Proctor was originally satisfied with signing the confession. He realized that signing the confession and running from the injustice would only leave him to his home with the same guilt. Proctor washed away his sins with his blood and became a martyr against Salem's hysteria. Through Proctor Miller demonstrated that in Salem, no morally upright man lives the life he deserves. Unless he abandons his purity through lies he will be dead and cold in a place where they are needed most.
"If retaliation is your fear, know this-I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statutes" (Miller 129).
Analysis 1:
Danforth demonstrates how ridiculous sixteenth century courts were. The modern day American idea of a law is that a law is created to serve and protect people. Any law that does not do so is an unjust law. Danforth is virtually stating that he will kill those who refuse to follow these unjust laws. This idea of ruling with an iron fist has many occurrences throughout human history. Louis XVI was beheaded by french revolutionists who thought it to be their duty to rid themselves of the tyrant. In the same way witchcraft had been eradicated by the end of The Crucible. The revolutionaries of Proctors time where set off by him and others like him to destroy Salem's hysteric tyranny. One can build a throne of bayonets, but he cannot sit on it for long.
Quote 2:
"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" (Miller 143).
Analysis 2:
Throughout The Crucible Proctor has been grappling with Elizabeth to try to get an ounce of forgiveness from her. In the end Proctor realized what Elizabeth had been trying to tell him all along, that he needed to forgive himself. Proctor was originally satisfied with signing the confession. He realized that signing the confession and running from the injustice would only leave him to his home with the same guilt. Proctor washed away his sins with his blood and became a martyr against Salem's hysteria. Through Proctor Miller demonstrated that in Salem, no morally upright man lives the life he deserves. Unless he abandons his purity through lies he will be dead and cold in a place where they are needed most.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Crucible, to page 127
Quote 1:
Proctor: "I say- I say- God is dead!" [...] I see his filthy face! And it is m face, and yours Danforth! (Miller 119-120).
Analysis 1:
Proctor is finally understanding his society as the reader does. The entire trial is debating the specifics of a a false concept (witches). Reason has long been gone and Proctor has finally accepted it. Proctor cannot convince the court that witches do not exist, so he found a new alternative. By accepting Mary's accusation and taking on the role of the devil Proctor has accepted his already inevitable death. Proctor is going to die in a more meaningful ways than those before him. Rather than deny his charges and pass without anyone remembering him, he will will bring Danforth down with him and cripple Salem's Court. This will frighten the officials away who would fill Danforth's position.
Quote 2:
Tituba: "We goin' to Barbados, soon the Devil gits here with the feathers and the wings" (Miller 122)
Analysis 2:
Tituba exemplifies the Salem's wickedness because she has developed a fear of God. In her experience, those who acted in God's name only persecuted her. It was only through blaming the Devil that she was saved. Tituba's concepts of God and the Devil were thus inverted. God has become the evil and the Devil has become the good. Tituba believes Salem to be evil and representing God. The Devil, who is emblematic of goodness, is closely associated with Barbados which harbors all of the happy memories in Tituba's life.
Proctor: "I say- I say- God is dead!" [...] I see his filthy face! And it is m face, and yours Danforth! (Miller 119-120).
Analysis 1:
Proctor is finally understanding his society as the reader does. The entire trial is debating the specifics of a a false concept (witches). Reason has long been gone and Proctor has finally accepted it. Proctor cannot convince the court that witches do not exist, so he found a new alternative. By accepting Mary's accusation and taking on the role of the devil Proctor has accepted his already inevitable death. Proctor is going to die in a more meaningful ways than those before him. Rather than deny his charges and pass without anyone remembering him, he will will bring Danforth down with him and cripple Salem's Court. This will frighten the officials away who would fill Danforth's position.
Quote 2:
Tituba: "We goin' to Barbados, soon the Devil gits here with the feathers and the wings" (Miller 122)
Analysis 2:
Tituba exemplifies the Salem's wickedness because she has developed a fear of God. In her experience, those who acted in God's name only persecuted her. It was only through blaming the Devil that she was saved. Tituba's concepts of God and the Devil were thus inverted. God has become the evil and the Devil has become the good. Tituba believes Salem to be evil and representing God. The Devil, who is emblematic of goodness, is closely associated with Barbados which harbors all of the happy memories in Tituba's life.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Crucible 99
Quote 1:
Hale: "Excellency, I have singed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it" (Miller 99).
Analysis 1:
Hale's logic against the court would reign victorious in present-day. Hale demonstrates a concern for human life and is using his conscience in the correct manner. The immense obstacle that Hale has been unable to over come is the mentality of the court, specifically Danforth. He believes that he acts as though he is infallible and since he has condemned so many, change would be a disastrous product. A historical parallel can be drawn to Adolf Hitler. Hitler forcefully advocated the Aryan race. Hitler's was to cleanse the world of those who did not have blue eyes and gold hair. When Hitler's Germany had allied itself with the imperial Japan his people were bewildered. If Hitler had openly acknowledged that the Japanese were not of the Aryan race, his position would be destroyed. Instead Hitler declared the Japanese were the long lost cousin's of the Aryan race, and amazingly appeased his people. In the same way, Danforth will not cease killing witches.
Quote 2:
"In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? One calls up witness to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not?" (Miller 100).
Analysis 2:
Danforth once again believes that he sits upon an infillable throne. If witches truly did exist, then Danforth would be making an insightful point, however he is not leaving his mind open to the possiblity that witches could not exist. Unless Danforth can open his mind his logic will remain clouded and Proctor will lose this case. A syllogism for Danforth's arugment helps to properly demonstrate where he is mistaken. Witches exists. Therefore witch's acts can be determined through the victims. Abigail can determind who is a witch. The error exists in the major premise. If witches did in fact exist, then the argument would be sound.
Hale: "Excellency, I have singed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it" (Miller 99).
Analysis 1:
Hale's logic against the court would reign victorious in present-day. Hale demonstrates a concern for human life and is using his conscience in the correct manner. The immense obstacle that Hale has been unable to over come is the mentality of the court, specifically Danforth. He believes that he acts as though he is infallible and since he has condemned so many, change would be a disastrous product. A historical parallel can be drawn to Adolf Hitler. Hitler forcefully advocated the Aryan race. Hitler's was to cleanse the world of those who did not have blue eyes and gold hair. When Hitler's Germany had allied itself with the imperial Japan his people were bewildered. If Hitler had openly acknowledged that the Japanese were not of the Aryan race, his position would be destroyed. Instead Hitler declared the Japanese were the long lost cousin's of the Aryan race, and amazingly appeased his people. In the same way, Danforth will not cease killing witches.
Quote 2:
"In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? One calls up witness to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not?" (Miller 100).
Analysis 2:
Danforth once again believes that he sits upon an infillable throne. If witches truly did exist, then Danforth would be making an insightful point, however he is not leaving his mind open to the possiblity that witches could not exist. Unless Danforth can open his mind his logic will remain clouded and Proctor will lose this case. A syllogism for Danforth's arugment helps to properly demonstrate where he is mistaken. Witches exists. Therefore witch's acts can be determined through the victims. Abigail can determind who is a witch. The error exists in the major premise. If witches did in fact exist, then the argument would be sound.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Crucible, to page 98
Quote 1:
"I-I think I cannot" (Miller 92).
Analysis 1:
Throughout history the vast majority of individuals who become zealots for a cause are those who are personally affected. History has painted the picture that the Northern abolitionists cared mostly for the black slaves laboring in the cotton fields. The personal experience drives the afflicted to stand up to injustice for others and defeat it as a whole. Proctor always believed witchcraft to be ludicrous and he now has developed an intolerance to witchcraft and will not rest until every woman i free even at the cost of his life. Dred Scott was once a black slave who exploited the court to help his fellow black slaves. Scott warrant more significance than other white abolitionists because he felt the lash of the whip and toiled in the plantations. So was it the North who cared mostly for the slaves? If not who did? The answer is the slaves.
Quote 2:
"I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me. Do you understand my meaning?" (Miller 91).
Analysis 2:
Abigail is the embodiment of evil. She plays on the hearts of the court, leads a cult (of sorts), and tortures Proctor. Because Proctor had fallen for Abigail he believes he growing farther and farther away from God. In actuality, Proctor is making amends for his adultery by washing away the evil he is responsible for. Abagail's punishment suits the crime. She has began her mischievous trend with drinking blood and now John will cleanse his sins with her blood.
"I-I think I cannot" (Miller 92).
Analysis 1:
Throughout history the vast majority of individuals who become zealots for a cause are those who are personally affected. History has painted the picture that the Northern abolitionists cared mostly for the black slaves laboring in the cotton fields. The personal experience drives the afflicted to stand up to injustice for others and defeat it as a whole. Proctor always believed witchcraft to be ludicrous and he now has developed an intolerance to witchcraft and will not rest until every woman i free even at the cost of his life. Dred Scott was once a black slave who exploited the court to help his fellow black slaves. Scott warrant more significance than other white abolitionists because he felt the lash of the whip and toiled in the plantations. So was it the North who cared mostly for the slaves? If not who did? The answer is the slaves.
Quote 2:
"I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me. Do you understand my meaning?" (Miller 91).
Analysis 2:
Abigail is the embodiment of evil. She plays on the hearts of the court, leads a cult (of sorts), and tortures Proctor. Because Proctor had fallen for Abigail he believes he growing farther and farther away from God. In actuality, Proctor is making amends for his adultery by washing away the evil he is responsible for. Abagail's punishment suits the crime. She has began her mischievous trend with drinking blood and now John will cleanse his sins with her blood.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Crucible 67-81
Quote 1:
Hale: "Man, remember, until an hour before the Devil fell. God thought him beautiful in Heaven" (Miller 71).
Analysis 1:
What Hale professes is a complete deconstruction of God. God is a perfect being. He is not a mythological Greek God, who is is like a human with magic powers. Hale's word choice suggests that God can be fooled. Hale is hiding behind his contorted book knowledge to justify his neutral suspicion. If God was not perfect why then would we need him? The truth is, God was not fooled. Hale is the fool for suggesting it, especially as a clergyman.
Quote 2:
Cheever: "You've ripped the Deputy Governor's warrant, man!" [...] "Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this!" (Miller 76-77).
Analysis 2:
Proctor uses religous justification in the correct way. Unlike Hale, Proctor states biblical law and does not offer his own interpretation. Hale uses his religion to try and calm Proctor, for no other reason than to surpress him to deal with the issue later. By drawing the parellel between Cheever and Pontious Pilate (with biblical fact) he is demonstrating that his society is commiting an injustice on a catastrophic level. Proctor's resolution is to save his wife, this was made lucidly clean to Mary Warren and show society the hysteria they have fallen into.
Hale: "Man, remember, until an hour before the Devil fell. God thought him beautiful in Heaven" (Miller 71).
Analysis 1:
What Hale professes is a complete deconstruction of God. God is a perfect being. He is not a mythological Greek God, who is is like a human with magic powers. Hale's word choice suggests that God can be fooled. Hale is hiding behind his contorted book knowledge to justify his neutral suspicion. If God was not perfect why then would we need him? The truth is, God was not fooled. Hale is the fool for suggesting it, especially as a clergyman.
Quote 2:
Cheever: "You've ripped the Deputy Governor's warrant, man!" [...] "Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this!" (Miller 76-77).
Analysis 2:
Proctor uses religous justification in the correct way. Unlike Hale, Proctor states biblical law and does not offer his own interpretation. Hale uses his religion to try and calm Proctor, for no other reason than to surpress him to deal with the issue later. By drawing the parellel between Cheever and Pontious Pilate (with biblical fact) he is demonstrating that his society is commiting an injustice on a catastrophic level. Proctor's resolution is to save his wife, this was made lucidly clean to Mary Warren and show society the hysteria they have fallen into.
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Crucible 49-67
Quote 1:
"Woman. She turns to him. I'll not have your suspicion any more" (Miller 54).
Analysis 1:
The contrast between Darcy and Lizzie's relationship from Pride and Prejudice and Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor's relationship is almost laughable. Darcy always spoke with the most extreme civility with Elizabeth and even then she did not wish to hear from him. Here Mrs. Proctor is being reprimanded like a child. Just like Salem proctor can be pushed from calmness to deplorable aggression by even the slightest bit of disturbance. John behavior is indicative of his society and does a good service to justify why some Europeans view Salem as utterly ridiculous.
Quote 2:
"I like it not that Mr. Parris should lay his hand upon my baby. I see no light of God in that man" (Miller 65).
Analysis 2:
John Proctor has a very profound religious critique that is what his society deems blasphemous. John Proctor has a very legitimate excuse for why he does not attend church. The man who is supposed to be teaching him christian virtues does not exhibit them himself. What then will he learn besides hypocrisy? If the church is supposed to be the closest thing to God on earth, how is it that it can be represented by a man who values his career more than his own daughters life. Mr. Parris is like bread, he must come together before he can rise.
"Woman. She turns to him. I'll not have your suspicion any more" (Miller 54).
Analysis 1:
The contrast between Darcy and Lizzie's relationship from Pride and Prejudice and Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor's relationship is almost laughable. Darcy always spoke with the most extreme civility with Elizabeth and even then she did not wish to hear from him. Here Mrs. Proctor is being reprimanded like a child. Just like Salem proctor can be pushed from calmness to deplorable aggression by even the slightest bit of disturbance. John behavior is indicative of his society and does a good service to justify why some Europeans view Salem as utterly ridiculous.
Quote 2:
"I like it not that Mr. Parris should lay his hand upon my baby. I see no light of God in that man" (Miller 65).
Analysis 2:
John Proctor has a very profound religious critique that is what his society deems blasphemous. John Proctor has a very legitimate excuse for why he does not attend church. The man who is supposed to be teaching him christian virtues does not exhibit them himself. What then will he learn besides hypocrisy? If the church is supposed to be the closest thing to God on earth, how is it that it can be represented by a man who values his career more than his own daughters life. Mr. Parris is like bread, he must come together before he can rise.
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
December 6, 2009
Advanced Placement English language and Composition/Mr. George
Prompt One: Compose an essay between 4 and 7 pages.
Don’t Judge a Crook by His Cover
First impressions are at the heart of anyone’s beliefs about others. While Pride and Prejudice are significant driving forces behind motives of the characters, they are mere tributaries to the first impressions. First Impressions often wash away objectivity and cloud one’s logic. The title of Pride and Prejudice ought to have been First Impressions.
Humans are always afraid of what they do not know. Humans have radically tried to define what lurks in dark, ignorant corridors. During the witch trials in Salem, tension, disease, and fear led humanity to use (often innocent) members of society as scapegoats instead of treating diseases and restructuring society. In the same light, an individual who first interacts with another person tries to define them, forcing a first impression. Judgments in themselves are not flawed. In Elizabeth’s case, she begins to hang witches when is unwilling to alter his initial judgments about Darcy. Elizabeth formed her obstinate opinion when she overheard Mr. Darcy say, “ ‘She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men’ ” (Austen 7-8). Darcy did not actually believe this, he was simply acting cool in front of his friend Mr. Bingley. This faux pas soiled Elizabeth’s objectivity and left her cursed to contort any new information into ammunition against Mr. Darcy.
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After a first impression, does anyone truly understand who someone really is? In a first impression, one sees outward conduct, dress style, and other inconclusive physical attributes. Why then, is so much stalk placed in a first impression? Austen uses the character’s first impressions to ridicule the emphasis they put in it. A way in which this critique can be recognized is through the author’s contrast between Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy. Through Mr. Wickham’s reputation and charm, he is easily able to win the good favor of the crowd and the heart of Elizabeth: “His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed upon his side by a happy readiness of conversation” (Austen 54). Elizabeth was whisked off her feet within a few minutes of meeting the man. In the end, it is discovered that he is a rouge debtor who only looked out for his selfish gain. Mr. Darcy’s cold and proud exterior is contrasted to his warm and humble heart. Elizabeth strongly resembles a modern day woman in the sense that she is independent, and intelligent. The fact that Austen chose Elizabeth to be deceived by first impressions, and that those impressions should be contradicted later in the text demonstrates that anyone could be betrayed by their first impressions of others.
The manner in which Elizabeth was fooled by Wickham shows her inability to analyze the interior and exterior and exterior of someone. In a similar respect, Elizabeth has demonstrated how her negative impressions of others can also render her blind to the truth. Caroline attempted to warn Elizabeth that Wickham was not to be trusted; however, Elizabeth was not in the mood to take advice from a woman who would badmouth her
with celerity. Elizabeth was forced to learn the hard way, that she should not judge a book by its cover.
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Mr. Darcy gazed at the world through clean, objective eyes even though Elizabeth kicked dirt into his face on more than one occasion. Is Mr. Darcy outside the influence of first
impressions? The answer is no. Mr. Darcy simply fell victim to a different edge of that double edged sword. Rather than having his mind bound by her wickedness, Mr. Darcy could not bring himself to think negatively of Elizabeth after he realized his love for her: “Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; […] he had made it clear to himself and to his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes” (Austen 16). Mr. Darcy remained spellbound by Elizabeth even after he suffered through the most heart wrenching rejection. Elizabeth told Mr. Darcy, “I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed upon to marry’ “(Austen 148). When Elizabeth rejected Mr. Darcy’s hand she did so because of her attachment to her first impression of him.
