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Eragon

I am currently reading Christopher Panolini’s Brisingr the third book in the Inheritance cycle. I enjoy reading the style in which Mr. Panolini writes. His writing takes you into the world of Alagaesia. I find his writing very impressive for starting at fifteen. Christopher Paolini makes you think about one’s human condition and search of self and the effect of family and friends have on one’s life decisions.

People have a huge role in each other’s lives throughout one’s life. Before finding the dragon’s egg Eragon was a simple peasant boy who lived with his father and older brother. Eragon knew who he was and where is life was taking him, but that all changed during a hunt. Eragon changed from that simple boy happy with his family, to the young lone dragonrider. People in our society can find themselves feeling like this lone dragonrider, feeling like they are completely alone to battle through everyday situations.

Eragon and his dragon Saphira are best friends that keep each other’s best interests in mind. The two have set goals and they work together to achieve them. I have related their relationship with the relationship that children and parents share. Parents are more like Saphira, being knowledgable and keeping watch over the one’s they are in care of. Although, the parents help the children stay on track towards their greatest achievement they must not push the young one’s to hard without them revolting. The children and parents must come to a conclusion to work together for an outcome both parties are happy with.

Eragon had a huge problem finding who he was because of the changes that came into his life. Life is even more difficult without family and friends to help guide you to your best. Saphira was the main help to find the real Eragon. Trying to find the real you is difficult in our society because of the media. The search of self is influenced by everyday activities. Changing a location can be a life altering experience also. Eragon had no home he and Saphira lived on the run and off the land. Moving is character building because a person must learn to fit in but still keep true to one’s self.

A person should surround themselves with people who will help them find the real, true them and help push them to better themselves. A strong family support group is an important aspect in someone’s life, to strive for the best they can do. Friends are a different type of support group they understand the stress a person can go through at a set age in our society. Friends and family help shape each person to who they are.

Tags: children and parents, family and friends, relationship, support
Posted in Book Review

Eragon

I am currently reading Christopher Panolini’s Brisingr the third book in the Inheritance cycle.  I enjoy reading the style in which Mr. Panolini writes. His writing takes you into the world of Alagaesia. I find his writing very impressive for starting  at fifteen. Christopher Paolini makes you think about one’s human condition and search of self and the effect of family and friends have on one’s life decisions.

People have a huge role in each other’s lives throughout one’s life. Before finding the dragon’s egg Eragon was a simple peasant boy who lived with his father and older brother. Eragon knew who he was and where is life was taking him, but that all changed during a hunt.  Eragon changed from that simple boy happy with his family, to the young lone dragonrider.  People in our society can find themselves feeling like this lone dragonrider, feeling like they are completely alone to battle through everyday situations.

Eragon and his dragon Saphira are best friends that keep each other’s best interests in mind. The two have set goals and they work together to achieve them.   I have related their relationship with the relationship that children and parents share. Parents are more like Saphira, being knowledgable and keeping watch over the one’s they are in care of.  Although, the parents help the children stay on track towards their greatest achievement they must not push the young one’s to hard without them revolting. The children and parents must come to a conclusion to work together for an outcome both parties are happy with.

Eragon had a huge problem finding who he was because of the changes that came into his life. Life is even more difficult without family and friends to help guide you to your best. Saphira was the main help to find the real Eragon. Trying to find the real you is difficult in our society because of the media. The search of self is influenced by everyday activities. Changing a location can be a life altering experience also. Eragon had no home he and Saphira lived on the run and off the land. Moving is character building because a person must learn to fit in but still keep true to one’s self.

A person should surround themselves with people who will help them find the real, true them and help push them to better themselves.  A strong family support group is an important aspect in someone’s  life, to strive for the best they can do. Friends are a different type of support group they understand the stress a person can go through at a set age in our society. Friends and family help shape each person to who they are.

Tags: character, children and parents, family, family and friends
Posted in English 30

Is your glass half empty or half full?

In answer to the “Is the glass half empty or half full?” question,

the pessimistic approach would be to pick half empty,

while the optimistic approach would choose half full.

Being optimistic can often be hard in society because of people always striving for more, people fall into the pessimistic way of looking at life. Our societies continually push people to want better and more, leaving others to believe their way of life is not adequate, causing them to be even more pessimistic. As a child Sigmund Freud would say people act out of their ‘ID’ psychic apparatus; because of this children are innocent and optimist because they do not understand reality. Experience comes after ‘ID’, experience would be more under ‘EGO‘ according to Sigmund Freud’s idea of psychic apparatus. To have experience a person must understand reality.

The child that William Blake describes in “The Chimney Sweeper”, in Songs of Innocence is optimistic. A Romantic would appreciate William Blake’s complex work, the Romantic will see passed the outside and see the beauty within. The young boy who had been abandoned by his father, looks towards the happy side of life.  “You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair,” explains how a child can have faith that having a filthy job can not take the innocence of a child away from them. William Blake shows that young innocent children are suffering because of the job they are doing but the innocent children did not show it.  ”Then naked and white, all their bags left behind,” when the children are cleaned they are the same as everyone else and the Romantic’s can see the perfect young child under the dirt. Children have a way of always looking towards the brighter side Blake displays the carefree emotions that children have with the line, ”Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm.” Children nevertheless, kept happy by imagining the positives of life, God, angels, innocence.

