Journal 8

Journal 8 - Emerson’s Aphorisms

Write a one paragraph personal response based on three of the following aphorisms. Your responses should address the point Emerson is making as well as your thoughts/feelings about what he is saying.

4. We boil at different degrees.

9. What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not been discovered.

13. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.

We all boil at different degrees. Emerson is saying that every person is different, so their breaking point is too. Instead of thinking like everyone is exactly like you and will get angry at the same time you do, realize that everyone thinks differently, so things will affect them differently too. Some people will get angry at the smallest things, and some take a long time to get angry. I agree with what he is saying. It makes sense and it is true. No two people are exactly the same, so no two people get angry at the exact same time over the exact same thing.

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not been discovered. It is like a new kid at school. You don’t know who they are or what they are like. They are outsiders to the whole school. Eventually they will find their way and make a little niche for themselves and fit in somewhere. However, it takes time to make this happen. This also makes sense. Everyone has to find their own place, it just takes time. It takes time for people to see who you really are and get to know you as well.

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. Live life to the fullest. You can’t hold back anything, because eventually you will look back on your life and wish that you had done some things that you didn’t. And never regret doing anything, because you learn from those mistakes and experiences. I think this is a great quote. We all do have to get out there and live our lives to the absolute fullest. I know I want to, because when I get old and look back on my life, I want to know that I did everything(or almost everything) that I wanted to, and be happy with that.

Journal 7

William Cullen Bryant’s “To a Waterfowl” (p.151) and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (p.181)

Read the selections and write a detailed response to the following:

1. Compare/contrast the different views of nature that are being presented in the poems. Refer to the list of classical and romantic characteristics and provide specific examples from the poems to support your analysis.
   
   In “To a Waterfowl”, the view of nature is more serene and harmonious. The narrator is a viewer, but not actually connected to the story. It is not an emotional point of view, it is an orderly materialistic portrayal of the scene. There is a message, but it is not emotional or imaginative. The poem is more plain than ornate. The poem takes place at sunset when it’s calm and peaceful. The speaker is happy and optimistic.
   “The Raven” is gloomy and dark. There is a much more personal and emotional tone. Nature is indifferent or torturous which brings out the man’s emotions. This also brings out paranoia in the man because he feels like nature is hurting him. The poem itself is ornate and difficult to find an answer to. There is no resolution or knowing at the end. It takes place on a dark dreary night in December. There is more of a depressing feeling and the speaker is crazy.
   Of course both poems are about birds and a man interacting with the bird. The poems have good rhyming and structure.

Journal 6

From Ben Franklin’s The Autobiography (p. 80 – 83)

Write a well-developed paragraph in response to the following questions.

1. Explain what was involved in Franklin’s plan for self-perfection? What conclusion did Franklin come to regarding the effectiveness of this plan?

Franklin involved thirteen virtues to try and perfect himself. These virtues were temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. At first, Franklin thought this was a great plan that would help him greatly in the long run. In the beginning, he was right, and then he realized that being completely perfect is not the way to go. To have friends instead of frenemies one has to have some imperfections about themselves that they are happy with, like the axe making blacksmith that liked the speckled look in the axe.

2. Do you feel that a plan such as Franklin’s would improve you as a person? Why or why not? What would be your top five virtues?

I think that yes, it would help, but one has to be happy with their imperfections at the moment. But I think that we should do little bits of each virtue everyday instead of practicing one a week. Chastity, eloquence, defiance, forbearance, and tact.

Journal 5

1. Identify the specific argument that Paine is making in each paragraph. For each of the arguments, identify whether Paine is making an emotional, ethical, or logical appeal and suggest an effective counterargument.

#1 is saying that we need to stay up against Britain, and if they are successful, it will be the best victory. “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” The argument is an emotional appeal. It is also a sentimental appeal because, logically, it is not going to be an easy fight, and might get killed in trying to win, but the thought of winning is a great feeling. Do not focus on the fact we are out-numbered, focus the fact that we are going to win and how great it is going to feel. Focus on emotions and not think with their minds. “Well, you are not free country; you are subject of the king so the king can tax you back” (ethical). Logically, the Americans have very few advantages and might not win. Paine was assuming triumph is going to occur. A fallacy was that it is non sequel. He compares taxation to slavery which is not related.