Mr. Darcy’s objectivism actually did work against him when he wedged himself in between Bingley and Jane. Jane was being cordial and was showing genuine affection to Bingley when Mr. Darcy falsely perceived Jane’s indifference to Bingley. Little did Darcy know, Jane was showing the peak of her affection. Through Elizabeth, Darcy learned to appreciate the fact that not everyone is as perfect as Darcy believes they should be. His flawed first impression of Jane was put in check by Elizabeth, who could easily know more about her own sister than Darcy’s brief judgment allowed him to learn.
First impressions play a pivotal role within the text. The fastidious reader would question why? The answer is simple, in a first impression people adhere to idealized concepts they form
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in their mind, in the attempts to classify someone or something. To put this conception into perspective, imagine a young two-year old boy sitting on his porch with his mother gazing out into the street. A young jogger passes in front of the house with a golden Sheppard on her leash. The boy, lacking life experience, asks the mother what creature is with the woman. Naturally, the mother tells her child that it is a dog. By the end of the day, the child and mother witness more passers by who have dogs of different breeds. When the child keeps receiving dogs as the response to his question, the child begins to understand what it means to be a dog. When other animals pass by, either in front of his porch or in the pages of his books, the child will be able to distinguish any dog from a different member of the animal kingdom. In the same way, Elizabeth had relied upon her juvenile conception to classify Mr. Darcy. Her first impression of Mr. Darcy branded him as disagreeable. A child who had limited encounters with a dog may label the next thing he or she sees with a tail and bushy ears as a dog. In actuality the fur and tail could belong to that of a rabbit. In the same way, Elizabeth had not met anyone before her encounter with Mr. Darcy as disagreeable as Mr. Darcy seemed to be. Elizabeth made a hasty generalization as she assumed that Mr. Darcy’s reserve and outward pomp was indicative of his worthlessness as a person. Elizabeth’s first impression led to her prejudice, which she could not bring herself to relinquish because of her pride.
The title of the book ought to have been First Impressions. The entire plot development is centered around Darcy and Elizabeth’s ability to rise above the ominous clouds of her first impression. Mr. Darcy’s unwavering love he had for Elizabeth allowed him to turn the other cheek when he ever she struck him. Mr. Darcy showed Elizabeth how to love by loving. Elizabeth was trapped underneath her hellish view of Mr. Darcy. Once she was able to admit that
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her first impression of Mr. Darcy was erroneous, she released him from his personal hell, and gave him a little slice of heaven, herself.
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Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride And Prejudice. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.
Michael Rossi
December 6, 2009
Advanced Placement English language and Composition/Mr. George
Prompt One: Compose an essay between 4 and 7 pages.
Don’t Judge a Crook by His Cover
First impressions are at the heart of anyone’s beliefs about others. While Pride and Prejudice are significant driving forces behind motives of the characters, they are mere tributaries to the first impressions. First Impressions often wash away objectivity and cloud one’s logic. The title of Pride and Prejudice ought to have been First Impressions.
Humans are always afraid of what they do not know. Humans have radically tried to define what lurks in dark, ignorant corridors. During the witch trials in Salem, tension, disease, and fear led humanity to use (often innocent) members of society as scapegoats instead of treating diseases and restructuring society. In the same light, an individual who first interacts with another person tries to define them, forcing a first impression. Judgments in themselves are not flawed. In Elizabeth’s case, she begins to hang witches when is unwilling to alter his initial judgments about Darcy. Elizabeth formed her obstinate opinion when she overheard Mr. Darcy say, “ ‘She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men’ ” (Austen 7-8). Darcy did not actually believe this, he was simply acting cool in front of his friend Mr. Bingley. This faux pas soiled Elizabeth’s objectivity and left her cursed to contort any new information into ammunition against Mr. Darcy.
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After a first impression, does anyone truly understand who someone really is? In a first impression, one sees outward conduct, dress style, and other inconclusive physical attributes. Why then, is so much stalk placed in a first impression? Austen uses the character’s first impressions to ridicule the emphasis they put in it. A way in which this critique can be recognized is through the author’s contrast between Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy. Through Mr. Wickham’s reputation and charm, he is easily able to win the good favor of the crowd and the heart of Elizabeth: “His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed upon his side by a happy readiness of conversation” (Austen 54). Elizabeth was whisked off her feet within a few minutes of meeting the man. In the end, it is discovered that he is a rouge debtor who only looked out for his selfish gain. Mr. Darcy’s cold and proud exterior is contrasted to his warm and humble heart. Elizabeth strongly resembles a modern day woman in the sense that she is independent, and intelligent. The fact that Austen chose Elizabeth to be deceived by first impressions, and that those impressions should be contradicted later in the text demonstrates that anyone could be betrayed by their first impressions of others.
The manner in which Elizabeth was fooled by Wickham shows her inability to analyze the interior and exterior and exterior of someone. In a similar respect, Elizabeth has demonstrated how her negative impressions of others can also render her blind to the truth. Caroline attempted to warn Elizabeth that Wickham was not to be trusted; however, Elizabeth was not in the mood to take advice from a woman who would badmouth her
with celerity. Elizabeth was forced to learn the hard way, that she should not judge a book by its cover.
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Mr. Darcy gazed at the world through clean, objective eyes even though Elizabeth kicked dirt into his face on more than one occasion. Is Mr. Darcy outside the influence of first
impressions? The answer is no. Mr. Darcy simply fell victim to a different edge of that double edged sword. Rather than having his mind bound by her wickedness, Mr. Darcy could not bring himself to think negatively of Elizabeth after he realized his love for her: “Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; […] he had made it clear to himself and to his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes” (Austen 16). Mr. Darcy remained spellbound by Elizabeth even after he suffered through the most heart wrenching rejection. Elizabeth told Mr. Darcy, “I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed upon to marry’ “(Austen 148). When Elizabeth rejected Mr. Darcy’s hand she did so because of her attachment to her first impression of him.
Mr. Darcy’s objectivism actually did work against him when he wedged himself in between Bingley and Jane. Jane was being cordial and was showing genuine affection to Bingley when Mr. Darcy falsely perceived Jane’s indifference to Bingley. Little did Darcy know, Jane was showing the peak of her affection. Through Elizabeth, Darcy learned to appreciate the fact that not everyone is as perfect as Darcy believes they should be. His flawed first impression of Jane was put in check by Elizabeth, who could easily know more about her own sister than Darcy’s brief judgment allowed him to learn.
First impressions play a pivotal role within the text. The fastidious reader would question why? The answer is simple, in a first impression people adhere to idealized concepts they form
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in their mind, in the attempts to classify someone or something. To put this conception into perspective, imagine a young two-year old boy sitting on his porch with his mother gazing out into the street. A young jogger passes in front of the house with a golden Sheppard on her leash. The boy, lacking life experience, asks the mother what creature is with the woman. Naturally, the mother tells her child that it is a dog. By the end of the day, the child and mother witness more passers by who have dogs of different breeds. When the child keeps receiving dogs as the response to his question, the child begins to understand what it means to be a dog. When other animals pass by, either in front of his porch or in the pages of his books, the child will be able to distinguish any dog from a different member of the animal kingdom. In the same way, Elizabeth had relied upon her juvenile conception to classify Mr. Darcy. Her first impression of Mr. Darcy branded him as disagreeable. A child who had limited encounters with a dog may label the next thing he or she sees with a tail and bushy ears as a dog. In actuality the fur and tail could belong to that of a rabbit. In the same way, Elizabeth had not met anyone before her encounter with Mr. Darcy as disagreeable as Mr. Darcy seemed to be. Elizabeth made a hasty generalization as she assumed that Mr. Darcy’s reserve and outward pomp was indicative of his worthlessness as a person. Elizabeth’s first impression led to her prejudice, which she could not bring herself to relinquish because of her pride.
The title of the book ought to have been First Impressions. The entire plot development is centered around Darcy and Elizabeth’s ability to rise above the ominous clouds of her first impression. Mr. Darcy’s unwavering love he had for Elizabeth allowed him to turn the other cheek when he ever she struck him. Mr. Darcy showed Elizabeth how to love by loving. Elizabeth was trapped underneath her hellish view of Mr. Darcy. Once she was able to admit that
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her first impression of Mr. Darcy was erroneous, she released him from his personal hell, and gave him a little slice of heaven, herself.
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Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride And Prejudice. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Crucible, to page 49
Quote 1:
"I mean it solemnly, Rebecca; I like not the smell of this "authority" (Miller 31).
Analysis 1:
Miller uses Proctor as the embodiment of the modern day response to Salem in the 1600's. In today's world, many Americans are having sex shoved down their throats through the media and have grown comfortable to certain degrees of laziness. The present day individual would lash out against the constricting society which they would be confined to. In the same light, Proctor rebukes the concept of mass hysteria which everyone around him seems to grow progressively more involved in.
Quote 2:
"I do believe somebody else be witchin' these children" (Miller 45).
Analysis 2:
Miller uses Tituba as a societal critique and demonstrates the absurdity of the witch trials. Tituba is the only known individual who has been born abroad. Therefore she is able to objectively view this cultural hysteria as a game. She originally tries to deny the accusation as honestly as fate would have it. Tituba realized her control over the questions she was being asked and twisted them to her liking. Just as Tituba realized, the reader is also supposed to see that honesty truly does not work in that society and the hysteria breeds complusive lying.
"I mean it solemnly, Rebecca; I like not the smell of this "authority" (Miller 31).
Analysis 1:
Miller uses Proctor as the embodiment of the modern day response to Salem in the 1600's. In today's world, many Americans are having sex shoved down their throats through the media and have grown comfortable to certain degrees of laziness. The present day individual would lash out against the constricting society which they would be confined to. In the same light, Proctor rebukes the concept of mass hysteria which everyone around him seems to grow progressively more involved in.
Quote 2:
"I do believe somebody else be witchin' these children" (Miller 45).
Analysis 2:
Miller uses Tituba as a societal critique and demonstrates the absurdity of the witch trials. Tituba is the only known individual who has been born abroad. Therefore she is able to objectively view this cultural hysteria as a game. She originally tries to deny the accusation as honestly as fate would have it. Tituba realized her control over the questions she was being asked and twisted them to her liking. Just as Tituba realized, the reader is also supposed to see that honesty truly does not work in that society and the hysteria breeds complusive lying.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Crucible, to page 30
Quote 1:
"And I pray you feel the wight of truth upon you, for now my ministry's at stake, my ministry and perhaps your cousins's life. Whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there" (Austen 11).Analysis 1:
In the text's infancy Parris has already shown two fallacies: Selfishness and insecurity. In the 1600's even ideal Christians were charged with witchcraft due to the jealousy of a neighbor whose recognition for exhibiting Christian values were once renowned. Someone like Parris who so easily shows his flaws will become easy picking for the community under its practice of witchcraft hysteria.
Quote 2:
"You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! He turns abruptly to go out. She rushes to him. John, pity me, pity me!" (Austen 24).
Analogy 2:
Even in the 1600's in strictly regimented Salem, humans do give in to their sexual instincts. When people are trying to conceal something it often pays to look for a diversion. With Witchhunting on the rise, the stage is set for Abigail and John to denounce anyone whom could be considered a witch. They Abigail and John already tempted fate and speak of doing so in numerable instances. The likely target would be John's wife because she (most likely) harbors the most knowledge of the affair.
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Michael Rossi
December 1, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition/ Mr. George
Argue in two pages or less how Austen uses Lady Catherine to critique the class structure that pervades the novel.
The Wizard of Flaws
Pride and Prejudice has a vast array of insightful characters. Take Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth for example. Mr. Darcy was the only individual who could remark upon his peer’s inner motives and his own flaws with the delicacy of an evening’s greeting. Elizabeth learned to relinquish her self-indoctrinated prejudices and smooth her rough edges into a round character. In contrast, Lady Catherine has exhibited nothing less than an ostentatious display of her own selfish disdain of others. Austen uses Lady Catherine as a critique of society’s upper class.
Lady Catherine embodies what people of lower class strive to be. Conventional societal progression is determined mainly by monetary status, which is most commonly earned through hard work, intelligence, or a combination of the two. Lady Catherine has done nothing to achieve such good fortune besides simply marrying into the Longbourn family. Lady Catherine purports that she is naturally part of the Longbourn aristocracy. Her glaring inadequacy suggests that social status should not be determined by wealth, as the wealthy are not always worthy. Austen further exemplifies Lady Catherine’s absurdity through comparisons with Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is emblematic of the other sect of the upper class. Mr. Darcy’s insight and selflessness make him the ideal recipient of aristocratic praise. The fact that he is without the influence of Lady Catherine, spur’s the reader into questioning the novel’s classist institutions.
Lady Catherine is like a weed in a perfect garden. The garden’s perfection is detracted by her very presence. All of the garden is sublime in its natural element while Lady Catherine is clinging on to whatever flora she may slither upon, using it as an attempt to rise to the surface
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with the other flowers. Lady Catherine’s desire to exert her influence is so intense that she utilizes her only known familial remnants to secure a long term position. Lady Catherine uses her daughter to seamlessly penetrate her roots deep into Mr. Darcy and further her family’s position. An ideal demonstration of this occurs when Lady Catherine explains to the importance of her daughter’s marriage with Mr. Darcy: “what is to divide them? The upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections or fortune” (Austen 272). Lady Catherine purports to Elizabeth that a plan is already in place and any resistance will be like swimming against the current. Lady Catherine constantly attempts to disperse her seeds of influence among those in her community: “’ No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! – I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education’” (Austen 127). Lady Catherine tries to keep a governess in every possible family so that she may have a tendril in any affair that tickle’s her fancy. Lady Catherine will not be satisfied until she is able to become a parasite for the every plant within the garden. Through Lady Catherine, Austen shows that this parasite ought to be thrown off by society.
Austen uses Lady Catherine as a critique of society’s upper class. Lady Catherine hides behind a veil of unwarranted power much like the Wizard in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He uses machinery to portray himself as large and powerful when in actuality he is a small man cowering behind a curtain. Lady Catherine believes herself to be irreproachable, however, Elizabeth rebuked her justly and Lady Catherine offered no retaliatory strike. Lady Catherine and the Wizard looked to deal with their inadequacies through projecting them onto others. In the end, projection led Lady Catherine and the Wizard from their reigned superiority to their aristocratic destitution.
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Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride And Prejudice. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.
Michael Rossi
December 1, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition/ Mr. George
Argue in two pages or less how Austen uses Lady Catherine to critique the class structure that pervades the novel.
The Wizard of Flaws
Pride and Prejudice has a vast array of insightful characters. Take Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth for example. Mr. Darcy was the only individual who could remark upon his peer’s inner motives and his own flaws with the delicacy of an evening’s greeting. Elizabeth learned to relinquish her self-indoctrinated prejudices and smooth her rough edges into a round character. In contrast, Lady Catherine has exhibited nothing less than an ostentatious display of her own selfish disdain of others. Austen uses Lady Catherine as a critique of society’s upper class.
Lady Catherine embodies what people of lower class strive to be. Conventional societal progression is determined mainly by monetary status, which is most commonly earned through hard work, intelligence, or a combination of the two. Lady Catherine has done nothing to achieve such good fortune besides simply marrying into the Longbourn family. Lady Catherine purports that she is naturally part of the Longbourn aristocracy. Her glaring inadequacy suggests that social status should not be determined by wealth, as the wealthy are not always worthy. Austen further exemplifies Lady Catherine’s absurdity through comparisons with Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is emblematic of the other sect of the upper class. Mr. Darcy’s insight and selflessness make him the ideal recipient of aristocratic praise. The fact that he is without the influence of Lady Catherine, spur’s the reader into questioning the novel’s classist institutions.
Lady Catherine is like a weed in a perfect garden. The garden’s perfection is detracted by her very presence. All of the garden is sublime in its natural element while Lady Catherine is clinging on to whatever flora she may slither upon, using it as an attempt to rise to the surface
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with the other flowers. Lady Catherine’s desire to exert her influence is so intense that she utilizes her only known familial remnants to secure a long term position. Lady Catherine uses her daughter to seamlessly penetrate her roots deep into Mr. Darcy and further her family’s position. An ideal demonstration of this occurs when Lady Catherine explains to the importance of her daughter’s marriage with Mr. Darcy: “what is to divide them? The upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections or fortune” (Austen 272). Lady Catherine purports to Elizabeth that a plan is already in place and any resistance will be like swimming against the current. Lady Catherine constantly attempts to disperse her seeds of influence among those in her community: “’ No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! – I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education’” (Austen 127). Lady Catherine tries to keep a governess in every possible family so that she may have a tendril in any affair that tickle’s her fancy. Lady Catherine will not be satisfied until she is able to become a parasite for the every plant within the garden. Through Lady Catherine, Austen shows that this parasite ought to be thrown off by society.
Austen uses Lady Catherine as a critique of society’s upper class. Lady Catherine hides behind a veil of unwarranted power much like the Wizard in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He uses machinery to portray himself as large and powerful when in actuality he is a small man cowering behind a curtain. Lady Catherine believes herself to be irreproachable, however, Elizabeth rebuked her justly and Lady Catherine offered no retaliatory strike. Lady Catherine and the Wizard looked to deal with their inadequacies through projecting them onto others. In the end, projection led Lady Catherine and the Wizard from their reigned superiority to their aristocratic destitution.
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Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride And Prejudice. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
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Michael Rossi
November 29, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition / Mr. George
Students are to write two one-page descriptions of a character.
Is that what I said?
Mr. Wickham is the embodiment of the most inconvenient evil within the text and when people finally rise against him it is too late.
