The Dead Poet's Society

The very concept and aspect brought up in Welton Academy leads to the main ideas aroused in the structure of the school and the minds of the teachers.  Mr. Keating, the new literature teacher at Welton Academy, had actually been a student himself there and stresses to all his students to "sieze the day" and be themselves, however hard that journey is.  Mr. Keating, through his lessons, shows the break from the usual old, white, strict men who teach at the school.  The structure of the change shows the viewer that the majority of society is contained under conformity, it is safe for everyone to a degree, and the few that are nonconformists are ostracized from the civil world, as Mr. Keating was at the end of the movie.  These dangers of being individuals are shown through unsuccessful efforts, in creating the Dead Poet's Society itself, and trying to grasp the true meaning of speaking out for what the individual believes in, which could be devastating unless perservered no matter what anyone says.

Unfortunately, growing up in a household full of conformists ideas can become the downfall of someone.  No one trusts anybody more than their parents, and Neil, who went to Welton Academy and created the ideas to ressurect the Dead Poet's Society, grew up with his parents ideas of him to become a doctor and be successful in that career.  These ideas inflicted on him made him feel constrained, while all along he aspired to become an actor, something he would himself be proud of.  When his father decided that he mustn't become an actor, and sending him off to a new school where he would not have such opportunities, Neil decided he had no way out.  He killed himself, and taking his own life, through death, led him to stand out from his family and drove him to die himself in every aspect.  These dangers, of being ridiculed and persecuted for being different, when it is truly who the individual is, is why conformity is so hazardous towards society, making people feel like they cannot be themselves without consequences, while conformity itself already has enough as it is.

Modern Transcendentalists

In society today, singers, actors and performers, athletes, and leading executives create the foundation of the “normal” or “extravagant.  Today, successful singers and actors are always portrayed with the best clothes, they are beautiful, and thin.  A modern day transcendentalist, someone who sets themselves away from the common misconceptions and same trends, and shows that they are beautiful in their own ways; they accept who they are and use that to their advantage.  Although Lady Gaga seems to be all but ordinary, Adele, a singer who has made differences into something that is beautiful because it is her own in her very unique way.  

Adele grew up with a family who were all but musical.  She idolized The Cure, Etta James, and Jill Scott, diverse artists that broadcast her own differences.  Adele’s voice is set apart from all others in the music business; currently auto-tune can create a falsely decent voice, whereas hers is low and rough, but beautiful.  Adele recently quit smoking, but through that her voice became different, and that is what set her apart from others in her same business.  She accepts her differences and uses them to become a great artist.  Her resonating, soulful voice is what makes her stand out of a crowd of other singers, making her voice heard and appreciated for the true range and power behind it.

Adele also stands apart from the crowd in appearance.  She is equally beautiful as any other star out there, but what is different is that she is heavier than them as well.  She is happy the way she is, being portrayed on the cover of the October issue of Vogue.  In the media, many people are rail thin, unlike Adele, and she accepts herself, which became one of her biggest assets.  Her strengths, let alone in singing and her self image, has become a lead role in the star she has become.  Through her differences, she has gained one of the biggest knowledge of others, that ridicule comes through the differences of weight in society, but she is comfortable with herself.  This strength allows her to be an amazing singer, performer, and person and portrays herself as a transcendentalist because her differences has caused her success through her image and talent.  http://www.thecouchsessions.com/2011/02/album-review-adele-21

Works Cited: "Adele Talks Body Image Pride, Pre-Show Sickness In Vogue UK." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/06/adele-talks-weight-pre-show-puke_n_950000.html>.

Walden Essay

Two years, two months, and two days; that is how long Henry David Thoreau, a transcendentalist, who ventured to live by Walden Pond to declare independence from the gradually progressing society, and to experiment with self reliance on noble well beings.  Through this, he resulted in cataloging the indigenous plants and isolated himself from society to gain a biased understanding of the growing world.  He lived simply and self sufficiently, and his purpose of this experiment was to give himself the understanding of day to day growth in society and the effects on the world and life.  However, he also grew spiritually, realizing what life really had to offer. "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived” (Walden,490).  Although many people would have thought his actions were preposterous, living completely secluded from society, his individualizations categorized the new change of beliefs that greatly influenced the future of many others today.

