Anthem Chapter 2 Response

In the book Anthem, by Ayn Rand, the idea behind relationships is non existent. The people of this society grow up without parents or friends (let alone of another gender). Relationships are not present in the lives of these people, or atleast not virbally. In chapter 2, Equality 7-2521 is beginning to change his own rules regarding friendship and love, through the use of his own knowledge and human nature. For example during his routine day sweeping the road near the mile marker, Equality 7-2521 spotted a women in the feild of whom he admired, and said "There was no smile on their face, and no welcome...Then they turned as swiftly, and they walked away from us." (Rand, 40). This quote describes how most people are just going through the motions, not really paying attention to the people around them or even acknowledging them. But, this is the start to Equality 7- 2521's new found relationship with Liberty 5-3000. After the first acquaintance, the chapter continues to talk about the mating process. It is described that all women over the age of 18 and all the men over the age of 20 are to meet at the City Palace of Mating for one night, and one night only. Each man is paired with one women for the night. And after that night they do not speak to or of one another. This is then repeated every eight months. Equality 7- 2521's plan was to meet Libery 5-3000 that night, but then he learned that she is only 17. Even with this knowledge he still plans to meet her at the City Palacep of Mating. This thought and deceiving spirit is what separates Equality 7-2521 from the others, and how his relationship with Liberty 5- 3000 may even turn into a relationship. This can be shown when he says, "We felt our lips drawn tight with hatred, a sudden hatred for all our brother men. And the Golden One saw it and smiled slowly, and this was the first sadness we had seen in them." (45). This quote is the moment in which both Equality and Liberty realize the unfairness of the government. The realization that the ability to love and to be loved is being taken away from them. They are willing to break the law on account of this new feeling, they are sad and angry at their piers for not doing something about their will to love being stolen. So, when relationships are discussed in Anthem it is hard to have a direct answer due to the fact that the slightest idea of relationships is only bring created. 

Lost v.s. Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies by William Golding and ABC's Lost, created by Jeffery Lieber, have characters and an over all theme that directly correlate with one another. Firstly, Ralph from Lord of the Flies and Jack Shepherd from Lost both have personality traits such as leadership and responsibility that give the people around them hope and trust. Both were appointed chief or leader at the beginning of their journeys on the islands. The similarities between these two go beyond the obvious connection of being the leader. Jack and Ralph both become aggrivated and overwhelmed with their new roles. Ralph starts to give up towards the climax of the book when Jack and his tribe leave him behind, and Jack Shepherd starts to question why people assumed he should be the one to lead them lead them. Another example of similar characters are Kate and Piggy. Kate gets attached to Jack and admires his ability to push out fear and take charge in finding a way to get rescued and keep the group safe. Piggy does this with Ralph in the way that he is always following him around and shapes himself after Ralph's survival instincts and leadership. Both characters find themselves lost without the structure and rules of society but then seem to find themselves under the protection of Jack Shepherd and Ralph.

The theme of both depictions of what happens to humans when they are isolated from society, revolves around the idea that the background and personality of each person combined with mob mentality can effect who and what people become in isolation. The majority of both groups at the beginning of their stories find themselves searching for a way out. But, John Locke and Jack find themselves getting comfortable in the island, they both enjoy who they are on the island. John who used to be in a wheel chair, unable to walk, now has working limbs again. Jack, who before the accident always yearned for the power that adults never gave him, now had the strength and power to rule over all without getting told "no". As one can see people's pasts can change how they react to the change of scenery. One cannot pin point what happens to a human when taken away from civilization, due to the fact that not every person comes from the same kind of life and not everyone has the same morals and personalities.