Lady Catherine, clearly an antagonist sometimes is problematic to Elizabeth and her sisters however, Elizabeth is rather proficient in dealing with Lady Catherine: “‘With three younger sisters grown up, ‘replied Elizabeth smiling, ‘your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.’”(Austen 128). This is so because Lady Catherine is very straight forward in her prejudice and expects the Elizabeth to bend at the knee. Elizabeth is able to brush her off very simply. Mr. Wickham on the other hand is significantly more difficult to oppose. Elizabeth must contradict the positive view of Wickham that she once advocated.
Mr. Wickham bears a glaring parallel to Al Qaeda. In Conventional warfare two armies would meet until a decisive victory can be determined. The Al Qaeda work to preserve their identity and keep the enemy from truly knowing who they are fighting. In the same way Wickham does not truly show that he is at war, so to speak, with the world. He simply wears a simile and drenches himself in agreeable manners. He does all this just to steal Lydia before the troops arrive.
Mr. Wickham killed his reputation that society seemed to think he represented. In the same way the Jim Jones killed the followers in whom his reputation once lived.
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Michael Rossi
November 29, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition / Mr. George
Students are to write two one-page descriptions of a character.
Tough Love
Mr. Darcy is the embodiment of relentless love that is battling for positive change throughout the text.
The first instance in which Mr. Darcy offered his heart to Elizabeth, she ripped it from his chest and trampled it under her feet. Typically, when a man is rejected he never wishes to renew such an offer, especially when he has been so harshly rebuked. Rather than project the ill feelings upon Elizabeth, he looked inward to find a solution for the accusations. The way in which Mr. Darcy looked to discover what was wrong was done so in an objective manner. Mr. Darcy was mistaken in his accusation against the authenticity of Jane’s love. It was Mr. Darcy who convinced Bingley to renew his relationship with Jane. Mr. Darcy did all of this for a Elizabeth who said, “you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry” (Austen 148).
Mr. Darcy is a lot like Jesus. In his time people often professed their hatred of him, but eventually learned to appreciate his good will. In the same way, Mrs. Bennet and others like her eventually learned to love Mr. Darcy. Jesus told his people that in order to understand him they must follow him. Mr. Darcy was not understood until Elizabeth attempted to see from an objective lens.
Mr. Darcy strongly resembles Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots, because just like Darcy, some people often see him as cold and emotionally detached, but it was not until the influence of his leadership graced the Patriots that they started to succeed.
Michael Rossi
November 29, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition / Mr. George
Students are to write two one-page descriptions of a character.
Is that what I said?
Mr. Wickham is the embodiment of the most inconvenient evil within the text and when people finally rise against him it is too late.
Lady Catherine, clearly an antagonist sometimes is problematic to Elizabeth and her sisters however, Elizabeth is rather proficient in dealing with Lady Catherine: “‘With three younger sisters grown up, ‘replied Elizabeth smiling, ‘your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.’”(Austen 128). This is so because Lady Catherine is very straight forward in her prejudice and expects the Elizabeth to bend at the knee. Elizabeth is able to brush her off very simply. Mr. Wickham on the other hand is significantly more difficult to oppose. Elizabeth must contradict the positive view of Wickham that she once advocated.
Mr. Wickham bears a glaring parallel to Al Qaeda. In Conventional warfare two armies would meet until a decisive victory can be determined. The Al Qaeda work to preserve their identity and keep the enemy from truly knowing who they are fighting. In the same way Wickham does not truly show that he is at war, so to speak, with the world. He simply wears a simile and drenches himself in agreeable manners. He does all this just to steal Lydia before the troops arrive.
Mr. Wickham killed his reputation that society seemed to think he represented. In the same way the Jim Jones killed the followers in whom his reputation once lived.
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Michael Rossi
November 29, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition / Mr. George
Students are to write two one-page descriptions of a character.
Tough Love
Mr. Darcy is the embodiment of relentless love that is battling for positive change throughout the text.
The first instance in which Mr. Darcy offered his heart to Elizabeth, she ripped it from his chest and trampled it under her feet. Typically, when a man is rejected he never wishes to renew such an offer, especially when he has been so harshly rebuked. Rather than project the ill feelings upon Elizabeth, he looked inward to find a solution for the accusations. The way in which Mr. Darcy looked to discover what was wrong was done so in an objective manner. Mr. Darcy was mistaken in his accusation against the authenticity of Jane’s love. It was Mr. Darcy who convinced Bingley to renew his relationship with Jane. Mr. Darcy did all of this for a Elizabeth who said, “you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry” (Austen 148).
Mr. Darcy is a lot like Jesus. In his time people often professed their hatred of him, but eventually learned to appreciate his good will. In the same way, Mrs. Bennet and others like her eventually learned to love Mr. Darcy. Jesus told his people that in order to understand him they must follow him. Mr. Darcy was not understood until Elizabeth attempted to see from an objective lens.
Mr. Darcy strongly resembles Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots, because just like Darcy, some people often see him as cold and emotionally detached, but it was not until the influence of his leadership graced the Patriots that they started to succeed.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Pride and Predjudice Chapters 16-end
Quote 1:
"Lady Catherine had been rendered so exceedingly angry by the contents of her nephew's letter, that Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to get away till the storm was blown over" ( Austen 294).
Analysis 1:
Lady Catherine is the only true antagonist in the novel. She is the only person who can never bask in others happiness unless she believed that the happiness was through her doing. She is internally frustrated by the fact that her influence has boundaries and she cannot separate two people madly in love simply of her own volition. Some one who works so diligently to glorify her name certainly shows a lack of regard for the opinion of her own nephew. Charlotte was forced to hide her felicity from Lady Catherine's self-righteous inquisition.
Quote 2:
"I do not think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help. Any place would do, of about three or four hundred a year; but however, do not speak to Mr. Darcy about it, if you had rather not" (Austen 296).
Analysis 2:
Austen utilizes the relationship between Bingley and Jane and Lydia and Wickham to demonstrate the true compatibility of Elizabeth and Darcy. The love between Bingley and Jane is a bliss one in which no unfortunate circumstance could ever been seen as disagreeable. For Bingley and Jane, any misfortune will simply be disregarded on the account that some be more deserving. Lydia and Wickham favor immediate gratification too heavily to be trusted with any long-term goals. As a result, their marriage is destined for a most downward trend. Elizabeth and a Darcy have the greatest form of marriage; one which grows and they will never have a dull moment exploring the depths of each others character. Their marriage is not so false as Lydia and Wickham's and not so plain as Bingley and Jane's and for that there is something to be said.
"Lady Catherine had been rendered so exceedingly angry by the contents of her nephew's letter, that Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to get away till the storm was blown over" ( Austen 294).
Analysis 1:
Lady Catherine is the only true antagonist in the novel. She is the only person who can never bask in others happiness unless she believed that the happiness was through her doing. She is internally frustrated by the fact that her influence has boundaries and she cannot separate two people madly in love simply of her own volition. Some one who works so diligently to glorify her name certainly shows a lack of regard for the opinion of her own nephew. Charlotte was forced to hide her felicity from Lady Catherine's self-righteous inquisition.
Quote 2:
"I do not think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help. Any place would do, of about three or four hundred a year; but however, do not speak to Mr. Darcy about it, if you had rather not" (Austen 296).
Analysis 2:
Austen utilizes the relationship between Bingley and Jane and Lydia and Wickham to demonstrate the true compatibility of Elizabeth and Darcy. The love between Bingley and Jane is a bliss one in which no unfortunate circumstance could ever been seen as disagreeable. For Bingley and Jane, any misfortune will simply be disregarded on the account that some be more deserving. Lydia and Wickham favor immediate gratification too heavily to be trusted with any long-term goals. As a result, their marriage is destined for a most downward trend. Elizabeth and a Darcy have the greatest form of marriage; one which grows and they will never have a dull moment exploring the depths of each others character. Their marriage is not so false as Lydia and Wickham's and not so plain as Bingley and Jane's and for that there is something to be said.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pride and Prejudice 13-15
Quote 1:
"Mrs. Bennet, with great, civility, begged her lady ship to take some refreshment" (Austen 269).
Analysis 1:
How is it that Mrs. Bennet's unhappy manners and stubborn disposition could yield to Lady Catherine? Disrespect and outward signs of her stupidity used to be her policy to people of higher class such as Mr. Bingley or Mr. Darcy. Inconsistency in action is emblematic of instability of the the mind. Until Elizabeths parents learn how to be good consistent parents who offer are able to offer constructive judgement, they will be forced to crawl across the street of life without the grip of reason.
Quote 2:
"Elizabeth had never been more at a loss to make her feelings appear what they were not. It was necessary to laugh, when she would rather cried. Her father had most cruelly mortified her, by what he said of Mr. Darcy, and she could do nothing but wonder at such a want of penetration, or fear that, instead of his seeing too little, she might have fancied too much" (Austen 278).
Analysis 2:
"Though Mr. Bennet has pledged to resolve his hands off parenting he has neglected to fix another one of his vice's. Mr. Bennet is emotionally detached. Although he does mean well as a father he is still incredibly insensitive toward Lizzie for any involved father would be able to pick out sensitive topics of conversation. It is permissible for individuals to learn and grow socially, especially if they do not consider themselves very sociable, however parents are ones who should (for the most part) be over the social growing pains.
"Mrs. Bennet, with great, civility, begged her lady ship to take some refreshment" (Austen 269).
Analysis 1:
How is it that Mrs. Bennet's unhappy manners and stubborn disposition could yield to Lady Catherine? Disrespect and outward signs of her stupidity used to be her policy to people of higher class such as Mr. Bingley or Mr. Darcy. Inconsistency in action is emblematic of instability of the the mind. Until Elizabeths parents learn how to be good consistent parents who offer are able to offer constructive judgement, they will be forced to crawl across the street of life without the grip of reason.
Quote 2:
"Elizabeth had never been more at a loss to make her feelings appear what they were not. It was necessary to laugh, when she would rather cried. Her father had most cruelly mortified her, by what he said of Mr. Darcy, and she could do nothing but wonder at such a want of penetration, or fear that, instead of his seeing too little, she might have fancied too much" (Austen 278).
Analysis 2:
"Though Mr. Bennet has pledged to resolve his hands off parenting he has neglected to fix another one of his vice's. Mr. Bennet is emotionally detached. Although he does mean well as a father he is still incredibly insensitive toward Lizzie for any involved father would be able to pick out sensitive topics of conversation. It is permissible for individuals to learn and grow socially, especially if they do not consider themselves very sociable, however parents are ones who should (for the most part) be over the social growing pains.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Pride and Predjudice Chapters 6-9
Quote 1:
" 'I should be sorrry indeed if it were. We were always good friends; and now we are better' " (Austen 249).
Analysis 1:
Mr. Wickham exhibits such a monotone effort to earn the good favor of his peers. If Lizzie had been addressed as Mr. Wickham's closest friends before she had learned of his true character she would have been flattered. Now that Lizzie is seeing clearly, Wickham is nothing more than a sad little man who has stolen her sixteen year old sister. Wickham should have come clean to show Lizzie that there is room for change, however his head has only left room for a soft mind.
Quote 2:
"Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed him with her eyes, envied every one to whom he spoke, had scarcely patience enough to help anybody to coffee; and then was enraged against herself for being so silly!" (Austen 260).
Analysis 2:
This quotation exemplifies the role reversal which Lizzie and Darcy had become subject to. Darcy had once been the one to chase and scrutinize Lizzie in hopes of winning her heart. Now it is Lizzie who is so infatuated with him it hurts. Their role in character have also been reversed. Mr. Darcy was more readily engaging in conversation with others and seems to be more agreeable. Lizzie on the other hand is as silent and uninvolved as Mr. Darcy was at their first ball. Both Lizzie and Darcy are attempting to conform to the others advice and Lizzie takes it a step too far.
" 'I should be sorrry indeed if it were. We were always good friends; and now we are better' " (Austen 249).
Analysis 1:
Mr. Wickham exhibits such a monotone effort to earn the good favor of his peers. If Lizzie had been addressed as Mr. Wickham's closest friends before she had learned of his true character she would have been flattered. Now that Lizzie is seeing clearly, Wickham is nothing more than a sad little man who has stolen her sixteen year old sister. Wickham should have come clean to show Lizzie that there is room for change, however his head has only left room for a soft mind.
Quote 2:
"Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed him with her eyes, envied every one to whom he spoke, had scarcely patience enough to help anybody to coffee; and then was enraged against herself for being so silly!" (Austen 260).
Analysis 2:
This quotation exemplifies the role reversal which Lizzie and Darcy had become subject to. Darcy had once been the one to chase and scrutinize Lizzie in hopes of winning her heart. Now it is Lizzie who is so infatuated with him it hurts. Their role in character have also been reversed. Mr. Darcy was more readily engaging in conversation with others and seems to be more agreeable. Lizzie on the other hand is as silent and uninvolved as Mr. Darcy was at their first ball. Both Lizzie and Darcy are attempting to conform to the others advice and Lizzie takes it a step too far.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Pride and Predjudice Chapters 6-9
Quote 1:
"Five daughters successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs. Bennet, for many years after Lydia's birth had been certain that he would. This event had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late to be saving" (Austen 234).
Analysis 1:
Disappointment is a misfortune that everyone is forced to deal with sooner or later in life. Tolerable disappointment stems from small failures such as losing a low-stake gamble or losing at a sport. Mr. Bennet is suffering from the massive failure of premeditated goals. All other aspects of Mr. Bennets life revolved around the fact that he would live comfortably and be able to provide for his family. Mr. Bennet had become complacent in the midst of his smooth sailing toward his goal. His dreams are now shipwrecked and only his entire family was on the boat.
Quote 2:
"Had Lydia's marriage been concluded on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy would connect himself with a family. where to ever other objection would now be added, an alliance and relationship of the nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned"(Austen 236).
Analysis 2:
Many literary components are employed to create a great novel. This quote truly emphasises just how the story is climbing to its climax and how Austen creates such an epic romance. Lizzie is completely oblivious to Mr. Darcy's love for her and is convinced Mr. Darcy could not overcome her insults and rejections. In spite of class, insult, and society Mr. is will to put all of that aside for Elizabeth. The novel does not illustrate two perfect people with perfect familys who are perfectly agreeable. The novel highlights strenous obstacles that are highly intersting and lead to a most perfect love.
"Five daughters successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs. Bennet, for many years after Lydia's birth had been certain that he would. This event had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late to be saving" (Austen 234).
Analysis 1:
Disappointment is a misfortune that everyone is forced to deal with sooner or later in life. Tolerable disappointment stems from small failures such as losing a low-stake gamble or losing at a sport. Mr. Bennet is suffering from the massive failure of premeditated goals. All other aspects of Mr. Bennets life revolved around the fact that he would live comfortably and be able to provide for his family. Mr. Bennet had become complacent in the midst of his smooth sailing toward his goal. His dreams are now shipwrecked and only his entire family was on the boat.
Quote 2:
"Had Lydia's marriage been concluded on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy would connect himself with a family. where to ever other objection would now be added, an alliance and relationship of the nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned"(Austen 236).
Analysis 2:
Many literary components are employed to create a great novel. This quote truly emphasises just how the story is climbing to its climax and how Austen creates such an epic romance. Lizzie is completely oblivious to Mr. Darcy's love for her and is convinced Mr. Darcy could not overcome her insults and rejections. In spite of class, insult, and society Mr. is will to put all of that aside for Elizabeth. The novel does not illustrate two perfect people with perfect familys who are perfectly agreeable. The novel highlights strenous obstacles that are highly intersting and lead to a most perfect love.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Pride and Predjudice 3-6
Quote 1:
"Miss Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on Elizabeth's person, behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana would not join her" (Austen 205).
Analysis 1:
The quality of an individual is often measured by the manner in which they treat other individuals. Mr. Darcy declares himself blame worthy in Lydia's predicament. His sister lives up to these high moral standards. Even in Elizabeth's absence Ms. Darcy will not slander her in order to seem more agreeable in the eyes of Ms. Bingley. This attribute seems to run in the family.
Quote 2:
"Poor Kitty has anger* or having concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence on cannot wonder" (Austen 208).
Analysis 2:
The Bennet sisters blame themselves for not providing the information which may have saved Lydia. In some respects yes it would be ideal to have provided justice with the information however, The Bennets minds never remotely fathomed the morbid possibility. If they had thought of it and still refused to relinquish the information then they would have been significantly more at fault. The only person who is to blame is Mr. Bennet whose daughters behavior he did nothing to regulate, knowing that there could be consequences.
"Miss Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on Elizabeth's person, behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana would not join her" (Austen 205).
Analysis 1:
The quality of an individual is often measured by the manner in which they treat other individuals. Mr. Darcy declares himself blame worthy in Lydia's predicament. His sister lives up to these high moral standards. Even in Elizabeth's absence Ms. Darcy will not slander her in order to seem more agreeable in the eyes of Ms. Bingley. This attribute seems to run in the family.
Quote 2:
"Poor Kitty has anger* or having concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence on cannot wonder" (Austen 208).
Analysis 2:
The Bennet sisters blame themselves for not providing the information which may have saved Lydia. In some respects yes it would be ideal to have provided justice with the information however, The Bennets minds never remotely fathomed the morbid possibility. If they had thought of it and still refused to relinquish the information then they would have been significantly more at fault. The only person who is to blame is Mr. Bennet whose daughters behavior he did nothing to regulate, knowing that there could be consequences.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Pride and Predjudice chapters 19-2
Quote 1:
"The possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy, while viewing the place, instantly occurred. It would be dreadful! She blushed at the very idea; and thought it would be better to speak openly to her aunt, than to run such a risk" (Austen 184)
Analysis 1:
Elizabeth undermines the significance of Mr. Darcy's influence over her. Elizabeth shies away from Mr. Darcy because he makes her feel uncomfortable. Elizabeth runs the risk of being read like an open book, insulted, or outwitted. Elizabeth tries to avoid the one thing in her life that she cannot control, and to an extent is controlled by.