“The Chimney Sweeper”, in Songs of Experience is a very dark and pessimistic poem.  William Blake expresses this by being very judgmental and gives motive for everyday aspects of life. When reading this poem pictures of a depressed young child who is covered by sin. The first line,  ”A little black thing in the snow”, could be deemed as the black repenting the sin against innocence and the white snow being the innocence. “They clothed me in the clothes of death,” expresses how children are put in horrible unjust places that puts them it harms way. This poem would have been to open the eyes of the Romantics to show them that a child doing this work is not okay and society and church should change to help young children who are being treated like this young boy. William Blake writes this poem with the ideals of a Classicist.

Both poems talk about religion and the impact the writer felt the church had on society.  Both poems discuss the little boy losing his parents.  Because the boys are still young and innocent, they find the good in their lives and still find joy around them.  The little boys are working as chimney sweeps and are covered in soot that makes them look black as death, but the soot can not take the innocence of a child away from them.

Both poems symbolize how pessimistic and optimistic people can see the same situation but take totally different opinions from what they see.  Pessimistic people, like the Classicists, will only see the dirty little boys that are working instead of playing, but optimistic people, like the Romantics, will not see the dirty boys, but how the little boys are happy and laughing and playing. Life is what you take from it, it can be either good or bad depending on how you look at the glass.

Tags: chimney sweeper, optimistic, pessimistic, William Blake
Posted in English 30

Under Pressure…

I had a lifetime dream of playing of the Canadian Women’s fastball team at the Olympics. I dreamt of wearing that Maple Leaf on my chest and seeing my parents smiling back at me. My family understood what was needed to be at that level and they completely supported me with every move I had to make. My closest friends did not understand the lack of time they could spend with me but they also respected the time we did have.

I have been on a ball field all my life and have played since T-ball. At the age of 15 my parents and I agreed that I was not being challenged enough with the softball in the area and started looking for something more. Lloydminster was our answer.  Playing ‘A’ caliber of fastball helped show off the skills I had learned from various coaches, and my parents. Tracy, the scout of the Canadian women’s fastball team, soon took me under her wing and taught me the needed advancements that allowed me to go with the Calgary Diamond Devils to San Diego.

The pressure of playing at this level was very intense and demanding. The Diamond Devils had four coaches one outfield coach, one infield coach, nutritionist, and one head coach. We all had a small contract to follow which included a no eating list, no cell phone rule, respect clause, and further more. This fastball allowed for little social life because the travel was difficult, and time-consuming. My dad and I normally made the trip to Calgary every weekend and I had to work out every other night and practice on the off days. All my time away from school was to be focused on fastball.

People did not understand how I balanced aspects of my life . I honestly tried to put on a face that showed I had all my life under control but truly the pressure was getting to me and distancing me from friends and my sister.  I changed the amount of communication that I was involved in, I was changing myself I quickly learned. I did not want people to notice the stress I had in my life because it was not their dilemma to be faced with. I never wanted to cause others problems. I wanted to have a separate  life from fastball and home life.

I did not like what this caliber of fastball was doing to my life. My life was changing as I knew it I wanted my old life back. I never thought I would ever pass the chance of my dream up but I had to choose my life or fastball. As I was conflicted between keeping my dream alive or having a social life, my dad and I had numerous, deep talks about our shared dream. My dad kept saying “I will support you in whatever you do, as long as you want to be doing it.” I decided to stop playing this high-end caliber and to regain my social life.

Fastball gave me a rush of freedom, excitement and relaxing joy. Sports are a big part in my families lifestyle, we are strong-headed towards staying fit and spending time together. Family time is limited in our family so sports have brought us together, so sports symbolizes family and being together. I am not losing that feeling just pulling back on the caliber, although I may have the chance to play on a ‘A’ caliber fastball team in edmonton.

Playing in the Olympics was a lifetime goal and dream I shared with my dad. I would have done anything to get to that level but once I found out the amount of time needed to be at that level I couldn’t handle the pressure. The pressure had me change who I was and how I interacted with my family and friends. Being under that pressure caused me to buckle and alter my dream. Family and friends helped me get as far as I did because of their respect, love, help, and commitment.  I owe them all a great amounts of thanks.

Tags: chance, control, fastball, goal, life, stress
Posted in English 30

All As One

Life is a treasured present, god’s special gift to me. God has given me the power to be different from everyone else. Every person has the gift be different and with this opportunity the world has been made into a mosaic. Even though each person is diferent we all belong under one classification, mankind. Canada is worldly known as a multicultural country which helps immigrates keep their own individual culture. Unity and solidarity is the key to human and world survival.

Canada is the perfect example of a mosaic country. The Canadian’s that  grew up in Canada see this land as multicultural and understand the duties that come with having such a reputation. The diversity with Canada can prove a difficult aspect to deal with, but the government has made proper accommodations for immigrates. In my eyes, the government has not only the tasks of making immigrates feeling welcome, but making Canadian proud of their homeland. People can not fully work towards a better earth without being happy with their community and personal lifestyles. Without being comfortable in personal lifestyle a person can not  competely be mentally  focused on saving and creating a better world and more globalized society. Moving into a larger community I have grown even move accepting to how multicultural nation I live in. I am now more aware of the amount of different nationalities that call Canada home and therefore, I know that I must become understanding to other cultures, values and beliefs. Having all different cultures affect my lifestyle I accept their cultures impact on my life and hopefully show their cultures better ways of life that imbracing my unique culture has.