Cry of the Hunters

In chapter 12 in Lord of the Flies, the end of the book, readers finally get to experience the reality that these savages are actually children. Ralph breaks down at the end because he was tired of keeping it all inside. His anger, sadness and desperassion were eating him alive, but now he could finally let all his emotions out. He was not only crying for himself, but for Piggy and Simon, who didn't live to be rescused. Ralph was crying because he finally got what he had wanted the whole time, although he got lost along the way his morals were always intact. From the moment Ralph stepped foot on this dreadful island he became the strongest person among the group. Jack seemed to think he was, but one may believe that through all of his weaknesses Ralph stayed the toughest. He never truly let his guard down in front of the other boys, they never saw him cry and they never saw him give up. Down to the last moment before they arrived at the beach, even when the savages were chasing Ralph, hungry for his blood, he didn't show weakness. But, now he could. Ralph didn't have to be the adult anymore, he didn't have to be strong. When Goulding describes his breakdown as shown trough this passage; "The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island..."(202), the readers experience their own bit of sadness and weakness. Ralph's morals never really left him, even when he was off dreaming about his life at home his want for rescue was with him. Everyone has a moment of weakness at one time or another but their morality will always return and will never escape them completely. At the end of the book, all of the boys started to cry like Ralph, even the "savages".The boys were taken out of a trance when they reached the beach. As if the forest and anything in past the beach was their imagination and when they reached the sand and saw the sargeant they returned to reality. 

Castle Rock

1. Ralph acusses Jack of being a beast and a theif because he is acting savegery and he stole Piggy's glasses and the fire. This, and the fight they had, may show a shred of civilization because when someone steal something from another person the civilized response is to be angry but then to confront that person. And although fighting isn't necessarily civilized, it is something that civilized people do sometimes in order to let out their anger and stress 

2. Ralph becomes more savage because he, first brought spears when confronting Jack and his tribe which was not necessary. Secondly Ralph fought back after Piggy told him to stop and to remember what they came for (their fire and Piggy's glasses, not for blood). Later Piggy stops the fight by getting killed by a boulder that is let out by Roger. After he died and his body was taken by the sea, everyone was almost in shock and scared of what my become of them and stopped fighting out of fear. 

3. In chapter 11 William Goulding is trying to show that over time even the most civilized people become broken and confused when being are isolated by their civilized societies over time. Ralph and Piggy both have the same morals regarding getting home and returning to their organized communities, but in this scene they are both changing. Ralph is following the reaccuring mob mentality by using a spear, putting his hair up, and almost admiring the new look of Jack's tribe. And Piggy is exploding in his own head, he yearns for rules and civilization and since he is not getting what he wants he trying to create it himself. By doing this he is only killing himself, literally, because everyone else had already forgot about their pasts. In the end Goulding is warning his readers that whether you remember your morals or stray away from them, either way you are stuck and will continue to fall deeper and deeper into the hole of the reality in isolation. 

Shadows and Tall Trees

In chapter 7 William Golding makes his belief evident that all humans have the tendency to act like a beast. Throughout the story the readers found the characters becoming more and more animal like. For example in chapter 5 Golding shows a physical change. Ralph is upset with his looks and how he is always dirty; his hair is longer and getting in his way, and his clothes are worn, ripped. But, in chapter 7, the author, demonstrates how the boys are becoming beasts in the way they think and act. Reading this chapter was actually disturbing in some ways. On page 114, towards the beginning of this chapter, some of the boys (except for Piggy) are out hunting for meat. After their encounter with injuring a boar, but not killing it, the boys find themselves in a disagreement or discussion. As all the boys are talking to one another, talking over each other, Robert is mocking Ralph and his attempt to kill the boar. When Jack sees this he instantly attacks Robert and the others join in; "Robert squealed in mock terror, and then in real pain. The butt end of a spear fell on his back as he blundered among them. They got his arms and legs. "Kill him! Kill him!" The chant rose "Kill the pig! Cut his throat!..." This shows just how fast this scene escalated. When reading it one may find it to be surprising, almost confusing, because you may not know what's going on right away. The boys are treating this young boy as a pig, trying to kill him. In some ways they were just kidding but in others the darkness growing inside them is peaking through. After this near death experience the boys completely go back to joking around, talking about the pig and what they will do, when they kill it and have meat, at the fire and how they will celebrate. They talk about using an actual pig, but then they bring up how someone could dress up like a pig. This talk is barbaric. All the boys discuss this topic calmly and with humor, but the truth behind it is devastating; it's cannibalism. When Golding talks about this theory of his, as a reader I would have to agree, these characters are becoming beasts right in front of my very own eyes.

Beasts from Water

1. Ralph starts to realize that in life there is always surprises and that you have to be able to adjust to them or he will go insane and won't survive. He begins to get frustrated with his looks and his life in general. When he first got on the island, Ralph had hope and thought that there was a chance that he would return to his old life. But, now all hope is lost and Ralph has to change himself in order to live a life that will allow him to survive.