#2 The argument is a secret opinion that God will not let the military fail. That is an ethical or moral saying that they are right, so God will help them win. God is on their side not Great Britain’s.

Counter argument- British feel that God is on their side. The king was chosen by God so why would God go with the Americans? Therefore, what the Americans are doing going against God. Logically, how do you know if God is on your side? God might not choose sides in the first place. This is dogmatic because it is about an opinion or faith in God. You cannot prove it. Fallacy: he makes these invidious names for the kings. He is attacking the king as a person. He is begging the question (argument in the paragraph)

#3 America would not be happy unless they separated from Britain. It is an emotional and logical appeal. Fight today and be held captive tomorrow. There is a strong yearning in America to be independent, so why not do it right away? He is calling America dominion which is illogical. Do it now so the children would not suffer. It is coming eventually so why not do it today? It is ethical because it’s about the future.

Counter argument: Why not fight tomorrow instead of today? Raise your children to be strong and independent men and women so that they can take what they know to win the battle. Be better prepared for the matters at hand.

#4) The argument is that you should not go to war offensively, but defensively. You should not go and attack someone for no reason and start a war but if they attack you first, it is a good reason for war. That is the difference between a just and unjust war. It is an argument by analogy. Paine is comparing a king to a thief to break into one’s house, so it is okay to defend yourself. This is logical because why would you not fight back if someone was going to hurt you or your family? It is ethical because self-defense is a good thing.

#5 Paine makes an ethical and emotional appeal. He says that he would rather be physically and spiritually destroyed than bend to will of the king. He goes into details about what he would endure then describes the king’s punishment. One logical fallacy used is ad hominem when he personally insults the king. He also used a hybrid of a red herring argument and argument from authority. He uses himself as an example, a form of authority, and leads the reader away from the topic and uses a strong description that was meant to inspire the reader. I don’t have a effective counter argument because this paragraph is more of a summery and doesn’t really argue any specific point.

2. Can you identify any of the logical fallacies that we discussed in Paine’s arguments? If so, which ones? Overall, what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Paine’s arguments?

There are several logical fallacies such as false analogy, sentimental appeal, hyperbole, ad hominem, and false dichotomy arguments. I feel the strengths of Paine’s arguments are the vividness, its importance to the colonists’ troubles and common-sense. The arguments create a good image of the British wrong doings and the affected colonists and the effects of remaining peaceful. The weakness is that his essay, on several issues, does not provide enough information and goes to the extreme with descriptions, as well as give enough details to the British view of the taxes on the colonists and why they were founded.

Journal 4

Descriptive Writing Assignment

Using Ann Hodgman’s essay as a model, write a detailed description of a recent meal that you ate. Your focus should be on describing as many aspects of your food as you can.

Important Elements: Concrete/Abstract Images

Multi-Sensory Images Simile, Metaphor, Analogy

Dominant Impression

Chicken Marsala:

Sitting in Basta Pasta, I can’t wait for my dinner to come out. The waitress came out with the hot, steaming plate of chicken marsala. My absolute favorite! The specific aroma of the chicken marsala cannot be confused with any other chicken dish. It just can’t be beat!

At first, the slimy mushrooms and the brown marsala wine are a complete turn off, but once you sink your teeth into the juicy, bursting with flavor chicken, all doubts dissipate. If you mix the chicken in with the wine and leave it there for a few seconds, delicious is simply not good enough of a description. The salty, spicy smell enters your nose and the scent is left in the memory forever. The flavorful, salty, sweet, and hearty taste leaves the taste buds yearning for more. The chicken melts in your mouth almost instantly. Chicken marsala is like the meal of a god.

Journal 3

“No Wonder They Call Me a Bitch” – Ann Hodgman

(The Norton Sampler p.77)

Read the selection and write a one paragraph response to the following questions.

1. Cite three specific examples of Hodgman’s descriptive imagery that you find to be particularly effective.

“While my dachshund, Shortie, watched in agonies or yearning, I gagged my way through can after can of stinky, white-flecked mush and bag after bag of stinky fat drenched nuggets. And now I understand why Shortie’s breath is so bad.”