Quote 2:
"She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on the renewal of his addresses" (Austen 201).
Analysis 2:
Ever since Mr. Darcy's first proposal Elizabeth's mind had been occupied with thoughts of Mr. Darcy. His presence once suppressed within Elizabeth's sub conscience has now bubbled over to the point of keeping Elizabeth from falling asleep. Since Elizabeth often acts and thinks with passion, It would be out of her character to ask Darcy's hand in marriage.
"The possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy, while viewing the place, instantly occurred. It would be dreadful! She blushed at the very idea; and thought it would be better to speak openly to her aunt, than to run such a risk" (Austen 184)
Analysis 1:
Elizabeth undermines the significance of Mr. Darcy's influence over her. Elizabeth shies away from Mr. Darcy because he makes her feel uncomfortable. Elizabeth runs the risk of being read like an open book, insulted, or outwitted. Elizabeth tries to avoid the one thing in her life that she cannot control, and to an extent is controlled by.
Quote 2:
"She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on the renewal of his addresses" (Austen 201).
Analysis 2:
Ever since Mr. Darcy's first proposal Elizabeth's mind had been occupied with thoughts of Mr. Darcy. His presence once suppressed within Elizabeth's sub conscience has now bubbled over to the point of keeping Elizabeth from falling asleep. Since Elizabeth often acts and thinks with passion, It would be out of her character to ask Darcy's hand in marriage.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Pride and Predjudice 12-18
Quote 1:
"She felt that Jane's feelings though fervent, were little displayed, and that there was a constant complacency in her air and manner, not often united with great sensibility" (Austen 160).
Analysis 1:
Elizabeth can no longer hide behind her blissful hatred of Darcy. Darcy's invalid opinion (according to Elizabeth) is being repeated by Elizabeth's closest friend. Blinded by her hatred for Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth's ego did what ever it could to protect itself from realizing her enemy is in fact her friend and vice versa.
Quote 2:
"Jane had been deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family!" (Austen 163)
Analysis 2:
Elizabeth is forced relinquish her negative coping mechanisms for Jane's misfortune. Jane projected Jane's misfortune on to Darcy when it was actually the fault of her own household. Mrs. Bennet needed to either learn temperance or she should not have been permitted to attend the balls. She was the only pragmatic obstacle impeding her dream of Jane's marriage. That matter should have been addressed prior to social gathering by Mr. Bennet. The bread must come together before it can rise.
"She felt that Jane's feelings though fervent, were little displayed, and that there was a constant complacency in her air and manner, not often united with great sensibility" (Austen 160).
Analysis 1:
Elizabeth can no longer hide behind her blissful hatred of Darcy. Darcy's invalid opinion (according to Elizabeth) is being repeated by Elizabeth's closest friend. Blinded by her hatred for Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth's ego did what ever it could to protect itself from realizing her enemy is in fact her friend and vice versa.
Quote 2:
"Jane had been deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family!" (Austen 163)
Analysis 2:
Elizabeth is forced relinquish her negative coping mechanisms for Jane's misfortune. Jane projected Jane's misfortune on to Darcy when it was actually the fault of her own household. Mrs. Bennet needed to either learn temperance or she should not have been permitted to attend the balls. She was the only pragmatic obstacle impeding her dream of Jane's marriage. That matter should have been addressed prior to social gathering by Mr. Bennet. The bread must come together before it can rise.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Pride and Predjudice 6-11
Quote 1:
" ' To Jane herself,' she exclaimed, 'there could be no possibility of objection ' " (Austen 143)
Analysis 1:
Elizabeth contorts each and every bit of information she receives about Mr. Darcy into proof of his horrid character. In comparison, Elizabeth has this emotionally induced blindness when it comes to Jane. Elizabeth tells herself that Jane has no flaw that Mr. Darcy could possibly see, yet earlier in the novel when Elizabeth was relaying criticisms, Jane was still exhibiting non- pragmatic optimism. In Elizabeth's eyes Mr. Darcy can do no right and Jane can do no wrong.
Quote 2:
" 'My faults, according to this calculation, are heavy indeed! But perhaps,' added he, stopping in his walk, and turning towards her, 'these offenses might have been over looked, had not your pride been hurt by honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design' " (Austen 147).
Analysis 2:
The title bears its first clear significance within this quote. Both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth see each other as the embodiment of pride and prejudice. Elizabeth is disgusted with Mr. Darcy's pride and questions his authority of his critiques of Mr. Bingley's romantic life. Mr. Darcy had already confessed his prejudice disposition to Elizabeth. On the other hand, Mr. Darcy sees Elizabeth's rejection of his proposal and prejudice against him, stemming from her wounded ego.
" ' To Jane herself,' she exclaimed, 'there could be no possibility of objection ' " (Austen 143)
Analysis 1:
Elizabeth contorts each and every bit of information she receives about Mr. Darcy into proof of his horrid character. In comparison, Elizabeth has this emotionally induced blindness when it comes to Jane. Elizabeth tells herself that Jane has no flaw that Mr. Darcy could possibly see, yet earlier in the novel when Elizabeth was relaying criticisms, Jane was still exhibiting non- pragmatic optimism. In Elizabeth's eyes Mr. Darcy can do no right and Jane can do no wrong.
Quote 2:
" 'My faults, according to this calculation, are heavy indeed! But perhaps,' added he, stopping in his walk, and turning towards her, 'these offenses might have been over looked, had not your pride been hurt by honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design' " (Austen 147).
Analysis 2:
The title bears its first clear significance within this quote. Both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth see each other as the embodiment of pride and prejudice. Elizabeth is disgusted with Mr. Darcy's pride and questions his authority of his critiques of Mr. Bingley's romantic life. Mr. Darcy had already confessed his prejudice disposition to Elizabeth. On the other hand, Mr. Darcy sees Elizabeth's rejection of his proposal and prejudice against him, stemming from her wounded ego.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Pride and Predjudice Chapters 2-5
Quote 1:
I pity, though I cannot help blaming her. She was very wrong in singling me out as she did; I can safely say, that every advance to intimacy began on her side [...]But I pity her, because she must feel that she has been acting wrong, and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause of it (Austen 115).
Analysis 1:
This passage outlines the positive and negative aspects of Jane's blissful optimism. Jane truly and utterly feels guilt for blaming Caroline. Jane's philosophy does not allow her to truly give up on an individual always looking for the good. On the other hand, this becomes a problem when Jane believes all human beings are as good as her. Carolin does not feel that she has been acting wrong she simply drowns out the guilt with waves of conceit.
Quote 2:
"he addressed himself particularly to her, as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him" (Austen 120).
Analysis 2:
Mr. Collins's backwardness constantly humiliates him. A clergyman who preaches for God and all he stands for is attempting to make a woman jealous for no other reason than to enjoy her potential reaction. It is disgraceful. Mr. Collins is and forever will be preceded even by his lowly reputation.
I pity, though I cannot help blaming her. She was very wrong in singling me out as she did; I can safely say, that every advance to intimacy began on her side [...]But I pity her, because she must feel that she has been acting wrong, and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause of it (Austen 115).
Analysis 1:
This passage outlines the positive and negative aspects of Jane's blissful optimism. Jane truly and utterly feels guilt for blaming Caroline. Jane's philosophy does not allow her to truly give up on an individual always looking for the good. On the other hand, this becomes a problem when Jane believes all human beings are as good as her. Carolin does not feel that she has been acting wrong she simply drowns out the guilt with waves of conceit.
Quote 2:
"he addressed himself particularly to her, as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him" (Austen 120).
Analysis 2:
Mr. Collins's backwardness constantly humiliates him. A clergyman who preaches for God and all he stands for is attempting to make a woman jealous for no other reason than to enjoy her potential reaction. It is disgraceful. Mr. Collins is and forever will be preceded even by his lowly reputation.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Pride and Prejudice chapter analysis 21-1
" 'My dear Madam,' he replied, 'this invitation is particularly gratifying, because it is what I have been hoping to receive; and you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon as possible' " (Austen 95).
Once again Mr. Collins has proven himself to be unable to understand common social formalities. The Bennet's simply offered to have him return because it was the right thing to do and they had hoped he would not. After Collins was disrespected and rejected by Elizabeth it would be expected that he would never wish to return and he would conjure up some false excuse of why he would be unable to attend.
"Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which kept them mutually silent on the subject; and Elizabeth felt persuaded that no real confidence could ever subsist between them again" (Austen 98).
For friends to argue and issue harsh criticism to one another, demonstrates true friendship. If Elizabeth were to tell Charlotte that Mr. Collins was unacceptable Elizabeth would be showing that Charlotte's well being demands a higher precedence than how much Charlotte likes her. To simply say nothing is giving up on the friendship altogether. Times like these demonstrate the true character of a person. Charlotte was devoured by her selfish insecurity.
Once again Mr. Collins has proven himself to be unable to understand common social formalities. The Bennet's simply offered to have him return because it was the right thing to do and they had hoped he would not. After Collins was disrespected and rejected by Elizabeth it would be expected that he would never wish to return and he would conjure up some false excuse of why he would be unable to attend.
"Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which kept them mutually silent on the subject; and Elizabeth felt persuaded that no real confidence could ever subsist between them again" (Austen 98).
For friends to argue and issue harsh criticism to one another, demonstrates true friendship. If Elizabeth were to tell Charlotte that Mr. Collins was unacceptable Elizabeth would be showing that Charlotte's well being demands a higher precedence than how much Charlotte likes her. To simply say nothing is giving up on the friendship altogether. Times like these demonstrate the true character of a person. Charlotte was devoured by her selfish insecurity.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Pride and Prejudice- Chapter 17-20
"'He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship' [...] 'and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life'" (Austen 70).
In this quote Darcy endures a verbal assault from Elizabeth. Elizabeth is guilting Mr. Darcy into feeling badly about his actions towards Mr. Wickham. However, she is shortsighted, since she does not think about Mr. Darcy's side of the story. She is always on the attack, ever since the dance where she specifically noted. However, it is not healthy for one to bear such grudges. Perhaps, later on, Elizabeth will realize that it is not Mr. Darcy that she hated, but it was his actions early on. Maybe Mr. Darcy will even change her mind about him in some way, perhaps through conversation, a letter, or some other means.
" 'Were it certain that Lady Catherine would think so, ' said Mr. Collins very gravely - 'but I cannot imagine that her ladyship would at all disapprove of you. And you may be certain that when I have the honour of seeing her again I shall speak in the highest terms of your modesty, economy, and amiable qualifications ' " (Austen 82).
Mr. Collins cannot hope to win Elizabeth's heart. This appeal is a failed attempt at logic because it implies the fact that an arbitrary third party should be responsible for the fate of a couple. Also it detaches Mr. Collins from the authenticity of his romantic venture. Also he has no backround with his cousins, yet he is proposing to her.
In this quote Darcy endures a verbal assault from Elizabeth. Elizabeth is guilting Mr. Darcy into feeling badly about his actions towards Mr. Wickham. However, she is shortsighted, since she does not think about Mr. Darcy's side of the story. She is always on the attack, ever since the dance where she specifically noted. However, it is not healthy for one to bear such grudges. Perhaps, later on, Elizabeth will realize that it is not Mr. Darcy that she hated, but it was his actions early on. Maybe Mr. Darcy will even change her mind about him in some way, perhaps through conversation, a letter, or some other means.
" 'Were it certain that Lady Catherine would think so, ' said Mr. Collins very gravely - 'but I cannot imagine that her ladyship would at all disapprove of you. And you may be certain that when I have the honour of seeing her again I shall speak in the highest terms of your modesty, economy, and amiable qualifications ' " (Austen 82).
Mr. Collins cannot hope to win Elizabeth's heart. This appeal is a failed attempt at logic because it implies the fact that an arbitrary third party should be responsible for the fate of a couple. Also it detaches Mr. Collins from the authenticity of his romantic venture. Also he has no backround with his cousins, yet he is proposing to her.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Blog chapters 11-16
Quote 1: "Elizabeth went away with her head full of him. She could think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all the way home; " (Austen 64).
Description 1:
Thus far, Elizabeth has not showed any extended interest in the opposite sex. She was offended at Mr. Darcy's vanity and annoyed at Mr. Collins's utter ridiculousness. Elizabeth is not intrigued by men of similar mannerism (I.E. Mr. Darcy) or by men who are rather different from her (I.E Mr. Collins). Elizabeth's opinion of men seems to coincide with society's views. People gossip of Mr. Darcy's arrogance and Mr. Collins stupidity and Elizabeth shares these same view points. Mr. Wickham is well received by the characters within the novel and so it is a sound prediction that she will also find him intriguing.
Quote 2: "Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth-and it was soon done" (Austen 53)
Description 2:
Marriage is a loving union in which love is the feeling and marriage is the action. In between a feeling and an action there should be a passion which comes from a feeling being pushed by one's inner soul to an over infatuation. Mr. Collins approaches courtship with a certain obligatory formality that is considerably repulsive to Elizabeth.
Description 1:
Thus far, Elizabeth has not showed any extended interest in the opposite sex. She was offended at Mr. Darcy's vanity and annoyed at Mr. Collins's utter ridiculousness. Elizabeth is not intrigued by men of similar mannerism (I.E. Mr. Darcy) or by men who are rather different from her (I.E Mr. Collins). Elizabeth's opinion of men seems to coincide with society's views. People gossip of Mr. Darcy's arrogance and Mr. Collins stupidity and Elizabeth shares these same view points. Mr. Wickham is well received by the characters within the novel and so it is a sound prediction that she will also find him intriguing.
Quote 2: "Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth-and it was soon done" (Austen 53)
Description 2:
Marriage is a loving union in which love is the feeling and marriage is the action. In between a feeling and an action there should be a passion which comes from a feeling being pushed by one's inner soul to an over infatuation. Mr. Collins approaches courtship with a certain obligatory formality that is considerably repulsive to Elizabeth.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Pride and Prejudice chapter analysis 7-10
Quote 1: " 'A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word, and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, and her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved' " (Austen 29).
Description 1:
This mind blowing depiction of women is completely counter cultural in today's society. The quote infers that women are mere trophies and ought to exemplary in order to be recognized with a compliment that would not incite nearly as much dispute in today's society. Charming language is seen as uniform courtesy which people commonly expect for no extraordinary occasion.
Quote 2: " 'Oh! dear, yes; - but you must own that she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child, but to be sure, Jane- one does not often see any body better looking' " (Austen 33).
Description 2:
This quote emphasises the true intensity Mrs. Bennet has to marry her daughters. She never stops competing for her daughters whether they like it or not. She hopes by pointing out the faults of her competition she will be able to make her daughters shine even more. All of her self worth comes from the image of her daughters in the eyes of suitors. She tries to make her girls happy the way which society says they will be, rich and married. Elizabeth's intellect and individualism collide with these ideals and set the plot development in motion for a probable crash course.
Description 1:
This mind blowing depiction of women is completely counter cultural in today's society. The quote infers that women are mere trophies and ought to exemplary in order to be recognized with a compliment that would not incite nearly as much dispute in today's society. Charming language is seen as uniform courtesy which people commonly expect for no extraordinary occasion.
Quote 2: " 'Oh! dear, yes; - but you must own that she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child, but to be sure, Jane- one does not often see any body better looking' " (Austen 33).
Description 2:
This quote emphasises the true intensity Mrs. Bennet has to marry her daughters. She never stops competing for her daughters whether they like it or not. She hopes by pointing out the faults of her competition she will be able to make her daughters shine even more. All of her self worth comes from the image of her daughters in the eyes of suitors. She tries to make her girls happy the way which society says they will be, rich and married. Elizabeth's intellect and individualism collide with these ideals and set the plot development in motion for a probable crash course.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Pride and Prejudice chapter analysis 1-6
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October29, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Pride and Prejudice
Quote 1L " 'How good it was in you my dear Mr. Bennet! But I knew I should persuade you at last' " (Austen 4)
Description 1:
The fact that Mr. and Mrs. Bennet address each other by their title is emblematic of their idealistic and emotional distance. Mr. Bennet wishes for his daughters to find the most happiness in their lives while Mrs. Bennet wishes to find it form them. Mr. Bennet favors Elizabeth because she is the embodiment of the self-sufficient characteristics that he values and wishes to impose upon the rest of his daughters by not planning for them as little as possible. In contrast, Mrs. Bennet favors Jane because she is complacently agreeable and therefore easily manipulated. The best way for a mother yo car for a daughter who would be easily stepped on in life is to guide her to a secure, wealthy suitor who can mold her in Mrs. Bennet's fancy.
Quote 2: "Mr. Farcy replied with great interpidiy, 'Miss Elizabeth Bennet' " (Austen 19)
Description 2:
Mr. Darcy's delayed intersest in Elizabether will prove to be a self-hampering factor if he so chooses to create a more intimate relationship with her. Mr. Darcy reserves his kindness for his inner circle of acquaintances. Elizabeth, similarly to the rest of the party, are offended by his snobbery and coldness. To have such a drastic change in option will seem as though he is making a jest at Elizabeth who already concurred with her town that Mr. Darcy exudes an over-bearing vanity.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Select one part of the Tao, and say why you think it is most important. Then try and add one concept to the Tao and support why it should be added
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 20, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Select one part of the Tao, and describe why you think it is most important. Then try and add one concept to the Tao and support why it should be a part of the Tao. One paragraph each.