Through Thoreau’s two year stay at Walden Pond, his life was strictly limited.  His simplicity shows that the only necessities in life were food, water, fuel, and shelter and left every other luxury as unnecessary.  He souly discovered that in life, humans crave “better” equipment and technology every day, while in reality, the only necessities are those four main things.  This discovery shows society that the expansion is what people desire, progress and technology have grown this new society, but does society indeed need it to function? No, but through the self dependency humans have given and fed this growth is what ails the conflict of whether people feel the need to live such a complicated life.  The simplicity Thoreau showed through his stay at Walden Pond has allowed the ideas of simplistic living thrive through many social groups and have given people a wider view of the world in today’s society.

Thoreau based his spiritual growth from his isolation on the progress of society, through understanding the effects of technology and manufacturing.  The progress of today, even though the average person generally will never realize it, has had negative effects on nature and the world.  Manufacturing poisons fresh water supplies and trash litters the once green earth.  Today, new technological devices come out every day, having an impact on how much of a complicated life is lived, as well as damaging the environment.  Through Thoreau’s writing, he illustrates his views on this change, and catalogued the plants around Walden Pond.  Global Warming has effected these plants, and today scientists use his information to show the true damages and affects Global Warming has on the world, even in a forest near Concord, Massachussetts.  He challenges today’s advances to the greater good, showing that the world, the environment, and nature is effected harshly by technology and manufacturing, and started the ideas of the Green Earth Movement.  Now, society has a better grasp of how manufacturing does affect our lives, even though it may not seem like it effects everyone individually.  Recycling, planting trees, and cleaning the environment have driven through lives across the world, and through the writings of Thoreau, the understanding of the simply beautiful world that lies beneath the feet of humanity has been understood and welcomed into the lives of those who live in this new millenium every day.

Henry David Thoreau spent only two years, two months, and two days at Walden Pond.  Through his writings he conducted while living there, today everyone has a better understanding of the world around them.  He opened up the door that had been blocked by the manufacturing movement era, and opened society’s eyes to how a simpler and easier life everyone could live.  The luxury items society craves, the technology it adores, and the filth it leaves behind that cannot be taken away is unnecessary for the survival of humanity.  This new awakening has effected lives all over the world, and the writings of Henry David Thoreau are existential to the new green technology and the beliefs in society of today, a hundred and sixty-six years since his actual stay at Walden Pond.

Declaration of Student Rights

Declaration of Student Rights

Every student is entitled to a certain set of rights.  These basic rights are the outline for what a free public education should be, and how it should be managed.  Each student should be treated with respect, by their peers and by the staff.  This ensures that they hold their right to feel comfortable at school.  A student has the right to feel safe in their learning environment.  At no time should they feel threatened, or concerned for their well-being.  It is the responsibility of the school system to support that right to safety.  Concerning academics, every student has the right to equal opportunities.  It is a student’s right to have a variety of classes offered to ensure the success for every student of every academic ability.  No student should be feel discriminated against because of their capabilities.  If a student feels that any of their rights are being violated, they should be able to express their feelings on the situation.  As students, we believe that these rights are the structure for a strong and just educational system.