“The “cheese” chews like fresh Play-Doh, whereas the “meat” chews like Play-Doh that’s been sitting out on a rug for a couple of hours.”

“Cycle-1, for puppies, is wet and soyish. Cycle-2, for adults, glistens nastily with fat, but it passably edible-a lot like canned Swedish meatballs I once got in a care package at college.”

2. What do you think Hodgman’s purpose was in writing this essay? What overall message/meaning do you take from the essay?

I think her purpose and message for writing this essay was to show that advertising can be deceitful. The true description of the dog foods does not make one want to go out and buy dog food. It makes you want to give your dog the food off your plate because it tastes so much better than what the dog food descriptions tell you. Advertising is a wonderful thing, especially when it comes to things people do not eat or use, because people won’t try the product, they will just get the one with the most appetizing description, even if it really doesn’t taste as good as the package says.

Journal 2

Journal 2 - Annie Dillard – “The Death of a Moth,” from Holy the

Firm

1. How are the moths in the essay’s opening different from the moth at the campsite? What do the different moths represent?

The moths in the beginning of the essay serve as food for the spider. Before, when they were alive, the moths dumbly fell into the trap of the spider’s web. Now, they are just hollow shells of what used to be a winged creature. The moths at the campsite go to the flame because they like the brightness. The light is a curiosity to them and they go towards it because it is attractive to them.

2. What lesson does the moth provide that Dillard takes back to her students?

3. How many references are there to fire in the essay? What’s the larger significance of fire in the essay?

There are multiple references to fire in the essay. One example would be when the big moth caught on fire in Dillard’s candle. Another would be the book she was reading, A Day On Fire. Dillard lit a candle at home and just left it burning. Her cat was burned by the little fire as well.
The larger significance is that Dillard wants to ignite a fire within herself and her students. Both fires would burn for knowledge and motivation to learn or do something important. She has the goal to become a writer and for her students to

4. Address how each of the following quotes connect to Dillard’s overall point.

a. “I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”

-Jack London

b. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

-William Butler Yeats

c. “A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.”

-Franz Kafka

The first quote goes along with what Dillard wants to prove. She wants to have a significant impact on her students and their lives instead of just being another teacher that they will hear lectures from about school work. The second also goes along with this point. Dillard wants to educate the children and set them up for learning even more and craving to learn. Learning shouldn’t be boring like filling a pail with water. It should be enlightening and an ignition of their minds. The third quote can be used to describe when she was trying to read the book and wouldn’t stop until she got something out of it. She wanted to become motivated, or use the book as an “axe” against her mind, “the frozen sea within us”, and she wants for her students to read and pursue their passions and open up their minds to see in different perspectives, to think differently and to think more.

Journal 1

New Orlean’s Finest

Yep, that’s me. Montoine Howard. My daddy left my mama when I was just a little thing and Mama died when I was 3. So Granny had to raise me ‘til I was finally old enough to understand what happened to my parents. After that, I was headed down south to New Orleans.

I was about 8 when I started smokin’ like you saw in my picture. Had to raise myself and grow up real fast, so I guess I felt the need to start doin’ adult stuff. I’ve even got a job in this jazz band. They all real nice and gave me a place to stay. I got to shake an’ rattle a tambourine and sing my little ol’ heart out whenever we got to play. One time, Granny almost found me. I had to run off real quick and hide behind the giant speakers we have to carry around to all our gigs. I don’t think she saw me, but who knows?

Every once an’ a while, I get to dress up real pretty and go out to this things called a beauty pageant, where all these other pretty girls dress up too. Everybody always calls me “real pretty”, or “the belle of the ball” with my “sky blue eyes” and “southern brown curls”. And they all like to pinch my cheeks and talk about my “baby doll smile” like I’m not even there. This one time at the pageant thing, I got into real big trouble. One of those big dumb blonde street rats named Gwen started talkin’ ‘bout my mama and I got hot. Like hot as that pepper stuff they put on the crawfish down at Bubba’s Fish Shack. I’m guessin’ y’all want to know how it went, so here’s my story: