MAAN & Ethics

In the play, "Much Ado About Nothing," there are many examples of characters lying to eachother, some for selfish reasons, and others in the interest of friends. I believe that lying can be ethical, it just depends on the lier's intentions. For instance, when Claudio confides in the Prince of his love for Hero, the Prince wants to help him, and so he agrees to dress as Claudio at the ball and win her over for him, "I will assume thy part in some disguise/And tell fair Hero I am Claudio,/And in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart/.../Then after to her father will I break,/And the conclusion is, she shall be thine," (I. i. 259-265). Sure, this offer may seem strange, but in the end, the Prince acted with good intentions. The Prince lied to Hero to help the two fall in love, which is very noble and ethical, in opinion.

Ethical lying happens every day. For example, for my 13th birthday my best friend planned a surprise party for me at a burger joint. She had to lie to me and tell me we were just going out for lunch together to celebrate my birthday. If she had told me the truth, first of all it would have spoiled the surprise, and second of all, the party wouldn't have been as much fun or as memorable.

Although there are examples of ethical lying, people can also lie for hurtful and selfish reasons. In the play, Don John tells Claudio that his brother, the Prince, has taken Hero for his own, "Signor, you are very near my brother in his love. He is/enamored on Hero," (II. i. 134-135). Don John knows he's talking to Claudio, but pretends he's ignorant, and believes that he is speaking with Benedick. This maneuver is a twisted way for Don John to spit out this lie, and it hurts Claudio very much, although he tries to hide it. Because Don John lied to Claudio to hurt him and turn him against Don John's brother, Don John lied for selfish reasons. This proves that not all lies are ethical.

(Technically Not) My Poem

Those Winter Sundays
by Robert Hayden

Sundays too my father got up early
And put his clothes on in the blueback cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.

I'd wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he'd call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house,

Speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love's austere and lonely offices?

Analysis:
The poem, "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden compares warming a house on a cold winter day to unconditional love. It describes a father working hard for his child all week and then getting up early on Sunday to warm the house so that his kid would be comfortable. But even after all the father does, the kid still doesn't understand the love that the father is trying to convey to him. At the end of the poem, the kid is ungrateful because he doesn't understand how much his father has sacrificed and given to his kid. The kid doesn't understand the kind of unfailing love that his father has for him.

I really liked this poem because the connotation of the word choice was very colorful and gave me many clear images. For instance, when Hayden describes the cold leaving the house as he's waking up, "I'd wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking," (6). I imagined when you pour a glass of water and then add ice, and it makes a splintering sound. Also, when the father is getting up early to warm the house, the description of the cold made it even more real to me, "...put his clothes on in the blueback cold," (2). When I read this line I thought of the color blue-- it's just a cold color. In the winter, especially at night when the temperature drops dramatically (and especially in Minnesota), the snow, the icey streets, frozen fingers and toes, chapped lips; they're all shades of blue. Hayden's description of the cold using "blueback" intensified the word "cold" even more for me. I've also just been really excited for snow and the Holidays, and reading this poem made me think of walks in the snow, laying cozy next to the fire and watching the snow fall outside, I LOVE THE SNOW!!! This poem made the cold feel really real to me, not that it's not cold outside here in Minnesota, but I felt like it was snowing in this poem. There weren't any references to it, but it just felt like it.

Quarter 1: Debrief

First quarter in EE10 wasn't so bad. I was really nervous over the summer because I thought it would be like my 9th grade Enriched English class--- when I walked into that classroom it was like I was breathing in pure, concentrated stress. Actually I learned a bunch this quarter, and it was all low stress. I learned how to look more deeply at films and analyize them, I'm learning how to write a "real" thesis statement and how to develop themes, and I learned not to save assignments in this class for last minute. :D I truly believe I'm becoming a better writer, and I enjoy writing. Next quarter I want to get a better understanding of how to write thesis statements, and I want to think even more deeply about future essay topics so that as a result, I can write a better analysis. Also, next quarter I'm going to try to speak up more in class discussions (which can benefit me, but it could also benefit my peers in sharing my ideas with the entire class).

Outside Reading #5

In the novel, "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer there is no end to the struggles Bella and Edward must face to be together even during it's final pages. Near the end, James, a vampire who enjoys the hunt, is chasing Bella, thirsting for her blood. The Cullens do everything in their power to keep the girl safe, even seperating the two lovers and flying to Pheonix. Of course, this seperation is extremely difficult for the couple, but necessary, "He set me down, still holding my face, his glorious eyes burning into mine. His eyes went blank, curiously dead, as he turned away," (Meyer 403). Edward loses a part of himself when he leaves Bella, but he must leave her to kill James to protect Bella. Poor Edward is torn, but he understands why he and Bella must seperate, and so he leaves her. Despite their efforts, James succeeds in black mailing Bella into coming straight to him; If she doesn't come he'll kill her mother. So Bella has no choice, and follows the vampire's instructions exactly so as not to alert the Cullens. In the end, James bites Bella, and she is left to writhe in agony and become a vampire (if she doesn't die first), with no one to help her. But then the Cullens suddenly arrive, Emmett and Edward kill James, and then Edward makes a dangerous decision; he decides to suck out the poison from James's bite, but that involves drinking Bella's blood, and if he losses control, he could accidentally kill the girl he loves, "I watched his eyes as the doubt was suddenly replaced with a blazing determination...Then his head bent over it, and his cold lips pressed against my skin...Then slowly my writhing calmed as my hand grew more and more numb," (Meyer 455-6). Edward loved Bella so much, and wanted to take away her pain so badly, that he sucked out the venom and calmed Bella, without losing control at all.

This book is slightly similar to, "The 400 Blows." Both Antoine and Bella rebel against their families and friends. But, the two are different because when Antoine rebels against his family and friends he tends to get punished; there are negative side-effects. For example, when he steals the typewriter to sell and get some extra money, he's caught and thrown in jail. But when Bella rebels against her friends and family there are usually positive effects. For example, when Bella doesn't tell her father that she's going hiking one afternoon with Edward, the couple finally define their relationship and express their feelings for one another. This leads to the couple falling in love and being happy.

Outside Reading #4

The novel, "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer gives us insight into what the positive and negative effects of rebellion are through Bella and Edward's relationship. Edward rebells countless times against his family to be with Bella. For example, when Edward decides to sit with Bella at lunch instead of the rest of his "family," Bella looks over at Rosalie, and she's not happy, "Suddenly Rosalie, his blond and breathtaking sister, turned to look at me. No, not to look-- to glare, with dark, cold eyes," (Meyer 245). Obviously Rosalie and the rest of Edward's family don't support Edward in loving Bella. It's hard for them to understand because Edward is a vampire and Bella is a human, their family is like a group of vegetarian vampires, and Edward is choosing to put temptation in his path. This is a negative effect of rebellion; Edward chose Bella over his family's respect.

However, there are also many positive effects of rebellion. The most obvious being Edward and Bella falling in love. When Bella and Edward finally decide to be together no matter the dangers, they are smitten with each other, " 'I love you,' I whispered. 'You are my life know,' he answered simply," (Meyer 314). The couple love each other so much, and they never would have been together if they hadn't rebelled against their families and friends. Rebellion isn't necessarily bad, it depends on the situation. Rebellion is two sided; it can have positive and negative effects on people.

Outside Reading #3

In my opinion major events and important choices can define the moment from childhood to adulthood, and there are many of these examples in my outside reading book, "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. This novel is about a girl (Bella) who falls in love with a vampire (Edward), and how she reacts towards the dangers that come with loving a vampire. Since the decisions Bella makes could determine whether she lives or dies, these decisions are definitly big enough to determine her growth into adulthood. For example, when Edward and Bella visit a meadow together to finally talk and define their relationship, Edward shows Bella what he is capable of doing to her, "He reached up with one hand and...effortlessly ripped a two-foot-thick branch from the trunk of a spruce...'As if you could fight me off,' " (Meyer 264). Edward is trying to make Bella realize how dangerous it would be for them to be together; how dangerous it would be for her. But although Bella is suddenly frightened, she's more awed then scared, "I sat without moving, more frightened of him than I had ever been...He'd never been less human...or more beautiful," (Meyer 264). In my opinion, this isn't an example of naivety but of an awesome trust and understanding that Bella is capable of, which is very mature. Bella has to make many very important decisions about life, and that in itself, shows maturity.

