Journal 11

Journal 11 - Selections from Walden

Write a summary of the following selections and identify a direct quote that you feel best expresses its main idea.

“Where I Lived and What I Lived For” (232)

You think that technology results in connection, when it actually results in disconnection. You lose who you really are and stop thinking about what’s really essential. Writes about his time in the forest and what he sees. “To front only the essential facts of life.”

Quote: “We do not ride on the railroad, the railroad rides on us”

“Sounds” (234)

This passage is about the unique way of nature and how everyday is full of different sounds and images. The narrator is stating that as he watches each day pass from morning to night, he realizes that he is not wasting his time because he is admiring the way nature can chance in just moments. He is living in the present as he experiences the sounds of nature. He notices that live is beautiful and it is important that you should not miss it.

Quote: “I had this advantage, at least, in my mode of life, over those who were obliged to look abroad for amusement, to society and the theatre, that my life itself was become my amusement and ceased to be a novel.”

“Brute Neighbors” (235)

People fight over petty things. The black and red ants are meant to satirize war and fighting over unimportant things in life. He talks about the brutality of war and he thinks it’s funny that he can sit back and watch the ants fight. But then he begins to realize how similar they are to humans with the way they fight.

Quote: “And the results of this battle will be as important and memorable to those whom it comcerns as those of the battle of Bunker Hill”

“The Pond in Winter” (237)

Nature in which creatures live and flourish, there is no question, it just shows how beautiful it is. A pond in winter shows its own new beauty, but underneath that the original beauty is still there. Nature looks at rest, but life is thriving beneath the surface.

Quote: “Heaven is under our feet as well as over our head”

“Spring” (238)

Spring is when everything really flourishes. You are beginning to become overwhelmed with all the sights, sounds, and smells that come from plants beginning to blossom. The renewal of spring represents his own renewal coming out from the woods and being ready to take on the world again.

Quote: “The coming in of sring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.”

Journal 10

Othello’s Insight

Write a one paragraph response to the following question:

Often at the end of a play, Shakespeare’s tragic heroes often have a moment of insight. What is Othello’s insight? Look closely at Othello’s last speech before answering this question.

Othello realizes many things when he makes his last speech. His major realization is that he had everything he wanted threw it away by believing the wrong person. He hated himself for what he had done to the ones he loved. He also really regretted not trusting his wife who loved him more than anything, but instead trusting a “friend” who only wanted what would benefit himself only. Othello was full of remorse for what he had done to his wife and his friend, Cassio, but he wanted to still be recognized as a respected soldier and leader like he was before he had fallen under Iago’s tricks and deception.

Journal 9

9Free Will - The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will.

Iago: “'tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our
gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners” (1.3 361-3).

Determinism - The philosophical doctrine that every event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedents, such as genetic and environmental influences, that are independent of the human will.

Othello: “Yet ‘tis the plague of great ones … ‘tis destiny unshunnable, like
death” (3.3 313-16).

Using the above definitions, write a paragraph that argues in support of each of the terms. In your paragraphs, use specific examples from Othello to support your ideas.

The free will statement is true. Free will means that one can make decisions on their own. It is not destined by fate or divine will, and it is not forced by outside sources. Othello chose to believe Iago and listen to what he had to say about both Desdemona, the woman he loved, as well as Cassio, his right hand man. He was not forced to do so, he believed on his own accord. However, this all was considered to be predetermined, even Othello says his life is, along with the surrounding influences. This predetermined act is not based on what he has done or thought, though.

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.