I wrote two different essays that we were assigned to do in my English class. One essay that i wrote named, "Human Nature To Choose A Scapegoat," dealed with the nature of humans to choose someone to take the blame for every ones mistakes; these people are also called scapegoats. In this essay I tried to compare Hester Prynne and how she was singled out and made to wear the "A" with Michael Vick and how he was suspended from the NFL for a year. In writing this essay i learned how to directly compare two different people from two different societies and show how they were similar. In my second essay titled, "Crucible Essay," I wrote about how John Proctor was similar to a potato. I showed how that both the potato and John stand for life and fertility. I learned a great deal about metaphors while writing this essay. Just like in the scapegoat essay, I learned that you could compare two very different things by showing examples. By writing these essays I also learned how much more interesting your piece sounds when you add more expression and brushstrokes.
I made several revisions in these two pieces. In my scarlet letter essay I added a sentence to help clear up something. When I wrote this essay it sounded like I didn't think Michael Vick had committed a crime. I added that he did commit a crime but that he was the only one taking the blame for it. In my scarlet essay I took Mrs. Turner's advice and added a few sentences and I also erased a few. I added that John Proctor stands for life and fertility. I took out the comparison between the potato and him and editing it and making it sound better.
By reading over Hank's essay I found out that it is very important to add a lot of big words. By expanding your vocabulary you can picture it easier in your head. By using big words it makes your piece sound like it was written by someone who is very educated. Hank's Scarlet Letter Essay
Another very important thing that I learned is that when you describe each one of your senses it lets your reader feel like they are in the place you are talking about. In Cierra's Nature Essay I could really feel like I was a part of her writing and I was there in the woods. Cierra's Nature Essay
The last thing that I found important was relating to text. Lewis related to Thoreau and Emerson which made the essay sound a lot better because I already had an idea of what he was talking about when he started. He did a very good job of relating to the two authors and showing how that nature today is nothing compared to what they describe it as. Lewis' Transcendentalist Essay
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Crucible Essay
John Proctor in the play The Crucible is displayed as a very brave and honest man. He stands for what he believes and doesn't let anyone walk over him. By doing this, John Proctor stands for life and fertility. This statement can be shown in several different ways.
John Proctor like a potatoe is very down to earth. John is a farmer and loves the land. He is also very close to the land. He plants the potatoe that symbolizes the harvest that comes from the land. John is very plain just like the potato too; he doesn't try to change himself just for the sake of someone else, which is the same for the potato, as in that it can't and won't change.
The next similarity that can be made about the potato and John is that they both symbolize life. The potato and John are obviously both alive and they both grow. But not only are they alive, they also want to stand for what is right and life itself. John stands for what is right and by doing this he is standing up so that people in the future may not get there life taken because of some stupid witch trials. The potato also wants life and shows this by growing and making more potatoes.
Both of these similarities are a way in which John Proctor and a potato can be seen the same way. Not only are they both down to earth, they also symbolize life and everything about it. Both of things were important to today's society, in which they both shaped the way things are today. John stood up against the witch trials and the potato provides life to many things. They are very different but if you look hard enough you will find that both of these objects are very much alike.
John Proctor like a potatoe is very down to earth. John is a farmer and loves the land. He is also very close to the land. He plants the potatoe that symbolizes the harvest that comes from the land. John is very plain just like the potato too; he doesn't try to change himself just for the sake of someone else, which is the same for the potato, as in that it can't and won't change.
The next similarity that can be made about the potato and John is that they both symbolize life. The potato and John are obviously both alive and they both grow. But not only are they alive, they also want to stand for what is right and life itself. John stands for what is right and by doing this he is standing up so that people in the future may not get there life taken because of some stupid witch trials. The potato also wants life and shows this by growing and making more potatoes.
Both of these similarities are a way in which John Proctor and a potato can be seen the same way. Not only are they both down to earth, they also symbolize life and everything about it. Both of things were important to today's society, in which they both shaped the way things are today. John stood up against the witch trials and the potato provides life to many things. They are very different but if you look hard enough you will find that both of these objects are very much alike.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Human Nature to Choose a Scapegoat
Humans always choose somebody to take the blame for everyone. Most people refer to this term as a scapegoat. Not only did people single out Hester Prynne many years ago, they also single out people in today's modern society. This is one of societies major problems which could easily be fixed.
In "The Scarlet Letter", Hester is classified as a scapegoat. She is found guilty of committing one of the most serious crimes in her day, adultery. She is forced to where the 'A' which not only humiliated her, but also showed that she was the scapegoat for her society. In the second chapter of "The Scarlet Letter", Hester is criticized for wearing the "A" on her chest and is forced to stand on the scaffold in front of the whole town. The reason this is an example of a scapegoat is because she takes the blame for all the others who committed the same crime, the only thing is that she is the one taking the punishment for it.