1. Our lunches are only 35 minutes long. A small portion of time compared to how long our classes are. It doesn’t give us enough time to eat a balanced lunch. We as students need longer lunches so we have enough time to eat and have a little time to finish school related duties. If a student has a full schedule during and after school, it limits when they can go and talk to their teachers or counselors. Our lunch time starts directly after class ends and does not count the amount of time that it takes to go to our lockers. 
2. When the weather gets severe, we are still forced to go to school. The students are required to be at school regardless of the weather. Sometimes their teachers aren’t even present. We are a walking district so it puts us at a greater risk as we travel to school. The schools that surround us get plenty of snow days but we are not given the same opportunity.
3. The school dictates how we should dress, but it limits our free expression. In the warmer seasons, it is uncomfortable to wear proper clothes pertaining to the dress code. It is ironic that some sports have uniforms that violate the dress code but they wear them in spirit anyway. Our dress code is not taken very seriously to some, and it is unfair to the students that have stricter teachers who watch what they wear. 
4. Students are given 7 minutes after each class to get to their classes. For some, it can be difficult to manage this. Some students have to walk from one end of the building to another. Managing how to do this along with stopping at their lockers to trade book can be a tricky task. Furthermore, with the quantity of students walking in the hallways, the crowds move slowly. Navigating through the hallways is a challenge of its own. 
5. School rules declare that a student may only have 10 unexcused absences in each class in order to still have credit. If a student takes more than 6 minutes to arrive in class, they are marked absence for that class hour. Even if that student is there for the remainder of the class, they receive no credit. It can be difficult for parents to plan vacations too, because sometimes the tickets available are the most expensive of them all.
6. Our school looks upon sports with high respect, and teaches that sports are valuable for the continuation of our knowledge throughout the future. The current fee for each sport per season if $150. This price is an unreasonably amount when a student may play more than 1 sport per year. Equipment and transportation enough is excessive in the way that it is valued. Having to pay the large fee per season as well as the equipment is an unreasonable action from our school. We, as students deserve to have a less expensive fee to play a sport throughout the seasons. 
7. Clinics are not available for the students here. If someone feels sick or gets hurt, they are forced to wait in the office. They receive n treatment or medication until one of their parents comes to pick them up. This could take a while because of the parent’s responsibilities. It is unsafe and unhealthy for our school not to have a clinic. 
8. Some of the buildings in our school are not supplied with adequate air conditioning. The school can get extremely hot at the beginning and end of the year. There is no air conditioning in the main building so hot temperatures cannot be cooled down. The heat keeps teachers and students uncomfortable. It makes it difficult to work as it if hard to focus in the warmth.  The lack of air conditioning in the main building is detrimental to the student’s education. 
9. The Grosse Pointe Public School District is labeled as a walking district. Therefore, every day, either we must walk to school, ride our bikes, or arrange for a ride with our parents or friends. This is common problem because Michigan is a state with severe weather, causing harsh winters and freak storms. On the days where most bus transported schools have the days off, like for snow days, we not given the same opportunities, even with the dangers of the weather severity. Days where the bitter air dips below 0, is where a line should be drawn. School should not be session during days where the snow and ice cause an inability to walk or drive, without a precautious danger. Without having buses, our fellow walking peers are put into more danger than they would have, if our school provided buses. We, as students, need this way of transportation for a safer, easier way of attending school everyday. 
10. We, as students, should be looked upon equally. We should deserve the same opportunities as our peers, regardless of their age or grade. As grow, we are given the decisions of driving to school, and the S-Lot of school is reserved for the seniors only.  It is a great, safe parking lot, whereas the other parking places may need to be paid by hour and may be unsafe towards the cars occupying the area.  We should be allowed, as an entire school, to have a first come, first serve basis on the parking spots in the S-Lot, not just giving them away to the Seniors.  We, as students, deserve the equal treatment whether we are Freshman, or Seniors.

We, as the students in the Grosse Pointe Public School District, unanimously declare that each and every student should be relieved the erratic rules that govern our schools.  It is prominent that the complaints we have are appropriate. They make our educational experience transition smoothly.  Allowing the lunch hour to be relatively longer, a higher amount of snow days and better public transportation, equal treatment to all the classes, a comfortable working environment, and many other requests are extremely reasonable and go towards making the learning environment of our school so much more agreeable to our everyday lives.  Organized together, we as students release our demands to the dictation of our school district.  United, all schools under one power are faced with these problems everyday and seek the rectitude for a safe, improved environment.  Not addressing these requests will lead to the petitioning and violation of our student rights.  As students, we deserve the proper abilities to be granted a way to learn in a safe environment with these agreeable requirements.

Crucible Epilogue

Reverend Hale looked about him, as if he were being watched, but then returned to the almost empty glass before him.  Those contents of the mug are indeed what holds him together nowadays, after all that had happened those few months before.  He left the poor, torn town of Salem after his tyrant had been wreaked upon the civilians.  Now, living in Boston, retired from his job of chasing away horrid spirits, he spent his days wallowing in what had happened, brokenhearted by the lives he must have ruined.  Another glass, another drink.

It was all my fault, Hale thought to himself.  He took a deep swig of the whiskey.  

Most people wouldn’t be able to recognize him by his dark, shadowed eyes, or his deep frown growing ever more grotesque by the day.  His hair hung in snarls around his frail face, and his expression remained blank.  The little pub he was seated in had been a bustle of noise hours ago, but now the loneliness of the rest of the fellow drinkers was ominous.  What have I done??   He thought of John Proctor, of Elizabeth, of Rebecca Nurse, Giles Correy, and many more who have died before him, at his hand.  Abigail, the devil herself.  Another glass, another drink.

Finished, he paid his dues and struggled to get himself out of his seat, and staggered towards the door.  The bitter fall air hung over Boston, warning of the harsh winter to come.  His feet fell heavy on the ground, and looking straight forward, he could not think about the past; what he had let happen in Salem.  Darkness fell hours before, and the few and sparse candles lit in the windows of the dirt road street were the only means of navigating at this late hour.  

A piercing scream echoed in the bitter air, and everything went cold.  Fear struck through Hale.  At the edge of the forest, just beyond the street, the howling cry continued.  Dashing towards this sound, he saw a little girl, no older than a teenager, lying on the ground.  She wept and cradled her arm.

“Miss, are you all right?” Hale asked as he knelt down next to the young girl.

The girl screamed out in pain.  She let her arm fall, allowing Hale to see, and he found that she was bleeding from a carving in her flesh.  His heart skipped a beat, and he realized that she had been attacked.  He scooped her up into his arms, and rushed her down the street towards the local doctor.  

Dr. Renolds is a crabby man, two times the age of Hale, and grunted as he saw him standing on his doorstep, but allowed the two of them to enter.  “You found her like this?” Dr. Renolds asked, and Hale nodded, out of breath and bewildered.  “It is not too deep of a wound, but possible infection may occur.  This girl, my God, is Emily Blackard!  Emily, do you remember what had happened?”

She shook her head sadly, and winced as Dr. Renolds poured some ailant on her arm.  “I-I remember the walk home.  It was cold and I ran as fast I could to my parents, and then I remember some kind of chanting, sounds to be reckoned with, in my head, and everything else is a blank.”

“Chanting?” Hale spoke up, worried.

“Yes, a chanting in my head.  It was no voice I remember, you hear.  I could not tell you who it might be, but it was an older woman.  I don’t know what it said, but I remember my arms turned cold and got goosebumps just at the sound!  It was no Ten Commandments, you hear.  It was something more.”

The wound was bandaged, Hale never got the chance to see it.  “Dr. Renolds, I need to look at Emily’s arm.  This may be important.  I am a Reverend, and this may be the possible work of the Devil.”

“Reverend Hale, I can’t allow you to-”

“I know what this sounds like, but I swear to you, this does not sound like some attack on the street.  The chanting...the wound...it may all lead to one thing!  We mustn’t waste any more time!”

Removing the bandage, he examined the mark.  There was what he had feared, three long marks running down the length of her arm.  The marks of the Devil.

“Now Emily, you say you heard a chanting...where were you when you heard it?”

“I was right outside that old bookstore, you know.  The one with all the dust and the children go saying it’s haunted.  I looked inside the window and I think that’s where it all started.”

Reverend Hale jumped from the place next to Emily and dashed out the door.  In the night air, he could feel chills running down his spine.  Salem, happening all over again.  But it seems like this time, it may not all be a game.  Maybe this time, he could save someone, anyone, from being deceived.  

The old bookstore has been around for ages, as Hale had been informed.  Not many inhabitants actually enter, but the business still thrives because of the sales of the Bible inside.  Many people are afraid of entering, having their soul tainted by the darkness within, but the few that do have very little to say towards that fact.  Sometimes, people love telling stories to each other, hoping the other will be just as frightened as they were.

As Hale walked towards the door of the shop, he heard a woman singing softly to herself.  He strained his ears to hear the words, but could not.  He followed the sound, towards the back of the shop, where a candle was lit in the back room.  There sat a young woman, with long brown hair hanging down her back.  She was turned away so he could not see her face.  

“Hello?” Hale called out, barely above a whisper.

The woman kept singing to herself, but she gently turned around with a huge grin lighting up her face.  Her eyes were dark and brooding, and she looked like the exact form of evil that had brought him to this godforsaken city, to find refuge.  

“Reverend Hale, it’s been a long time,” the woman spoke, and her voice could never be forgotten in Hale’s mind.

“Abigail!  Why are you here?” he asked, his heart racing.

She got up from her chair and looked down and what she had been holding.  A knife, speckled with blood, and she smiled to herself, as if pleased with this treasure she had found.  “I loved him, and he died, because of your trials!  Your the reason why he is dead and not that old, godforsaken woman!” she shrieked.

“You were the one who accused the innocent.  You are a murderer, Abigail, and not me!  You should be rotting in a prison, or hanged by the ropes that took the life of so many people that should have been able to trust you!  You are a jealous whore, hiding in this shop, injuring children out of your witchery game!  You are a witch, at the hand of the Devil, sinning as you live.  Rot in Hell, Abigail, and never touch a child again by your evil.  That little girl could die because of your games,”  Hale bellowed, and began to edge his way out of the shop.

