What makes someone an adult? Sometimes, people think that to be an adult, you must have experience. These experiences can be good and bad. In the famous novel The Catcher in the Rye, main character Holden Caulfield believed that he was rapidly becoming an adult because he went through some "not-so-innocent" experiences. But as the book progressed, Holden realized that these experiences pushed him closer to adulthood, but not in the way he expected.
Firstly, Holden believed that smoking was his first step towards adulthood. Throughout the book, Holden would often mention smoking cigarettes. Although he didn't make it seem like a huge deal, it seemed as if it were important to him. It made him feel older and more privileged. When he visited Phoebe, his younger sister, for a midnight visit, he was smoking in her room. Maybe this was a small, insignificant detail, but I thought that Holden was doing it because he felt more youthful when he was with Phoebe. After all, she was ten years old and wise beyond her years. She was helping Holden through his problems. He may have felt inferior to her. He was older, so wouldn't that make him wiser? By smoking, he could feel like the adult in the room. But he soon learned that it is okay to learn from others, despite their age.
Second of all, Holden believed that drinking was a vital part in the initiation of becoming an adult. He often felt lonely and depressed throughout the book. He was traveling around NYC by himself and was being rejected by all of his old friends/acquaintances. One night, he made a careless decision and got drunk. It always seemed as if Holden glorified drinking as an "adult thing". He wasn't afraid to consume too much alcohol, but when he did, he realized it wasn't so great after all.
"When I'm drunk, I'm a madman...I kept holding onto the phone, sort of, so I wouldn't pass out. I wasn't feeling too marvelous, to tell you the truth...When I finally got down off the radiator and went out to the hat-check room, I was crying and all. I don't know why, but I was. I guess it was because I was feeling so damn depressed and lonesome," (pg.151 and 153).
Holden learned that getting drunk was not such a wonderful thing. It made him feel lousy and miserable. It made him act irrational and careless. He also realized that drinking did not make someone more mature or more adult like. This was a poor decision, but helped Holden face reality.
Thirdly, Holden's attitude towards sex changed completely after a run-in with a prostitute.
"It was against my principles and all, but I was feeling so depressed I didn't even think. That's the whole trouble. When you're feeling very depressed, you can't even think," (pg.90).
Even though Holden was feeling lonely and wanted company, he made it seem as if he had no problem losing his virginity. He often thought about sex and didn't make a big deal of it. But when the prostitute actually arrived at his hotel room and expected to do what she came for, Holden was too scared to do anything. He made multiple excuses to get out of the situation. He clearly wasn't ready. At this moment, Holden went from being "innocent to experienced". The fact that he called up a prostitute and almost lost his virginity is not why he became experienced. He realized what he was actually about to do, and backed down because of fear. He wasn't ready and didn't want to push it. Saying "no" to something you don't want to do shows strength and maturity. It's not always about physically doing something, but knowing what something involves mentally and emotionally. This realization leads to the world of adulthood.
In conclusion, although Holden wasn't close to approaching adulthood just yet, he got a small taste of what it takes to be a mature, responsible person. He had always thought innocence was ignorance and experience was adulthood. He learned that innocence was idealism and experience was realism. Holden learned one of the most valuable lessons of life: Try not to live in the world you create, but in the world that is.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
With a Little Help From My Friends
Even though people ultimately make the decisions for themselves, they are often influenced by the people around them. In the highly acclaimed novel The Catcher in the Rye, main character Holden Caulfield surrounds himself with many different types of people. There were many people that were active in Holden's life, such as Sally Hayes, Ackley, Mr. Spencer, the two nuns, and many others. Throughout the book, Holden learned which people influenced his life, for better or for worse.
In the beginning of the book, Holden gave the reader insight on three members of his family, other than his parents who he described as nice but "touchy as hell". Holden used to have a lot of respect for his older brother D.B. "He used to be a regular writer, when he was home. He wrote this terrific book of short stories 'The Secret Goldfish,' in case you never heard of him," (pg. 1). Holden thought D.B. had immense talent in literature. But D.B. soon gave up writing creative short stories for a job in Hollywood. "Now he's out in Hollywood, being a prostitute. If there's one thing I hate, it's the movies," (pg. 2). When Holden described D.B. as being a "prostitute," I think he was saying that his brother dedicated his life to writing subpar stories for the movies for the sake of money. He no longer cared about writing because he was passionate about it. He wanted money. Holden often called his brother a "phony," as he referred to many people as. D.B. had neither a positive or negative influence on Holden's life. He was just a minor character who helped reveal some of Holden's biggest flaws. It showed how judgmental and narrow-minded Holden could be.
