Many people face problems regarding pride and arrogance throughout the course of their lives. Q, a character in the short stories "The Aquatic Uncle" and "The Dinosaurs" by Italio Calvino faces these problems in his life. His pride and arrogance brought about extreme life changes, that could be considered positive or negative. Q's life has been dramatically changed throughout the coarse of his life because of his prideful and arrogant characteristics.
Throughout his life, Q has evolved and changed into various organisms. In "The Aquatic Uncle," Q portrayed one of the first vertebrate species. Q faced difficulties centered around his life, many of which involved prejudices. "This business about warts was a widespread prejudice among the old fish: a notion that from living on dry land, we would develop warts all over our bodies, excluding liquid matter....."(Calvino 72). Q faced much prejudice from his uncle in particular; he had evolved and never felt the need to go back to the water. He felt that it was necessary to evolve and was proud of who he was, no matter how many prejudices he faced. The problem was, his fiance, Lll, became enthralled with the idea of living in the water, having been indoctrinated by Q's uncle. Out of pride for himself and arrogance in his belief that living on dry land was a better life than in water, he refused to go live in the water with Lll. "And yet I wouldn't have traded places with any of them, "(Calvino 82). Lll consequently left Q. Although Q lost the one he loved, he felt it was a necessary sacrifice that was needed in order for positive progress and evolution in his future life. Because of Q's pride in himself, he lost the one he loved in order to follow what he believed in, which was to evolve and progress in life.
Throughout the coarse of his life, Q evolved, as well as the others around him. In "The Dinosaurs," Q had evolved into a dinosaur, while others around him evolved past him to become New Ones. Eventually, dinosaurs were all but myths to the New Ones; In these myths, the New Ones portrayed the dinosaurs as being monsters. This was a true fact, but Q could not accept that. "Sometimes I couldn't help but saying: 'Come, let's not exaggerate. What do you think a dinosaur was, after all?"(Calvino 103). Again, Q felt pride and arrogance for who he was, which blinded him from the truth. He could not accept the fact that dinosaurs were monsters, although he knew the truth mentally. Because he wasn't accepting of the truth, he realized he couldn't exist around the New Ones. "I had to escape as fast as possible, let them stew in their own juice, have nothing more to do with these old stories,"(Calvino 106). Eventually, Q left the New Ones. He new that he would never be able accept them because he could only accept himself. Q's prideful and arrogant personality was the cause of this change. He felt too much pride for himself and his species. Q knew he had to continue life elsewhere because his pride and arrogance for himself.
In both short stories, Q was forced by his mentality towards others to move on in life and adapt. This was because of his pride and arrogance that he felt for himself. "I traveled through valleys and plains. I came to a station, caught the first train, and was lost in the crowd,"(Calvino 112). Because of Q's prideful mentality, he knew he could not coexist with others. That is why he felt the need to continuously migrate and move from place to place. He could never accept others because he could only accept himself. Because of this, Q's life had faced many dramatic changes such as loosing the ones he loved and the ability to socialize because of his ongoing migration. Q's strong characteristics of pride and arrogance cause Q's life to continuously change because he could only accept himself.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Responce to Bianca's Press: "Political"
I found Bianca's blog post, "Political," to be extremely interesting and a great topic to respond to. This is so because so far, no one has written a blog post regarding politics; This is a great chance to voice your opinion on politics and your concerns.
One of the most critical reasons money is so important regarding political campaigns is because without it, the politician would make no progress in their goal for winning a future election. Money is required because a politician needs to advertise themselves and send out their message. This allows them to gain support and power in their campaign. I feel that money is the key to winning an election.
If a politician runs for a office position and acquires it thorough campaign money, they can also fix what they feel is wrong that is associated with their office position. For example, the next governor of California will have the power help fix the money crisis at hand and make a difference. Basically, campaign money will eventually pay off and make a difference in the long run.
"So my question about society is: Is it possible for someone to win office position without spending(in some cases, wasting) money or trying to sabotage an opponent through the underhanded ways?"I personally disagree with Bianca's opinion regarding politicians and their use of money. She opinionated that they are spending too much money regarding their campaign. She stated that instead, money should be spend for other purposes, because California is in a money crisis. My opinion is that money is a critical part to a campaign.
One of the most critical reasons money is so important regarding political campaigns is because without it, the politician would make no progress in their goal for winning a future election. Money is required because a politician needs to advertise themselves and send out their message. This allows them to gain support and power in their campaign. I feel that money is the key to winning an election.
If a politician runs for a office position and acquires it thorough campaign money, they can also fix what they feel is wrong that is associated with their office position. For example, the next governor of California will have the power help fix the money crisis at hand and make a difference. Basically, campaign money will eventually pay off and make a difference in the long run.
Kite Runner Analysis: Amir's Sacrifice
I am currently reading "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini and decided to write a character analysis on the relationship of the two main characters of the book, Amir and Hassan. I also hope this shows my ability to use quotes in an essay and show my strength as a writer. Thanks!