Abigail’s face twisted in anger.  She raced towards him, and something hard hit his head, and everything went black.

~~~

There were whispers in the room, some weeping, and others coughing.  Hale’s eyes fluttered open, and a cold bit him, as he shivered uncontrollably.  His vision blurred, he looked about him, a pain in his arm unbearable.  There were a couple of beds beside his own in this room, a makeshift hospital, the ill and the visitors in a sweep of emotion.  Hale was utterly alone, lying on this bed.  All he could think about was Abigail, and what had happened after she struck him.  

Dr. Renolds came over with a damp handkerchief.  He dabbed at Hale’s forehead, and began whispering things like, “finally” and “we were getting worried”.  Hale’s breathing was labored and he found it hard to remain conscious.

“His fever is getting worse, and the infection is growing.  It does not look too promising,” Dr. Renolds explained to a person who arrived behind him.  Hale looked up, and found it was Elizabeth Proctor, the woman from Salem who had been accused of being a witch falsely.  Elizabeth looked down at him, and a tear slid down her face.

“Elizabeth...” Hale whispered.

“Hello Reverend.  I am sorry to see you like this, but what had happened was truly remarkable.  When you and Abigail were yelling that one night, fellow citizens heard you from within the store!  They found her strike your head, Reverend, and she is now sitting in prison as we speak!  She will be tried soon for the conspiracy of murder, and the crimes she committed in Salem, Reverend!  You saved my husband’s soul!  You found her, and I am sorry she had to strike you like this, and her knife cut into your arm.  They sent for me, because they knew you knew me.  I am so proud of you for standing up for everyone in Salem, all those innocent people.  God will bless you as you have acted rightfully.”  She kissed his forehead and departed.

Hale smiled.  A peace filtered through his whole body.  Abigail was now paying for the crimes she had committed, and he could now let himself depend on his own help for giving him happiness, not the whiskey.  That was the last glass.  The last drink.  He shut his eyes and drifted off...where the world was smiling to him.  John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, Giles Correy, and all the other innocent people were allowing another accused innocent, in another manner, into their hearts.  

Reverend Hale then died peacefully, where the pain in his arm was no longer there, ebbing at his consciousness, and where he could now be free from the guilt he felt after all that had past, and he knew that he had finally caught the Devil that had been haunting Massachusetts; Abigail was now guilty.  

Crucible Essay

            Salem was a town stricken by lies and those who deceive, demons on their own loose in society.  As a person living in the town, no one was safe from scorn or prejudice, of being called a conspirator of the devil, and being persecuted as witches.  This turmoil was started by Abigail, a young girl seeking love from a man in all the wrong places.  Abigail’s vengeance on the town starts the fall of all truths, remaining the comprehension that no one is longer safe in a town where religion was the way of all life.  John Proctor, a man of power and respect within Salem, is unable to stop the turn of all conflicts soon enough, out of his stubbornness to be viewed as a sinless person.  Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor’s spouse, also is faced with many choices that could have helped or changed the course of fate throughout the small, absentminded town of Salem.  Salem, a Puritan colony where those who lived wanted to be spared by God’s revenge, would do anything to rid their town of any sign or work of the devil, even if it means being frightened into a turn of events that remains uncontrollable by those who begin it.  The witch persecutions could have been prevented, if not had been for Abigail, John Proctor, as well as Elizabeth Proctor. 

            Abigail is an eighteen year old girl, niece of the minister, Parris, and a true psychopath deep down.  After the affair with John Proctor, she is obsessed and determined to make John her love.  Through this craziness, she tries to rid herself of John’s wife, only to be caught dancing in the woods performing ritualistic charms.  Thus, the witch accusations spiral out of control, because religion is so strict in the town.  “And God gave me strength to call them liars, and God made men to listen to me, and by God I will scrub the world clean for the love of Him!  Oh, John, I will make you such a wife when the world is white again” (Miller, 150)!  These words were spoken by Abigail, showing that she has control over the Church and all decisions leading from it.  The power stood in her hands, and she used it ill and maliciously and for that, the witch hunt went on and killed many innocent people. 

            John Proctor, a married and religious man, definitely had made a few mistakes in his past.  His affair with Abigail caused her to be driven towards the idea and want of power to give her whatever she wanted.  John Proctor is a powerful figure throughout this tale, and could have prevented the many deaths that soon followed.  “I am only wondering how I may prove what she told me, Elizabeth.  If the girl’s a saint now, I think it is not easy to prove she’s fraud, and the town gone so silly.  She told it to me in a room alone—I have no proof for it” (53).  This was said by John towards Elizabeth, explaining how Abigail had told him it had all been a fraud earlier in the story.  This news could have been brought into view beforehand and could have saved many people from persecution and punishment for something that had not existed.  John’s leadership persona would have helped people believe him, before the trials and before more had occurred to halt this outrageous plot from ever working. 