Secondly, the other family member that Holden brought up countless times throughout the book was Allie, his younger brother who died of cancer. Although Allie was dead, he was one of the most active characters in Holden's life. Holden idolized Allie.
"He was two years younger than I was, but he was about fifty times as intelligent. He was terrifically intelligent... But it wasn't just that he was the most intelligent member in the family. He was also the nicest, in lots of ways. He never got mad at anybody," (pg. 38).
When Allie died, Holden couldn't handle his raging emotions. He broke all the windows in the garage and broke his hand. His life would never be the same, now that Allie was dead. Holden often compared everyone he met to Allie. No one was ever as smart as Allie, or as funny, or as nice. It's endearing to see how much Holden truly loved his brother. But it also made Holden more narrow-minded. Maybe most people in the world aren't like Allie, but that doesn't mean Holden shouldn't give them a chance. Holden needed to learn to appreciate people for who they are, not what they should be, or what they could be. Holden often felt lonely and couldn't find people to connect to. Maybe he needed to open up to people and accept them for their flaws. Allie would.
Thirdly, Phoebe Caulfield, Holden's little sister, was probably the most influential character in the book. I think Phoebe was supposed to mirror what Allie would be like if he were alive. Phoebe and Allie shared many of the same characteristics. "She put her arms around my neck and all. She's very affectionate. I mean, she's quite affectionate, for a child. Sometimes she's even too affectionate," (pg. 161). Holden also described her as being highly intelligent-the smartest kid he knew- and excitable and passionate, not to mention funny. Holden, who always had his head in the clouds, was brought back to reality by Phoebe. She woke him up from his dream that prevented him from living a real life. She was an admirable character that anyone can learn from. And even though Phoebe Caulfield was only ten years old, she proved to be wise beyond her years, having a very positive influence on Holden's life.
In conclusion, Holden's siblings played a major role in his life. He often thought about them, and wondered how they would handle situations. In times of great need, Holden "turned" to Allie for advice. He often had the urge to call Phoebe and talk to her. He relied on them, even though they weren't physically active in most of the book. Holden's decision not to run out West and abandon his family was motivated, not only by Allie and Phoebe, but Holden. He made the ultimate decision.
In the beginning of the book, Holden gave the reader insight on three members of his family, other than his parents who he described as nice but "touchy as hell". Holden used to have a lot of respect for his older brother D.B. "He used to be a regular writer, when he was home. He wrote this terrific book of short stories 'The Secret Goldfish,' in case you never heard of him," (pg. 1). Holden thought D.B. had immense talent in literature. But D.B. soon gave up writing creative short stories for a job in Hollywood. "Now he's out in Hollywood, being a prostitute. If there's one thing I hate, it's the movies," (pg. 2). When Holden described D.B. as being a "prostitute," I think he was saying that his brother dedicated his life to writing subpar stories for the movies for the sake of money. He no longer cared about writing because he was passionate about it. He wanted money. Holden often called his brother a "phony," as he referred to many people as. D.B. had neither a positive or negative influence on Holden's life. He was just a minor character who helped reveal some of Holden's biggest flaws. It showed how judgmental and narrow-minded Holden could be.
Secondly, the other family member that Holden brought up countless times throughout the book was Allie, his younger brother who died of cancer. Although Allie was dead, he was one of the most active characters in Holden's life. Holden idolized Allie.
"He was two years younger than I was, but he was about fifty times as intelligent. He was terrifically intelligent... But it wasn't just that he was the most intelligent member in the family. He was also the nicest, in lots of ways. He never got mad at anybody," (pg. 38).
