#4) Think about America today. From your personal experience and observations, discuss how it meets the promise of the opening of the Declaration's second paragraph, and how it does not.
From the very first sentence of the second paragraph, the Declaration of Independence is somewhat flawed. Humans today have many rights that other people in the past did not have, most people can agree that all men are not treated equal. Although the topic of wealthy people and poor people are subtle, most people would agree that the difference between wealthy people and poor people makes equality imperfect. One reason why men are not all created equal is because of social classes. When someone is born, they are automatically born into a social class which refers to individuals or groups in societies or cultures. Usually individuals are grouped into classes based on their economic positions and similar political and economic interests within the stratification system. Whether anybody wants to believe it or not, the government treats wealthy people much better than the poor. This kind of discrimination has existed since the beginning of time. Another example to argue with the statement is that people of color are not treated equally from the start. African Americans whether anyone wants to admit it or not, have a strike against them already because of there skin color. An example of this would be if I went to go for a job and had a PHD, and a Caucasion did as well and he went for the same position with just a masters degree, I guarentee you that the Caucasion would get the job before I would just because of my skin color. Meaning, that I would have to work that much harder than a Caucasion would just to get the job over him.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Scarlet Letter (The Custom House)
1) In the "Custom House," written as an introduction to The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne gives an autobiographical description of his life and times. The detailed descriptions of the scenes and people prepare the reader for the author's style. The preface concentrates on the author's period of service at the Custom House during which time he came into contact with several people and had the opportunity to study human behavior. The description of his co-employees and others shows the author's deft hand at characterization, which is revealed during the novel. Further, the preface serves the purpose of giving a background to the novel and introduces America's Puritanical ancestors. This preface is only semi-fictional because Hawthorne himself became a surveyor of the Salem custom house in 1846.
2) Nathaniel Hawthorne did not exactly change his writing style, but it did seem to be easier to read when he entered the diary section of the introduction. When he got into the section of the diary, he did not talk about the Custom House anymore. He focused primarily on the diary, his own personal descriptions, and his ancestors. Hawthorne gave the reader a more visual image allowing the reader to visualize a poorly lit room, which was a perfect setting for the caliginous secrets that were revealed.
In the section of the diary, I could not help but to feel a dim and obscure presence. It may have been the word choice that Nathaniel Hawthorne used. “Cold spirituality of the moonbeams” was one of the things that made me feel this along with when he said that his imagination was like “a tainted mirror.” If that was the pathos that Nathaniel Hawthorne wanted the reader to fell, he did suceeded.
3) The impact that this has on the story is that the readers can now enter the story without any awkwardness as to what is going on, and how did everything just change all at once. If Nathaniel Hawthorne decides to have some kind of unexpected change, the reader will be more prepared for it because we have got a better sense as to where Hawthorne is coming from and his writing style. This creates a steady flow when reading "The Scarlet Letter" and less confusion.
2) Nathaniel Hawthorne did not exactly change his writing style, but it did seem to be easier to read when he entered the diary section of the introduction. When he got into the section of the diary, he did not talk about the Custom House anymore. He focused primarily on the diary, his own personal descriptions, and his ancestors. Hawthorne gave the reader a more visual image allowing the reader to visualize a poorly lit room, which was a perfect setting for the caliginous secrets that were revealed.
In the section of the diary, I could not help but to feel a dim and obscure presence. It may have been the word choice that Nathaniel Hawthorne used. “Cold spirituality of the moonbeams” was one of the things that made me feel this along with when he said that his imagination was like “a tainted mirror.” If that was the pathos that Nathaniel Hawthorne wanted the reader to fell, he did suceeded.
3) The impact that this has on the story is that the readers can now enter the story without any awkwardness as to what is going on, and how did everything just change all at once. If Nathaniel Hawthorne decides to have some kind of unexpected change, the reader will be more prepared for it because we have got a better sense as to where Hawthorne is coming from and his writing style. This creates a steady flow when reading "The Scarlet Letter" and less confusion.
Friday, September 12, 2008
To My Dear and Loving Husband Analysis
Josh Paris
AP English 3
9-3-08
To My Dear and Loving Husband Analysis
This poem has many deep metaphors that can arise numerous questions as to why Anne Bradstreet used the specific words that she did. Also, it can be a remarkable inspiration to many people. While reading this poem, I couldn’t help but to notice the unique word choice that Anne used. This poem of hers was written from her heart, so it makes you also wonder how complex is her emotions. She expresses in many diverse metaphors the love that she has for her husband. Anne leaves the reader the impression that there love will never fade and will always be everlasting as well. She makes certain that she gets that point across when she said, “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold.”