            Elizabeth Proctor had been a soft person who had been put through extreme scorn throughout the whole novel.  Her husband cheats on her, Abigail is out for her head, she is persecuted as a witch, as well as her husband, and he is sentenced to hang.  These chain of events show the reader that she is strong enough to hold the fort down and to help her family remain morally right in the eyes of God.  She had the chance to tell the judges the truth, that her husband had slept with her, and it would have helped ruin Abigail’s credibility.  However, she decided to remain silent and deal with the truth by lying to them, keeping their names clear and away from prejudice within the town.  This is a turning point decision, that could have changed the fates for her husband, and many fellow friends and neighbors that had died due to being persecuted as a follower of Satan.  Putting her own desires aside, she gave her husband her forgiveness, so he could die guilt-free and forgive himself, and God may spare him for his actions.  Elizabeth’s decision to lie could have turned the play around and stopped all deaths from occurring, but her decision was wise and rightfully just. 

            Death by death, hanging by hanging, the town was supposedly cleared from all signs of the
Devil.  Those who could have done something about these deaths did not, and allowed this to keep occurring.  The people who died had truly been martyrs, because if they confessed they could have lived, but would not lie and go back on their religion, and died peacefully religious.  Abigail, a crazy and jealous girl deceived the town into thinking innocent people had been working with the devil, when in reality, her actions were far from just.  John Proctor, a man of many followers, remained stubborn until the end, trying his hardest to help stop the persecutions, but if the past mistakes had been changed, maybe his efforts would have paid off.  However, Elizabeth was given many chances to help tell people and convince them of Abigail’s craziness, but would risk anything, even death, to save her husband from judgement by the other villagers who looked up to him.  These people had the chances to work against the evils brought to Salem through lies, not witchcraft, but when given the opportunities, their own morals and wants prevented them from acting upon the actions against innocent people. 

"Sinners" Follow Up Post

The true fear that the people felt was electrified through Jonathon Edwards' sermon.  The reactions today would have been different, because society has changed so drastically since then.  Today, God is viewed as an accepting and loving person, who does not judge harshly and will save anyone who asks for forgiveness of their sins.  This belief conflicts with the terrifying sermon that effected so many lives during the Puritan times.  In today's society, the punishments that are described are believed by the Church, but not to such a degree that we are all condemned for everything we have done wrong throughout life.  There is now a wider range of beliefs throughout the world, which would have definitely had an effect on the reaction of this sermon, and would not have been taken too seriously.  Today, life is more advanced where we have more of an understanding of the world around us, and is not related to religion in everything we do.  Life is where science is growing, multitudes of languages are spoken, different ways of life learned, and different cultures flare brightly throughout the world.  These differences make a more understanding and wider ranged area, where religion does not play such a huge role in society in present times.

Crucible Post 2

Crucible Post 2

In Act 2 of "The Crucible", the inhabitants of Salem are thrown through peril of power changes and accusations of witches.  Those accused by the young girls are sent to court and tried for witchery and conversing with the devil, and have to prove to the judges that they are not a witch.  Those who do not confess to being a witch are sent to hang, while those who lie and say they are witches are saved.  These lies show how opposite the world is now, that they had to lie and say they committed a crime to actually save themselves from death.  These choices on lying though are brought up in day to day life, where a person may lie about themselves to be just like anybody else and to be accepted by society.

Self image is a key role played in todays society.  Movie stars, singers, and other famous people show the perfect image of society, and many people change themselves to look like them.  This acceptance from everyone plays into day to day life, from dressing a certain way to acting a certain way.  Personally, lying about myself and what I believe in would not be the most appealing thing to do, but in necessary situations, I would be willing to lie about myself to fit in and not be judged.  This is only to protect myself from ridicule or other harming matters.  Risking your own personal identity is very downgrading of yourself, but in situations of life or death, or success and failure, I would take the chance to lie.  I wish I would have to strength to accept myself fully, and be confident enough to stand up for everything I believe in, but in todays society, that is a very difficult task to accomplish.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Introduction

