Elie Wiesel's speech "The Perils of Indifference" and book "Night" both help the audience explore human nature. These two texts show compliance, participation, and apathy in the reoccurrence of large scale injustice. Therefor, humans being inclined to act with cruelty is revealed to the reader.
Acts of cruelty is shown in "The Perils of Indifference" through the use of diction. When Wiesel states "In the place that I come from, society was composed of three simple categories: the killers, the victims, and the bystanders. During the darkest of times, inside the ghettoes and death camps, we felt abandoned, forgotten." the words "abandoned" and "forgotten" evokes pity or sadness. Also, the statement shows how cruelly they were treated and how they had no one to help them. On the other hand, In the third section of "Night" Wiesel also shows cruelty within humankind through repetition and word choice. When Wiesel says "Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky." the phrase "bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke" evokes sympathy and sorrow.
Elie Wiesel's speech "The Perils of Indifference" and book "Night" reveal humans being inclined to act with cruelty. Wiesel does this by using diction and repetition. Also, Wiesel touches the readers emotions of pity and sadness through his word choice.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Othello Socratic Sem Reflection
The Socratic seminar impacted my thinking on the main influences that shaped the Elizabethan era. We discussed that reputation, racism, patriarchy, and jealousy were all very popular during this era. There were many things said that made me think about something I hadn't thought of before. When one of my peers stated that the cause of Othello becoming insecure towards Desdemona was probably because of his race. This made me realize how much racism impacted the Elizabethan era.
The statement from one of my peers that I agree with the most is that woman were treated unfairly as if they were in a lower status than men. One statement form my peer that I did not agree with is that Iago's plan was successful. I disagree with this because although Iago got revenge on Cassio and Othello, eventually everyone figured out what his plan and he no longer was able to take the military rank that Cassio had. Many different topics and questions were covered during the seminar. Therefore there is nothing that needs to be said that hasn't already been discussed.
During the seminar I believe having a dicussion leader really helped the disscussion flow. The disscussion leader made sure we set goals for us to accomplish and that everyone had the oppurtunity to speak. Also, the discussion leader made sure we weren't on one topic for to long and connected the text to our disscussions. Half time also worked very well for the seminar, during half time we were able to get advice from our peers and also give advice to our peers. Also during half time I was able to have some time to think about maybe what I needed to change and do during the next portion of the seminar.
Our oppurtunities for improvement were that more direct quotes were used. There wasn't many direct quotes , just analysis. Also many of the questions that were being asked were off topic and not related to the theme of Elizabethan era. If our questions were more on topic that could've resulted in everyone getting higher grades. Also that could've resulted in everyone understanding the topic more.
The statement from one of my peers that I agree with the most is that woman were treated unfairly as if they were in a lower status than men. One statement form my peer that I did not agree with is that Iago's plan was successful. I disagree with this because although Iago got revenge on Cassio and Othello, eventually everyone figured out what his plan and he no longer was able to take the military rank that Cassio had. Many different topics and questions were covered during the seminar. Therefore there is nothing that needs to be said that hasn't already been discussed.
During the seminar I believe having a dicussion leader really helped the disscussion flow. The disscussion leader made sure we set goals for us to accomplish and that everyone had the oppurtunity to speak. Also, the discussion leader made sure we weren't on one topic for to long and connected the text to our disscussions. Half time also worked very well for the seminar, during half time we were able to get advice from our peers and also give advice to our peers. Also during half time I was able to have some time to think about maybe what I needed to change and do during the next portion of the seminar.
Our oppurtunities for improvement were that more direct quotes were used. There wasn't many direct quotes , just analysis. Also many of the questions that were being asked were off topic and not related to the theme of Elizabethan era. If our questions were more on topic that could've resulted in everyone getting higher grades. Also that could've resulted in everyone understanding the topic more.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Shakespeare Dramatic Reading
The monologue I chose was during Act 5 scene 2, starting at line 354. This part of the play is when Othello finally realizes that he was betrayed by Iago and his wife wasn't actually cheating on him. During this monologue Othello feels ashamed, guilty, and in pain because he has finally noticed what he did to his wife was wrong. Therefor, in my dramatic reading, I tried to use my choice of tone and emphasis around these feelings. My tones can be described as anxiousness, hopelessness, and sorrow.This monologue showed me more characteristics of Othello. In the beginning of the play Othello is seen as a very strong character with much pride. During this monologue, Othello shows that he can also be very weak, by showing his guilt and killing himself. Also this monologue showed how important reputation was to Othello. This is shown when he says "When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak".
This monologue was a major important part of the plays resolution. After the reader knew that Othello was being manipulated and lied to, Othello finally realizes it too. The fact that Othello decides to commit suicide after he murders Desdemona , makes this play a tragedy. It also further complicated the conflict because Othello could not get the full story of what truly happened between Iago and Cassio.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Chapter 7
Theme Statement:
Choices from the past will come back and help or harm you.
Literary Device: Diction
“While at the Job Corps Center, Wes had problems floating off the soft country air of Laurel. A year after graduating, he realized they had not disappeared – they’d simply returned to Baltimore, waiting for him to come back. In his absence, they’d compounded. Tears welled in Wes’s eyes but never fell. He’d realized long ago that crying does no good.”
Analysis:
When the other Wes Moore tries to get his life on the right path, he is bombarded with problems he made in the past. Being involved with drugs and having many babies our of wedlock in his past stopped him from being able to move on with his future in the right path. In this quote, the phrase "problems floating off the soft country air of Laurel" shows that the choices from Wes's past were still there to haunt him. This theme is also seen in the beginning of the chapter. When the author Wes was able to become the regimental commander for the 70th Corps of Cadets because of his good choices at Valley Forge with his education.