In this world, each person is part of something bigger. I am one small piece of the puzzle of mankind and for the world to make a proper puzzle everyone must cooperate. People can not allow barriers to keep the world apart and divided into groups. The people of the world have all got to be Good Samaritans and be compassionate towards each person. I have come to the understanding that helping one another helps me grow and learn. Growing closer to one another is not very difficult in this society, now with simple understanding of others, everyone can start working together and cooperating more easily. The horrible discriminations and wars must cease to create harmony with God and between mankind.  Each person has an effect on each other possive or negative which intells each person to become the best he/she can be. In God’s eyes we are all equal therefore, we shall help anyone in trouble and not put ones personal life before anyone elses.

I have often read this poem by John Donne, “No Man is an Island” (below) to remind myself at times that every person is on this planet for a reason. I know by God’s words I am to forgive, reconcile, and give gratuity. God made Adam and gave him Eve so that man would not be alone and therefore we are to love one another like sisters and brothers. Although, I may have a different language, culture, and be separated by countless miles from people, I was taught to love each person for they are my neighbor. I have been influenced by countless cultures, and religions through the media, which indicates that John Donne’s poem “No Man is an Island” is very realistic. John Donne lived from 1572 and 1631 and saw that mankind is interconnected, and he was able to see the world as a web before globalization. The world is even more connected then John Donne’s lifetime and therefore, his poem should be that much more valued.

No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

-John Donne

Solidarity is a part of life that even a young child experiences. Young to old each person has a set role in this world no matter the age each person is needed to make the world work. We must all work together and put our differences behind us and focus on the bigger picture and the problems that mankind has caused to the world.  People must not only look after themselves, but the community they live in and then the world. A family is strong example of how the world should work all mankind are God’s children and shall follow his wishes, and earth is our mother and we should treat her with the greatest respect. Brothers and sisters each person in the world will have to come together to make this family a happy one.

Posted in religion 25

All As One

God see us humans all as one. The change of the society is making people believe and accepting of the view as togetherness as a nation, and world. Job, no job we are all equal. Values and beliefs might differ but deep inside we are all the same. We should help each other instead of increasing the difference between poor and rish.

The Pharisees have no right to discriminate against those people with different values and occupations. People have the right to be different in God’s eyes, and we should never judge people because of their lifestyles. Lifestyles change from person to person and area to area. There are countless of factors when you look at quality of life and we do not know the  specific aspects that are effects a person’s quality of life and therefore should not judge them like the Pharisees. They view aspects of life as clean and unclean, but really those “unclean” jobs must be done by someone because of that we are not eligible to judge a person because of their lifestyle.

Societies views are changing to see all the people in the nation as one. Conflicts towards beliefs caused World War 2 because Germany felt they were a higher class person, but truly they were not. Conflicts are what national organizations are working together to stop. People are put on this earth to help each other. The earth is one whole system and is a perfect example that shows us humans that life is possible for many life organisms can peacefully life as one. The challenge is there and we need to all work towards this goal or no one wins.

Posted in religion 25

God’s Influences

God is non-judgemental.   He is the ultimate parent.  He wants what is best for us and is willing to let us make mistakes so that we can learn.  God has placed the ten commandments and the golden rule to illistrate his goals in life.  God is giving us obsticles throughout life to better ourselves and become closer to him. He wants each one of us to learn from our tasks and learn to overcome our weaknesses with his help. We must remember that God is always watching and always right beside you if you need him, no matter what time of the day for what life problem you are going through is will be there.

 Strengths differ from person to person. Strengths are not always what you think you have but what others think of you. I know when people get to know the real, true me more and more strengths show themselves. I believe that I am a very helpful, trustworthy, down to earth person. God has guided me through hardships and life altering events which has developed me into a strong hearten, kind person I am. I know that life has more obsticles to overcome but I know I have the right support team behind me. I believe strengths can not be shown without exposing other aspects of life I am not so good at, weaknesses, like trusting people I first met to quickly. As I have experenced my share of hardships and obsticles I have learned to trust people but learn to trust them more as I get to know them which has helped me find friends that are true. Strengths are also shown with decisions you make in your life, I know my decisions express who I am and what my strengths are.

The most important interest that has shaped my life is the interest of being outdoors and close to nature. Always wanting to being outdoors was taught to me through my parents. My parents have always wanted me to be healthy and active and being outdoorsy allows me to do that without much thought. I believe God created nature for us to love, cherish and learn from. Nature is pure beauty and I love to be within that beauty. Life can be crazy sometimes in this society and when you need a place to escape nature is a place you can. God is the essence of nature he is all that is calm, peaceful, and tranquil in life. When I surround myself with nature I surround myself with God also. This peaceful time with God and nature has helped me overcome some of my weaknesses like being a plan freak and try to balance my hectic lifestyle. He helps me remember that there will always be aspects of life that you can not control and to remember that yes I do have a busy life but if I was not playing my sports I would be bored and not improving and growing into the best I can be. 