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", a sermon by Jonathon Edwards delivered on July 8, 1741, struck fear into the hearts of all Christians of its time.  This sermon is extremely famous and was delivered to the colonies and help start the "Great Awakening".  The "Great Awakening" led people to seek salvation and to follow the lessons of the Bible.  This sermon made colonists fear God and brought them into real realization of Hell.   Edwards was kind to many people, and that is how he felt the need to help his people through his sermon.  His sermon was expressed to save everyones souls.  This sermon changed many of the people of this era's ways of life, seeking help from their religion and following it to the strictest degree.

The pictures in this video try to depict the true intensity on how Edwards' sermon was engrossed by the people.  It was graphic, and truly showed how the wrath of God could cast down upon the people.  It probably had spoken of how God would punish those who did not live in the light of Christianity, and his word.  Edwards attempted to show people the truest punishments that could be inflicted upon them if they do not follow his example and seek salvation.  This sermon brought fear into everyones eyes, and allowed people a second chance to try to save themselves from God's wrath.

Crucible Post 1

The power in Salem falls shifts at the end of Act 1 drastically towards the girls.  They hold control, because they can accuse others of being a witch.  Mr. Putnam’s daughter, for example, is used to gain land from other people by accusing them of being a witch.  Abigail is the main female driving force, she has complete control over everyone that she needs to have.  Through history, women played a small role in society, if any at all.  It is ironic that the sides could shift so drastically, even in a strict Puritan society, where women were barely looked well upon.  The Puritan society still will jump to conclusions without a doubt in their mind to look upon the devil as the excuse, even though it was accused by a couple of young girls.  In Salem, anyone who could point their finger and call out a witch held power over the Church, because it was against the religion and Church.  The power of this story is held by young women, whereas throughout that time, it was most likely not the case.  

Descriptive Post

A forest gently curves along a rolling plain of lively, green grass.  Light illuminates through the edge of the branches, allowing a break away from the darkness of a forest, and giving an air of happiness.  The trees stand tall, reaching towards that light, so they can feel taller than the ground below.  Within the forest, darkness creeps upon the army of trees, illustrating the contrast where the darkest part and the light mix.  Painted in green, this picture is seen through green light, and life is full of growth.  As the light filters through the electric green leaves, the scene is illustrated peacefully, where the trees, light, and grass are combined in one view of perfect harmony.  The branches reach outward, breaking the edge of the forest, as if they are parting with a friend.  The light breaks through darkness, green turns to black, and the forest is peaceful, where within the barriers may be disturbed peace, waiting for the moment to relax and become bright and lively once again. 

Class Expectations

English class is an extremely valuable learning tool, one that demands talent, not only the right answers, and if this talent is acquired, the options are limitless as an English scholar. In an honors English classroom, there are certain expectations called into view for each student that illustrate how to succeed. The expectations presented are among high standards, where a student must be organized, respectful, and hardworking throughout the entire lapse of the school year.

Arriving to class on time with all the necessary materials only breaches the surface of being an organized person. Organizational habits are extremely important throughout life, let alone as a student in school. Being a focused and attentive student throughout the class period shows control through actions and situations. A clearly organized writing piece and an essay also shows talent and is easier to read. Being organized is a way to show dedication through what is expected as a student. This also goes for many other ways to excel, like sports and other activities where a sloppy job will not win a game. The same goes for classes, the ones who arrive late or do not have all the materials they need generally will do worse. Organization is an expectation asked by teachers so students are given the chance to try their very best.

Undeniably, respect is a universal rule in day to day living. Everyone deals with situations where being respectful is accepted and expected out of each individual, no matter the consequences. Being respectful in an Honors English class at South High School requires the individuals to respect their own work and those around them. Plagiarism and the taking of others work is not an option that will go unpunished. The stealing of others work is disrespectful to the person who steals it, the others who actually took time out of their day to complete an assignment, let alone to the person who had their work stolen from them. Showing respect also to the teacher displays that their job is important and that learning is not a punishment, but actually an honor to withold, because others in the world are not so lucky. Each writing piece is unique in their own ways, and to respect own writing by taking pride in every assignment allows growth, while accepting flaws. While in a challenging and beneficiary class, a key role of respect will allow the chance of mental growth and learning throughout the year.