"Twilight" relates to the novel "Black Boy" by Richard Wright, in that both Bella and Richard make decisions for themselves to "achieve" their passions. "Twilight" is all about how Bella defies her parents (in not telling them she's dating a vampire" because she knows that she and Edward are meant for eachothoer, even through all the struggles she must endure for the couple to finally be together. Also, in "Black Boy" Richard defies his parents in leaving his home in Alabama for Memphis because he knows he must start heading north if he ever wants to become a writer. Bella and Richard both break rules and defiy their families in chasing their dreams, which in my opinion shows wisdom.

Outside Reading #2

In the novel, "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer, the two main characters, Bella and Edward, have to overcome many different obstacles in order to be together. For one, Jacob Black and his father are determined to keep the two lovers apart. On one occasion, Jacob is bribed by his father to go to the prom, and give Bella a message, "...he wants you to break up with your boyfriend," (Meyer 492). Jacob and his father are mysterious, and Bella can't figure out why they are so determined to keep her from Edward. But Bella loves Edward so much that she doesn't pay any attention to the Blacks' words.

Another obstacle is that of Rosalie. Rosalie is one of Edward's adoptive "sisters," and she is extremely jealous of Bella. She struggles with being a vampire and wishes she were human. To hide her feelings, she acts mean and resentful towards Bella, "What is she to me? Except a menace..." (Meyer 401). Even with Rosalie's uncomfortable manner and spite towards the couple, Edward and Bella never waver in their deep love for one another.

Finally, Bella has to deal with her many admirers, especially Mike. His attraction for Bella is obvious, and he is extremely jealous of Edward. He even tells Bella he doesn't approve;
"You and Cullen, huh?" he asked, his tone rebellious...
That's none of your business, Mike," I warned...
"I don't like it," he muttered anyway.
"You don't have to," I snapped. (Meyer 221)
Even with Mike's constant nagging and disaproval, Bella and Edward don't let it affect them, and continue loving eachother no matter what anyone thinks. Bella and Edward have to overcome many obstacles to be together, but they wouldn't have it any other way. Having to overcome these obstacles strengthens their love for one another.

Why do people write memoirs?

I think people write memoirs for historical porposses and for phsycological well-being. Historically, memoirs are a way of preserving the past. Future generations can use them as pretty much a primary source explaining different events. Memoirs are also much more useful than history text-books, because they provide information not found anywhere else. They explain people's feelings and they paint a pictures of events. Furthermore, since the author is telling his own story there is passion. The memoir will be bursting with powerful images and words from the author, that can help people understand what it was like to be the author in a certain event.
A memoir can also provide for a person's phsycological well-being. It can be cleansing and healing to write about events in one's life, especially it they were hard times. Writing about those tough times can help a person come to terms with their feelings in the healing process. Also, writing a memoir can relieve frustration or anger. Writing could help a person think clearer about a situation than when they were extremely mad.
There is so much power in telling our own stories, power that can provide historical references, and power to provide for a phsycologically-well person.