Posted in religion 25

Protected: Shoot For The Moon

Posted in English 20

Revenge

Revenge is to take action for pass wrong doing done toward oneself or their family.  When Macduff heard about the wrong doing that Macbeth preformed on his family all he wanted was to was kill Macbeth.  Macduff was feeling the rage of revenge, numerous people believe that revenge is “a dish best served cold.” To me this means that Macduff should have waited until Macbeth had forgotten what he had done before Macduff took action and revenge. Within Macbeth’s time people did not wait to take out their revenge. This unfortunate news was at a good time for Macduff because they had an army and were at the time to attack, the news only infuriated him even more and caused him to take his anger out on him sooner then excepted.

Posted in English 20, macbeth

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are perceptions in a conscious/awake state, a common concept is “Day Dream” Day Dreaming is a common happening for many people. Macbeth suffer from these hallucinations after Lady Macbeth called on spirits of darkness and evil. Most people believe that hallucinations are caused by darkness and evilness. Macbeth saw a hallucination of a ghost, the ghost is normally a sign of guilt of an act, Macbeth truly feels guilty about Banquo’s death, he believes it is Banquo’s  spirit coming to haunt him and tell all the Thanes of what Macbeth has done. Banquo’s spirit is only seen by Macbeth and causes him to speak out. People that have suffered from a hallucination that expresses guilt most will confess of that deed in short time. I have not had one of these ghostly hallucinations because I have have not done anything to be haunted by a ghost hallucination. Hallucinations are not always bad and caused by evil, and darkness but they can be a warning for the future.

Posted in English 20, macbeth

Eclipse

Solar eclipses are a rare ocurrance when the moon blocks out the sun. In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth,  after the death of king Duncan, Ross pointed out the darkness that was caused by an eclipse. I believe that Ross blames the eclipse on the treason act on Duncan and that caused God to be angry. Many people within the world believe that an eclipse is proof that God is in control. Scienciststs try and provide evidence that this is a natural occurance because the sun, earth, and moon must be in perfect alignement. Some believe an eclipse brings a great difference in people and their livestyles and countless people believe that an eclipse brings and means nothing but evil, but I share the thought that an eclipse is just a beautiful and reamarkable moment. I understand that the earth, moon and sun have to be perfectly aligned but I also believe that God has the control to make theses spheres intercross themselves. I have never seen a solar eclipse but within my life time I am looking forward to seeing one. With solar eclipses being so rare I believe it should be a moment to remember and treasure.

Posted in English 20, macbeth

Decisions

Decisions are all always influenced by others, Macbeth and I have a very different approaches to making decisions.  Macbeth believes everything the witches tell him and is easily influenced.  He doesn’t stop to think about what people are telling him and if there is any truth in it, but when he does stop to think, he doesn’t want to face the truth because it is easier to believe than it is to stand up and give his own opinion.  He worries that if he says his beliefs, that people won’t respect him.  I could be called a  cynic in that I like to get all of the information that I can before I make a decision.  Once I have enough information, I will make an informed decision based on my opinion rather than what everyone else thinks.  I believe that standing up for my beliefs makes me a stronger person.  I don’t mind if others have a different opinion than mine as long as they don’t try to get me to change my opinions and values based on what they believe is best. Macbeth and I are different people and could never make decisions the same because of our backgrounds. Decisions Macbeth and I make everyday effect our well being and the well bring of others around us. The people we surround ourselves with is the most important decision because we believe these people will help guide us to make the best decisions throughtout our lives.

Posted in English 20, macbeth

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleeping disorder I have relating to lack of sleep.  I have a frequent problem with insomnia.  When I feel I can not “rest my mind” usally I decide clean the house at any hour. This sleeping disorder has a harsh effect on my body; insomnia effects my physical, mental, and emotional aspects of my life.  With a person’s  mind not correctly resting, their mind is tired and wants to catch up on lack of rest.  The next day normally they feel tired and find it hard to stay focused and awake. Emotionally a person is worn out, in most cases the person will feel emotionally strained, and often seems “short’ with others around them. Their body is physicaly tired because of the lack of sleep and their muscles are fatigued. The biggest side effect of insomnia is a change of personality.  The change in personality is the hardest to get back to normal because the new personality becomes a state of mind. Insomnia is not always treatable and stoppable but there are many simple activities the person can do to minimize insomnia.

Posted in English 20, macbeth

Capital Punishment

Capital punishment is very a controversial issue for most  people. A great number of people disagree with the whole idea itself, but myself I believe the death penalty is perfectly reasonable. Both the United States of America and Canada have used the death penalty within their justice systems.

There are mainly two different types of capital punishment used today; lethal injection, and the electric chair. Lethal injection is the main form of capital punishment used today. Lethal injection is when a person gets injected with a fatal dose of drugs for the solitary purpose of death of that person. With lethal injection the subject feels no pain causing an easy death.  Electric chair is when a person is strapped to a special wooden chair that passes electricity through the body and kills them, the death is frequently caused by an electrical overstimulation of the heart. Both the electric chair and lethal injection still have the same outcome, death.

