Rejoicing Ruth

"I can hardly wait to leave this place; this is not a home, I think I'm better off alone"

             --Three Days Grace, "Home"

By golly! Lena just bought us a nice looking house down in Clybourne Park! It's about time we get outta this "misery". All them "cracking walls and marching roaches" can drive me to drink! I been working hard all my life, in them kitchens and at the home, trying to survive, and now we gots a new home. I couldn't be happier. Except that Walter's upset about it. He's been working like a madman his whole life too yet he's down because we spent a lotta money that could've been his? It don't make sense. It's Lena's money anyway, and we will live in the remembrance of her husband. I sure wish he was happy. It's the first nice thing we ever got. Yet he's selfish and jealous of something that ain't his! Sure, we gotta live next to some "crackers", but fo' once we are getting what we worked day in and day out fo'. We deserve to live in that house, and we can't let some rich white people get in our way of doing so. I sure am excited! I want to get them packing crates and move on out right now- "it's my time" to be happy.

Destructive Diamond

"The sunset still looks fake to me, the hero looks like he can't breathe, the damsel just left everything"

               --Mayday Parade, "Black Cat"

Once upon a time there was a family that lived on a colossal diamond. The Washington's owned generational wealth; the status that corresponds with this manipulates the characters personalities and actions. Kismine, one of the daughters, is an extravagant and beautiful girl of sixteen. She is described to have "physical perfection", and acts flirtatious and fake around John Unger, their summer house guest. Kismine is like the Kim Kardashian of today. But hidden under this mask of elegance, corruption lies in the soul of Kismine, and everyone in her family. They "sacrifice some of their best friends" because the family is afraid of a guest disclosing the following: wealth, location, and the giant diamond, in order to hoard their grand prosperity. Kismine reveals this to John, speaking with nervous and stressful rhetoric. "Yes-th-that's the-the whole t-trouble. I grew up qu-quite attached to some of them. So did Jasmine, but she kept inv-inviting them anyway". This conveys the intensity of corruption that lies beneath the surface of the Washington family. Because Kismine speaks with such tension, it is implied (and ironic) that there is mental pressure to keep the secret in order to maintain a status that doesn't portray corruption. Like pink elephants, Kismine may look charming and pretty on the outside, yet is fake and has a fraudulent mentality. John Unger is ultimately her hero, like Moses in Exodus, because he removes her from her corrupt home into a world of reality.    

Manipulative Money

"Money money money, always sunny, in a rich man's world"
        -"Money", Abba

Relationships with other members of society heavily rely on one's social class, especially in The Great Gatsby. Daisy, a young, "excitingly desirable" (pg 148) girl is influenced by the standards of her "rich, full life" (pg 149). In her early adulthood, she falls in love with Gatsby, who was considered to be middle-class at the time. Although their relationship is strong, Daisy cannot commit to it because Gatsby lacks a status of old wealth. She is "flattered" when Tom Buchanan appears in her "artificial world"(pg 150), because he is contained within the wealthy class, exactly what she desires. It is the burden of a pompous social class that persuades her to marry into money. She initially rejects Gatsby when he lacks wealth, but she appeals him once he feigns righteousness. Her implanted prejudice ultimately affects her relationship with Gatsby because social status determines her appearance in society. She is unwilling to release herself from her colossal fortune, and this affects her relationship with Gatsby because he would downgrade her status. Gatsby states, "Her voice is full of money" (pg 120), which immediately implies that money is what she truly cares about, and her wealthy status is too important to give up for a man. Because Daisy's social class is a dominating feature in her life, its wealthy ideals are prominent in her relationships with others.

Cranial Conditioning

"I was thinking, over thinking, cause there's just too many scenarios to analyze"
          --Relient K, "Over Thinking"

A few weeks ago, I listened to a speech given by Earl Nightingale. It was titled "The Strangest Secret", and discussed the power we have to control our minds positively to improve our outlook on life. The secret, strange because it is misunderstood by humans yet life-altering, suggests "We become what we think about".