Anne Bradstreet’s word choice gives the reader a sense of purity and love. It makes you feel a portion of what she is feeling, and puts you in a state of happiness and clarity. By using words such as, love, heavens, rivers, and riches, she establishes an emotional connection to her own emotions and reaches out to the readers. Also, when she said, “The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray,” I’m sure she was able to have a connection with people from her time because many Puritans were churchgoers and believed in God, heaven, etc.
Anne Bradstreet’s heart felt real love and care for her husband. You can tell that this wasn’t a love that grew over night. Anne writes this so that the reader can understand that this kind of love takes time and commitment to grow. When she says, “Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere,” she gives a hint to the audience that although she loves her husband, they still have there ups and there downs and its not just easy trying to make there marriage work. The main word in that part is persevering. If she didn’t have any struggles or ups and downs, she wouldn’t have to persevere to keep her marriage alive.
In conclusion, Anne Bradstreet wrote this extremely heartfelt poem to show the love and care she had for her husband. She also uses many different metaphors and different words to connect with the audience and also get her point across. Her poetry can be inspirational to many different people.
AP English 3
9-3-08
To My Dear and Loving Husband Analysis
This poem has many deep metaphors that can arise numerous questions as to why Anne Bradstreet used the specific words that she did. Also, it can be a remarkable inspiration to many people. While reading this poem, I couldn’t help but to notice the unique word choice that Anne used. This poem of hers was written from her heart, so it makes you also wonder how complex is her emotions. She expresses in many diverse metaphors the love that she has for her husband. Anne leaves the reader the impression that there love will never fade and will always be everlasting as well. She makes certain that she gets that point across when she said, “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold.”
Anne Bradstreet’s word choice gives the reader a sense of purity and love. It makes you feel a portion of what she is feeling, and puts you in a state of happiness and clarity. By using words such as, love, heavens, rivers, and riches, she establishes an emotional connection to her own emotions and reaches out to the readers. Also, when she said, “The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray,” I’m sure she was able to have a connection with people from her time because many Puritans were churchgoers and believed in God, heaven, etc.
Anne Bradstreet’s heart felt real love and care for her husband. You can tell that this wasn’t a love that grew over night. Anne writes this so that the reader can understand that this kind of love takes time and commitment to grow. When she says, “Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere,” she gives a hint to the audience that although she loves her husband, they still have there ups and there downs and its not just easy trying to make there marriage work. The main word in that part is persevering. If she didn’t have any struggles or ups and downs, she wouldn’t have to persevere to keep her marriage alive.
In conclusion, Anne Bradstreet wrote this extremely heartfelt poem to show the love and care she had for her husband. She also uses many different metaphors and different words to connect with the audience and also get her point across. Her poetry can be inspirational to many different people.
Bibliography of Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet was born in Northampton, England, in the year 1612, daughter of Thomas Dudley and Dorothy Yorke; Dudley, who had been a leader of volunteer soldiers in the English Reformation and Elizabethan Settlement, was then a steward to the Earl of Lincoln; Dorothy was a gentlewoman of noble heritage and she was also well educated.
At the age of 16, Anne was married to Simon Bradstreet, a 25 year old assistant in the Massachusetts Bay Company and the son of a Puritan minister, who had been in the care of the Dudleys since the death of his father.
Anne and her family emigrated to America in 1630 on the Arabella, one of the first ships to bring Puritans to New England in hopes of setting up plantation colonies. The journey was difficult; many perished during the three month journey, unable to cope with the harsh climate and poor living conditions, as sea squalls rocked the vessel, and scurvy brought on by malnutrition claimed their lives. Anne, who was a well educated girl, tutored in history, several languages and literature, was ill prepared for such rigorous travel, and would find the journey very difficult.Their trials and tribulations did not end upon their arrival, though, and many of those who had survived the journey, either died shortly thereafter, or elected to return to England, deciding they had suffered through enough. Thomas Dudley and his friend John Winthrop made up the Boston settlement's government; Winthrop was Governor, Dudley Deputy-Governor and Bradstreet Chief-Administrator.
The colonists' fight for survival had become daily routine, and the climate, lack of food, and primitive living arrangements made it very difficult for Anne to adapt. She turned inwards and let her faith and imagination guide her through the most difficult moments; images of better days back in England, and the belief that God had not abandoned them helped her survive the hardships of the colony.
Having previously been afflicted with smallpox, Anne would once again fall prey to illness as paralysis took over her joints; surprisingly, she did not let her predicament dim her passion for living, and she and her husband managed to make a home for themselves, and raise a family. Despite her poor health, she had eight children, and loved them dearly. Simon eventually came to prosper in the new land, and for a while it seemed things would not be so bad.