Both the electrical chair and lethal injection has been used within the United States of America. Capital punishment was introduced from the Mother Country (Europe) at the start of colonization. Even though the technology has changed the true reason for capital punishment is still the same. To cause death of one whom has committed a serious crime such as murder. Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, there has been 1,136 excretions as of 2008. Texas is leading with 423 excretions and with 373 people currently on death row.

The only form of capital punishment used in Canada has been hanging. The death penalty was completely removed for the justice system in 1976.  The last know execution in Canada was 1962.  Death by hanging was also called the drop and sudden stop.  When the person is hung the victim normally broke his neck therefore a quick death but if their neck does not break the victim must strangle to death.

I believe that hanging is by far the worst and harshest way to kill someone, and honestly I never was a fan of the electrical chair. The sound of the person getting shocked to death and the sound of their screams and the smell of their skin burning, it sends chills up my spine just thinking of that. My honest opinion is that the lethal injection is the easiest and pain free way to go, Though the fear would still be just as intense no matter which one you would get.

My views on the whole death penalty, should it be brought back?   Yes i believe that if the person is hundred percent guilty and owns up to it why wouldn’t  we execute them. My thoughts are that if they have killed someone and there is a high percentage that they may kill again if let out the death penalty should be used.  So why put him in a prison to use our tax money to pay for their facilities? If the person does a crime and gets sent to a prison they get food, shelter, water, sports equipment and weight equipment. We can keep them on dead row where they know they are there till death. I do not pay taxes yet but when I do, I would not like it if the money I worked for goes to a person who has killed another.

Murders have a negative effect on the world. They kill a living person then have us pay for their stay in prison. They file numerous appeals tying up the justice system and wasting tax payers money.  They live on death row with more amenities than the average person has and they have willing taken the life of someone.  I feel that they gave up all their rights when they committed the crime.  Murderers are a drain on society.

Posted in English 20, poetry

Life Struggles

Life struggles are a huge part of each and every persons life. Countless people could disagree if something is truly a life struggle but it depends on the person and the position of life one’s in. Within George Bowering’s poem entitled Grandfather, Bowering expresses the life struggles in his grandfather’s life.

Because the poem is written without punctuation, it makes the poem more forceful because there are not breaks to think about what you read.  Jabez Harry Bowering’s motto was to live life to the fullest without planning ahead. Mr. Bowering always had his mind on what was the best for the community. He traveled across the Canadian prairies clearing trees, building churches and spending the Christian word.  by using the ampersand,  Bowering continues to show how hard his Grandfather’s life was.  He uses strong, hard words to emphasize his Grandfather’s struggles to make something of himself in a new world.Bowering’s reference to Damascus expresses that his Grandfather had to cut through many layers of religions to find the truth he sought about his own higher power.

Bowering’s grandfather lived with a form of Christianity that believed that the Roman Catholic Church was corrupt. The Anabaptists were early promoters of a free church and freedom of religion.

I believe that when his Grandfather came west, he was trying to reform what he saw as the heathens and try to teach them a better way to live than in debauchery.

Jabez Harry Bowering appears to be a hard taskmaster who reigned supreme over his wife, children and grandchildren.  He re-enforced that religion was the only noble path and preaching God’s word was of the utmost importance above one’s personal needs.

It is ironic that he passed away in a Catholic Church when he believed that the Catholic Church was corrupt and spent his life teaching others that there was another way to worship God.

As George Bowering gets older he may not agree with the way his Grandfather lived his life and his ironclad religion, but he will get a better understanding and acceptance of why his Grandfather lived the life he lived.

From this poem I do not think everything Jabez Harry Bowering did in his life was a total struggle, and I also believe that Mr. Bowering

Posted in English 20, poetry

Higher Enlightenment

Higher enlightenment is the main theme of Cohen’s I have not Lingered in European Monasteries. Many religions and monasteries believe that if they find a way to be closer to God and see the world through Gods eyes, they shall achieve higher enlightenment.  I believe that Cohen is not looking for what else is out there, but is satisfied with what is.

I think people expect a poet to be a little bit of everything.  People expect poets to be a philosopher and know about religion so they can relate that into their poetry for others to read and expand their knowledge without having to do the homework to find the answers themselves.

In my opinion, I believe that Cohen in the last four lines of the poem, lets people know that he may not have searched for higher spiritual enlightenment, but he satisfied with the life he has achieved by just believing that there is a higher power.

Posted in English 20, poetry

Death is Life

Life and death is viewed very differently throughout the world. Although death is inevitable in the Jewish faith, they believe in re-incarnation.  They believe that the soul will return again to fulfill their life charts.  Leonard Cohen uses magic and God to show his faith, and that if we learn everything we were sent here for, then we will have everlasting life. I believe that Cohen is a traditionalist because he strongly believes in God and the Jewish faith of re-incarnation.  Leonard Cohen continually uses short, sentences to express the cycle of life and death as always moving, never ending much like the Jewish faith.

Posted in English 20, poetry

Serenity

Pastoral is simplicity, serenity, charm, and other characteristics involved with the countryside. Pure nature is simple, and beautiful. Nature started the first four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. The world was thought that all things were made up of these four elements. Simplicity. Air is the cool breeze that we feel each day. Fire is the warmth that keeps us warm through out the night.  Water in which we wash with, and the earth that we walk on. These four simple elements also express thought, desire/passion, emotion, and stability.  These emotions are important for finding the truths in life. Fire, water, air, and earth are the core of the truths in life. The true importances in life can vary from person to person but no one can live their lives without one or all of these. Pastoral displays this very simply and clearly. The jet at the end is appropriate to be the only man made item because the jet does not cause a problem with the simple life and elements.  The jet is showing opposite meaning of pastoral because the jet is symbolizing the city life and the changes the world has gone through. The world started with serenity and now is changing to chaos.

Posted in English 20, poetry

Truth and Justice

People’s lives always involve truth and justice and the meanings of truth and justice are different because of films and plays we watch and our culture, beliefs and values too. Everyone is faced with them in our daily lives so we must understand them and overcome them. Truman, Harold, Capulets and Montagues, and I have had help understanding and finding the real truths and justice in our lives.

Posted in English 20, Movie Reviews

Truman Show and Core Focus Question

Within our English twenty class we are about to watch The Truman Show and focus on one core focus question. I am unsure of which question I should focus on when watching this interesting film, I am asking you my classmates to help me decide my focus question.

Posted in English 20, Movie Reviews

Societal Issues

As Canadians should this societal issue, that happened many years ago and numerous miles away, concern us today. Even though this disheartening event happen in 1917 in Passchendaele Belgian we sent troops over to help out our allies. The Battle of Passchendaele was a hard, controversial war. Within Mr. Sader’s blog he has many links that go into much detail for each battle within the Battle of Passchendaele.

The Canadian troops were unorthodox in there over the top war strategy and friendship on the field.  To learn and understand war is knowledge and skill. Though we had troops over at the Battle of Passchendaele this war is a important part of history to know and understand. Because with understanding of history like the Battle of Passchendaele, we the people can hopefully ensure that these gruesome, repulsive acts of history stay as history and never happen again.

The bravery of the soldiers has helped us become and stay free in Canada. There is countless everyday things that most people take for granted. There are millions of people who have died in numerous wars to keep us free and provided us our freedom of speech, and rights. This societal issue concerns us because if the people were not willing to died for our nation we would not have the same freedoms we have today.

Posted in English 20, Movie Reviews

S1m0ne

S1m0ne symbolizes how easy propaganda is to create and how simple it is to have a large group of people believe it. S1m0ne shows that even a computer literate person can create a propaganda so that all people believed.

The main character Viktor Taransky paraphrased  Adolf Hitler’s infamous quote “The size of the lie is a definite factor in causing it to be believed, for the vast masses of the nation are in the depths of their hearts more easily deceived than they are consciously and intentionally bad. The primitive simplicity of their minds renders them a more easy prey to a big lie than a small one, for they themselves often tell little lies but would be ashamed to tell a big one.”  This quote truly unlined the main topic for this movie, Viktor Taransky believed that it was easier to make the world believe his creation of S1m0ne then one person.

This film shows how gulable people are in this world. Propaganda is everywhere. Propaganda is hard to tell fom the truth. As technology grows propaganda is quickly becoming superior in the world. Propaganda is normally used in war, religion, and politics, through this movie shows that propaganda can actually be used in anywhere and everywhere if the person has the right knowlegde.

Posted in English 20, Movie Reviews

Barack Obama and Justice

The United States of America has come a fair distance. From slavery to being president. This break I believe will be for the betterment of the people of the United States. The election on November 4 within the USA  has sent a huge message to the entire world. Even as Canadian citizen’s my family and I watched the election intently to see what the people would decide, Because what happens within the United States effects us, Canadians.

I believe this is justice finally after 200 years, the African-Americans are truly accepted into the United States and seen as equals. Justice has been displayed. By justice I mean that in Virginia in 1607 slavery in the Untied States started, and now in 2008 the United States we have a African-American president. Justice I believe is a form a of fairness. People may disagree with Barack Obama in the White House but this change will hopefully be a positive effect not only for the United States but for the entire world.

I truly believe that the United States’ 2008 election has accurately represented how hard justice is to achieve. The election showed that a person’s integrity can cause a huge change.

Posted in 5261, English 20

Propaganda

Make your own Attack Ad

Propaganda is everywhere in this world. The election is full of propaganda. This website shows that the average person can easily make a propaganda commercial. Propaganda clips are all over the internet, our world is unbelievable in how much people make a publish these clips. This clip was quickly make in a short time. People do not understand how quick and easy these propaganda clips are to make.

Posted in 5261, English 20

Id, Ego, Super-Ego

A Characters personality is an important part within a novel so intertwined as Brave New World or Eragon.  Personality of a character brings depth and perception to a novel. The authors of both books have made the reader understand and relate to the main characters. Personality is highly associated with Sigmund Freud’s personality theory of “id”, “ego”, and “super-ego”.

“Brave New World’s” John the Savage and “Eragon’s” Eragon has had theid, ego, and super-ego factors implanted within them since birth. The id factor is in each one of us; it controls our primitive impulses like sex, hunger, and anger. John and Eragon never correctly fit in to their worlds.