Outside Reading #1

The main characters in, "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer are Bella, Edward, Alice, and James. Bella is a 17-year-old girl who moves to Forks, Washington to escape her mother's second marriage to live with her father, Charlie. At first she hates living in Forks, but eventually she meets Edward. The two fall in love, but there's a problem, Edward is a vampire and it's very hard for him to resist the scent of her blood. But because he loves her so much, he restrains himself and the couple learns to be careful. Alice is Edward's "sister" in his family of vampires which is more like a clan. The two arn't blood related they just live together. Alice accepts Bella before the rest of her family does which creates a growing friendship between the two. When Edward takes Bella to meet his family they decide to play baseball and the noise attracts three stranger vampires, one of which is James, a ruthless tracker who takes pleasure out of a good hunt which ends in his drinking human blood. James decides to track Bella and Edward, Alice, and the rest of his family have to figure out how to keep Bella safe until they find and inevitably kill James. Bella is motivated by Edward, Edward by Bella, Alice by her family and friends, and James by blood.
One major conflict I mentioned above is the struggle for Edward not to kill his love Bella. He explains to Bella how hard it was for him to resist her scent the first day he saw her, "The fragrance coming off your skin...I though it would make me deranged that first day," (Meyer 270). Edward had to decide to be with Bella and resist, or leave her and forever live wanting her. "Bella, I couldn't live with myself if I ever hurt you...You are the most important thing to me now," (Meyer 273). Edward learns that he can resist his thirst which is undoubtubly extremely powerful, but his love for Bella is even more so.

What types of things does Richard "hunger" for?

In my opinion, Richard hungers for knowledge, companionship, and food. There are definitly both positive and negative effects of his hungers. For example, when Richard yearned to hear about what the schoolteacher, Ella, was reading. He begged and begged and she finally gave in and told him the story of, "Bluebeard and His Seven Wives." Later that night Richard insulted his grandmother with words he didn't understand, and since Granny already disapproved of Ella filling his head with adventurous tales, she assumed he had learned the words from Ella through her biased attitude toward the poor girl. So Richard's hunger for knowledge back-fired and had a negative effect. Furthermore, when Richard joined a gang of boys and they began fighting with the white boys. One day Richard gets a deep cut from a broken bottle that was thrown at him. The wound was so bad he needed stitches, which is a negative effect of his hunger for companionship. Finally, just being hungry (for food) puts Richard in a bad mood and makes him miserable which is a negative effect in itself.
Although there are many negative effects of Richard's hungers, there are also several positive ones. For example, Richard's hunger for knowledge leads him to teach himself how to read. Also, when Richard lived in the Home at a young age it was a horrible experience, but he found companionship which helped him perservere and be able to talk to someone who shared his feelings about the Home. Finally, Richard's hunger for food lead him to want to get a job to earn money for food. It's true, his Granny wouldn't hear of it, but just the fact that he understood that he needed to get a job so he could fill his hunger shows his resourcefulness, which is a very positive trait in a person.

Is Richard a "bad" boy?

At first, I did think Richard was a "bad" boy because I felt like he just kept making mistakes; he made so many that I felt like his "mistakes" were becoming intentional. For example, when he said, " 'When you get through, kiss back there,' " (41) to his Granny. I didn't beleive it when he said those words, "slipped out of my mouth" (41). How can you just say something like that without even realizing it, how do you say anything at all without control over what comes out of your mouth? I mean I know he didn't know what the words meant, but how can they just spill from your lips?
Although I thought Richard was a "bad" boy right off the bat, I realized that the environment and the culture that he lives in, and at such a young age definitly influences all of the trouble he causes. So I beleive that behavior should be blamed on the person when they've got support and a good nurturing family, in other words when they live in a loving environment. Some of Richards "mistakes" are just due to curiosity, like when Richard wanted to know what was happening next door so he stood on a chair and looked through a slit in the door, "I was puzzeled. Was there something happening next door to where I lived that I did not know?" (62). And at other times he thought he was doing the right thing. For example, when Oskar hanged the kitten to prove a point to his father, "How could I hit back at him? Oh, yes...He had said to kill the kitten and I would kill it!" (11). Or sometimes Richard just made mistakes, which is normal, "The touchstone of fraternity was my feeling toward white people, how much hostility I held toward them, what degrees of value and honor I assigned to race," (78). When Richard joined up with the gang of black boys and they started insulting and declaring war against white ones, they were just continuing the cycle. Don't get me wrong, white people have been completly horrible to black people, but insulting white people further doesn't help anyone. In summary, I don't beleive that Richard is a "bad" boy.

Hi, I'm Haley, and I just created my blog. I'll be posting my opinions on books we're reading in class periodically. You're welcome to post your opinions...on my opinions...(if that makes sense). Anyways, I'd love to hear what you have to say, so please post on my blog. Can't wait to hear from you!