When Allie died, Holden couldn't handle his raging emotions. He broke all the windows in the garage and broke his hand. His life would never be the same, now that Allie was dead. Holden often compared everyone he met to Allie. No one was ever as smart as Allie, or as funny, or as nice. It's endearing to see how much Holden truly loved his brother. But it also made Holden more narrow-minded. Maybe most people in the world aren't like Allie, but that doesn't mean Holden shouldn't give them a chance. Holden needed to learn to appreciate people for who they are, not what they should be, or what they could be. Holden often felt lonely and couldn't find people to connect to. Maybe he needed to open up to people and accept them for their flaws. Allie would.
Thirdly, Phoebe Caulfield, Holden's little sister, was probably the most influential character in the book. I think Phoebe was supposed to mirror what Allie would be like if he were alive. Phoebe and Allie shared many of the same characteristics. "She put her arms around my neck and all. She's very affectionate. I mean, she's quite affectionate, for a child. Sometimes she's even too affectionate," (pg. 161). Holden also described her as being highly intelligent-the smartest kid he knew- and excitable and passionate, not to mention funny. Holden, who always had his head in the clouds, was brought back to reality by Phoebe. She woke him up from his dream that prevented him from living a real life. She was an admirable character that anyone can learn from. And even though Phoebe Caulfield was only ten years old, she proved to be wise beyond her years, having a very positive influence on Holden's life.
In conclusion, Holden's siblings played a major role in his life. He often thought about them, and wondered how they would handle situations. In times of great need, Holden "turned" to Allie for advice. He often had the urge to call Phoebe and talk to her. He relied on them, even though they weren't physically active in most of the book. Holden's decision not to run out West and abandon his family was motivated, not only by Allie and Phoebe, but Holden. He made the ultimate decision.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Underwater Graveyard-The Wreckage of the Titanic
I've always been fascinated with the sinking of the RMS Titanic. I cannot imagine the panic and stress people felt as it sunk. People died in the worst of ways, including suffering from hypothermia, drowning, and committing suicide. Although this was a tragic event, it paved the way for building safer, more durable boats for the future.
According to the article "Experts Split on Possibility of Remains at Titanic Site" from the New York Times website, the Titanic was discovered in 1985. Located more than two miles below the surface, stood the Titanic in two parts, rusty and broken. Experts on the Titanic are now arguing over whether human remains exist at this historical site. After it had sunk, 340 bodies were found, while 1,160 still remain missing. Many researchers deny the existence of human remains, especially ones who have visited the site and encountered zero findings. Some say that researchers are stretching their evidence to gain more power. This dispute continues.
After reading this article, I think that the author is remaining "neutral" in this situation. He isn't taking a side in this situation, but merely reporting this news. I think the main idea of this article is that people who have fought to preserve the Titanic site claim that there's the possibility of human corpses under the wreckage and should therefore be protected. In the past, people, who have been hunting for artifacts, have to taken them from the site. If indeed bodies remain in unexplored parts of the sunken ship, officials want to prevent people from disturbing the site, which serves as a graveyard.
"In an interview, Dr. Delgado of the ocean agency said the muddy seabed showed “clear signs” of human imprint. “'Yes, you don’t see much in the way of bone,” he said, referring to the newly released photograph. “But this is clearly where someone came to rest on the bottom. It speaks powerfully to it being a grave site.'”
I support officials who are pushing for the protection of the Titanic site. Whether the claim that human corpses are buried under the wreckage is real or not, I believe that the site should be preserved and protected, especially from looters. Even though researchers haven't found human remains yet, that doesn't mean they aren't there. More importantly, it's their spirits we want to honor, not just the wreckage.
The Titanic wreckage may even be deteriorating due to all of the disturbances from looters and tourists. The sinking of the Titanic is one of the most well known, historical stories around the world. Over one thousand men, women, and children lost their lives after cruising, on what they thought, was the majestic, "unsinkable" ship. People should be honored for their deaths, especially when many bodies have not been found. Disturbing their resting place in search of their possessions for a profit would defeat the purpose of honoring their deaths. This site is no different than a graveyard, which people wouldn't imagine disturbing.