In "This is Water" by Wallace, Nightingale's bold statement is portrayed as effective for finding meaning to life. He discusses how daily duties of adulthood, such as waiting in a checkout line after a long day at work, can be examined in a broader and positive manner. A human can "look at how repulsive most of them [people] are, and how stupid and cow-like and dead-eyed and nonhuman they seem ... how annoying and rude it is" (para 16). As well as this, he uses the woman in the checkout line "who just screamed at her kid" to convey the "annoying and miserable" conditions of life. She may be a"low-wage clerk" who has to support her "husband dying of bone cancer", yet mankind judges her without empathy.

"Thinking this way tends to be so easy and automatic that it doesn't have to be a choice"(Wallace para 19). Also, thinking this way "will get negative results" (Nightingale). Life will not have meaning and humans will achieve absolutely nothing with a pessimistic perception. Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman Emperor, said: “A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.” You have the power to choose your perception. Discover who you want to become and set your mind on a specific goal. Eventually, you will achieve.

Wallace states that "it will actually be within your power to experience a crowded, hot, slow, consumer-hell type situation as not only meaningful, but sacred"(para 23). He explains this to college students because he understands that having a positive outlook is vital for a positive and successful life, and they are just beginning their journey.

So, be the "lord of [your] tiny skull-sized kingdom", and direct your mind to become who you want to be.

Earl Nightingale

Playful Punctuation

"Once I rose above the noise and confusion, just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion"
              -- Kansas, "Carry on my Wayward Son"

Because I strongly supported my argument for Friday's debate,  I am going to discuss and elaborate more on the same topic.
The differences of various writing styles portray that punctuation use cannot be totally defined because each writing technique has a specific way of effectively proving a claim. It was researched that Emily Dickinson, author of Source C, did not attend college for a vast amount of time and she dwelled in confinement the majority of her life. Because of this, she uses poetry, a writing style that allows manipulation of words and punctuation easily, and uses a lack of punctuation in order to feel free from her life of isolation. 
If rules were set strictly in place, she would always be stuck in a place of seclusion. Punctuation in different contexts also has different effects on the writing piece, and therefore must be altered according to the writing style. With punctuation rules, this would be prohibited. Cosco of Source F uses two question marks in a sentence located in paragraph six. This is obviously a subjective choice, but it allows her to develop her unique style. Expressing one’s argument in a way that is sensible for the author is critical for the effectiveness of the work. The example tweet used in Source F lacks in punctuation, but focuses more on word content. In fact, the unusual lack of punctuation draws attention to her message in an otherwise monotone news feed. Similarly to the sources stated, punctuational rules serve as a restriction to authors. Without these limits, authors can develop a sturdy and compelling argument conveyed in a specific writing style.

Longing for Love

"It's a backstabbing world honey, just lean your head back"
       --Augustana, "Meet You There"

"It had occurred to Pecola some time ago that if her eyes, those eyes that held the pictures, and knew the sights-if those eyes of hers were different, that is to say, beautiful, she herself would be different. Her teeth were good, and at least her nose was not big and flat like some of those who were thought so cute. If she looked different, beautiful, maybe Cholly would be different, and Mrs. Breedlove too. Maybe they'd say, 'Why, look at pretty-eyed Pecola. We mustn't do bad things in front of those pretty eyes'" (Morrison page 46).

Pecola believes that if her eye color changed to blue, her entire life would change. Friends, acquaintances, and family would treat her differently. She wants her situation to change because she has dwelled in a life of destitution and hatred. Pecola feels as if something is missing. This something, is love. Morrison states the Breedlove's house is just a "store", implying that soothing warmth of family love is absent from their home. Ultimately, Pecola wants to feel loved, and believes that blue eyes would grant it. Her drive to be beautiful is connected to her wish to belong, in both black and white society. She is unwanted by students and family because she is "ugly", so she associates beauty with belonging. If people perceive her as beautiful, because of her eyes, then she will maintain an identity of elegance. Pecola's only way of finding universal love is to conform to white beauty ideals.

