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.
Rossi, 3
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
Rossi, 2
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.
Rossi, 3
Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride And Prejudice. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.
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