In conclusion, this article is mainly about how officials are trying to protect and honor the site of sunken RMS Titanic. There is the possibility of human remains, which helps further support this cause. I think people should continue to fight for this cause and for the protection of other historical sites! They hold valuable information that should not be forgotten.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/science/titanic-may-hold-passengers-remains-officials-say.html?scp=7&sq=titanic&st=cse#
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/science/titanic-may-hold-passengers-remains-officials-say.html?scp=7&sq=titanic&st=cse#
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Extremely Ugly and Incredibly Beautiful
After seeing the movie Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, I knew I had to read the book. It was unlike any other book I had ever read. It was witty and heart-breaking at the same time. It told the story of Oscar Schell, a young boy living in Manhattan, who couldn't forget his father's death on 9/11 and was dealing with asperger's syndrome. He was very complicated person and passionate. Oscar was unlike any character I'd ever read about. Jonathan Safran Foer, the author, created an unforgettable main character who seemed both innocent and so wise beyond his years. Foer has written a beautiful book that changed my perspective about life itself.
Firstly, one of my favorite lines in the book was brilliant, yet saddening: "Everything that's born has to die, which means our lives are like skyscrapers. The smoke rises at different speeds, but they're all on fire, and we're all trapped," (pg. 245). It is clear that Oscar was using 9/11 to symbolize his thoughts about life. Skyscrapers are tall, but eventually stop somewhere. They don't carry on forever, just like life. It's hard for me, at least, to imagine looking at life like this. Being born into the world seems like a blessing to me. Life is wonderful, with surprises waiting just around the corner. If everything that's born is meant to die, is there any point in living? Does being born mean waiting to die? I guess it all depends on how you look at life.
Secondly, another line that caught my attention was written by Oscar's grandfather, Thomas. Although I admired his character in some ways, this line made it clear that he had given up on life. "Why didn't I learn to treat everything like it was the last time? My greatest regret is how much I believed in the future," (pg. 281). Regrets. Regrets. Regrets. Why did he regret believing in the future? Was it because the love of his life died carrying his baby, which he'd never meet. Was it because he felt he could never be happy again? Or maybe it was because he was scared to hold onto his hopes and dreams in case they were crushed and left to wither away. The future is bright, but dangerous. It can make or break people. But there's no hurt in hoping for the best. Thomas tried to avoid the future. When his wife, the second love of his life, told him she was pregnant, he left her. He couldn't bear to see his child grow up and feel attached to him. What if something happened to his son? He refused to love anything. He believed love was dangerous.
Thirdly, Oscar was a very creative child and fond of inventing things. Most of his inventions spoke beyond their uses.
"What if the water that came out of the shower was treated with a chemical that responded to a combination of things, like your heart-beat, and your body temperature, and your brain waves, so that your skin changed color according to your mood? ...Everyone could know what everyone else felt, and we could be more careful with each other... Another reason it would be a good invention is that there are so many times when you know you're feeling a lot of something, but you don't know what the something is," (pg. 163).
Sometimes, people's emotions cause them to act differently or say things they don't really mean. If people knew how other people were feeling, they would know not to take things too personally. But more importantly, this invention would help people figure out what they were feeling if they couldn't figure it out. Oscar was confused. He didn't know how to feel. He felt depressed because his father, who was the greatest person in the world (in his eyes), was dead and would never come back. He was angry because terrorists, who didn't know or care about his dad, killed him for no reason. He was scared because he felt like he was drifting farther and farther away from his dad. He felt frustrated, the kind where you want to rip out your hair, because no one understood him. So maybe if someone created his invention, someone would understand how he felt and try to help him. Most of all, Oscar felt lonely.
Fourthly, Oscar presented a very complicated question that you wouldn't expect eleven-year-olds to wonder about. "On the other hand, maybe I would burn, because then I'd at least have a chance to somehow escape, and even if I couldn't, feeling pain is still better than not feeling, isn't it?" (pg. 245). Is feeling pain better than not feeling? Pain is not pleasant. Pain means suffering, and suffering is worse than death. But maybe Oscar didn't really want to burn. Maybe he just wanted to feel something to know that he still existed and was a living, breathing human. His father's death left him feeling numb and lifeless. Feeling anything, even if it was pain, was better than nothing. I can understand that.
It seems as if Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close includes all aspects of life, beautiful and ugly. This book is beautiful and ugly. It's beauty shines through the dialogue and brilliant little quips that make the book just a little bit better. It seems as if every sentence is worth unpacking or looking at for those extra thirty seconds. It's ugly because it's truthful. The truth is ugly and it hurts. But the truth is always there. What's the point in avoiding it?