All people, except those conditioned in the Brave New World, have some type of ego.  Ego is the knowledge of self that is influenced by the world around us.  Ego can be good or bad.  A positive form of ego is to promote self-worth, as Eragon and John the Savage display.  A bad form of ego is when you think more highly of yourself than others think of you.

A super-ego acts as a person’s conscience internalizing the father figure and cultural backgrounds. Both characters are affected by their super-egos. John’s super-ego was his mother Linda, and Pope who acted as a father figure, but John’s real father was never part of his life. John therefore had a very weak super-ego. Where Eragon, although he never knew his mother and father, had a strong super-ego enforced by his uncle and older cousin. Their differences in their super-ego affect their reasoning throughout the novels. John acts very irrationally whereas Eragon acts with reason.

John the Savage is an enforcer in the Brave New World. He clearly has all three of Sigmund Freud’s personality theories; where the people within Utopia only have the id factor. John shows his id factor when is mother Linda dies. I believe a person could quickly express their inner id factor at the time of death. John quickly and effortlessly releases and expresses a part of his id factor.  John the Savage becomes very angry and tries to throw the people’s soma away. He believes soma will be the death of them and making them kid-like by not allowing anxieties. John the Savage is always considered an outsider because he is from both worlds. John is very faithful to Jesus Christ and shows his religion through the rituals he does.

Eragon is an outgoing character in Eragon. You can truly notice that Eragon also has the id, ego, and super-ego factor within him, but the Ra’zac and the Urgals only know and live by the id factor.   Eragon has strong values of family, faith and self.  Eragon leaves home to protect Saphira (his dragon), and to learn how to become a dragon rider.  This shows Eragon’s his denial of his super-ego because he is leaving his father figure to learn his own way.

Everyone has the initial personality theory of Id.  Id soon develops into ego by the acceptance and learning to cope with anxieties.  Super-ego has an effect on the developing ego because of rules and cultural beliefs.  Therefore these three personality theories make each one of us and each characters of a novel, the unique individuals that we are.

Posted in Brave New World

Death

As infants the people within the “Brave New World”  are conditioned to believe that death and dying is a daily occurrence. The children are taken into the Park Lane Hospital, the death hospital, to see what death is all about.

The soma in this New World makes death and hardships ‘ok’ because the drugs makes the people forget the troubles and takes them away on a ‘holiday’.

Death in all around us in modern days, between war, diseases, and accidents. I believe people of a comfortable age should understand what death means. Death is the end of life. Even thought I believe everyone should know about death, does not mean that a few years into the babies life they should completely understand the meaning of death. I believe as we get older death seems clearer.  I believe that the older people get, the more understanding we have with death.  Death can be scary for some, and a release for others.

Death can happen to anyone at anytime so I think that we should enjoy each day as it comes because there are no guarantees that we will be here tomorrow. The Bucket List is a movie about doing last minute ideas and thrills before you die.

Posted in Brave New World

Dowry

Within the “Brave New World” John, the Savage, talks about how in his home town Malpais, you would have to bring the woman who you wanted to marry, the skin of a mountain lion or wolf.

In pass generations the women would have to bring a dowry to her husband the day of the wedding. The woman would have to bring either money, goods or estate. There was also dowry death where the husband and the in-laws abuse or torture the wife to get more out of the dowry agreement. Dowries were very common  in the early years of Islam, China, Africa, Greece and Europe.

Dowries are not used in our day and age, which excites me. If dowries still continued today, that would mean woman across the world would be paying men to marry us. I really do not like the thought of that, not one bit . I am truly happy that people today do not enforce dowries. I think women in this era have more of a sense of pride.

Posted in Brave New World

Atlantis

The fabled island of Atlantis was in the center of the Atlantic Ocean.  Historians have determined that Atlantis was unequaled before or since.  Atlantans had advanced technologies and believed that they had a perfect society that was unequaled anywhere else in the world.

Atlantis sank into the the Ocean in a single day the historians determined.  No one is sure exactly why, but scientists believe that Atlantis self destructed because of their arrogance in believing that they were  indestructible.

In the “Brave New World“, the Directors of Hatcheries and Conditioning believe that they can form a superior society that can be perfect.

I believe that Atlantis is real and that they self-destructed.  Knowledge is great to have, but you have to have a respect for everything and know how to keep everything in balance.  Without balance the world can not survive.

Posted in Brave New World

Savages or Natives

Who/What is a savage? Relating to humans, how can we describe who is uncivilized. Just because a nation or group of people have an unorthodox way of life does not mean that they are savages.

First European setters call the natives to the land, savages because of the difference in lifestyles. The Europeans soon learned that the natives adapted to the land to survive.

Their are also savages within the “Brave New World“. The savages within the book are people without conditioning, and live similar to you and I today. The savages get married, have children but they have a yearly sacrifice. Lenina, from the civilized and conditioned world, did not like being in this uncivilized and dirty place.

I do not believe that there are savages amongst the human population. I believe that civilization that is different from our normal lifestyles, have found their own ways to survive and live.

Now, who’s the savages?

