Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Best Blog Post of the Fourth Quarter
My best blog post of the Fourth Quarter is the one entitled "Themes of the Kentucky Cycle". In this blog I compared three common themes in The Kentucky Cycle—racism, religion, and land—to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Crucible. Not only do I discuss these themes in The Kentucky Cycle, but I also make parallels to other important texts that we have read this year. Also, as we are currently reading The Kentucky Cycle in class, this blog is relevant. This year I have grown as a blogger. I have improved on making my posts relevant and on choosing to cite more valid sources.
Themes of the Kentucky Cycle
Reading The Kentucky Cycle has many interesting themes that we have seen elsewhere this year, especially in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Crucible. Although they have different plots, these two texts are very similar in their key themes and messages. I will examine how The Kentucky Cycle is similar to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by looking at both texts' racist and religious messages, and I will also explain how The Kentucky Cycle is similar to The Crucible by considering the importance of land.
The Kentucky Cycle has some racist messages, as does Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In The Kentucky Cycle, as Jessie and Sallie come in carrying a jug of whisky, the Judge asks, "Is that a jug, your nigger has there?" (87). Just out of the blue, without any purpose or even drama, the Judge decides to use the N-word. This idea of frequently using this derogatory term unnecessarily also appears in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. For instance, after deceiving Jim, Huck realizes the effects of his misbehavior and says, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger” (73). Here again the word seems to pop up out of nowhere. If Huck had been sincere about his apology, why would he have described Jim as a "nigger"? Huck obviously had the choice to not use this word, but he unfortunately did.
The Kentucky Cycle conveys important religious themes, especially ones that pertain to Christianity, as does Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In The Kentucky Cycle, Tod asks about "Zion" (21). In Christianity, "Zion" refers to heaven, a very important Christian ideal. In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck describes how the Widow Douglas would teach him about "Moses and the Bulrushers" (4). This quotation portrays the importance of religion, as Douglas made the effort to teach Huckleberry about the Bible.
The Kentucky Cycle shows the importance of land, as does The Crucible. In the dispute over land in The Kentucky Cycle, Taskwan portrays the land's significance by saying that it cannot be "'given'" to anyone else (28). Clearly, he feels very passionately about the land. In The Crucible, describes the long-standing hatreds of neighbors partly as "[l]and-lust, which had been expressed by constant bickering over boundaries and deeds" (7). As these neighbors were constantly fighting over land, they show how much they deeply care about it and do not want to give it up.
When comparing The Kentucky Cycle to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Crucible, there are many similar themes in these texts. I explained three important ones: racism, religion, and land. Personally, I like making parallels to other texts because they denote the themes' societal importance throughout history. What do you think?
The Kentucky Cycle has some racist messages, as does Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In The Kentucky Cycle, as Jessie and Sallie come in carrying a jug of whisky, the Judge asks, "Is that a jug, your nigger has there?" (87). Just out of the blue, without any purpose or even drama, the Judge decides to use the N-word. This idea of frequently using this derogatory term unnecessarily also appears in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. For instance, after deceiving Jim, Huck realizes the effects of his misbehavior and says, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger” (73). Here again the word seems to pop up out of nowhere. If Huck had been sincere about his apology, why would he have described Jim as a "nigger"? Huck obviously had the choice to not use this word, but he unfortunately did.
The Kentucky Cycle conveys important religious themes, especially ones that pertain to Christianity, as does Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In The Kentucky Cycle, Tod asks about "Zion" (21). In Christianity, "Zion" refers to heaven, a very important Christian ideal. In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck describes how the Widow Douglas would teach him about "Moses and the Bulrushers" (4). This quotation portrays the importance of religion, as Douglas made the effort to teach Huckleberry about the Bible.
The Kentucky Cycle shows the importance of land, as does The Crucible. In the dispute over land in The Kentucky Cycle, Taskwan portrays the land's significance by saying that it cannot be "'given'" to anyone else (28). Clearly, he feels very passionately about the land. In The Crucible, describes the long-standing hatreds of neighbors partly as "[l]and-lust, which had been expressed by constant bickering over boundaries and deeds" (7). As these neighbors were constantly fighting over land, they show how much they deeply care about it and do not want to give it up.
When comparing The Kentucky Cycle to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Crucible, there are many similar themes in these texts. I explained three important ones: racism, religion, and land. Personally, I like making parallels to other texts because they denote the themes' societal importance throughout history. What do you think?
Thursday, May 20, 2010
American Studies Day Reflection
Today was American Studies Day, and I have been thinking about it. I enjoyed the day and thought that it was productive. It was interesting how the teachers were able to gather all of these different people - including the directors and poets - as well as compile their own presentations and ask AIS students to lead some of their own. This was a very unique day.