Selected part of the Tao: ‘To take no notice of a violent attack is to strengthen the heart of the enemy. Vigour is valiant, but cowardice is vile.’ (Ancient Egyptian. The Pharaoh Senusert III, cit. H. R. Hall, Anceint History of the Near East, p 161)
The significance of this passage is so sublime because the situation it describes is a common pragmatism. Individuals often search for routes in life that steer away from the stormy seas of conflict. For one to see another suffering and consciously tell themselves that they will not help creates insatiable waves of guilt. It is far easier to ignore one’s suffering and convince oneself that they had not actually seen it. One can simply organize the event as part of the natural atmosphere in the back of one’s mind; classifying it as a mere inconvenience instead of a rectifiable issue.
Create an addition to the Tao: Slow the thoughts which are the quickest.
This addition should be a part of the Tao because it will do a great deal to eliminate wrong if people accept it as a value. It is very hard to come to terms with oneself when it comes to accepting that one was wrong. Individuals fabricate excuses in order to alleviate the pressure of guilt. A simple remedy would be consciously note and analyze thoughts which one’s mind would normally remove. If one can be true to themselves they will able to follow their
Rossi, 2
consciences more efficiently and leave less room for ignoring the problems that would not make one most delighted to deal with.
Michael Rossi
October 20, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Select one part of the Tao, and describe why you think it is most important. Then try and add one concept to the Tao and support why it should be a part of the Tao. One paragraph each.
Selected part of the Tao: ‘To take no notice of a violent attack is to strengthen the heart of the enemy. Vigour is valiant, but cowardice is vile.’ (Ancient Egyptian. The Pharaoh Senusert III, cit. H. R. Hall, Anceint History of the Near East, p 161)
The significance of this passage is so sublime because the situation it describes is a common pragmatism. Individuals often search for routes in life that steer away from the stormy seas of conflict. For one to see another suffering and consciously tell themselves that they will not help creates insatiable waves of guilt. It is far easier to ignore one’s suffering and convince oneself that they had not actually seen it. One can simply organize the event as part of the natural atmosphere in the back of one’s mind; classifying it as a mere inconvenience instead of a rectifiable issue.
Create an addition to the Tao: Slow the thoughts which are the quickest.
This addition should be a part of the Tao because it will do a great deal to eliminate wrong if people accept it as a value. It is very hard to come to terms with oneself when it comes to accepting that one was wrong. Individuals fabricate excuses in order to alleviate the pressure of guilt. A simple remedy would be consciously note and analyze thoughts which one’s mind would normally remove. If one can be true to themselves they will able to follow their
Rossi, 2
consciences more efficiently and leave less room for ignoring the problems that would not make one most delighted to deal with.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Abolition of man homework #3
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 19, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Select two quotations that you think are the most important from the section of the text "The Abolition of Man." Then summarize his argument in one paragraph.
Quote one: “Man’s conquest of himself means simply the rule of the Conditioners over the conditioned human material, the world of post-humanity which, some knowingly and some unknowingly, nearly all men in all nations are at present laboring to produce” (Lewis 75).
Quote two: “But you cannot go on ‘explaining away’ for ever: you will find that you have explained explanation itself away” (Lewis 81).
In Lewis’s final section of his book he speaks of how humanity’s misperception of conquest will lead to their demise. According to Lewis humanity has in fact conquered nature, but in doing so itself: “At the moment, then, of Man’s victory over Nature, we find the whole human race subjected to some individual men, and those individuals subjected to that in themselves which is purely ‘natural’- to their irrational impulses’ (Lewis 67). As the glare of our conquest shines outward, mother nature reveals that we are only conquering what has been permitted for us to conquer by other men. We as a people must except this as a basis for not even our questions will be valid if humanity cannot clearly see this one, objective basis.
Michael Rossi
October 19, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Select two quotations that you think are the most important from the section of the text "The Abolition of Man." Then summarize his argument in one paragraph.
Quote one: “Man’s conquest of himself means simply the rule of the Conditioners over the conditioned human material, the world of post-humanity which, some knowingly and some unknowingly, nearly all men in all nations are at present laboring to produce” (Lewis 75).
Quote two: “But you cannot go on ‘explaining away’ for ever: you will find that you have explained explanation itself away” (Lewis 81).
In Lewis’s final section of his book he speaks of how humanity’s misperception of conquest will lead to their demise. According to Lewis humanity has in fact conquered nature, but in doing so itself: “At the moment, then, of Man’s victory over Nature, we find the whole human race subjected to some individual men, and those individuals subjected to that in themselves which is purely ‘natural’- to their irrational impulses’ (Lewis 67). As the glare of our conquest shines outward, mother nature reveals that we are only conquering what has been permitted for us to conquer by other men. We as a people must except this as a basis for not even our questions will be valid if humanity cannot clearly see this one, objective basis.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Abolition of Man homework #2
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 17, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Select two quotations that you think are the most important from the section of the text "The Way." Then summarize his argument in one paragraph.
Quote one: “If justice is a superstition, then so is my duty to my country or my race. If the pursuit of scientific knowledge is a real value, then so is conjugal fidelity” (Lewis 44).
Quote two: “The half hearted skeptics who still hope to find ‘real’ value when they have debunked the traditional ones. This is the rejection of the concept of value altogether” (Lewis 51).
Lewis begins by speaking of how selflessness cannot merely be derived from instincts. The concepts of posterity and martyrdom are not instincts because they one who promotes posterity will never enjoy the result, just as one who dies for a cause will never experience the fruits of their labor. These concepts originate from something greater than instincts: “This will cost you your life cannot lead directly to do not do this: it can lead to it only through a felt desire or an acknowledged duty of self-preservation” (Lewis 32). Lewis then shifts his lecture toward the concept of value. Lewis debunks his critics by claiming asserting that Lewis is defending and basing his argument off traditional values. His critics scrap these values and in doing so they reject the concept of value altogether, thus invalidating their argument.
Michael Rossi
October 17, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Select two quotations that you think are the most important from the section of the text "The Way." Then summarize his argument in one paragraph.
Quote one: “If justice is a superstition, then so is my duty to my country or my race. If the pursuit of scientific knowledge is a real value, then so is conjugal fidelity” (Lewis 44).
Quote two: “The half hearted skeptics who still hope to find ‘real’ value when they have debunked the traditional ones. This is the rejection of the concept of value altogether” (Lewis 51).
Lewis begins by speaking of how selflessness cannot merely be derived from instincts. The concepts of posterity and martyrdom are not instincts because they one who promotes posterity will never enjoy the result, just as one who dies for a cause will never experience the fruits of their labor. These concepts originate from something greater than instincts: “This will cost you your life cannot lead directly to do not do this: it can lead to it only through a felt desire or an acknowledged duty of self-preservation” (Lewis 32). Lewis then shifts his lecture toward the concept of value. Lewis debunks his critics by claiming asserting that Lewis is defending and basing his argument off traditional values. His critics scrap these values and in doing so they reject the concept of value altogether, thus invalidating their argument.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Abolition of Man homework #1
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 14, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Read the section of The Abolition of Man entitled "Men Without Chests." When you have completed it, select two quotations that you think illuminate his main argument in the section. Then, once you have selected the quotations, try to summarize in a single paragraph his main argument in "Men Without Chests." Also, annotate his use of appeals, rhetoric, syntax and diction in the text itself.
Quote 1: “The right defense against false sentiments is to inculcate just sentiments. By starving the sensibility of our pupils we only make them easier prey to the propagandist when he comes. Famished nature will be avenged and a hard heart is no infallible protection against a soft head.
Quote 2: “We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at hour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst” (Lewis, 26).
Lewis remarks upon just how society has become entangled in an ignorant and contradictory snare. Educators, given the pseudonyms Gaius and Titus taught erroneous philosophy in the place of English. Gaius and Titus impose their philosophy of description merely being subject to the speaker and one’s perception merely becomes one’s opinion. Lewis vehemently disagrees and provides a counterexample to his opponents’ assertion: “This is pretty if those words simply described the lady’s feelings, would be absurd: if she had said I feel sick Coleridge would hardly have replied No; I feel quite well” (Lewis, 15). Lewis dubs the teaching not completely deliberate. Lewis claims that our method of inoculating the youth is like not creating an organ, but demanding the function.
Michael Rossi
October 14, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Read the section of The Abolition of Man entitled "Men Without Chests." When you have completed it, select two quotations that you think illuminate his main argument in the section. Then, once you have selected the quotations, try to summarize in a single paragraph his main argument in "Men Without Chests." Also, annotate his use of appeals, rhetoric, syntax and diction in the text itself.
Quote 1: “The right defense against false sentiments is to inculcate just sentiments. By starving the sensibility of our pupils we only make them easier prey to the propagandist when he comes. Famished nature will be avenged and a hard heart is no infallible protection against a soft head.
Quote 2: “We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at hour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst” (Lewis, 26).
Lewis remarks upon just how society has become entangled in an ignorant and contradictory snare. Educators, given the pseudonyms Gaius and Titus taught erroneous philosophy in the place of English. Gaius and Titus impose their philosophy of description merely being subject to the speaker and one’s perception merely becomes one’s opinion. Lewis vehemently disagrees and provides a counterexample to his opponents’ assertion: “This is pretty if those words simply described the lady’s feelings, would be absurd: if she had said I feel sick Coleridge would hardly have replied No; I feel quite well” (Lewis, 15). Lewis dubs the teaching not completely deliberate. Lewis claims that our method of inoculating the youth is like not creating an organ, but demanding the function.
Martin Luther King essay
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 12, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
History In The Making
How is it that a black man in the sixties, who was writing from prison nonetheless, was able to change the hearts and minds of a nation who was comfortable with black repression and unprepared for change? It is so simple and practical to dismiss annoyances that one does not wish to hear. It was not King’s pre-established character that had earned him the ears of his audience, nor his emotional pleas, but the unison of these two things working in harmony to support King’s irrefutable logic. This combination pummeled his points through society’s understanding of black repression. It was not logic understood by only blacks, uneducated logic, or circular logic that aroused America from its complacent slumber. It was universal logic that Christian social teaching and the American Constitution preached. King reminded America that such bold preaching should be boldly enforced. Logic is the crutch that emotion and character support throughout King’s speech.
King initiates his speech by firmly establishing his character: “My dear Fellow Clergymen, while confined here in the Birmingham City Jail, I came across your recent statement calling our present activities ‘unwise and untimely’ […] I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms” (King). Due to King’s status as an inmate it is imperative that he establish his character as a clergyman and an individual of intellect. After doing so, King draws parallels between Jesus Christ and himself as they both needed to preach their earth shaking messages to humanity: “You deplore the demonstrations that are presently taking place in Birmingham. But I am sorry that your statement did not express
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a similar concern for the conditions that brought the demonstrations into being” (King). Kings persuasion lies in the tone in which his argument is being presented. The phrase, I am sorry, has a certain aspect of condescension about it that seems to say; I do not see what is preventing you from seeing the fundamental problem as I do.
After making such a bold critique of the clergymen, King uses further logic to justify his assertions: “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any city in this nation. These are the hard, brutal, and unbelievable facts” (King). King’s aggressive word choice paints a vivid picture in one’s mind as they hear the atrocities that King is bringing to the surface. King uses extreme examples of African American mistreatment to fully articulate his point. The white moderate is forced to feel a sense of remorse as the undisguised logic is thrust in front of their face. They feel the sharp pangs of the mistreatment they have caused by inaction.
King’s razor sharp logic cleaves through the paper-thin resistance presented by the white moderate. King uses inversion to supplement his cold hard facts: “The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jet-like speed toward the goal of political independence and we still creep at horse and buggy pace toward the gaining of a cup of coffee at a lunch counter” (King). United States is considered superior to Asia and Africa in a vast majority of ways. The fact that the United States was behind Asia and Africa in racial justice is a startling embarrassment. How is it that a nation whose diversity was the building block to its existence, is not on par with sections of the world that deal with problems of poverty and starvation?
Through his logic King was able to dramatize extremism and its role within his message. King said, “Jesus Christ. Was an extremist for love, truth, and goodness and thereby rose above
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His environment. So, after all, maybe the South, the nation, and the world are in dire need of creative extremists” (King). This quote is remarkably significant because the comparison to Jesus Christ is a warning. Jesus, who was hated by men during his time, preached a message that begun the entire religion of Christianity. If the men who had tormented Jesus were alive they would be fully aware and fully sorry for the sins they had committed. In the same light, King warns his listeners not to make the same mistake as the Romans made. King is calling them to rise above societies teachings and listen to what is right in their hearts.
King turns his attentions to the church whom had acted as an outright opponent, just as many of the Jews who persecuted Jesus and his followers. King voices his disappointment in the same manner in which he had addressed the clergy earlier: “I have watched white churches stand on the sidelines and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. […] I have watched so many churches commit themselves to a completely otherworldly religion which made a strange distinction between body and soul, the sacred and the secular” (King). Calling the church out for their pious irrelevancies is no small matter. King is rallying the church to action. Too often in history the church had remained silent and distanced itself from world issues it could have changed. The church remained quiet against Nazi tyranny, American racial injustice as not just a small matter, but an immensely, influential matter that is on the same level as Jesus being ignored and the church ignoring the Nazi movement.
Logic is the crutch that emotion and character support throughout King’s speech. All forms of appeal are derived from logic and cannot stand alone. Crutches by themselves are simple tools that are created to support humans, and are meaningless on their own. In the end it is
Rossi, 4
logic that kicks away the crutches of emotion and character and stands on its own as the most persuasive of appeal throughout King’s speech.
Michael Rossi
October 12, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
History In The Making
How is it that a black man in the sixties, who was writing from prison nonetheless, was able to change the hearts and minds of a nation who was comfortable with black repression and unprepared for change? It is so simple and practical to dismiss annoyances that one does not wish to hear. It was not King’s pre-established character that had earned him the ears of his audience, nor his emotional pleas, but the unison of these two things working in harmony to support King’s irrefutable logic. This combination pummeled his points through society’s understanding of black repression. It was not logic understood by only blacks, uneducated logic, or circular logic that aroused America from its complacent slumber. It was universal logic that Christian social teaching and the American Constitution preached. King reminded America that such bold preaching should be boldly enforced. Logic is the crutch that emotion and character support throughout King’s speech.
King initiates his speech by firmly establishing his character: “My dear Fellow Clergymen, while confined here in the Birmingham City Jail, I came across your recent statement calling our present activities ‘unwise and untimely’ […] I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms” (King). Due to King’s status as an inmate it is imperative that he establish his character as a clergyman and an individual of intellect. After doing so, King draws parallels between Jesus Christ and himself as they both needed to preach their earth shaking messages to humanity: “You deplore the demonstrations that are presently taking place in Birmingham. But I am sorry that your statement did not express
Rossi, 2
a similar concern for the conditions that brought the demonstrations into being” (King). Kings persuasion lies in the tone in which his argument is being presented. The phrase, I am sorry, has a certain aspect of condescension about it that seems to say; I do not see what is preventing you from seeing the fundamental problem as I do.
After making such a bold critique of the clergymen, King uses further logic to justify his assertions: “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any city in this nation. These are the hard, brutal, and unbelievable facts” (King). King’s aggressive word choice paints a vivid picture in one’s mind as they hear the atrocities that King is bringing to the surface. King uses extreme examples of African American mistreatment to fully articulate his point. The white moderate is forced to feel a sense of remorse as the undisguised logic is thrust in front of their face. They feel the sharp pangs of the mistreatment they have caused by inaction.
King’s razor sharp logic cleaves through the paper-thin resistance presented by the white moderate. King uses inversion to supplement his cold hard facts: “The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jet-like speed toward the goal of political independence and we still creep at horse and buggy pace toward the gaining of a cup of coffee at a lunch counter” (King). United States is considered superior to Asia and Africa in a vast majority of ways. The fact that the United States was behind Asia and Africa in racial justice is a startling embarrassment. How is it that a nation whose diversity was the building block to its existence, is not on par with sections of the world that deal with problems of poverty and starvation?
Through his logic King was able to dramatize extremism and its role within his message. King said, “Jesus Christ. Was an extremist for love, truth, and goodness and thereby rose above
Rossi, 3
His environment. So, after all, maybe the South, the nation, and the world are in dire need of creative extremists” (King). This quote is remarkably significant because the comparison to Jesus Christ is a warning. Jesus, who was hated by men during his time, preached a message that begun the entire religion of Christianity. If the men who had tormented Jesus were alive they would be fully aware and fully sorry for the sins they had committed. In the same light, King warns his listeners not to make the same mistake as the Romans made. King is calling them to rise above societies teachings and listen to what is right in their hearts.
King turns his attentions to the church whom had acted as an outright opponent, just as many of the Jews who persecuted Jesus and his followers. King voices his disappointment in the same manner in which he had addressed the clergy earlier: “I have watched white churches stand on the sidelines and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. […] I have watched so many churches commit themselves to a completely otherworldly religion which made a strange distinction between body and soul, the sacred and the secular” (King). Calling the church out for their pious irrelevancies is no small matter. King is rallying the church to action. Too often in history the church had remained silent and distanced itself from world issues it could have changed. The church remained quiet against Nazi tyranny, American racial injustice as not just a small matter, but an immensely, influential matter that is on the same level as Jesus being ignored and the church ignoring the Nazi movement.