This passage of The Bluest Eye is filled with many strong emotions. The audience obtains a true understanding of the reasons behind Pecola's wish to have blue eyes. This makes the entire book worthwhile because Pecola cannot be misunderstood, and it is simpler to follow her path of destruction. Morrison repeats the words "beautiful" and "different" to emphasize that Pecola wants to be beautiful in order to have a different identity. Not only would redefined beauty change the actions of those around her, but it would increase the amount of passion she obtains from society. Her mindset revolves around the beauty she lacks, but Pecola's heart is the apex of beauty. She still learns to love when everything and everyone around her decides to hate.     

Bluest Bruises

"But compared to your eyes, nothing shines quite as bright"
     --Mayday Parade, "Miserable At Best"

The Bluest Eye. The title depicts hidden meanings within itself, as do many motifs in the novel.

The more obvious meaning of the title is Pecola's dream to have big, bright blue eyes, just like iconic white females. Pecola associates "beauty" with blue eyes, and believes she must possess this quality in order to be seen as beautiful. She believes that "if she looked different, beautiful, maybe Cholly would be different, and Mrs. Breedlove too"(Morrison 46). As if her appearance could change the behavior of her family, or the way she is cruelly treated at school.

As well as this, the word "blue" has a somber connotation. If someone "has the blues", they are sad and depressed internally. Because Pecola is frequently teased and lives in a distressed household, her eyes contain a melancholy and dismal attitude. "She was the only member of her class who sat alone at a double desk" (Morrison 45). Cruel treatment crushes and bruises a person's self-esteem. Pecola endures this for almost her entire life, which causes her to be depressed. Her mom even calls her "ugly" right after she is born (Morrison 126). In this context, she actually has blue eyes. Her dream has been fulfilled, but not in her intended way.

Baleful Barbie

"She'll be in magazines, With all her fancy things"
      -Mayday Parade, "You're Dead Wrong"

When I was younger, I absolutely loved Barbie dolls. Her dollhouse, the countless outfit combinations, her fancy limousine, and all her fancy things were so desirable. To little girls, Barbie's luxurious life was so idealistic and envied. But as life goes on and trends come and go, the trend of Barbie DOLLS has faded away, and the toy is not as popular. Rather, the trend is revealing its popularity in a different form.

Many girls believe that they must resemble the ideal "Barbie" look (to some degree) in order to fit in. To achieve this look, one must have a perfect figure, which consists of a small waist, a big chest, and wide hips. Prager assures this statement in "Our Barbies, Ourselves" by stating, "There are millions of women who are subliminally sure that a thirty-nine-inch bust and a twenty-three-inch waist are the epitome of lovability" (para 3). How do women obtain this unrealistic perception of beauty?

From a very young age, Barbie was always there to play dress-up. To paint her nails with a felt-tip marker. To buy her more friends and a perfect boyfriend. According to www.hubpages.com, children's "early experiences have a significant, lasting impact on their cognitive and social development." Basically, a child's environment influences them significantly because their brains are rapidly maturing and they are induced with the aspects of their environment. This could be a reason explaining why people are immensely obsessed with beauty. If a child is given a Barbie doll to play with, and he or she covets her dream lifestyle, then they are more likely to desire this lifestyle at an older age because they have been influenced directly. 

Although Barbie dolls brought me a lot of joy when I was younger, they are harmful if they create an unrealistic idea of beauty in someone's mind. Barbie dolls are meant to be played with. Hopefully young girls today can solely interpret this one aspect of the toy.

Feigned Festivities

"Wanted to believe in all the words that I was speaking" - Death Cab For Cutie, "Tiny Vessels"

As I finished reading "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" by Fredrick Douglass, I understood that Douglass, as well as other negroes, view independence day in contrary ways. Although holiday festivities attempt to express a purpose for celebration, I ponder if they fully show this purpose to individuals.

Holidays can be interpreted in several different ways. If a holiday has a specific meaning to a person, then they are more likely to be affected by their own understanding of the ceremony. But other citizens celebrate solely with vague and restrictive emotions, never fully understanding. For Douglass, independence day "only reveals the immeasurable distance between us [African Americans and society]" (Para 4). He interprets the holiday as a brutal affirmation of African American's place in society and their unkind treatment. This concludes that Douglass's understanding of the holiday is different from many others.