Obviously, a slackers work will not win or earn "A's" in the classroom. Being a hardworker at all times will assure an individual that they are going to do considerably better than those who do not try or procrastinate until the last minute. Pushing themselves to the extreme limits through writing will help growth, and trying the possible best they can do will definitely show improvement. Someone who tries is actually better off because it shows their skills now and how they can improve and grow. An honors student should be able to folow directions and be attentive throughout an entire lesson. Not being able to listen will show hrough writing, and those who do and work hard will be rewarded. Realizing and accepting strengths and weaknesses will help allow writing to expand and become better than before through improvement. A hardworker shows commitment, dedication, and willingness to improve and succeed.

Consequently, in an honors American Literature class, the expectations rise more so that other, simpler classes, where being organized, respectful, and hardworking will be demanded from each and every individual.

About Me

Hey! So my names Regan, named after the Shakespearean character from King Leer.  I have two younger sisters, and a mother.  I love excercising and working out, because I am a very athletic person.  Rowing is my life, where we cross train on Bell Isle and run miles upon miles, erg (or use those big rowing machines) and erg for miles, and I also use this thing called an oar to paddle my way through the Detroit River because I have that much skill.  I've been rowing since last Spring and I love it, it has truly become a place where I can go to compete, meet new friends, and push myself to my phisical limits.  Formerly, I was a synchronized swimmer for the Blue Dolphins South team, and won a state champion title in a group number.  It was exciting at the state competition, learning that we were a good match against the other high schools!  Sports have become my life and drive, where I push myself to my limits and always come back the next day with bruises and cuts: battle scars, as I like to say.

Over the Summer, I worked at the City Park Pool as a lifeguard and a synchronized swimming coach.  It is amazing all the funny things you can learn while working with kids, being their coach, and actually experiencing the feeling behind the sport, where the coaching comes in and direction.  The theme we expressed in our performances was all about girl power and inner strength, and I learned through all the girls I coached that they were each strong at whatever they did, even if they had been beginners into the sport, that under direction, they shined just as much as my solo number had.  I take pride in completing things, and pulling something together that is worthwhile the stress.  My sisters are both synchronized swimmers with me, and even though the sport is not well looked upon as a tough sport, anyone who tries it out will admit that it really is not as easy as they thought before.  The video above is from the 2000 Olympics, where a team from Japan is competing.

One of my loves is music.  I love almost all music, from country to rock and screamo.  My iPod is practically full to the brim with music, and all day I will be on YouTube looking up new music to listen to.  My favorite artist is Josiah Leming, an indie artist who was once on American Idol, but had not made it through.  I also love the band called Rise Against, because their music is very influential on lives, where in one song called Make It Stop (Septembers Children) deals with teenage suicide.  I play the violin, and lack great talent, but I still wouldn't consider myself terrible.  My favorite band, however, by far is The Beatles.  I love Paul McCartney with a passion!  I posted a picture of Josiah Leming below, somewhere...

In the eighth grade after my father had passed away the previous summer, we were assigned to write a memoir on something that changed your perspectives of life, or just was an influential moment that you will remember forever.  I wrote about the first couple of weeks after he passed, and how my best friend moved away to Libya almost right after.  I recieved an A+, and they wanted to post it in the schools literature magazine later on that year.  My teacher actually had sent it in to the Scholastic Writing Awards, and I won an honorable mention, which I have been quite proud of ever since.  I used to love writing poetry and stories, but I lost time with all my homework and extracurricular activities.  So all in all, I love to write.

As a person, I'm a great friend to anyone who wants me to be my friend.  I am goofy, silly, and hilarious.  People sometimes think I'm a natural born comedian, and I can make the saddest person smile (not that I'm bragging or anything).  I love meeting new people, and find it easy to talk with people most of the time.  My favorite color is blue, and I have noticed that I am always wearing blue at any time possible, so my nickname among my friends is "Blueberry".  I am constantly talking about sports, which annoys some of my friends after a while.  It's not my fault! I spend every day training with my team!  So I guess rowing took away my social life, but what can you do?  At least I have weekends off!

So well, this has been a little introduction into who I am as a person, and as a homework assignment, I guess I've reached the requirements, and now I have my AP US History book to read... :)