Firstly, one of my favorite lines in the book was brilliant, yet saddening: "Everything that's born has to die, which means our lives are like skyscrapers. The smoke rises at different speeds, but they're all on fire, and we're all trapped," (pg. 245). It is clear that Oscar was using 9/11 to symbolize his thoughts about life. Skyscrapers are tall, but eventually stop somewhere. They don't carry on forever, just like life. It's hard for me, at least, to imagine looking at life like this. Being born into the world seems like a blessing to me. Life is wonderful, with surprises waiting just around the corner. If everything that's born is meant to die, is there any point in living? Does being born mean waiting to die? I guess it all depends on how you look at life.
Secondly, another line that caught my attention was written by Oscar's grandfather, Thomas. Although I admired his character in some ways, this line made it clear that he had given up on life. "Why didn't I learn to treat everything like it was the last time? My greatest regret is how much I believed in the future," (pg. 281). Regrets. Regrets. Regrets. Why did he regret believing in the future? Was it because the love of his life died carrying his baby, which he'd never meet. Was it because he felt he could never be happy again? Or maybe it was because he was scared to hold onto his hopes and dreams in case they were crushed and left to wither away. The future is bright, but dangerous. It can make or break people. But there's no hurt in hoping for the best. Thomas tried to avoid the future. When his wife, the second love of his life, told him she was pregnant, he left her. He couldn't bear to see his child grow up and feel attached to him. What if something happened to his son? He refused to love anything. He believed love was dangerous.
Thirdly, Oscar was a very creative child and fond of inventing things. Most of his inventions spoke beyond their uses.
"What if the water that came out of the shower was treated with a chemical that responded to a combination of things, like your heart-beat, and your body temperature, and your brain waves, so that your skin changed color according to your mood? ...Everyone could know what everyone else felt, and we could be more careful with each other... Another reason it would be a good invention is that there are so many times when you know you're feeling a lot of something, but you don't know what the something is," (pg. 163).
Sometimes, people's emotions cause them to act differently or say things they don't really mean. If people knew how other people were feeling, they would know not to take things too personally. But more importantly, this invention would help people figure out what they were feeling if they couldn't figure it out. Oscar was confused. He didn't know how to feel. He felt depressed because his father, who was the greatest person in the world (in his eyes), was dead and would never come back. He was angry because terrorists, who didn't know or care about his dad, killed him for no reason. He was scared because he felt like he was drifting farther and farther away from his dad. He felt frustrated, the kind where you want to rip out your hair, because no one understood him. So maybe if someone created his invention, someone would understand how he felt and try to help him. Most of all, Oscar felt lonely.
Fourthly, Oscar presented a very complicated question that you wouldn't expect eleven-year-olds to wonder about. "On the other hand, maybe I would burn, because then I'd at least have a chance to somehow escape, and even if I couldn't, feeling pain is still better than not feeling, isn't it?" (pg. 245). Is feeling pain better than not feeling? Pain is not pleasant. Pain means suffering, and suffering is worse than death. But maybe Oscar didn't really want to burn. Maybe he just wanted to feel something to know that he still existed and was a living, breathing human. His father's death left him feeling numb and lifeless. Feeling anything, even if it was pain, was better than nothing. I can understand that.
It seems as if Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close includes all aspects of life, beautiful and ugly. This book is beautiful and ugly. It's beauty shines through the dialogue and brilliant little quips that make the book just a little bit better. It seems as if every sentence is worth unpacking or looking at for those extra thirty seconds. It's ugly because it's truthful. The truth is ugly and it hurts. But the truth is always there. What's the point in avoiding it?
Monday, April 2, 2012
Forgiveness- Not As Easy As it Looks
Who doesn't know Taylor Swift? She's been a popular country music artist for years. Her most recent album is "Speak Now." When I first listened to the songs from this album, I wasn't crazy about them. I thought many of them had similar melodies and meanings. I now realize that I didn't listen closely enough. Each one is unique and tells a different story or theme. I love the song "Innocent," which is one of her less famous songs. It immediately caught my attention. I decided to do a little bit of research about this song. Many people claim that "Innocent" is a song written about her feud with Kanye West at the VMA's. It is hard to know whether she forgives him or not. Many people say she is acting "passive-aggressive". I definitely agree with this statement.
The song starts off very powerful.