Tragedy struck once more, when one night the Bradstreet home was engulfed in flames; a devastating fire which left the family homeless and devoid of personal belongings. It did not take too long for them to get back on their feet, thanks to their hard work, and to Simon's social standing in the community.
While Anne and her husband were very much in love, Simon's political duties kept him traveling to various colonies on diplomatic errands, so Anne would spend her lonely days and nights reading from her father's vast collection of books, and educating her children. The reading would not only keep her from being lonely, but she also learned a great deal about religion, science, history, the arts, and medicine; most of all, reading helped her cope with life in New England.Anne Bradstreet was especially fond of poetry, which she had begun to write herself; her works were kept private though, as it was frowned upon for women to pursue intellectual enlightenment, let alone create and air their views and opinions. She wrote for herself, her family, and close circle of educated friends, and did not intend on publication. One of her closest friends, Anne Hutchinson, who was also a religious and educated woman had made the mistake of airing her views publicly, and was banished from her community.
However, Anne's work would not remained unnoticed... Her brother-in-law, John Woodbridge, had secretly copied Anne's work, and would later bring it to England to have it published, albeit without her permission. Woodbridge even admitted to it in the preface of her first collection, "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, By a Gentlewoman of Those Parts", which was published in 1650. The book did fairly well in England, and was to be the last of her poetry to be published during her lifetime. All her other poems were published posthumously.
Anne Bradstreet's poetry was mostly based on her life experience, and her love for her husband and family. One of the most interesting aspects of her work is the context in which she wrote; an atmosphere where the search for knowledge was frowned upon as being against God's will, and where women were relegated to traditional roles. Yet, we cAnneot help but feel the love she had for both God, and her husband, and her intense devotion to both, and to her family, despite the fact that she clearly valued knowledge and intellect, and was a free thinker, who could even be considered an early feminist.
By Anne Bradstreet's health was slowly failing; she had been through many ailments, and was now afflicted with tuberculosis. Shortly after contracting the disease, she lost her daughter Dorothy to illness as well, but her will was strong, and perhaps, as a reflection of her own acceptance of death, she found solace in thinking of her daughter in a better place.
Soon thereafter, Anne Bradstreet's long and difficult battle with illness would be at an end, and she passed away on September 16, 1672, in Andover, Massachusetts, at the age 60.
Anne Bradstreet was born in Northampton, England, in the year 1612, daughter of Thomas Dudley and Dorothy Yorke; Dudley, who had been a leader of volunteer soldiers in the English Reformation and Elizabethan Settlement, was then a steward to the Earl of Lincoln; Dorothy was a gentlewoman of noble heritage and she was also well educated.
At the age of 16, Anne was married to Simon Bradstreet, a 25 year old assistant in the Massachusetts Bay Company and the son of a Puritan minister, who had been in the care of the Dudleys since the death of his father.
Anne and her family emigrated to America in 1630 on the Arabella, one of the first ships to bring Puritans to New England in hopes of setting up plantation colonies. The journey was difficult; many perished during the three month journey, unable to cope with the harsh climate and poor living conditions, as sea squalls rocked the vessel, and scurvy brought on by malnutrition claimed their lives. Anne, who was a well educated girl, tutored in history, several languages and literature, was ill prepared for such rigorous travel, and would find the journey very difficult.Their trials and tribulations did not end upon their arrival, though, and many of those who had survived the journey, either died shortly thereafter, or elected to return to England, deciding they had suffered through enough. Thomas Dudley and his friend John Winthrop made up the Boston settlement's government; Winthrop was Governor, Dudley Deputy-Governor and Bradstreet Chief-Administrator.
The colonists' fight for survival had become daily routine, and the climate, lack of food, and primitive living arrangements made it very difficult for Anne to adapt. She turned inwards and let her faith and imagination guide her through the most difficult moments; images of better days back in England, and the belief that God had not abandoned them helped her survive the hardships of the colony.
Having previously been afflicted with smallpox, Anne would once again fall prey to illness as paralysis took over her joints; surprisingly, she did not let her predicament dim her passion for living, and she and her husband managed to make a home for themselves, and raise a family. Despite her poor health, she had eight children, and loved them dearly. Simon eventually came to prosper in the new land, and for a while it seemed things would not be so bad.
Tragedy struck once more, when one night the Bradstreet home was engulfed in flames; a devastating fire which left the family homeless and devoid of personal belongings. It did not take too long for them to get back on their feet, thanks to their hard work, and to Simon's social standing in the community.