In today's society, many people forget the true significance of holidays. If you asked a fifth grader "What is the Fourth of July?", he or she would probably respond saying, "A day with fireworks, family and parades!" This, however, is not the case. America is focused more on the festivities rather than the reasons. And this poses my question- Are holiday festivities truly effective in portraying the purposes of celebrating? According to Laura Schlereth from www.atyourlibrary.org, you should "show your patriotism by celebrating and watching fireworks!" This is her way of interpreting the holiday. To me, patriotism is shown when fighting for your country, not from mediocre festivities. Schlereth does not fully understand, similarly to other Americans, and associates independence day with these festivities rather than its actual meaning. Since she does not have a direct relationship with Independence day, it's purpose is not shown through activities and she falls into a trap of hypocrisy.

Optimistically, America will soon escape from this trap and discover the real meaning of all celebrated holidays.

Sentimental Sympathy

"I sing myself a quiet lullaby, Let you go and let the lonely in, to take my heart again"
           - Chrisina Perri, "The Lonely"

We all understand that Hester committed adultery, and is shamed by the Puritan society for doing so. Although her punishment is accurate during the time period in The Scarlet Letter, Hester deserves some sympathy regarding her ignominy.

First of all, she is completely alienated and shunned by the community. This can be especially harsh in Puritan era; people were strict and rigid on their religious ideals and morals. According to Hawthorne, Hester grew "sensitive with daily torture" as she strolled through the town (83). People gave her the wrong kind of attention, which burdened her with a dreadful feeling of loneliness. Personally, I can't imagine living through daily life being incapable of interacting with others. This is one of the few ways humans can receive happiness and joy. Poor Hester was neglected of these feelings.

Hester is also separated from her true passion to Dimmesdale. Carelessly, she grew very fond of him, leading them to commit their sin. After her punishment, she ultimately cannot visit Dimmesdale because it would easily reveal him to be the second culprit. She cannot have any relations with him for seven years! If today's teenagers believe that a three-month relationship is significant, what does that prove of seven years? How would YOU feel if you were forbidden to be with the "love of your life"? Hester must have been drowning in sadness.

According to Harper Lee, author of To Kill A Mockingbird, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” In order to truly understand Hester's distant character, one must discover her heartache and feel it for themselves. Hester deserves pity for her anguish.

Illusive Identity

"I'll pack my bags and brush it off"
     -Mayday Parade, "Call Me Hopeless, Not Romantic"

How do we claim our identity? With our close friends, we express ourselves through our personality and behavioral reactions. But from a bystander's point of view, we are labeled by our physical appearance.

Judgments based on outward appearance are inevitable in human nature. Even when reading a passage describing a character or person, it is difficult to not base the character's identity on their looks. In the passage read this week in class, Tannen describes the appearances of three women in a business meeting. She plainly depicts each woman nonjudgmentally, deceiving readers into judging each one. "The third wore a sexy jumpsuit; tight sleeveless jersey and tight yellow slacks; a dress with gaping armholes and an indulged tendency to fall off one shoulder" (Tannen 6). Readers can infer that this woman is promiscuous and daring, just by the way she dresses. This conveys how physical image affects a person's identity. We concluded the woman's personality unfairly based on her looks, never allowing her a chance to express her traits.

Louis Vuitton Bag

Outward appearances are categorized by the typical personalities of the wearers. For example, if a woman owns many designer brand handbags, such as Louis Vuitton, Coach, or Michael Kors, she is labeled by society as "luxurious" and "wealthy". If a man has his ears pierced, sags his trousers, and wears clunky boots, he is a "bad boy" or a "gangster". Since it is assumed that most "gangsters" or "lavish" women dress in these ways, anyone who dresses in a similar way to them is associated with their characteristics. This instigates societal judgments of appearance, because everyone dresses in a certain way and ultimately is classified. Although we can hypothesize someone's identity based on their physical aspects, true identity is only shown through someone's actions and personality.