"Guess you really did it this time
Left yourself in your war path
Lost your balance on a tight rope
Lost your mind trying to get it back"
Left yourself in your war path
Lost your balance on a tight rope
Lost your mind trying to get it back"
I love these lyrics! If in fact she is talking about Kanye West, I think Swift is trying to say that he strayed from the "right path". He made a poor decision by criticizing her and lost his sense of good judgement. And even though he tried to feel remorse for what he had done, it was inexcusable. In this verse, it seems like Swift isn't angry at him, but disappointed and ashamed of him. He said some mean things, publicly, and humiliated her.
She then goes on to say in the chorus:
"It’s alright, just wait and see
Your string of lights is still bright to me
Oh, who you are is not where you’ve been
You’re still an innocent"
Your string of lights is still bright to me
Oh, who you are is not where you’ve been
You’re still an innocent"
Based on the lyrics of the chorus, it appears that she has forgiven him for his poor actions. She says that his "string of lights is still bright to me". Even though he humiliated her, she still sees his true character. He is not mean or critical. More importantly, she won't judge him for his one mistake. "Who you are is not where you've been" may be describing his standpoint in this situation. He was criticized endlessly for his actions. But she doesn't think this one bad decision defines him as a person.
My favorite verse is:
"Time turns flames to embers
You’ll have new Septembers
Every one of us has messed up too
You’ll have new Septembers
Every one of us has messed up too
Minds change like the weather
I hope you remember
I hope you remember
Today is never too late to… be brand new."
I think "Time turns flames to embers" refers to the idea that this feud can patched over. The tension between them will eventually die out. It isn't permanent. She is also saying that everyone has made mistakes. There is always room for forgiveness. She is leaving him the possibility of "starting over" and giving him another chance.
It is clear that Swift is feeling a mix of complicated emotions. She is forgiving him, but dissing him at the same time. She blames his actions on that fact that he's still growing up and learning. I think she is saying that she's being the better person by reaching out to him and not holding his words against him. And does she make a clear jab at his age.
"It’s okay, life is a tough crowd
Thirty two and still growing up now"
She might be trying to say that life as a celebrity is hard. It makes you do things you may regret. But she is younger and knowns better than him.
Taylor Swift presents many themes in her song "Innocent". She is trying to be the better person by opening up to him and forgiving him for his actions. She believes in second chances. I think this is a very good thing to believe in. Sometimes the best thing you can do for a person is give them a second chance. People's initial actions aren't always the ones they meant to do. People make mistakes. It's natural.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Kill or Die
For Katniss Everdeen, or for most people, enduring the Hunger Games is no easy feat. Physical obstacles, such as dealing with starvation and dehydration, are not the only things that decrease Katniss' chance for survival. Many people lose their sense of morality or good judgement while they're in the arena. Throughout the book, Katniss has proven that she is fighting to stay true to herself and not let the effects of the arena get the best of her.
First of all, Katniss was not a strong believer in killing people viciously, or killing at all. Unlike the Careers, tributes who have been training all their lives for the Hunger Games and eager for fresh blood, Katniss' initial plan was to put as much space as she could between her and the rest of the tributes at the start of the Hunger Games. Killing wasn't at the top of her agenda, but the idea haunted her. She didn't know what to make of Gale's words of advice.
"'Katniss, it's just hunting. You're the best hunter I know,' says Gale.
'It's not just hunting. They're armed. They think,' I say.
'So do you. And you've had more practice. Real practice,' he says. 'You know how to kill.'
'Not people,' I say.
'How different can it be, really?' says Gale grimly.
The awful thing is that if I can forget they're people, it will be no different at all." (pg. 40)
Throughout the book, Katniss learned that she could evade killing people, but it wasn't inevitable. It wasn't until her ally Rue, a young, clever girl from District 11, was killed by another tribute. Katniss would not let the boy get away with murder. This was her first kill. But she wasn't sadistic about it and she wasn't proud to kill the boy.
Secondly, Katniss made a good choice by not letting her anger get to her when Rue died. She didn't go looking for trouble or a tribute to fight. Instead, she wanted to prove to the Capitol that she isn't a "playing piece" of the Hunger Games. She is a person with feelings. Katniss did not want to be completely controlled by the Capitol.