2. When Ralph blows the conch, gathering everyone to the beach, he is filled with anger and disappointment. Ralph discusses how nobody is follower orders and helping to make the island a suitable home; how nobody is helping building the shelters, neglecting the fire, and not using the designated area for the bathroom.

3. "We've got to have smoke up there- or die." Ralph is correct when saying the smoke is more important than the pig because the fire is the only chance they have of getting off the island. But Ralph is incorrect when saying this because he needs to realize that there is a slight chance that anyone will even see the smoke and that he needs to start establishing a permanent life and home on the island. The first steps in doing this is finding food sources, hence the importance of the pig.

4. Jack says that the littluns should stop crying and getting upset about the beasty because it is only scaring everyone more and making everything more chaotic. Jack tries to explain that the beasty is only inside there heads, it is only a dream and dreams can't and won't hurt them. He is being sensible because no one has seen the beasty with their own eyes, just that Ralph has heard the cries of the littluns at night.

5. The littluns start to cry because they are thinking more about the monster and how it comes up from the ocean at night. They initially start to cry because Percival is crying.

6. Simon comes up with the idea that the beasty is them, that they are the beasts and they are scaring themselves. Everyone doesn't like that idea so they ignore it and start to talk about how maybe the beasty is a ghost.

7. The meeting ends when Ralph and Jack start to fight again and then Jack and the other kids run off chanting with excitement about hunting and killing the beast.

8. At the end of chapter the kids wish that the adults would give them a message or a sign, because they still have a small hope that they will return to them. They are all starting to miss having adults around in general and just want that part of their life back.

Painted Faces and Long Hair

Jack's character transformation changes his view of himself from powerful yet obedient, to this new found power that is not only changing his physical image but the way he acts and reacts towards others and different situations. At first Jack still had the responsibility of leading the choir, which was given to him by an adult who told him what to do and exactly how to do it. Now, with Ralph being the only person who has authority over Jack, this gives him freedom and an addiction to discovery that he didn't have before. The loss of rules and structure is not the only thing that had changed Jack. The way he wears himself or the way he changed the way he looks is influencing his actions. For example Jack paints his face in preparing for his pig hunt the author says; "He looked in astonishment, no longer at himself but at an awesome stranger." (63). Jack is proud of the person he has turned himself into. He has made himself more free and changing his look was the last step in doing so. It not only made him realize who he is now, but it also was the final realization for the rest of the boys. 

Piggy and Ralph spot a ship passing the island. In panic they look up to see if their smoke signal was still in use. To their disappointment the fire had gone out. Jack and his fellow choir boys (now hunters) had the job of keeping the fire lit. They were all off trying to kill the pig, unaware that the only time the fire would have been useful, they weren't there to make sure it would actually be seen. When Jack and his crew return with joy after murdering and bringing home their prize, they realize that what they are walking into will nonetheless completely change their happy attitudes. This is shown when Ralph is trying to tell Jack about his failure, but Jack does not engage in his anger because he is busy dancing around the dead pig; "There was a ship. Out there you said you'd keep the fire going and you let it out!" (70). Jack's response to this shows little regret. Again showing how he doesn't truly view Ralph as having more power or authority as he. Jack seems to not even care about the past chance of rescue, he is mesmerized by the blood on him and the pig he killed with pride. This is another example of Jack's total transformation into someone pridefully living off the land, looking to the future, hunting his next meal, and enjoying the process. This shown through his lack of response to Ralph's disappointment and going back and celebrating his victory as finaly becoming the pig killing victor; "Jack transferred the knife to his left hand and smudged blood over his forehead as he pushed down the plastered hair." (71).