While Anne and her husband were very much in love, Simon's political duties kept him traveling to various colonies on diplomatic errands, so Anne would spend her lonely days and nights reading from her father's vast collection of books, and educating her children. The reading would not only keep her from being lonely, but she also learned a great deal about religion, science, history, the arts, and medicine; most of all, reading helped her cope with life in New England.Anne Bradstreet was especially fond of poetry, which she had begun to write herself; her works were kept private though, as it was frowned upon for women to pursue intellectual enlightenment, let alone create and air their views and opinions. She wrote for herself, her family, and close circle of educated friends, and did not intend on publication. One of her closest friends, Anne Hutchinson, who was also a religious and educated woman had made the mistake of airing her views publicly, and was banished from her community.
However, Anne's work would not remained unnoticed... Her brother-in-law, John Woodbridge, had secretly copied Anne's work, and would later bring it to England to have it published, albeit without her permission. Woodbridge even admitted to it in the preface of her first collection, "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, By a Gentlewoman of Those Parts", which was published in 1650. The book did fairly well in England, and was to be the last of her poetry to be published during her lifetime. All her other poems were published posthumously.
Anne Bradstreet's poetry was mostly based on her life experience, and her love for her husband and family. One of the most interesting aspects of her work is the context in which she wrote; an atmosphere where the search for knowledge was frowned upon as being against God's will, and where women were relegated to traditional roles. Yet, we cAnneot help but feel the love she had for both God, and her husband, and her intense devotion to both, and to her family, despite the fact that she clearly valued knowledge and intellect, and was a free thinker, who could even be considered an early feminist.
By Anne Bradstreet's health was slowly failing; she had been through many ailments, and was now afflicted with tuberculosis. Shortly after contracting the disease, she lost her daughter Dorothy to illness as well, but her will was strong, and perhaps, as a reflection of her own acceptance of death, she found solace in thinking of her daughter in a better place.
Soon thereafter, Anne Bradstreet's long and difficult battle with illness would be at an end, and she passed away on September 16, 1672, in Andover, Massachusetts, at the age 60.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Cabeza de Vaca
This illustration that the author drew portraying a struggle of Cabeza de Vaca is thought provoking. Cabeza de Vaca, after he had a shipwreck, had to survive anyway he could. Him and his crew had to improvise and melt metal objects to make nails, use the shirts of the members to use as sails, and kill the horses and eat them. By the authors illustration, you can feel the struggle and hardship that these expedition members had to go through and endure. The author makes you feel a portion of the pain that they felt.
You can relate that to right now. Many people in this world go through struggles and hardships that is hard to endure. Thats where the author may want people to get there emotion from. There are plenty of people who are barely getting by in this world and are working 2 or 3 jobs just to survive and make a living. That is a job that can be stressful and a struggle, but when you want to and have to survive, you are willing to do anything it takes to do it no matter how hard it may be. Thats a link that you can draw from this illustration.
You can relate that to right now. Many people in this world go through struggles and hardships that is hard to endure. Thats where the author may want people to get there emotion from. There are plenty of people who are barely getting by in this world and are working 2 or 3 jobs just to survive and make a living. That is a job that can be stressful and a struggle, but when you want to and have to survive, you are willing to do anything it takes to do it no matter how hard it may be. Thats a link that you can draw from this illustration.
Christopher Columbus Picture Analyisis
The picture that the artist has drawn has a lot of hidden points in it . This picture shows how Columbus found new land and he found other people also known as Native Americans. However, the wording that the artist used is something to look into. He uses the words "weapons of mass destruction" that links from way pack in the 1400's all the way until now. Weapons of mass destruction has been talked about for decades that has been something to fear for the sake of human life as we know it.
By the artist putting those particular words in the illustration, he makes the person watching the illustration not only think about Christopher Columbus finding new land and finding out about Native Americans, but also about the times today and how weapons of mass destruction has been so critical and threatening in everyones life that it is now used in a illustration meant to be humorous and funny. Also in the illustration you can see the attitude that the Native American has toward someone from a different continent. You can relate that to the times today. The United States of America does not let anybody in to the country, and they are not nice about it either. Just like the Native Americans, The U.S. feels that they should not let people in the U.S. who may at one point mean danger. So they're are many conclusions you can draw from this illustration.
By the artist putting those particular words in the illustration, he makes the person watching the illustration not only think about Christopher Columbus finding new land and finding out about Native Americans, but also about the times today and how weapons of mass destruction has been so critical and threatening in everyones life that it is now used in a illustration meant to be humorous and funny. Also in the illustration you can see the attitude that the Native American has toward someone from a different continent. You can relate that to the times today. The United States of America does not let anybody in to the country, and they are not nice about it either. Just like the Native Americans, The U.S. feels that they should not let people in the U.S. who may at one point mean danger. So they're are many conclusions you can draw from this illustration.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
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