"I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do there is a part of every tribute they can't own. That Rue was more than a piece in their Games. And so am I." (pg. 237)
The Capitol has already ruined enough of her life. She is forced to participate in these traumatic, dangerous Games. Katniss wouldn't allow herself to drop down to the level of the Capitol. She knew she was better than these Games, better than the Capitol. I admire her determination and how she is aware of the decisions she makes. She isn't rash and impulsive. This is why she will always win.
Katniss is strong. She proved to everyone that she is independent and rebellious. She is clever and determined. The Hunger Games do not blind her from reality. She knows what decisions are righteous and which ones are immoral. Her strong sense of morality is something to be admired. Sometimes people forget about good judgement when the stakes are high. Katniss has the will to live, but not because she's afraid of dying. She has a chance of winning and is a symbol of hope for people. Katniss is not ready to die just yet.
First of all, Katniss was not a strong believer in killing people viciously, or killing at all. Unlike the Careers, tributes who have been training all their lives for the Hunger Games and eager for fresh blood, Katniss' initial plan was to put as much space as she could between her and the rest of the tributes at the start of the Hunger Games. Killing wasn't at the top of her agenda, but the idea haunted her. She didn't know what to make of Gale's words of advice.
"'Katniss, it's just hunting. You're the best hunter I know,' says Gale.
'It's not just hunting. They're armed. They think,' I say.
'So do you. And you've had more practice. Real practice,' he says. 'You know how to kill.'
'Not people,' I say.
'How different can it be, really?' says Gale grimly.
The awful thing is that if I can forget they're people, it will be no different at all." (pg. 40)
Throughout the book, Katniss learned that she could evade killing people, but it wasn't inevitable. It wasn't until her ally Rue, a young, clever girl from District 11, was killed by another tribute. Katniss would not let the boy get away with murder. This was her first kill. But she wasn't sadistic about it and she wasn't proud to kill the boy.
Secondly, Katniss made a good choice by not letting her anger get to her when Rue died. She didn't go looking for trouble or a tribute to fight. Instead, she wanted to prove to the Capitol that she isn't a "playing piece" of the Hunger Games. She is a person with feelings. Katniss did not want to be completely controlled by the Capitol.
"I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do there is a part of every tribute they can't own. That Rue was more than a piece in their Games. And so am I." (pg. 237)
The Capitol has already ruined enough of her life. She is forced to participate in these traumatic, dangerous Games. Katniss wouldn't allow herself to drop down to the level of the Capitol. She knew she was better than these Games, better than the Capitol. I admire her determination and how she is aware of the decisions she makes. She isn't rash and impulsive. This is why she will always win.
Katniss is strong. She proved to everyone that she is independent and rebellious. She is clever and determined. The Hunger Games do not blind her from reality. She knows what decisions are righteous and which ones are immoral. Her strong sense of morality is something to be admired. Sometimes people forget about good judgement when the stakes are high. Katniss has the will to live, but not because she's afraid of dying. She has a chance of winning and is a symbol of hope for people. Katniss is not ready to die just yet.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Justice is NOT Served
Recently, there has been uprising in the United States due to the shooting of young seventeen-year-old Trayvon Martin. According to abcnews.go.com and nypost.com, Martin was shot by George Zimmermann, a self-appointed watch guard who was found with a gun. Martin had been walking around the neighborhood at night with a hoodie on, holding a pack of skittles and a bottle of iced tea in his pocket. Zimmermann claimed he was suspicious looking and shot him. (Martin was also black.) Zimmermann justified this act by saying it was an act of self-defense. This is hard to believe because Martin was unarmed.
People all across America have been outraged by this crime. Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon's mother, has decided to trademark slogans that are popular among the outcries of angry citizens. She would like to trademark "Justice for Trayvon" and "I Am Trayvon". Fulton prefers for her slogans to support other families who have dealt with similar tragedies. She is also outraged that the police isn't sympathizing with the loss of her son. This investigation has been very controversial between the media, the police, and American citizens.