Choices from the past will come back and help or harm you.
Literary Device: Diction
“While at the Job Corps Center, Wes had problems floating off the soft country air of Laurel. A year after graduating, he realized they had not disappeared – they’d simply returned to Baltimore, waiting for him to come back. In his absence, they’d compounded. Tears welled in Wes’s eyes but never fell. He’d realized long ago that crying does no good.”
Analysis:
When the other Wes Moore tries to get his life on the right path, he is bombarded with problems he made in the past. Being involved with drugs and having many babies our of wedlock in his past stopped him from being able to move on with his future in the right path. In this quote, the phrase "problems floating off the soft country air of Laurel" shows that the choices from Wes's past were still there to haunt him. This theme is also seen in the beginning of the chapter. When the author Wes was able to become the regimental commander for the 70th Corps of Cadets because of his good choices at Valley Forge with his education.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Chapter 6
Theme Statement:
When we are given second chances, our choices are very impactful to our life.
Literary Device: Diction
“Getting arrested was starting to feel routine. Wes wasn't shocked or afraid anymore..." p.114
Analysis:
After serving 6 months in jail for the shooting incident with Ray, the other Wes Moore was given a second chance to make better choices that could postitively impact his life. His aunt Nicey gave him a place to live and encouraged him to stay in school and/or find a job. Unfortunately, Wes used this oppurtunity to go back into the drug circle and eventually found himself being arrested again. In this quote, the phrases "routine" and "wasnt shocked or afraid" is used to show how Wes didnt use his second chance to change his bad past. On the other hand, when the author Wes Moore was given a second chance by attending Valley Forge, he changed his whole life arround for the better.
When we are given second chances, our choices are very impactful to our life.
Literary Device: Diction
“Getting arrested was starting to feel routine. Wes wasn't shocked or afraid anymore..." p.114
Analysis:
After serving 6 months in jail for the shooting incident with Ray, the other Wes Moore was given a second chance to make better choices that could postitively impact his life. His aunt Nicey gave him a place to live and encouraged him to stay in school and/or find a job. Unfortunately, Wes used this oppurtunity to go back into the drug circle and eventually found himself being arrested again. In this quote, the phrases "routine" and "wasnt shocked or afraid" is used to show how Wes didnt use his second chance to change his bad past. On the other hand, when the author Wes Moore was given a second chance by attending Valley Forge, he changed his whole life arround for the better.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Chapter 5
Theme Statement:
Teenagers will realize their bad choices through harsh awakenings.
Literary Device: Diction
"I was defeated. I had never wanted anything more in my life than to leave that school, and I was slowly coming to the realization that it was not going to happen" p.93
Analysis:
When the author Wes Moore's mother notices Wes was being academic and disciplinary probation because of his bad grades, behavior, and absences from school, she send Wes to Valley Forge. Wes hates Valley Forge's strict ways and tries to escape many times. In this quote, Wes shows his regret for his previous bad choices by using the words "defeated" and "realization". Also the other Wes Moore gets his harsh awakening when the police show up to his house after the gun shootings he was involved in. When he hides the gun and changes into knew clothes, this shows the reader how he had quickly realized what he had done and regrets it.
Teenagers will realize their bad choices through harsh awakenings.
Literary Device: Diction
"I was defeated. I had never wanted anything more in my life than to leave that school, and I was slowly coming to the realization that it was not going to happen" p.93
Analysis:
When the author Wes Moore's mother notices Wes was being academic and disciplinary probation because of his bad grades, behavior, and absences from school, she send Wes to Valley Forge. Wes hates Valley Forge's strict ways and tries to escape many times. In this quote, Wes shows his regret for his previous bad choices by using the words "defeated" and "realization". Also the other Wes Moore gets his harsh awakening when the police show up to his house after the gun shootings he was involved in. When he hides the gun and changes into knew clothes, this shows the reader how he had quickly realized what he had done and regrets it.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Chapter 4
Theme Statement:
Punishments for young peoples crimes can impact their entire life.
Literary Device: Diction
"Loneliness enveloped me. I felt my fate suddenly twinned with that of Shea, an aspiring drug dealer who I knew didn't really give a damn about me." p.82
Analysis:
When the author, Wes Moore, was caught doing graffiti by the police,he started to question everything about his future and even promised to change his future.In this quote, the author uses the words like "fate" to show that the authors future was effected by his punishment. This theme is seen throughout the chapter. When, the other Wes Moore's mother found Wes's stash of drugs, she threw it all down the toilet. Knowing that he would have to pay all the money back and he could no longer keep his drugs in his mothers house, Wes become very anxious about what he was going to do next and his future.When teenagers are held accountable for their actions, and are given a punishment, their whole lives can be impacted and changed.
Punishments for young peoples crimes can impact their entire life.
Literary Device: Diction
"Loneliness enveloped me. I felt my fate suddenly twinned with that of Shea, an aspiring drug dealer who I knew didn't really give a damn about me." p.82
Analysis:
When the author, Wes Moore, was caught doing graffiti by the police,he started to question everything about his future and even promised to change his future.In this quote, the author uses the words like "fate" to show that the authors future was effected by his punishment. This theme is seen throughout the chapter. When, the other Wes Moore's mother found Wes's stash of drugs, she threw it all down the toilet. Knowing that he would have to pay all the money back and he could no longer keep his drugs in his mothers house, Wes become very anxious about what he was going to do next and his future.When teenagers are held accountable for their actions, and are given a punishment, their whole lives can be impacted and changed.
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