Amir's Sacrifice
Many people in society today face problems of choice. In the novel “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini, Amir is faced with a life changing choice that would affect his life forever. Amir chose to sacrifice Hassan as a way to obtain a relationship with his father. Amir’s treated Hassan as a “sacrificial lam” to obtain a relationship with his father.
Amir and Hassan both knew that the kite fighting competitions were a chance to “rebuild” Amir’s relationship with his father again. Amir would have to win the kite and bring it back to his father, showing Baba that he was a “winner.” Unfortunately, during the kite fighting competition, Hassan captured the kite and was then bullied to the point of being raped by Assef and his friends. “Nothing was free in the world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba” ( Hosseini 77). Amir took Hassan for granted and used him for his own interests. He knew he could do this because Hassan always helped Amir and knew of Amir’s weak relationship with his father; Amir knew Hassan would sacrifice himself as the sacrificial lamb for Amir. Because of this, Amir and Hassan avoided contact with one another because they both understood the situation; eventually, Amir wanted to never see Hassan again because he was a memory of how he let his best friend down. Amir realized he was a monster in Hassan’s life. “There was a monster in the lake. It had grabbed Hassan by the ankles, dragged him to the murky bottom. I was that monster” (Hosseini 86). He knew that he had destroyed Hassan’s life; that is what made his friendship with Hassan so difficult. Knowing this, Amir wanted Hassan to leave because he could not handle the truth of what he did. He sacrificed their friendship for his happiness. Amir decided that was the only way he could live freely and happily. Amir sacrificed Hassan as a way to increase his life happiness.
Amir treated Hassan as a tool to shape his life. By using Hassan, Amir sacrificed his life for the improvement of his own. This is a big problem in society today. Many people consider themselves better than one another and use each other, like Amir used and sacrificed Hassan.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Ten Vocabulary Word Sentences
I have chosen ten vocabulary from the list Mr. Sutherland has given us that are particularly challenging for me. I will include each of them in a sentence to show the meaning of the word.
1. The birthday party is in ten days, hence it is on September 28, 2010.
2. The most important clause in the emancipation proclamation stated that all black slaves would become free.
3. The marginal amount of words assigned to the essay was 2000.
4. The man was charged with domestic violence for beating his wife and children.
5. So far, President Obama has failed to implement his campaign promises.
6. The man began to facilitate the woman in the wheel chair.
7. The man is an entity because he exists.
8. Donors are a fundamental part of the charity because they donate to them.
9. The workers went to an orientation at their office because it was their first day at work and they needed to learn in detail about their jobs.
10. His notion of democracy was that it should be spread throughout the world.
1. The birthday party is in ten days, hence it is on September 28, 2010.
2. The most important clause in the emancipation proclamation stated that all black slaves would become free.
3. The marginal amount of words assigned to the essay was 2000.
4. The man was charged with domestic violence for beating his wife and children.
5. So far, President Obama has failed to implement his campaign promises.
6. The man began to facilitate the woman in the wheel chair.
7. The man is an entity because he exists.
8. Donors are a fundamental part of the charity because they donate to them.
9. The workers went to an orientation at their office because it was their first day at work and they needed to learn in detail about their jobs.
10. His notion of democracy was that it should be spread throughout the world.
Annotating
When it comes to annotating, I always plan according to the future essays that will be assigned to us. To do this, I usually find great topics that can be used in essays; I call these "golden lines." They are "golden" because they bring up great discussion that is deep and meaningful in an essay. Besides "golden lines" being used for great topics and discussion in an essay, they can also be used for concrete details in an essay which make the essay even more meaningful. In collecting "golden lines," I can find good essay topics and discussion as well as concrete details.
Besides using annotating for topics/golden lines, I also use them because they help me understand and comprehend the story when I read. This is because I am forced to think about good essay topics and find deep, meaningful golden lines. It allows me to eventually understand and comprehend the story itself. Basically, annotating helps me gain knowledge of the story for myself; I personally benefit from it. This is because I am forced to find deeper meanings in the story which open up knew knowledge that I can gain.
Although annotating may seem easy, it truthfully can be hard; I have personally faced many problems when annotating. The problem I usually face is how to find deep and meaningful essay topics. I face this problem because I have to find "golden lines" throughout a whole book, without being repetitive. To solve this problem, I usually find individual topics in each paragraph that are deep and meaningful; At the end of the chapter, I choose the most important topics and write them down. This solves my problem with annotating.
In conclusion, annotating is a very helpful way of supporting you when reading a book. They allow you to find deep/meaningful meanings in an essay and also gain personal knowledge that you can gain. It is a very healthy activity learning activity you can use to enhance your reading experience as a student and personal reader.
-Jackson Follrath
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Opening Statement. Born Gay. PRO.
People’s sexual orientation is determined at birth. Although it may seem sexual orientation is influenced by a person’s social manner, it is actually influenced by a person’s biological factors, including genetic or hormonal factors.