Huts on the Beach

The characters of Jack and Ralph, although fighting for the common cause of survival, are internally fighting against one another due to their conflicting personalities. Ralph is the assigned chief of the group; he is organized, responsible, and smart. Jack is almost like Ralph's second hand man, although not happy about this Jack takes this role and tries to keep his head up. Jack wants to be accepted by others while also being part of the authority. For example when Ralph is upset that no one is working and all being lazy, Jack says; "Except me and my hunters-"(50). This shows that Jack is quick to defend himself against his chief, Ralph, but also shows his need to call ownership and authority over others; his hunters. He is trying to receive respect and acceptance from Ralph, while also trying to prove to him that he has power over others. Ralph, on the other hand, is only worried about keeping this community of boys together by establishing an environment that is both comfortable and safe. This is specifically discussed in chapter 3 when Ralph is bothered that no one is working. In the end both boys have their own wants and needs for themselves and their piers, and while they do differ they revolve around the goal of living and surviving. Ralph is like the President, he has all the power in the eyes of his citizens and is allowed to bestow anything upon them. Jack is the Vice President, he has power but less than the President, so much less that the people barely know it exists. He works with the Commander in Chief but inside only wants to demolish him, so then automatically he will gain all the authority over the people and rule them under only his ideas and rules.

Prompt #10

At the beginning of the story Piggy is introduced into the story as a young innocent boy. Ralph, the alpha, or chief, of the group pins him as weak and useless from the moment he met him. Piggy was not important, neither relevant in Ralph's eyes, he was treated as if he were an animal, a pig even. He was be slaughtered with word by his piers all his life. As shown through this quote:"A storm of laughter arose and even the tiniest child joined in. For the moment the boys were a closed circuit of sympathy with Piggy outside." (21), readers can see that he is receiving no sympathy, that the rest of the boys have forgotten that he even has feelings. This can directly relate to the life of any young child who feels alone or a victim of bullying. This quote is foreshadowing for the rest of Piggy's life and is a hint for readers of what will may come of the boys as a whole. 

Abandoned!

My perfect society would consist or structure and order. There would be one leader who directs the rest of us, comforts us, and shows us right from wrong. We each would have a specific role in order to keep us occupied and out of each others way. Our first priorities would have to be food, water, and shelter. The next things we would have to worry about would be protection and boundries. In order for our new forced society to last we have to work together and remember we are all equal. 

Literary Analysis: "Hangman" by David Mitchell

The short story "hangman", by David Mitchell, helps portray the commonly used term "ignore the haters" in a  more mature and relatable way. Jason, the main character, has developed tis stammer that immediately diminished his confidence. He doesn't talk in class during school, and if he does he makes himself seem stupid by answering questions incorrectly. Mitchell uses multiple literary techniques to help him get across this message. For example he uses imagery to show how everything around Jason is sad. As he describe the rain on his way to the therapist office, "the wipers couldn't keep up with the rain, not even at the fastest speed", you get this sadness in the tone. Yet, this could also be a metaphor of Jason's life, how he couldn't fix his stammer no matter how hard he tried. Other techniques such as personification and similes were also used. All of these things were used to show Jason's coming of age into himself; meaning in order to come of age he has to mature and accept himself. Personification shows this perfectly. For example when he talks about how "hangman" was always inside him how "he'd slid his fingers into my tongue and was clasping his throat and pinching the veins that take oxygen to my brain." Jason never forgot about this nightmare that is hangman, this is a sign of immaturity. One must forget about the past and move on. But, as the story goes on Jason slowly starts to grow up. When he used this simile; "I asked if stammers're like zits that you grow out of...". This shows Jason's want to change, to become a better version of himself. David Mitchell uses imagery by painting a picture of the story for his readers, personification to help his readers relate and understand Jason as a character, and similes to express his want to be normal. The use of all of these techniques are used to convey the message that in order to come of age one must embrace all of their flaws and live without them getting in their way.

"Shaving" by Leslie Norris

The short story Shaving, by Leslie Norris, describes the role of the main character, Barry, who has to shave is sick Father's face because he is too weak to do so himself. The author shows, through her writing, how Barry had to grow from being a little boy looking up to his dad, straight to being a the man of the house, now taking care of his weak father. Barry shaving his dad's face was not just the simple act of shaving, it was an act of coming of age. it was a symbol of how is dad was so worn out, so tired, that he didn't have the strength to do simple everyday activities. One quote that perfectly describes the way that the roles of father and son have been switched between the two characters; "Barry cradled his father's head in the crook of his left" as if a dad would to his child as a way to comfort them. It is common for children who have ill parents to feel the need to grow up sooner and gain more responsibilities, but it doesn't always have to be the big things like paying the bills, it's the little things that make the biggest impact.