Logic is the crutch that emotion and character support throughout King’s speech. All forms of appeal are derived from logic and cannot stand alone. Crutches by themselves are simple tools that are created to support humans, and are meaningless on their own. In the end it is
Rossi, 4
logic that kicks away the crutches of emotion and character and stands on its own as the most persuasive of appeal throughout King’s speech.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 6, 2009
Advanced placement English language and composition
Martin Luther King speech analysis.
-Martin Luther King begins with an ethos appeal. Luther speaks of himself and how he cannot respond to every bit of criticism he encounters, “Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas” (King, 738). Luther establishes his character by stating he is a fellow clergyman.
-Luther then moves to an appeal at logos. He states his reasons for being in Birmingham. Luther references injustice and comparers his contribution to that of Paul.
-King speaks of how the clergymen are concerned that he did not have a license. King states that they should be concerned about the fact that a license is required in the first place.
-King speaks of how racial injustice engulfs the community. King backs up these assertions with facts, laced with aggressive words that paint a picture in one’s mind. In order to emphasize King’s statements of injustice he utilizes extreme examples of injustices: “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any other city in this nation” (King 739).
-King establishes the character of the demonstrators responsible during the time near his arrest. King was the only man arrested because he was black. King speaks of multiple forms of protest that should be used to throw open the gates to negotiation. The extreme lack of negotiation that
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occurred was greatly emphasized by King: “Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in the tragic attempt to live in monologue rather than dialogue” (King, 741).
-King does a phenomenal job pointing out the potential argument his critiques will put forth: “ one of the[…]individuals” (King, 741).
-“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” (741).
- King makes a logical comparison asking America what it lacks to take the steps needed to end slavery: “The nations of Asia […] (742).
-King uses more aggressive language to dramatize why blacks cannot simply wait for right treatment: “I guess-our legitimate and unavoidable impatience.
-King attacks the legal system separating just laws from unjust laws.
-King references Thomas Aquinas and Martin Buber, on page 743.
- King applies the just and unjust laws to his personal case of his arrest on page 744.
-King employs more historical evidence to support his logs appeal on page 744.
-King calls upon white moderates to change their ways and not wait: “I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and that when they fail to do this they become dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress” (745).
-On page 746 King makes an ethos appeal to his audience. He describes his role as a medium between different kinds of blacks. Those who abdicate violence, those who have become accustomed to segregation, and those who profit from it.
-Rossi, 3
-“I’m grateful to God that, through the Negro church, the dimension of nonviolence entered our struggle. If this philosophy had not emerged I am convinced that by now many streets of the South would be flowing with floods of blood” (746).
- King glorifies extremism: “was not Jesus an extremist in love?” (747).
- King speaks of how the white church regards the southern issues as mere social issues where the gospel has no relevance on page 749.
Michael Rossi
October 6, 2009
Advanced placement English language and composition
Martin Luther King speech analysis.
-Martin Luther King begins with an ethos appeal. Luther speaks of himself and how he cannot respond to every bit of criticism he encounters, “Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas” (King, 738). Luther establishes his character by stating he is a fellow clergyman.
-Luther then moves to an appeal at logos. He states his reasons for being in Birmingham. Luther references injustice and comparers his contribution to that of Paul.
-King speaks of how the clergymen are concerned that he did not have a license. King states that they should be concerned about the fact that a license is required in the first place.
-King speaks of how racial injustice engulfs the community. King backs up these assertions with facts, laced with aggressive words that paint a picture in one’s mind. In order to emphasize King’s statements of injustice he utilizes extreme examples of injustices: “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any other city in this nation” (King 739).
-King establishes the character of the demonstrators responsible during the time near his arrest. King was the only man arrested because he was black. King speaks of multiple forms of protest that should be used to throw open the gates to negotiation. The extreme lack of negotiation that
Rossi, 2
occurred was greatly emphasized by King: “Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in the tragic attempt to live in monologue rather than dialogue” (King, 741).
-King does a phenomenal job pointing out the potential argument his critiques will put forth: “ one of the[…]individuals” (King, 741).
-“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” (741).
- King makes a logical comparison asking America what it lacks to take the steps needed to end slavery: “The nations of Asia […] (742).
-King uses more aggressive language to dramatize why blacks cannot simply wait for right treatment: “I guess-our legitimate and unavoidable impatience.
-King attacks the legal system separating just laws from unjust laws.
-King references Thomas Aquinas and Martin Buber, on page 743.
- King applies the just and unjust laws to his personal case of his arrest on page 744.
-King employs more historical evidence to support his logs appeal on page 744.
-King calls upon white moderates to change their ways and not wait: “I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and that when they fail to do this they become dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress” (745).
-On page 746 King makes an ethos appeal to his audience. He describes his role as a medium between different kinds of blacks. Those who abdicate violence, those who have become accustomed to segregation, and those who profit from it.
-Rossi, 3
-“I’m grateful to God that, through the Negro church, the dimension of nonviolence entered our struggle. If this philosophy had not emerged I am convinced that by now many streets of the South would be flowing with floods of blood” (746).
- King glorifies extremism: “was not Jesus an extremist in love?” (747).
- King speaks of how the white church regards the southern issues as mere social issues where the gospel has no relevance on page 749.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Fallacies
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 05, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Post one example of each fallacy studied in class:Hasty Generalization, Stereotype, Cause and Effect, Only Cause, False Analogy, Attacking the Person, Either-Or Fallacy, Non-sequitur, Circular Reasoning, Begging the Question.
Hasty Generalization- Mike Fullerton’s hair is unruly. He must be an academic failure.
Stereotype- Black people love fried chicken, cool aide, and watermelon.
Cause and Effect- I ate a pound of Chinese food. As a result, our golf team never won a game.
Only cause- If people stop playing the wii all people will be skinny.
False Analogy- Tim had unrivaled concentration like the men in a Chinese opium den.
Attacking the Person- Mr. George wants everyone to speak in proper English. Of course he does, he is an English fanatic.
Either or Fallacy- Either we have to kill the criminal or torture him.
Non- sequitur- I eat a lot of food. I should not permitted to play spots.
Circular Reasoning- I am very really cool and smart. You should really let me rob your store.
Begging the Question- Everyone agrees Mr. George is a poor teacher.
Michael Rossi
October 05, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Post one example of each fallacy studied in class:Hasty Generalization, Stereotype, Cause and Effect, Only Cause, False Analogy, Attacking the Person, Either-Or Fallacy, Non-sequitur, Circular Reasoning, Begging the Question.
Hasty Generalization- Mike Fullerton’s hair is unruly. He must be an academic failure.
Stereotype- Black people love fried chicken, cool aide, and watermelon.
Cause and Effect- I ate a pound of Chinese food. As a result, our golf team never won a game.
Only cause- If people stop playing the wii all people will be skinny.
False Analogy- Tim had unrivaled concentration like the men in a Chinese opium den.
Attacking the Person- Mr. George wants everyone to speak in proper English. Of course he does, he is an English fanatic.
Either or Fallacy- Either we have to kill the criminal or torture him.
Non- sequitur- I eat a lot of food. I should not permitted to play spots.
Circular Reasoning- I am very really cool and smart. You should really let me rob your store.
Begging the Question- Everyone agrees Mr. George is a poor teacher.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
4 syllogism composition
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 4, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Compose 4 syllogisms that are true, and four that are false. Describe in one sentence, how each false syllogism is false.
True Syllogisms
1: Soccer players have the Trinity Catholic soccer jerseys. Daryl Thomas has a Trinity Catholic soccer jersey. Daryl Thomas is a soccer player.
2: Harry cannot read books. The Little Red Riding Hood is a book. Harry cannot read the Little Red Riding Hood.
3: Human beings do not have wings. Scott Pero is a human being. Scott Pero does not have wings.
4: Fish cannot fly. A salmon is a fish. Salmon cannot fly.
False Syllogisms
1: A. Red Bull gives you wings. Dante drinks Red Bull. Dante has wings.
B. The syllogism is false because the expression, Red Bull gives you wings is an exaggeration, used to express the amount of energy one gains from drinking Red Bull. There the conclusion is erroneous as it is based off a false premise.
2: A. World leaders are moral people. Hitler was a world leader. Hitler was a moral person.
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B. The syllogism is false because world leaders are not always moral people. Hitler was a world leader and he was amoral.
3. A. Cars have four wheels. A wheel barrel has four wheels. A wheel barrel is a car.
B. The syllogism is false because many things besides cars have four wheels. Just because a wheel barrel has four wheels does not mean it is a car.
4. A. Humans have two eyes. An eagle has two eyes. An eagle is human.
B. The syllogism is false because other creatures besides humans have two eyes. Eagles are not human.
5. A. Mr. George reads books. Mr. reads street signs. Street signs are books.
B: The syllogism is false because Mr. George reads other writings that are not necessarily books. A street sign is not a book.
Michael Rossi
October 4, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Compose 4 syllogisms that are true, and four that are false. Describe in one sentence, how each false syllogism is false.
True Syllogisms
1: Soccer players have the Trinity Catholic soccer jerseys. Daryl Thomas has a Trinity Catholic soccer jersey. Daryl Thomas is a soccer player.
2: Harry cannot read books. The Little Red Riding Hood is a book. Harry cannot read the Little Red Riding Hood.
3: Human beings do not have wings. Scott Pero is a human being. Scott Pero does not have wings.
4: Fish cannot fly. A salmon is a fish. Salmon cannot fly.
False Syllogisms
1: A. Red Bull gives you wings. Dante drinks Red Bull. Dante has wings.
B. The syllogism is false because the expression, Red Bull gives you wings is an exaggeration, used to express the amount of energy one gains from drinking Red Bull. There the conclusion is erroneous as it is based off a false premise.
2: A. World leaders are moral people. Hitler was a world leader. Hitler was a moral person.
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B. The syllogism is false because world leaders are not always moral people. Hitler was a world leader and he was amoral.
3. A. Cars have four wheels. A wheel barrel has four wheels. A wheel barrel is a car.
B. The syllogism is false because many things besides cars have four wheels. Just because a wheel barrel has four wheels does not mean it is a car.
4. A. Humans have two eyes. An eagle has two eyes. An eagle is human.
B. The syllogism is false because other creatures besides humans have two eyes. Eagles are not human.
5. A. Mr. George reads books. Mr. reads street signs. Street signs are books.
B: The syllogism is false because Mr. George reads other writings that are not necessarily books. A street sign is not a book.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
creat your own proposal
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
September 30, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition/ Mr. George
Compose your own proposal. Should be no less than a full page and no more than 3 pages. You must incorporate all three forms of persuasion, and demonstrate which you are using by keeping logic in standard font, character in bold, and emotion in italics. The entire text does not need to be one of these three, but I want to make sure you know which appeals you are using.
Love is quite the word. It always scared me to say. To me it means I’m ready to marry you. Everyone used to use it all the time with no thought and it bothered me. It scared me not because I didn’t know how I felt but, because I always thought that there would be something I did not love about the woman and it would bug me until I ended the relationship. Eventually I learned that love wasn’t about finding the perfect person, but the person who is perfect for you. You are perfect for anyone in the world.
I love the way you would know I was home for the afternoon after I put everything the exact way it was before I left it. I love the way you smile when I play the guitar even if I screw up. I love the way you ignore what I’m saying and push my thoughts away with your lips. I love the way you fall asleep while the television is on. I love the way you try to make me laugh when I’m on the phone. I love the passion of your jealousy when you suspect that my eyes may wander.
You do make a few things a hassle for me that I hate dealing with. I hate the way I can’t clean the apartment perfectly before I leave and restore you sanctuary. I hate the way my nerves stiffen my fingers so I can’t show how much I love you with a chord. I hate the way I ramble and burden you with the details of my day. I hate the way I forget to turn off the television when I notice the entirety of your day carrying you off to sleep. I hate the way I try to resist laughing at your heavenly sense of humor. I hate the thoughts of you ever being anywhere but with me. I hate the way I don’t know the words to tell you that you mean the world to me. And I hate torment of knowing that you could have anyone in the
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whole damn world if you wanted. I hate the fact that you have to put up with me and my stupidity (I kneel down and take out a ring). Could you put up with me for the rest of your life?
Michael Rossi
September 30, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition/ Mr. George
Compose your own proposal. Should be no less than a full page and no more than 3 pages. You must incorporate all three forms of persuasion, and demonstrate which you are using by keeping logic in standard font, character in bold, and emotion in italics. The entire text does not need to be one of these three, but I want to make sure you know which appeals you are using.
Love is quite the word. It always scared me to say. To me it means I’m ready to marry you. Everyone used to use it all the time with no thought and it bothered me. It scared me not because I didn’t know how I felt but, because I always thought that there would be something I did not love about the woman and it would bug me until I ended the relationship. Eventually I learned that love wasn’t about finding the perfect person, but the person who is perfect for you. You are perfect for anyone in the world.
I love the way you would know I was home for the afternoon after I put everything the exact way it was before I left it. I love the way you smile when I play the guitar even if I screw up. I love the way you ignore what I’m saying and push my thoughts away with your lips. I love the way you fall asleep while the television is on. I love the way you try to make me laugh when I’m on the phone. I love the passion of your jealousy when you suspect that my eyes may wander.
You do make a few things a hassle for me that I hate dealing with. I hate the way I can’t clean the apartment perfectly before I leave and restore you sanctuary. I hate the way my nerves stiffen my fingers so I can’t show how much I love you with a chord. I hate the way I ramble and burden you with the details of my day. I hate the way I forget to turn off the television when I notice the entirety of your day carrying you off to sleep. I hate the way I try to resist laughing at your heavenly sense of humor. I hate the thoughts of you ever being anywhere but with me. I hate the way I don’t know the words to tell you that you mean the world to me. And I hate torment of knowing that you could have anyone in the
Rossi, 2
whole damn world if you wanted. I hate the fact that you have to put up with me and my stupidity (I kneel down and take out a ring). Could you put up with me for the rest of your life?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Pride and Prejudice excerpt analysis
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
September 28, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Analyze Mr. Collins proposal looking for examples of the appeals that he uses. Explain clearly why his appeals are ineffective and how he could have improved his proposal. I'd like you to have a one sentence thesis as your introduction, followed by at least two body paragraphs citing examples from the text. Focus on his diction and syntax in analyzing the appeals. Cite the text. The author is Jane Austen, and don't bother about page numbers.
Throughout the excerpt Mr. Collins verbalizes three types of crass appeal to win the heart of Elizabeth: Logic (logos), Pathos (emotional), and Ethos (character).
The first jab at romantic appeal Mr. Collins employs is one of logic. In the vast majority of speech and forms of literature, logic is the basis on which arguments are founded and support character and emotional appeal. Mr. Collins attempts to make Elizabeth understand the reasoning for his desire to marry her. His explanation exudes an unforgivable tone of condescension and only works against him: “”My reasons for marrying are, first that I think it a right for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness’” (Austin). This type of speech immediately breaks any potential positive reception because Mr. Collins’ wishes to wed are based on selfishness and the approval of a friend whose opinion matters more to Mr. Collins than that of the woman he wishes to marry. Mr. Collins logic shows that he will put himself before his wife and does not know how to treat a woman or even acknowledge the fact that his entire argument’s goal should be Elizabeth’s answer.
Based off a unique set of logic Mr. Collins attempts to change Elizabeth’s utter rejection by referencing characteristic points that only emphasize his arrogance and inability to understand
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a member of the opposite sex. Mr. Collins asserts his said qualities when he makes crude remarks upon the stern rejection Elizabeth had given him: “because I know it to be the establish custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my suit as would be consistent with the delicacy of the female character” (Austin). Not only does the argument lose steam for its insensitivity but it also defeats the purpose of Mr. Collins attempting to convince Elizabeth of anything. If her answer truly does not matter then why should he waste his time asking her?
Lastly Mr. Collins’ attempt at an emotional appeal was an insensitive faux pas. Mr. Collins states that he will open up to Elizabeth about his affection only to not follow through: “And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection” (Austen). This, violent affection, is never displayed. In its stead Collins speaks coldly of fortune and inheritance emphasizing his absent mindedness and inability to elaborate on something he so boldly declared he would.
Michael Rossi
September 28, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Analyze Mr. Collins proposal looking for examples of the appeals that he uses. Explain clearly why his appeals are ineffective and how he could have improved his proposal. I'd like you to have a one sentence thesis as your introduction, followed by at least two body paragraphs citing examples from the text. Focus on his diction and syntax in analyzing the appeals. Cite the text. The author is Jane Austen, and don't bother about page numbers.
Throughout the excerpt Mr. Collins verbalizes three types of crass appeal to win the heart of Elizabeth: Logic (logos), Pathos (emotional), and Ethos (character).
The first jab at romantic appeal Mr. Collins employs is one of logic. In the vast majority of speech and forms of literature, logic is the basis on which arguments are founded and support character and emotional appeal. Mr. Collins attempts to make Elizabeth understand the reasoning for his desire to marry her. His explanation exudes an unforgivable tone of condescension and only works against him: “”My reasons for marrying are, first that I think it a right for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness’” (Austin). This type of speech immediately breaks any potential positive reception because Mr. Collins’ wishes to wed are based on selfishness and the approval of a friend whose opinion matters more to Mr. Collins than that of the woman he wishes to marry. Mr. Collins logic shows that he will put himself before his wife and does not know how to treat a woman or even acknowledge the fact that his entire argument’s goal should be Elizabeth’s answer.