First of all, I think the author is trying to sympathize with Sybrina Fulton and help promote her cause. Multiple times, the author has mentioned her struggles with the police, who of all people should be supporting justice and righteousness. This will raise support for her. "News of the trademark applications came as Fulton joined with civil rights leaders in accusing the Sanford police department of leaking information about Trayvon’s background in a bid to sully the teen and justify its decision not to charge Zimmerman." It is clear that they are unfairly accusing him of acts that put him in a bad light. It is also unfair to share this information with the public, considering the fact that he is deceased and cannot justify his actions or share his perspective on things.
Also, the author describes how thousands, if not millions of people are supporting Fulton. People have created and sold merchandise, such as bumper stickers, sweatshirts, tee-shirts, and other items that are related to Trayvon's death. They want everyone to be aware of this crime that has been committed.
I completely support Fulton's decision to trademark slogans. She has just lost a beloved son due to an act, of what I think, is utterly unjust. In no situation should a child be killed, especially when they are unarmed and non-threatening. People NEED to hear about this. Racism and racial profiling are still a huge issues in America, as well as other places around the world. It has gone on for too long and must be stopped. Although this seems impossible, small acts, such as trademarking slogans and spreading the news of racial injustice can help.
Another thing that angers me is the fact that the police are leaking information about Trayvon that justifies Zimmermann's acts. His personal life should be kept SEPARATE from this case. His death was due to a poor decision made by a suspicious man. Martin's accusations of being a burglar or hiding drugs does not affect the events leading up to his death. And whether or not these accusations are accurate, he has not committed a crime that he should be punished for by death. Hopefully, justice will be served.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/trayvon-martin-mother-moves-trademark-phrases-rallying-cries-wake-son-death-article-1.1051304
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/trayvon_martin_case_moves_capitol_q75i70BL2AsP1ILO9jJCMP
http://www.12newsnow.com/story/17264159/trayvon-martin-case-timeline-of-events
People all across America have been outraged by this crime. Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon's mother, has decided to trademark slogans that are popular among the outcries of angry citizens. She would like to trademark "Justice for Trayvon" and "I Am Trayvon". Fulton prefers for her slogans to support other families who have dealt with similar tragedies. She is also outraged that the police isn't sympathizing with the loss of her son. This investigation has been very controversial between the media, the police, and American citizens.
First of all, I think the author is trying to sympathize with Sybrina Fulton and help promote her cause. Multiple times, the author has mentioned her struggles with the police, who of all people should be supporting justice and righteousness. This will raise support for her. "News of the trademark applications came as Fulton joined with civil rights leaders in accusing the Sanford police department of leaking information about Trayvon’s background in a bid to sully the teen and justify its decision not to charge Zimmerman." It is clear that they are unfairly accusing him of acts that put him in a bad light. It is also unfair to share this information with the public, considering the fact that he is deceased and cannot justify his actions or share his perspective on things.
Also, the author describes how thousands, if not millions of people are supporting Fulton. People have created and sold merchandise, such as bumper stickers, sweatshirts, tee-shirts, and other items that are related to Trayvon's death. They want everyone to be aware of this crime that has been committed.
"While the feds continue to investigate the case, the controversy, and media attention it has generated, have fueled online sales of Trayvon-related merchandise. One white T-shirt being hawked on eBay includes the following sentence: “I walk and stand in solidarity with the family of Trayvon Martin in their quest to seek justice for the murder of their son."
I completely support Fulton's decision to trademark slogans. She has just lost a beloved son due to an act, of what I think, is utterly unjust. In no situation should a child be killed, especially when they are unarmed and non-threatening. People NEED to hear about this. Racism and racial profiling are still a huge issues in America, as well as other places around the world. It has gone on for too long and must be stopped. Although this seems impossible, small acts, such as trademarking slogans and spreading the news of racial injustice can help.
Another thing that angers me is the fact that the police are leaking information about Trayvon that justifies Zimmermann's acts. His personal life should be kept SEPARATE from this case. His death was due to a poor decision made by a suspicious man. Martin's accusations of being a burglar or hiding drugs does not affect the events leading up to his death. And whether or not these accusations are accurate, he has not committed a crime that he should be punished for by death. Hopefully, justice will be served.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/trayvon-martin-mother-moves-trademark-phrases-rallying-cries-wake-son-death-article-1.1051304
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/trayvon_martin_case_moves_capitol_q75i70BL2AsP1ILO9jJCMP
http://www.12newsnow.com/story/17264159/trayvon-martin-case-timeline-of-events
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)