Dreadful Destiny

"Lying there, With a halo in her hair she cried"
      -Panic! At The Disco, "From a Mountain In the Middle Of Cabins"

Sometimes, children are cruelly born into inferior situations. The number of babies being born addicted to drugs is rapidly increasing. This year at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, they admitted "about 75-80 addicted babies, five to seven times the normal amount" (Today). Usually, the mother becomes addicted to drugs (commonly prescription drugs) before pregnancy, and once they become pregnant, they are reluctant to obliterate the use of drugs because they are hooked. Then, the toxic chemicals infused in these drugs transfer to the innocent child and affect their growth development.

These children are born with birth defects, and encounter medical issues such as tremors, digestive problems, and unstoppable crying. They are experiencing the horrible side effects of drug withdrawal. Frankly, a newborn child does not have a choice in their fate. They never were given the ability to alter their awful situation.

Pearl, born to Hester Prynne, relates similarly to this situation in The Scarlet Letter. Her mother committed adultery, and she was born out of her indecency. To society, she is seen as a "freakish, elfish" child because Hester's sin ultimately created Pearl, and Hester's immorality is rooted deeply inside Pearl (Hawthorne 93). Society shames and humiliates Pearl for being this way. Pearl does not have the choice of being born into sin, similarly to a newborn child forced to be addicted to drugs. Both of these detriments create consequences for its culprits and harm a child's well-being. It is ultimately unfair for predestinates to determine a child's fate internally or publically.

Visit this link to watch a short report on the baby addiction epidemic: http://www.today.com/video/today/48078597#48078597

Standard Stereotypes

"I've spent so long living with these heavy clouds following me" -Tom Odell, "Storms"

   If there is one thing I have learned from being a woman, it's stereotypes. Whether it's at a small get-together with friends, or at an important school event, a woman always has to fit into the ideal characteristics of a modern woman.

   Women who are curvy are fat. Women who are thin are anorexic. Women who enjoy sports are tomboys. Women who like shopping and makeup are prissy. Women who are quiet are self-conscious. Women who speak up are overconfident. Women who like the color pink are girly. Women who like the color black are dull. Women who are feminists are "man-haters".

   Stereotyping is thoroughly discussed in Brent Staples piece Black Men and Public Space. He explains how African American men can "alter public space in ugly ways"(Staples para 2) with their external presence. In contrast, women are likely to be ignored in public spaces, unless they fit into the standards of the public's eye. Being one of the few girls in the trumpet section of the marching band, I have personally experienced this. I will walk into the storage room to return my instrument to my locker, and the guys will be crowding the entire doorway, so I will politely say "excuse me". No response. Inevitably, I feel very invisible and insignificant, because I am completely ignored.

   I have concluded that a woman is overlooked if she does not represent modern standards. We simply cannot alter the public in any way if we are not suitable. The only way we can alter public space is to model how society wants to view us. And that ability, is never worth the consequence of losing individuality.

 

 



Parallel Poverty

Some people are fortunate to be born into wealth and acquire its privileges.  Others, like Jeannette Walls and Sherman Alexie, are not. Although both authors come from different backgrounds, they both encountered traumatic poverty during their childhoods. Walls travels around the country with her family, including her drunken father and deranged mother. They manage to scrape by on the mysterious earnings her father obtains, and encounter conflicting scenarios. Alexie also lives in destitution on an Indian reservation, where education and moral values are inconspicuous. Like Walls, he faces problems at school and with hunger. He even says, "And it is this: the sons in this book really love and hate their fathers"(Alexie xxii), which completely relates to Jeannette's feelings for her father as the creator of her family's poverty. Both authors want to escape the drudgery of poverty and create a better life for themselves. So, Walls moves to New York City as a writer and eventually works for NBC. Alexie also finds opportunity in New York and becomes very successful as a poet. They remove themselves from their past environments in order to release any negativity associated with their previous poverty. The upheaval these authors pursue portray the motivation poverty can instigate. They depict how the drive, independent of the situation of destitution, can initiate a want for success, and a want to possess what they've been rejected of.