I enjoyed listening to Maria Finizzo and seeing part of her film. I appreciated the fact that she addressed both sides of the argument relating to stem-cell research and did NOT voice her own personal opinion in the movie, keeping it professional. I do not know too much about stem-cell research, so it was interesting to keep and open mind and listen to both sides of the argument.
I also appreciated Mr. Tragos' presentation, taking a deep look at some of the photographs presented. I never knew much about analyzing art or photography, so this session was pretty interesting.
The last presentation I saw before the lunch break was "The Other AND America", and I thought that it was well conducted. I appreciated the fact that the leaders engaged in discussion with the audience members and did not just speak in a monotonous voice the whole time. Everything presented by all of the group members was connected well.
I am glad to have gone to American Studies Day. What do you think?
I enjoyed listening to Maria Finizzo and seeing part of her film. I appreciated the fact that she addressed both sides of the argument relating to stem-cell research and did NOT voice her own personal opinion in the movie, keeping it professional. I do not know too much about stem-cell research, so it was interesting to keep and open mind and listen to both sides of the argument.
I also appreciated Mr. Tragos' presentation, taking a deep look at some of the photographs presented. I never knew much about analyzing art or photography, so this session was pretty interesting.
The last presentation I saw before the lunch break was "The Other AND America", and I thought that it was well conducted. I appreciated the fact that the leaders engaged in discussion with the audience members and did not just speak in a monotonous voice the whole time. Everything presented by all of the group members was connected well.
I am glad to have gone to American Studies Day. What do you think?
Friday, May 14, 2010
Arizona Immigration Laws
The Arizona Immigration Laws have become a prominent discussion topic for many politicians. Obviously, there are some who support it and others who oppose it. According to an April 23, 2010 edition of Daily Postal, entitled "Arizona Immigration Bill - SB 1070 Law Text", the law would require police "to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally".
Personally, I believe that this is one of the most plausible and rational means to rid America of its many illegal aliens who, according to immigrationcounters.com, the #1 site for real-time illegal immigration statistics, are responsible for TAKING AWAY over 11,600,000 jobs that could be done by the some of the many unemployed American citizens. The total cost of social services for illegal aliens since 1996 has been roughly $400,000,000,000, and this number is only increasing EXPONENTIALLY. I think it is UNFAIR that we have to pay so much money for people who don't even legally belong here! This is why I am pro-Arizona Immigration Laws. I think that it should end up in the deportation of many undesirous illegals. Although some people say that these laws incorporate "racial profiling", police will only question people if there is a valid reason to suspect that they're here illegally, as said in the quotation from the Daily Postal.
What do you think?
Personally, I believe that this is one of the most plausible and rational means to rid America of its many illegal aliens who, according to immigrationcounters.com, the #1 site for real-time illegal immigration statistics, are responsible for TAKING AWAY over 11,600,000 jobs that could be done by the some of the many unemployed American citizens. The total cost of social services for illegal aliens since 1996 has been roughly $400,000,000,000, and this number is only increasing EXPONENTIALLY. I think it is UNFAIR that we have to pay so much money for people who don't even legally belong here! This is why I am pro-Arizona Immigration Laws. I think that it should end up in the deportation of many undesirous illegals. Although some people say that these laws incorporate "racial profiling", police will only question people if there is a valid reason to suspect that they're here illegally, as said in the quotation from the Daily Postal.
What do you think?
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Junior Theme Reflection
I am glad to be (almost) finished with the Junior Theme! Although this paper was the longest and most difficult paper of the school year, I have taken the most away from this essay. I have learned how to conduct a research essay, something that I never really learned before (The 8th grade research paper was more of a report, not really an analysis.). I believe that this experience will help prepare us for college, where we will be writing tons of research papers. I appreciate the somewhat open-ended form of the Bolos/O'Connor Junior Theme, where each student gets to pick his or her very own "why" question.
Most importantly, I learned how to assess the validity of certain sources and how to properly include a variety of scholarly sources in the paper. I also really improved on my quoting abilities, really condensing the quotes to only the necessary words or phrases that I need as support. I also made sure that everything in my essay somehow relates to my thesis/map -- no "fun facts" or unnecessary historical background information!
What are your views on the Junior Theme?
Most importantly, I learned how to assess the validity of certain sources and how to properly include a variety of scholarly sources in the paper. I also really improved on my quoting abilities, really condensing the quotes to only the necessary words or phrases that I need as support. I also made sure that everything in my essay somehow relates to my thesis/map -- no "fun facts" or unnecessary historical background information!
What are your views on the Junior Theme?
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