Posted in Brave New World

Adolf Hitler and The Holocaust

Adolf Hitler was the leader of the tremendous genocide known today as the Holocaust. Hitler was in charge of six million European Jews, killed during World War II. The Holocaust was an unbearable event.  Hitler believed that the jewish race was inferior and did not deserve to live.

In the “Brave New World” the Directors of Hatcheries and Conditioning(DHC’s) are practically creating a genocide, not against one region or faith, but they are opposed to people who are savages or people who do not take to the conditioning the way they planned for. The DHC’s do not burn or work these outsiders, they send them to the reservations.

I have read  ”Hana’s Suitcase” which is about a young, jewish girl living through the Holocaust, and it is hard to believe what it would be like to be within a genocide. I can not swallow the thought of being ‘hunted’ by people you have lived with all your life.

Posted in Brave New World

Hypnopaedia

Hypnopaedia is the technological term for sleep learning. Sleep learning is known world wide. Many people in the modern world use hypnopaedia to learn a new language, to learn to overcome bad habits, and many other uses.

The Directors of Hatcheries and Conditioning, use this technique with the people within “The Brave New World“. The Directors use sleep learning to condition societies values into the different castes.  The directors want people to believe that they are perfect and not want to have anything to do with people that are in different castes than they are.

I have never tried hypnopaedia. I believe I would try it if I wanted to learn a new language, if I had no other time. I do not think this sleep teaching technique is ethical for government to use on people without their knowledge.

Posted in Brave New World

Muscle Relaxers

Is Carisoprodol or better known Soma good for the human body?

Muscle relaxants are used by various people at numerous stages of their lives. Soma is a common muscle relaxer within the United States.  A countless number of people each year abuse the use of carisoprodols.

The people within “The Brave New World” are continually taking soma to relief pain, and with a small pain threshold they are continually ”popping” somas.

I believe small and appropriate doses prescribed by registered doctors is acceptable. I do not think muscle relaxants like soma are ethical to be used as a daily drug for everyday pain. A person should be able to accept and conquer the daily pain in which people world wide encounter.

Posted in Brave New World

Eugenics

Is Eugenics the right choice?

Eugenics is believed to improve human hereditary traits.  The philosophy is that by changing the genes, it will create a healthier society.  I believe that if Eugenics is used in the wrong hands, it takes away an individuals rights and freedoms.

“The Brave New World” uses similar ideas for the conditioning of their youth.

In our modern society, doctors can use ultrasounds to check for birth defects in the womb and can correct certain disabilities.

I believe that if this is used correctly and humanly, this can save a child from suffering disabilitating handicaps that can affect their way of living.

Posted in Brave New World

Compulsory Sterilization

Should the government be able to decide Compulsory Sterilization?

In 1907, Indiana passed a law enabling Compulsory Sterilization. Not only Indiana passed this law, but so did 32 other states as well as  Germany, Japan, and Canada. Mentally challenged women were sterilized so they could never re-produce.  Society thought that this would make a stronger civilization by eliminating the risk of passing on unstable genetics.  The women were not given a choice in the matter.

In  “The Brave New World,” the Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning make these same decisions.  They are trying to create a perfect society and eliminate free thinking.  They want people who are easy to manipulate and control.

There are numerous books about Compulsory Sterilization on the market.  I found lots of useful information in the book called “Sterilization of People with Mental Disabilities.”

I was horrified to read about how the government used compulsory sterilization in the early twentieth century.  Just the thought of not having the right to reproduce because someone decided that you were not capable of looking after a new born, is unimaginable.  I have met many mentally challenged people and have found most of them to be very loving and I feel, able to look after themselves as well as others, with a little bit of help.  Ask any new mother, and she will tell you, that most new parents need help whether you are mentally stable or not.

Posted in Brave New World

In Vitro Fertilization

Is in vitro fertilization proper? Is a bokanovskified egg proper?  I believe that if you are meant to have a baby naturally, eventually you will.  Unfortunately, some couples can not conceive because of medical issues.  In those cases, I believe that in vitro fertilization is acceptable.  In  the “Brave New World”  they are creating a bokanovskified egg.  Is this morally responsible?  I do not think so.  If you are having in vitro fertilization because you want to have a family, then that is morally acceptable.  If you are  creating a bokanovskified egg to produce a perfect society that can be controlled by the Directors Hatcheries Controllers, this is morally unethical.  To create a race that can be controlled and have no say in their own lives is just wrong in my opinion.  Society can not develop and expand  without different opinions and views.

My mother had friends that had in vitro fertilization after trying unsuccessfully to have a baby for five years.  Now that they have a healthy little girl, I truly understand why in vitro fertilization can be a useful medical tool if used properly. I also accept that when science is used to benefit society as a whole,  in vitro fertilization can be a very useful medical tool.

Posted in Brave New World

Survival

Humans have to adapt to their environment to survive.  If we don’t adapt, and abuse the environment, the environment will cease to exist and so will we.  In the book “Brave New World“, the population survival is the basis of the book.  The world controllers believe that population survival is more important than individual survival.   I don’t agree with this belief.  I believe that individual survival is more important than population survival.  If we were all the same, it would be a very boring world but because everyone is different, it makes our society multi-facetted.

Posted in Brave New World