Hester was not the only example of a scapegoat either. In today's time period there are many people that could be considered scapegoats. One of these examples is Michael Vick. He did commit a very serious crime, but he is the one who takes the blame for all the others that committed the same crime. In the same way that Michael Vick was accused of this crime, Hester Prynne was also accused of committing her crime. While Michael was suspended for a year from the NFL, Hester Prynne was humiliated in front of her whole town while standing on a scaffold.
Both of these people took the blame for people that were guilty for the same things that they were. That is what's wrong with the human nature. Now don't get me wrong, Michael Vick did committ a very serious crime but why is he the only one being put in the spotlight for committing the crime. People single out persons that are guilty for things that they themselves have also done but aren't brave enough to take the blame for themselves. If humans weren't so cruel to each other, then none of these problems would have to be faced. It would be so much better if everyone could undergo the same punishment as the rest of society who committed the same crime, so that no one persons would be singled out and take an even worse punishment for the crime.
Human nature to pick someone as a scapegoat is not only very common, but very mean. People were not singled out just in today's society. It has been happening for many of years. Just like Hester Prynne was singled out for committing adultery Michael Vick was also a scapegoat. This is just one of the many problems of people. As it were mentioned earlier, if everyone would take the blame for their own mistakes and not worry about anyone else it would solve many of these problems in society and would make everyone better people.
In "The Scarlet Letter", Hester is classified as a scapegoat. She is found guilty of committing one of the most serious crimes in her day, adultery. She is forced to where the 'A' which not only humiliated her, but also showed that she was the scapegoat for her society. In the second chapter of "The Scarlet Letter", Hester is criticized for wearing the "A" on her chest and is forced to stand on the scaffold in front of the whole town. The reason this is an example of a scapegoat is because she takes the blame for all the others who committed the same crime, the only thing is that she is the one taking the punishment for it.
Hester was not the only example of a scapegoat either. In today's time period there are many people that could be considered scapegoats. One of these examples is Michael Vick. He did commit a very serious crime, but he is the one who takes the blame for all the others that committed the same crime. In the same way that Michael Vick was accused of this crime, Hester Prynne was also accused of committing her crime. While Michael was suspended for a year from the NFL, Hester Prynne was humiliated in front of her whole town while standing on a scaffold.
Both of these people took the blame for people that were guilty for the same things that they were. That is what's wrong with the human nature. Now don't get me wrong, Michael Vick did committ a very serious crime but why is he the only one being put in the spotlight for committing the crime. People single out persons that are guilty for things that they themselves have also done but aren't brave enough to take the blame for themselves. If humans weren't so cruel to each other, then none of these problems would have to be faced. It would be so much better if everyone could undergo the same punishment as the rest of society who committed the same crime, so that no one persons would be singled out and take an even worse punishment for the crime.
Human nature to pick someone as a scapegoat is not only very common, but very mean. People were not singled out just in today's society. It has been happening for many of years. Just like Hester Prynne was singled out for committing adultery Michael Vick was also a scapegoat. This is just one of the many problems of people. As it were mentioned earlier, if everyone would take the blame for their own mistakes and not worry about anyone else it would solve many of these problems in society and would make everyone better people.
See You Next Fall
Have you ever heard the joke, "Have a nice trip, yeah I'll see you next fall?" Well this joke soon became my motto on one Sunday afternoon. Every Sunday my family and I always go over to eat at my grandparents' house for a delicious meal. My uncle brought his two dogs over to my grandparents' house. Their names were Skully and Sheba. While my grandma was busily preparing the meal, i went outside to go play with the young, playful dogs. We were having a great time running around and rolling all over the ground. I thought that I was having one of the best time of my life. Suddenly out of nowhere I tripped over something. After I had gotten up I found myself looking at my hand, bloody and shaking, I realized I had hit my head. I don't remember if it was the sight of the blood that scared me the most, or the fact i had busted my head wide open. Heart pounding, I started to cry and didn't stop for a long time. The only thing I remember at my grandparents house after that was somebody offering me a dollar bill to cheer me up and to stop crying. Later I was rushed to the emergency room or urgent care; I don't remember which one it was exactly. Sitting, patiently in the waiting room was dreadful. When the doctor came in it wasn't the best time either. I remember the exact number of stitches that were sewed into my head: six. The stitches stayed in my forehead for what seemed like an eternity. The day finally came to have them removed; I rejoiced. It was probably one of the happiest days of my life. Even though there is still a scar that I cannot forget. There is one thing that I will never forget: the day I ran into a tree headfirst. And hopefully I will never ever have to see you again next fall.
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