Much scientific evidence states that preference for male or female partners are related to hormonal balances, and the person’s genes. This starts the day a person is born. Before birth in embryonic state, people are bisexual, but in the coarse of their natural desire, most loose their desire for members of the same sex, (Magnus Hirschfeld, MD). Kenneth Cohen, PhD, lecturer in human development at Cornell University, states that recent scans of the human genome reveal that some gay males share a genetic marker for homosexuality on the X chromosome. The twin study, having been in the interest of scholars, such as the early physician Hippocrates, supports this case. The study shows that twins frequently share the same homosexual traits.
With the information described above, we have proof that human sexuality is developed at birth by their biological factors. They are born knowing that they are homosexual because they are attracted to the opposite sex or they fell different from others in their views of their sexual orientation. They are unable to control or chose who they want to be with; it is simply what they feel inside. Can people chose who they like because they are influenced by peers? Can the feelings they feel for others change? No, because it is part of who they are biologically; they were born homosexual.
We do not support most of what scientists say, but the evidence shown proves that your sexual orientation is determined at birth. Their sexuality is determined by genetics and so, they are born being homosexual. As we stated before, people cannot choose their sexuality. Homosexuals are born homosexual. It is not their choice. In conclusion, we believe that people are born without the choice of choosing their sexuality.
"During the past thirty years, a strong body of evidence has emerged to suggest that sexual orientation is biological. During this same time period, not a single bit of scientific evidence suggests that sexual orientation is learned has appeared,"( Frederick L. Whitam, PhD).
Much scientific evidence states that preference for male or female partners are related to hormonal balances, and the person’s genes. This starts the day a person is born. Before birth in embryonic state, people are bisexual, but in the coarse of their natural desire, most loose their desire for members of the same sex, (Magnus Hirschfeld, MD). Kenneth Cohen, PhD, lecturer in human development at Cornell University, states that recent scans of the human genome reveal that some gay males share a genetic marker for homosexuality on the X chromosome. The twin study, having been in the interest of scholars, such as the early physician Hippocrates, supports this case. The study shows that twins frequently share the same homosexual traits.
With the information described above, we have proof that human sexuality is developed at birth by their biological factors. They are born knowing that they are homosexual because they are attracted to the opposite sex or they fell different from others in their views of their sexual orientation. They are unable to control or chose who they want to be with; it is simply what they feel inside. Can people chose who they like because they are influenced by peers? Can the feelings they feel for others change? No, because it is part of who they are biologically; they were born homosexual.
We do not support most of what scientists say, but the evidence shown proves that your sexual orientation is determined at birth. Their sexuality is determined by genetics and so, they are born being homosexual. As we stated before, people cannot choose their sexuality. Homosexuals are born homosexual. It is not their choice. In conclusion, we believe that people are born without the choice of choosing their sexuality.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Odd Girl Out Quote Responce
School is always considered a safe place: a place or learning. It should never be considered a place students are scared to go to for fear of bullying. When a student is bullied, they begin to dread and fear going to school; They see school as an unsafe and threatening environment.
At one point during my school career at ASTI, a bullying issue was taking place. Many people were bullying others and victims were being created out of the situations. This kind of behavior between students is obviously unacceptable, which is why ASTI took immediate action. So one day of the school year, all students of ASTI were called to create a fair constitution that they felt would change the way some students felt toward the school.
I feel this was an excellent plan. During this activity, many students began to realize their involvement in these bullying activities and their faults; They realized they needed to stop their inappropriate behavior. All students wrote down fair rules that would go into the ASTI constitution and in the end, ten of them were chosen and combined together to create the ASTI constitution. This changed the way many students looked toward each other; as friends instead of enemies, as students instead of idiots, as equals.
The ASTI constitution united the students of ASTI and created a strong bond that can never be broken.
"Bullying is a major issue in the school environment. If no one confronts it, the consequences can be dire. For the victim, school is no longer thought of as a place to learn in but a place to fear," (Kasia Metkowska, http://www.google.com/reader/view/?hl=en&tab=wy#stream/feed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fkasiaiskesha.blogspot.com%2Ffeeds%2Fposts%2Fdefault).Because of bullying, many different forms of school regulations prohibiting bullying and inappropriate conduct with other students have been created; such as the ASTI constitution. At ASTI, learning and gaining knowledge is critical to becoming a successful student. Bullying cannot take place. The ASTI constitution reminds students the proper ways of socializing with other students. It is extremely effective because of one thing; The students of ASTI created the constitution themselves.
At one point during my school career at ASTI, a bullying issue was taking place. Many people were bullying others and victims were being created out of the situations. This kind of behavior between students is obviously unacceptable, which is why ASTI took immediate action. So one day of the school year, all students of ASTI were called to create a fair constitution that they felt would change the way some students felt toward the school.
I feel this was an excellent plan. During this activity, many students began to realize their involvement in these bullying activities and their faults; They realized they needed to stop their inappropriate behavior. All students wrote down fair rules that would go into the ASTI constitution and in the end, ten of them were chosen and combined together to create the ASTI constitution. This changed the way many students looked toward each other; as friends instead of enemies, as students instead of idiots, as equals.
The ASTI constitution united the students of ASTI and created a strong bond that can never be broken.
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