The Maasai People: Coming of Age

The Maasai people, who live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people. It is said that their lifestyle should be embraced due to the fact that the are one of the only tribes who have stuck to the old-age traditions almost fully. In their culture there are multiple ceremonies that both boys and girls have to go through in-order to be looked at as true adults. For the girls the only two that they experience are Emuratta (circumcision), and Enkiama (marriage). Circumcision for girls is becoming less popular, especially with the ides of the 21st-century being prominent all over. The rest of their status is based off of who the man is that they marry and how far he is into his initiations. For the boys it is a little more detailed. Like the girls they two go through Emuratta shortly after puberty. Along with the circumcision, Enkipatta is one of the first rituals that is performed usually by the father. This is when boys aged from 14-16 go on a journey for four months across their land, and are later joined by elders who help them to realize the man who they want to become and help them to mature. About 30-40 houses are built for the initiating boys, for them to live in with their future family. The Emuratta ceremony is not just that, it also requires the boys to herd cattle for seven consecutive days. Then to stand in the cold and after bath themselves in a cold shower. These things are supposed make them more manly and warrior like. There are several other steps in becoming a senior warrior, which is the highest honor. This includes the shaving of the head and many other intriguing events. My culture in America is very different from the Maasai's but one similarity is that boys usually get circumcised as babies, but otherwise the gap is quite large but truly inspiring.  This culture is full of loyalty and is truly an inspiring little look at how the other half of the world lives!

Enkipaata:

 

 

 

MLA citation:

 

"Maasai Culture | Ceremonies and Rituals." Maasai Culture | Ceremonies and Rituals. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. http://www.maasai-association.org/ceremonies.html



Year Long Essential Question

People face obstacles throuout their life, but it's how they deal with these difficult things that truly shapes their identity. When something goes "wrong" in ones life, or something scary, sad, or difficult gets in their way one may think their life is crashing down. This instinct to fall apart versus the actual reaction is what makes a person who they are. If one gives in to the initial reaction, to fall down and decide not to get up, this is an example of someone without hope or faith. But people with this hope also have strength, to get up and beat the obstacle that is put in front of them. Even if one does not overcome a tough time the way they had hoped, that also shapes them. That realization of admitting that one did not handle something the correct way or the way they had wanted also is a step in shaping themself into the person they want to become.

Letter of Introduction: Getting to Know Me

Dear Ms. Carvalho,

I walked out of freshman year with a smile on my face and a great past behind me. Now it was time for summer.

During summer vacation I was busy almost everyday of the week. Whether I was playing in lacrosse tournaments, all over New England, or teaching kids how to sail through the Scituate Recreation Department. These activities always kept me going, there was never a dull moment. I also had time to visit my grandparents in New Jersey with my parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles; the whole gang.

Once you get to know me I am a very loud and engaging person. These personalities were really brought out in me when working with my little sailors. During that specific job I learned a lot about responsibility and the importance of making your voice heard. I think that these qualities are both helpful and important for English class, specifically discussions and Socratic seminars.

Even though I had all of these things going on in my life I did have just enough time for summer work. For my summer reading I read "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. I really enjoyed this book and I strongly recommend it, definitely my favorite school-assigned book thus far. I loved the lesson it taught about how everyone leaves their mark when they eventually pass away, but it is now where we make the memories people will have of us, so make them memorable.

I did not start reading the book right away but once I got going I could not put it down! When I get assigned something, whether it's over the weekend or during the summer, I always try to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. That is always easier said than done. I am a hard-worker and I try to do everything with the utmost effort. I participate a lot in class and love to share my thoughts and ideas with others.

My learning style is hands on, taking notes and interacting with others is what works for me. I believe that when you work with other people it helps your realm of thought increase. It also pushes you to do better for, not only for yourself, but for the people your working with. One of my strengths in English would be writing. I think that I can better share my voice through my words on paper. My weakness is that sometimes I do have a lack of organization, but I always find my way and get right back on track. I hope to become more organized during this school year, by always having my things in order and always handing things in on time.

I am excited for the upcoming school year, and my brain is ready to absorb as much knowledge as possible!

See you soon!

Sincerely,
Ally Irish