Based off a unique set of logic Mr. Collins attempts to change Elizabeth’s utter rejection by referencing characteristic points that only emphasize his arrogance and inability to understand
Rossi, 2
a member of the opposite sex. Mr. Collins asserts his said qualities when he makes crude remarks upon the stern rejection Elizabeth had given him: “because I know it to be the establish custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my suit as would be consistent with the delicacy of the female character” (Austin). Not only does the argument lose steam for its insensitivity but it also defeats the purpose of Mr. Collins attempting to convince Elizabeth of anything. If her answer truly does not matter then why should he waste his time asking her?
Lastly Mr. Collins’ attempt at an emotional appeal was an insensitive faux pas. Mr. Collins states that he will open up to Elizabeth about his affection only to not follow through: “And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection” (Austen). This, violent affection, is never displayed. In its stead Collins speaks coldly of fortune and inheritance emphasizing his absent mindedness and inability to elaborate on something he so boldly declared he would.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Huckleberry Finn Social critique
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Michael Rossi
September 15, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language
Huckleberry Finn Notes: How is Huckleberry Finn a social critique
Notes
Escaping society’s demands and punishments allows Huck to develop pure social critiques pertaining to the bigotry of the south. He makes an astounding growth away from the prejudice that the widow taught to him. When Huck and Jim escaped on the raft Huck was deeply vexed by the guilt of contributing to the freedom of an African American. He realizes he did not directly steal and liberate Jim from his owner, however he feels the guilt the one would
feel if he went on vacation and found that his neighbor’s pet cat slipped to into his luggage and he continued on vacation without bothering to notify the neighbors. It’s the sort of guilt that isn’t
serious enough to control your actions unless one ponders over it for extensive periods of time. Huck was aided in distracting himself from guilt by getting to know Jim as time passes. Huck feels torn between turning Jim in because he believes it is the right thing to do, when it is society telling him what to do. On the other hand, Huck believes delivering Jim to his freedom originated from a self serving motivation while in reality he is following Christianity. Without a modern Christian education, Huck is forced to make the decision that his nagging conscience and Christianity are one and the same. Huck believes that choosing Jim’s freedom means heading straight for hell. The sheer intensity of Huck’s decision is best represented in the following quote: “I was a trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: ‘All right, then, I’ll go to hell’ (228). Accepting the worst fate know to man is a bold step against the southern racial repression and because it shows how it is wrong through the eyes of a child.
Michael Rossi
September 15, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language
Huckleberry Finn Notes: How is Huckleberry Finn a social critique
Notes
Escaping society’s demands and punishments allows Huck to develop pure social critiques pertaining to the bigotry of the south. He makes an astounding growth away from the prejudice that the widow taught to him. When Huck and Jim escaped on the raft Huck was deeply vexed by the guilt of contributing to the freedom of an African American. He realizes he did not directly steal and liberate Jim from his owner, however he feels the guilt the one would
feel if he went on vacation and found that his neighbor’s pet cat slipped to into his luggage and he continued on vacation without bothering to notify the neighbors. It’s the sort of guilt that isn’t
serious enough to control your actions unless one ponders over it for extensive periods of time. Huck was aided in distracting himself from guilt by getting to know Jim as time passes. Huck feels torn between turning Jim in because he believes it is the right thing to do, when it is society telling him what to do. On the other hand, Huck believes delivering Jim to his freedom originated from a self serving motivation while in reality he is following Christianity. Without a modern Christian education, Huck is forced to make the decision that his nagging conscience and Christianity are one and the same. Huck believes that choosing Jim’s freedom means heading straight for hell. The sheer intensity of Huck’s decision is best represented in the following quote: “I was a trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: ‘All right, then, I’ll go to hell’ (228). Accepting the worst fate know to man is a bold step against the southern racial repression and because it shows how it is wrong through the eyes of a child.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Monte Cristo Notes- Religion
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Michael Rossi
September 9, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language
Prepare a page of notes on The Count of Monte Cristo:1 page of notes on Dantes playing the role of God. Post to blogs and have a typed sheet to hand in. Have quotes for support.
Notes
Throughout much of the text Edmond Dantes had believed that the riches given to him by Abbe Faria was actually a weapon given to him from in God in order for Dantes to extract vengeance upon those who had harmed him and to bless those who were true to him before his days in the Chateau D’if. Dantes’ mindset began with him taking his vow of vengeance: “This treasure […] doubled its value in his eyes; daily would he expatiate on the amount, holding forth to Dantes’ face would darken, for the oath of vengeance he had taken would come into his mind, and he was occupied with the thought of how much harm a man could do to his enemies in modern times with a fortune of thirteen or fourteen million (115).This vow led Dantes to believe that his life roll as an avenger was chosen by God.
Dantes became the Count of Monte Cristo and carried out all of what he believed to be his divine tasks. The Count emanated an aura of perfection and eloquence. The Count made a firm effort to squash any signs of his imperfection, however dealing with his long, lost love proved to be too overbearing for Dantes and his knees buckled under the weight: “Then his plans were frustrated at the eleventh hour through no action on his part; now, just as his schemes for revenge were materializing, he must relinquish them for ever, solely because he had no reckoned with one factor-his love for Mercedes” (567). Mercedes proved to be the single crack in Dantes’ armor, forcing the pain of humanity back into Dantes life. Other schemes of vengeance were foiled by Mercedes influence. Very soon it was not only those whom Edmond loved that pulled him back to humanity, but his enemies whom the Count had set out to destroy. This is best
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demonstrated when the count reached a realization of his cruelty when he was wreaking havoc on the house of Noirtier: “Realizing that he had passed beyond the bounds of vengeance, he felt he could no longer say: ‘God is for me and with me.’ With an expression of indescribable anguish, he threw himself on the child’s body, opened his eyes, felt his pulse, and, rushing with him into valentine’s room, locked the door” (475). It took the count a moment to step back to rise above himself and view the situation as the count should have viewed it, as the humble Edmond Dantes.
Michael Rossi
September 9, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language
Prepare a page of notes on The Count of Monte Cristo:1 page of notes on Dantes playing the role of God. Post to blogs and have a typed sheet to hand in. Have quotes for support.
Notes
Throughout much of the text Edmond Dantes had believed that the riches given to him by Abbe Faria was actually a weapon given to him from in God in order for Dantes to extract vengeance upon those who had harmed him and to bless those who were true to him before his days in the Chateau D’if. Dantes’ mindset began with him taking his vow of vengeance: “This treasure […] doubled its value in his eyes; daily would he expatiate on the amount, holding forth to Dantes’ face would darken, for the oath of vengeance he had taken would come into his mind, and he was occupied with the thought of how much harm a man could do to his enemies in modern times with a fortune of thirteen or fourteen million (115).This vow led Dantes to believe that his life roll as an avenger was chosen by God.
Dantes became the Count of Monte Cristo and carried out all of what he believed to be his divine tasks. The Count emanated an aura of perfection and eloquence. The Count made a firm effort to squash any signs of his imperfection, however dealing with his long, lost love proved to be too overbearing for Dantes and his knees buckled under the weight: “Then his plans were frustrated at the eleventh hour through no action on his part; now, just as his schemes for revenge were materializing, he must relinquish them for ever, solely because he had no reckoned with one factor-his love for Mercedes” (567). Mercedes proved to be the single crack in Dantes’ armor, forcing the pain of humanity back into Dantes life. Other schemes of vengeance were foiled by Mercedes influence. Very soon it was not only those whom Edmond loved that pulled him back to humanity, but his enemies whom the Count had set out to destroy. This is best
Rossi, 2
demonstrated when the count reached a realization of his cruelty when he was wreaking havoc on the house of Noirtier: “Realizing that he had passed beyond the bounds of vengeance, he felt he could no longer say: ‘God is for me and with me.’ With an expression of indescribable anguish, he threw himself on the child’s body, opened his eyes, felt his pulse, and, rushing with him into valentine’s room, locked the door” (475). It took the count a moment to step back to rise above himself and view the situation as the count should have viewed it, as the humble Edmond Dantes.
Monte Cristo Notes- Honor
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Michael Rossi
September 10, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language
Prep (2/3rds of a page of ) notes on the role of honor in the Count of Monte Cristo. Focus on Morrel
Notes
The theme of honor arises throughout the novel and has a heavy impact upon many of the characters and their behavior. An excellent example of an honorable character that lives by his word and exhibits incredible generosity is Monsieur. Morrel. Morrel was being assailed by debt due his cargo ships sinking. A group of surviving sailors from the Pharaon confronted the Morrel and spoke of the tragedy that had befallen them at sea and reported that they desired no such payment from their financially crippled employer “If you have no money, you surely shall not pay us; like the Pharaon, we can go under bare poles” (177). Not allowing himself to wallow in his sadness Morrel responded, “’Enough, enough, my friends!’ said Morrel, choking with emotion. ‘Leave me, I beg you’(177). Monsieur Morrel remained true to his word and showed the sailors out of his home so that he would not be tempted to stray from his code of honor.
The remarkable aspect about Morrel is that his desire to stand by his honor is so strict that it can only be the result of Christian purity , not the result of him simply trying to look like society’s perfect man in order to impress his peers. Morrel holds dear to his virtue of honor even in the face of death: “’you will be paid or else I shall be dead’ (178). Morrel was extremely close to taking his life when Edmond Dantes’ stepped in and alleviated Morrel’s debt much like God had sparred the child of Abraham.
Michael Rossi
September 10, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language
Prep (2/3rds of a page of ) notes on the role of honor in the Count of Monte Cristo. Focus on Morrel
Notes
The theme of honor arises throughout the novel and has a heavy impact upon many of the characters and their behavior. An excellent example of an honorable character that lives by his word and exhibits incredible generosity is Monsieur. Morrel. Morrel was being assailed by debt due his cargo ships sinking. A group of surviving sailors from the Pharaon confronted the Morrel and spoke of the tragedy that had befallen them at sea and reported that they desired no such payment from their financially crippled employer “If you have no money, you surely shall not pay us; like the Pharaon, we can go under bare poles” (177). Not allowing himself to wallow in his sadness Morrel responded, “’Enough, enough, my friends!’ said Morrel, choking with emotion. ‘Leave me, I beg you’(177). Monsieur Morrel remained true to his word and showed the sailors out of his home so that he would not be tempted to stray from his code of honor.
The remarkable aspect about Morrel is that his desire to stand by his honor is so strict that it can only be the result of Christian purity , not the result of him simply trying to look like society’s perfect man in order to impress his peers. Morrel holds dear to his virtue of honor even in the face of death: “’you will be paid or else I shall be dead’ (178). Morrel was extremely close to taking his life when Edmond Dantes’ stepped in and alleviated Morrel’s debt much like God had sparred the child of Abraham.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Huckleberry Finn Essay
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Michael Rossi
August 12, 2009
Advanced Placement Language and Composition
Huckleberry Finn essay prompt two: How is Huck’s journey down the river a journey to a greater human understanding? How is Huck enabled to live outside of the confines of society, and in doing so, disinherit the bigotry that enveloped the south?
Intricacy at its Simplest
When an individual is raised within a society he inherits that society’s beliefs, values, and practices. Huck’s interesting condition of being taken from society and placed back into it allows him to issue pure judgment on society and its laws without any influence. Huck is able to witness and partake in the lives of others and partake in them while having the ability to move on to a new adventure any time he chooses. Huck escapes a handful of sticky situations by assimilating to multiple stereotypes. He is able to use this ability as magic and slip from society grasp continue his adventures. Throughout the novel, Huck attains a greater human understanding, is enabled to live outside the confines of society, and disinherits the bigotry of the south.
Huck gains a greater human understanding of relationships as the text progresses. Throughout Huck’s existence, he fluctuates between two extreme domestic environments. Huck’s father was an oppressive alcoholic who tried to force Huck to become like him and the widow imposed her strict Christian values and southern traditions upon Huck: “The Widow Douglas, she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time, considering how dismal and regular and decent the widow was in all her ways; and so when I couldn’t stand it no longer, I lit out” (9). When Huck was not with the widow, he lived with his father who only offered human interaction at its simplest form: submit or be forced to submit. Huck was a growing boy and his father’s lifestyle offered very little growing room, so it became natural that Huck broke his father’s hold on him. The next level of
Rossi, 2
Huck’s human understanding that Huck achieved was being convinced to submit (not forced). Huck obeyed his father out of fear. Tom Sawyer, on the other hand was held in Huck’s highest regard. Huck obeyed Tom because Huck’s relationship with Tom has always been working under and trusting Tom: “Tom Sawyer he hunted me up and said he was going to start a band of robbers, and I might join if I would go back to the widow and be respectable” (9). Huck associated Tom with freedom and latched onto him like an iron clasp. Huck would include the fact that Tom would be able to complete the given task with the same efficiency and a greater style. It was only towards the end of the novel when Huck was able to achieve the courage to question those who he had become accustomed to obeying. Huck had an advanced level of human understanding. He taught himself to question authority. He was able to question and disobey the orders of his father and the widow. Huck challenged Tom Sawyer’s motives to place animals in Jim’s cell and the practicality of Tom’s plan. Previously Huck would have accepted his inadequacy.
Huck’s resourcefulness and worldly knowledge allows him to evade society’s grasp and enter society only when Huck deems it to be necessary. Huck’s raft is the physical sanctuary where Huck can escape from society: “ We said there warn’t no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft” (128). Aside from running and hiding from society Huck was able to move freely in society while letting trouble slide off him like melted butter. Huck’s age and
intelligence are greatly masked by his poor grammar and youth. His incredible wit allows him to flee his father’s house and create a likely scenario that would explain his disappearance. Huck’s youthful and ignorant exterior was his fail safe method of shedding suspicion. He is able to
Rossi, 3
portray himself differently depending upon how he wishes to be viewed. Tom Sawyer knew how to convince Huck of anything. Huck always presented himself as a brain dead lackey who was stupefied by Tom’s every move. In actuality Huck internally questioned the efficiency of Tom’s plan. Tom also relied on multiple stereotypes to provide excuses in his favor. After Huck and Tom attempted to free Jim the adults learned of their plan and commented on its intricacy. Huck explained the failure to Aunt Sally and she forgave them on the account that they were simply boys who sought adventure, ignorant of their boundaries and hazards. Huck commented on Aunt Sally’s leniency and attributed the cause to his gender: “and then she said she’d forgive us, and maybe it was all right enough anyway and about what a body might expect of boys, for all boys was a pretty harum-scarum lot, as fur as she could see; and so, as long as no harm hadn’t come of it, she judged she better put in her time being grateful we was alive” (296). In this quote Huck added the phrase, as far as she could see, which reveals that Aunt Sally could not distinguish Huck’s actual intentions. Aunt Sally simply regarded Huck’s mishap as a game, not as a stance against society and it’s values. Huck wanted to liberate Jim and to give him freedom, not to play hero or simulate a jail break. Huck challenges society while relying on society for protection.
Escaping society’s demands and punishments allows Huck to develop his own beliefs and disinherit the bigotry of the south. He makes an astounding growth away from the
prejudice that the widow taught to him. When Huck and Jim escaped on the raft Huck was deeply vexed by the guilt of contributing to the freedom of an African American. He realizes he did not directly steal and liberate Jim from his owner, however he feels the guilt the one would
feel if he went on vacation and found that his neighbor’s pet cat slipped to into his luggage and he continued on vacation without bothering to notify the neighbors. It’s the sort of guilt that isn’t
Rossi, 4
serious enough to control your actions unless one ponders over it for extensive periods of time. Huck was aided in distracting himself from guilt by getting to know Jim as time passes. Huck feels torn between turning Jim in because he believes it is the right thing to do, when it is society telling him what to do. On the other hand, Huck believes delivering Jim to his freedom originated from a self serving motivation while in reality he is following Christianity. Without a modern Christian education, Huck is forced to make the decision that his nagging conscience and Christianity are one and the same. Huck believes that choosing Jim’s freedom means heading straight for hell. The sheer intensity of Huck’s decision is best represented in the following quote: “I was a trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: ‘All right, then, I’ll go to hell’ (228). Accepting the worst fate know to man is a bold step against the southern racial repression and because it shows how it is wrong through the eyes of a child. Huck simply believes he has agreed to burn in hell in order to save his friend which he eventually learns is just as humane as he is and whose life truly is worth saving.
Throughout the novel Huck attains a greater human understanding, is enabled to live outside the confines of society, and is able to disinherit the bigotry of the south. Huck relies on
the stereotypes that he fits to endure the main brunt of the blame that would reveal a grown man to be a criminal. Huck is able to cast blame away from him and escape from society with the expertise of a magician. He does not fully understand the complex forms of his speech structure that emphasizes his apparent inability to comprehend the main point of conversations and ignorance of the world around him: “And when it was late in the day, the people all went then I come in and told her the noise and shooting waked up me and ‘Sid,’ and the door was locked,
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and we wanted to see the fun, so we went down the lightning-rod, and both of us got hurt a little, and we didn’t never want to try that no more” (295-296). Huck’s emphasis of his remorse of grappling the pole is a small but significant statement that demonstrates that he doesn’t appear to understand what is truly being asked of him. Huck’s skilled and manipulative speech masks his true intellect to others and quells their suspicion even though Huck is not conscious of him doing so (he does it instinctively). That is the thing about magic. A great magician never reveals his secrets, in Huck’s case, not even to himself.
Michael Rossi
August 12, 2009
Advanced Placement Language and Composition
Huckleberry Finn essay prompt two: How is Huck’s journey down the river a journey to a greater human understanding? How is Huck enabled to live outside of the confines of society, and in doing so, disinherit the bigotry that enveloped the south?
Intricacy at its Simplest
When an individual is raised within a society he inherits that society’s beliefs, values, and practices. Huck’s interesting condition of being taken from society and placed back into it allows him to issue pure judgment on society and its laws without any influence. Huck is able to witness and partake in the lives of others and partake in them while having the ability to move on to a new adventure any time he chooses. Huck escapes a handful of sticky situations by assimilating to multiple stereotypes. He is able to use this ability as magic and slip from society grasp continue his adventures. Throughout the novel, Huck attains a greater human understanding, is enabled to live outside the confines of society, and disinherits the bigotry of the south.
Huck gains a greater human understanding of relationships as the text progresses. Throughout Huck’s existence, he fluctuates between two extreme domestic environments. Huck’s father was an oppressive alcoholic who tried to force Huck to become like him and the widow imposed her strict Christian values and southern traditions upon Huck: “The Widow Douglas, she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time, considering how dismal and regular and decent the widow was in all her ways; and so when I couldn’t stand it no longer, I lit out” (9). When Huck was not with the widow, he lived with his father who only offered human interaction at its simplest form: submit or be forced to submit. Huck was a growing boy and his father’s lifestyle offered very little growing room, so it became natural that Huck broke his father’s hold on him. The next level of
Rossi, 2
Huck’s human understanding that Huck achieved was being convinced to submit (not forced). Huck obeyed his father out of fear. Tom Sawyer, on the other hand was held in Huck’s highest regard. Huck obeyed Tom because Huck’s relationship with Tom has always been working under and trusting Tom: “Tom Sawyer he hunted me up and said he was going to start a band of robbers, and I might join if I would go back to the widow and be respectable” (9). Huck associated Tom with freedom and latched onto him like an iron clasp. Huck would include the fact that Tom would be able to complete the given task with the same efficiency and a greater style. It was only towards the end of the novel when Huck was able to achieve the courage to question those who he had become accustomed to obeying. Huck had an advanced level of human understanding. He taught himself to question authority. He was able to question and disobey the orders of his father and the widow. Huck challenged Tom Sawyer’s motives to place animals in Jim’s cell and the practicality of Tom’s plan. Previously Huck would have accepted his inadequacy.
Huck’s resourcefulness and worldly knowledge allows him to evade society’s grasp and enter society only when Huck deems it to be necessary. Huck’s raft is the physical sanctuary where Huck can escape from society: “ We said there warn’t no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft” (128). Aside from running and hiding from society Huck was able to move freely in society while letting trouble slide off him like melted butter. Huck’s age and
intelligence are greatly masked by his poor grammar and youth. His incredible wit allows him to flee his father’s house and create a likely scenario that would explain his disappearance. Huck’s youthful and ignorant exterior was his fail safe method of shedding suspicion. He is able to
Rossi, 3
portray himself differently depending upon how he wishes to be viewed. Tom Sawyer knew how to convince Huck of anything. Huck always presented himself as a brain dead lackey who was stupefied by Tom’s every move. In actuality Huck internally questioned the efficiency of Tom’s plan. Tom also relied on multiple stereotypes to provide excuses in his favor. After Huck and Tom attempted to free Jim the adults learned of their plan and commented on its intricacy. Huck explained the failure to Aunt Sally and she forgave them on the account that they were simply boys who sought adventure, ignorant of their boundaries and hazards. Huck commented on Aunt Sally’s leniency and attributed the cause to his gender: “and then she said she’d forgive us, and maybe it was all right enough anyway and about what a body might expect of boys, for all boys was a pretty harum-scarum lot, as fur as she could see; and so, as long as no harm hadn’t come of it, she judged she better put in her time being grateful we was alive” (296). In this quote Huck added the phrase, as far as she could see, which reveals that Aunt Sally could not distinguish Huck’s actual intentions. Aunt Sally simply regarded Huck’s mishap as a game, not as a stance against society and it’s values. Huck wanted to liberate Jim and to give him freedom, not to play hero or simulate a jail break. Huck challenges society while relying on society for protection.
Escaping society’s demands and punishments allows Huck to develop his own beliefs and disinherit the bigotry of the south. He makes an astounding growth away from the
prejudice that the widow taught to him. When Huck and Jim escaped on the raft Huck was deeply vexed by the guilt of contributing to the freedom of an African American. He realizes he did not directly steal and liberate Jim from his owner, however he feels the guilt the one would
feel if he went on vacation and found that his neighbor’s pet cat slipped to into his luggage and he continued on vacation without bothering to notify the neighbors. It’s the sort of guilt that isn’t
Rossi, 4
serious enough to control your actions unless one ponders over it for extensive periods of time. Huck was aided in distracting himself from guilt by getting to know Jim as time passes. Huck feels torn between turning Jim in because he believes it is the right thing to do, when it is society telling him what to do. On the other hand, Huck believes delivering Jim to his freedom originated from a self serving motivation while in reality he is following Christianity. Without a modern Christian education, Huck is forced to make the decision that his nagging conscience and Christianity are one and the same. Huck believes that choosing Jim’s freedom means heading straight for hell. The sheer intensity of Huck’s decision is best represented in the following quote: “I was a trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: ‘All right, then, I’ll go to hell’ (228). Accepting the worst fate know to man is a bold step against the southern racial repression and because it shows how it is wrong through the eyes of a child. Huck simply believes he has agreed to burn in hell in order to save his friend which he eventually learns is just as humane as he is and whose life truly is worth saving.
Throughout the novel Huck attains a greater human understanding, is enabled to live outside the confines of society, and is able to disinherit the bigotry of the south. Huck relies on
the stereotypes that he fits to endure the main brunt of the blame that would reveal a grown man to be a criminal. Huck is able to cast blame away from him and escape from society with the expertise of a magician. He does not fully understand the complex forms of his speech structure that emphasizes his apparent inability to comprehend the main point of conversations and ignorance of the world around him: “And when it was late in the day, the people all went then I come in and told her the noise and shooting waked up me and ‘Sid,’ and the door was locked,
Rossi, 5
and we wanted to see the fun, so we went down the lightning-rod, and both of us got hurt a little, and we didn’t never want to try that no more” (295-296). Huck’s emphasis of his remorse of grappling the pole is a small but significant statement that demonstrates that he doesn’t appear to understand what is truly being asked of him. Huck’s skilled and manipulative speech masks his true intellect to others and quells their suspicion even though Huck is not conscious of him doing so (he does it instinctively). That is the thing about magic. A great magician never reveals his secrets, in Huck’s case, not even to himself.
Friday, July 31, 2009
The Great Gatsby Esssay
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Michael Rossi
July 25, 2009
Advanced Placement Language and Composition
The Great Gatsby Essay prompt two: Shelia Graham writes: “I think Scott (Fitzgerald) wanted me, through my reading, to understand and perhaps share some of his basic tenets about existence: that as he so often old me, there was no such thing as happiness. …As he explains, “…the sense that life is essentially a cheat and its conditions are those of defeat and redeeming things are not ‘happiness and pleasure’ but the deeper satisfactions of the struggle.
Failure is Success ,Selfishness is Charity, War is Peace
How does Fitzgerald, through his novel, attempt to share and impose his beliefs upon his readers? This question arises from reoccurring instances throughout the characters lives within the text. Each character has qualities about them that bring them misfortune. Fitzgerald shows that no one, not even the great Gatsby, is devoid of these poor qualities. Gatsby is tormented by jealousy and greed, Nick is unable to stay true to himself and to others, and Tom is an ignorant racist. Each of the novel’s characters were set on a trajectory towards failure instigated by their poor attributes. Achieving success and happiness is an impossible feat. It is like a child trying to keep a beach ball submerged under water. Fitzgerald demonstrates that humanity cannot be truly happy due to these two pillars of reason: happiness is nonexistent and at the core humans are driven by selfish motives.
Happiness is a relative term unique to the individual. Humanity has struggled since the beginning of its existence to order to attain success. Gatsby was in possession of wealth and friends and his goal was to settle down with Daisy. Many would consider love a necessity in one’s life. For some it is what they perceive as happiness or success. Through Fitzgerald’s eyes, success is failure. Humans base their idea of happiness upon some form of achievement. Successfully accomplishing one’s achievements will leave them with a satisfied feeling that may be perceived as happiness. If one fails to accomplish their goal, then they become subject to a
Rossi, 2
self induced agony. The only true form of happiness is the state of wanting nothing. The character who most relates to this is Nick. Nick regards his friends as fools because they have unrealistic goals. . This is best exhibited when Nick (in the attempt to offer courage to Gatsby) said, “ ‘Thery’re a rotten crowd,’ I shouted across the lawn. ‘You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.’ I’ve always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end (154). This quote is a great representation of Nick’s true feeling. He tells Gatsby he does not believe him to be in Tom, Daisy, and Jordan’s circle when in reality he disapproves of him from beginning to end because he is the circle’s main pursuer of happiness’s shadow. Tom wants Daisy to become subject to his ownership and Gatsby wants Daisy to abandon her husband and current life to be together with him. These high and lofty goals set Gatsby and Tom up for devastating failures. Tom was forced to realize that he can be wrong and Gatsby was forced to realize that people do change, and that the world does not revolve around him. Since Nick lived humbly and did not allow himself to be rendered head over heels for a potential lover, he did not experience such a drastic fall at the end of the novel. Nick was on the outside of the ring of great ambition created by his friends. Nick flowed through the novel and did not struggle through it. He simply socialized with his friends to witness the spectacle that was their existence.
Fitzgerald also made it possible for the readers to determine that characters within the text acted out of selfishness. Very often in life, people make friends who share similar goals and values in order to learn and grow with them. Through Gatsby, Fitzgerald was able to convey the concept of growing at the expense of others, not with them. Gatsby used Nick to grow closer to Daisy. Gatsby was portrayed as the most generous man throughout the novel. He threw parties in
Rossi, 3
which he did not fully partake. He purchased food and alcohol for his guests that he did not consume. Fitzgerald tries to show that selfishness is part of human nature do to the elaborateness of Gatsby’s selfish rouse. Gatsby was conscious of his plan to obtain Daisy through his lavish parties. He did not try to stray from selfishness, but to disguise it from others so that meeting Daisy would seem more natural. He would simply be a guest and a generous man whose reputation and generosity were wildly renowned. To others Gatsby’s interest in Daisy would portray him as a man who simply wished to meet everyone and please everyone. Daisy would simply be the next of Gatsby’s list. If Gatsby had neglected to fortify his reputation he would simply be a heartbroken stalker who sought to steal Daisy from her husband. Through Gatsby his questionable business and obsession with a married woman seemed permissible due to his multitude of redeeming qualities. If Gatsby’s desires and occupation were to belong to another person who did not emanate an aura of perfection throughout the novel, then they would become clear as lucid selfishness, distinguishable to any reader. If Nick was involved in shady business, was still poor, had an unknown reputation, and sought after a married woman, the reader would show no sympathy towards him.
Fitzgerald believes that humanity cannot truly be happy due to these two pillars of reason: happiness is nonexistent and at the core humans are driven by selfish motives. The Great Gatsby could be read as Fitzgerald’s handbook. None of the characters within the novel were able to fulfill their dreams, however Nick had no remorse. Since Nick had no selfish dream he was able to witness the dreams of other and partake in their excitement. Nick was not happy about every aspect of his life; however he did come the closest to true happiness. He was not subject to life suppression, either by his financial status, his haphazard love life, nor the horrid
Rossi, 4
death of his closest friend. Pristine happiness and success are impossible because life always presents new obstacles both internally and externally. Nick did not swim against life’s current, but rather coast along with its waves. Nick is like the child that continually pounces upon the beach ball and thoroughly enjoys the duration in which he is able to maintain his balance. He is used to the ball fighting with his weight and sending him in the cold ocean. He knows that it is impossible to stay atop the ball and he will fall just the same way in which Gatsby and the others did and he does not mind for he knows those who never give in come the closest.
Michael Rossi
July 25, 2009
Advanced Placement Language and Composition
The Great Gatsby Essay prompt two: Shelia Graham writes: “I think Scott (Fitzgerald) wanted me, through my reading, to understand and perhaps share some of his basic tenets about existence: that as he so often old me, there was no such thing as happiness. …As he explains, “…the sense that life is essentially a cheat and its conditions are those of defeat and redeeming things are not ‘happiness and pleasure’ but the deeper satisfactions of the struggle.
Failure is Success ,Selfishness is Charity, War is Peace
How does Fitzgerald, through his novel, attempt to share and impose his beliefs upon his readers? This question arises from reoccurring instances throughout the characters lives within the text. Each character has qualities about them that bring them misfortune. Fitzgerald shows that no one, not even the great Gatsby, is devoid of these poor qualities. Gatsby is tormented by jealousy and greed, Nick is unable to stay true to himself and to others, and Tom is an ignorant racist. Each of the novel’s characters were set on a trajectory towards failure instigated by their poor attributes. Achieving success and happiness is an impossible feat. It is like a child trying to keep a beach ball submerged under water. Fitzgerald demonstrates that humanity cannot be truly happy due to these two pillars of reason: happiness is nonexistent and at the core humans are driven by selfish motives.
Happiness is a relative term unique to the individual. Humanity has struggled since the beginning of its existence to order to attain success. Gatsby was in possession of wealth and friends and his goal was to settle down with Daisy. Many would consider love a necessity in one’s life. For some it is what they perceive as happiness or success. Through Fitzgerald’s eyes, success is failure. Humans base their idea of happiness upon some form of achievement. Successfully accomplishing one’s achievements will leave them with a satisfied feeling that may be perceived as happiness. If one fails to accomplish their goal, then they become subject to a
Rossi, 2
self induced agony. The only true form of happiness is the state of wanting nothing. The character who most relates to this is Nick. Nick regards his friends as fools because they have unrealistic goals. . This is best exhibited when Nick (in the attempt to offer courage to Gatsby) said, “ ‘Thery’re a rotten crowd,’ I shouted across the lawn. ‘You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.’ I’ve always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end (154). This quote is a great representation of Nick’s true feeling. He tells Gatsby he does not believe him to be in Tom, Daisy, and Jordan’s circle when in reality he disapproves of him from beginning to end because he is the circle’s main pursuer of happiness’s shadow. Tom wants Daisy to become subject to his ownership and Gatsby wants Daisy to abandon her husband and current life to be together with him. These high and lofty goals set Gatsby and Tom up for devastating failures. Tom was forced to realize that he can be wrong and Gatsby was forced to realize that people do change, and that the world does not revolve around him. Since Nick lived humbly and did not allow himself to be rendered head over heels for a potential lover, he did not experience such a drastic fall at the end of the novel. Nick was on the outside of the ring of great ambition created by his friends. Nick flowed through the novel and did not struggle through it. He simply socialized with his friends to witness the spectacle that was their existence.
Fitzgerald also made it possible for the readers to determine that characters within the text acted out of selfishness. Very often in life, people make friends who share similar goals and values in order to learn and grow with them. Through Gatsby, Fitzgerald was able to convey the concept of growing at the expense of others, not with them. Gatsby used Nick to grow closer to Daisy. Gatsby was portrayed as the most generous man throughout the novel. He threw parties in
Rossi, 3
which he did not fully partake. He purchased food and alcohol for his guests that he did not consume. Fitzgerald tries to show that selfishness is part of human nature do to the elaborateness of Gatsby’s selfish rouse. Gatsby was conscious of his plan to obtain Daisy through his lavish parties. He did not try to stray from selfishness, but to disguise it from others so that meeting Daisy would seem more natural. He would simply be a guest and a generous man whose reputation and generosity were wildly renowned. To others Gatsby’s interest in Daisy would portray him as a man who simply wished to meet everyone and please everyone. Daisy would simply be the next of Gatsby’s list. If Gatsby had neglected to fortify his reputation he would simply be a heartbroken stalker who sought to steal Daisy from her husband. Through Gatsby his questionable business and obsession with a married woman seemed permissible due to his multitude of redeeming qualities. If Gatsby’s desires and occupation were to belong to another person who did not emanate an aura of perfection throughout the novel, then they would become clear as lucid selfishness, distinguishable to any reader. If Nick was involved in shady business, was still poor, had an unknown reputation, and sought after a married woman, the reader would show no sympathy towards him.
Fitzgerald believes that humanity cannot truly be happy due to these two pillars of reason: happiness is nonexistent and at the core humans are driven by selfish motives. The Great Gatsby could be read as Fitzgerald’s handbook. None of the characters within the novel were able to fulfill their dreams, however Nick had no remorse. Since Nick had no selfish dream he was able to witness the dreams of other and partake in their excitement. Nick was not happy about every aspect of his life; however he did come the closest to true happiness. He was not subject to life suppression, either by his financial status, his haphazard love life, nor the horrid
Rossi, 4
death of his closest friend. Pristine happiness and success are impossible because life always presents new obstacles both internally and externally. Nick did not swim against life’s current, but rather coast along with its waves. Nick is like the child that continually pounces upon the beach ball and thoroughly enjoys the duration in which he is able to maintain his balance. He is used to the ball fighting with his weight and sending him in the cold ocean. He knows that it is impossible to stay atop the ball and he will fall just the same way in which Gatsby and the others did and he does not mind for he knows those who never give in come the closest.
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