The Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift gives an outlandish solution to a common issue: the poor on the streets and what they should do for money. He describes them as having "three, four, or six children, all in rags". He calls the infants in this situation "helpless". Still he claims he has the solution, though his purpose in doing so is strictly satirical. His real purpose is to show the people of his kingdom that the solution to poverty is simple- it is to share what we have.
Swift suggests solving this "deplorable state of the kingdom" by eating babies. It took a while for me to actually understand what his suggestion was; at first it just seems as though he is suggesting that children are a burden to their society. Then he goes into how mothers in these desperate situations murder their children, either through aborting pregnancies, or simply killing the child after its been born. At this point, the proposal seems like a slam on women, or a piece trying to get an emotional reaction from them. After he's said these statements though, he asks the question the proposal is really trying to answer, "How shall this number [of children] be reared and provided for?"
Swift begins his actually proposal in a way that makes the children seem like animals. He calls their mother's breeders, the children "reserved for breed", and then compares them to swine, black cattle, and sheep. He does this to dehumanize the children as he presents his proposal to eat them, which he reveals slowly throughout the paragraph. I saw this method as a way to make the proposal seem more modest; he doesn't just throw it on the reader, he says it slowly, bit by bit, as the paragraph goes on, until he reaches the end where he talks about seasoning them with pepper and salt and boiling them to perfection.
As he presents his argument, he backs it up with facts that make it seem like, if they are true, his proposal really isn't so outlandish at all. He gives evidence in numbers, even if they are made up, such as "I have reckoned that upon a medium, that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nursed, encreaseth to 28 pounds." The reality of his argument only adds to the satirical purpose. If it is so easy to support a wildly unusual argument like this, the more morally acceptable solution is obviously valid.
Swift makes suggestions for how to best use the infant and its flesh. He says the skin will make "admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for gentlemen." When I first read this, I was sure he only wrote this to be gross and involve his reader more. However, looking at it again, one can see that he is very openly sarcastic in these lines, showing the reader that he argument is about more than eating babies and allowing them to take a moment to understand the real problem he is trying to solve and how he really thinks it should be solved.
Swift points out the foolishness of the Irish people as he tells of them "now ready to stave for want of work and service". Though in A Modest Proposal, he says the solution to this is eating babies, the reader can tell that what he actually conveys to the Irish is a push to follow his underlying advice and not starve because they do not have everything they want, but make do with what they have and do not be afraid to bind together with others to all help each other.
One prominent feature of Swift's essay is the case of dehumanizing children and mothers by calling them "breeders". There seems to be a hint of sexism as well with his exclusion of men from his dehumanization. I see this as relating to his purpose, perhaps because he sees women as the ones who are not willing to help each other, and the ones who desire material things.
One thing that stood out to me as I reached the end of Swift's essay was the way that he constructed it like a legitamate essay- almost like a fancy Shaefer. He says as he begins to conclude, "I have been desired to emply my thoughts what course may be taken to ease the nation of so grievous and incumbrance." He then gives six reasons, all beginning with first, secondly, thirdly, fourthl, fifthly, or sixthly. At then end of his arguments he just begins listing off random reason why eating babies is good. His construction of his humourous piece as a very serious essay shows the reader that his purpose is not serious at all, because if it was, he'd have come up with a more appealing way to present it.
Swift's piece is satirical in its argument about eating babies, but presents the real issue of what to do with impoverished mothers. While at first the piece seems a gross presentation put out purely for reaction, with some analysis one can see that Swift's actual purpose was to show the Irish people how outlandish some of their solutions were and point to the actual solution- just make do with what you have and help each other.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Extended Journal Response
Ernest Hemingway presents his own definition of a hero through his books and novellas. To Hemingway, a hero is someone who stays graceful under pressure, doesn't talk openly about their emotion, and generally knows how to live their life. They seek the rewards of a good life, and are self-reliant and self-disciplined. Pedro Romero is The Sun Also Rises' Hemingway Hero.
Romero lives a life of up and down again. He is a bullfighter who stays calm in the face of mortal danger- when bulls are "charging and skidding with their forefeet". He keeps the cool, unaffected demeanor that Hemingway suggests a true hero can hold down, shown in the way his bullfighting style is described- as "smooth and suave". He stays stoic with regard to emotion. When hurt, Romero does not whimper and complain, but instead keeps his emotions and pain inside and presents a stable man to the world.
A drinker, but not a drunk, Romero knows how to live his life and seek the rewards of a life lived in with leisure in moderation. Where the others drink away their problems and involve themselves in hopeless relationships, Romero drinks just a little (a reward of life according to Hemingway) and sleeps with Brett Ashley once. His existent sense of moderation and moral direction show the reader that Romero has a life purpose that the group of expatriate friends do not.
Pedro Romero engages with others, but does not rely on them. This is a contrast to the expatriates who rely on each other throughout the book- especially Lady Ashley on Jake. He is also self-disciplined and steady. He keeps fighting- whether it be a bull in the ring or Robert Cohn in a bar. It's a trait that connects back to his unaffected attitude to create his full Hemingway hero character.
Today in America, we hold similar values as heroic traits. We look up to people who can control themselves, conduct themselves, and get things done in a graceful way. Some of our national heroes are our most successful presidents. Men like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt were not men who shirked under pressure. They led the country through some of it's most trying times, facing great opposition. Still, like a Hemingway hero, these men remained "graceful under pressure" and came out (like Romero) with much support and a victory to boast of.
American heroes don't necessarily hide their emotions as much as a Hemingway hero, but, like pressure, they don't let it affect them. Washington and Lincoln led during wars- times of great emotional baggage coming from the effected families. They did not allow their emotions to blur the success plan they had in their head.
As presidents, these men had quite the serious job, but it is hard for a man to be elected without a desirable personality. Visiting kids, making jokes, and great smile present the same kind of balanced up-tempo and work life make a man a potential hero to the American people. These things are America's more publicly acceptable version of the occasional alcohol and sex Romero partakes of.
One Hemingway hero trait our historical heroes definitely have is purpose- a definite and ambitious purpose that would starkly contrast to the meaningless lives of the expatriates. Romero shows he has a place he wants to go with his life by keeping a moral compass. Great American heroes declare their purposes- be it independence, unity, or stability, and stick to it rather than float around.
Our heroes do have definite support systems- huge amounts of people working around Washington to support their cause- just as Romero has lovers, fans, and friends who support him. But all these heroes are self-reliant. They operate without specifically being told what to do. Romero is independent in the bullfighting ring- obvious by the fact that he must fight for his life alone against the bull. Our country respects people who can make independent decisions if they have to- a trait those who lead in tough times must have.
All of the mentioned heroes at some point felt that they might die for their heroic actions- Romero by bulls, and the presidents by men who did not agree with them. Lincoln eventually did. But Hemingway's top trait for a hero is someone who can face opposition, even death gracefully- something society still idolizes today.
Romero lives a life of up and down again. He is a bullfighter who stays calm in the face of mortal danger- when bulls are "charging and skidding with their forefeet". He keeps the cool, unaffected demeanor that Hemingway suggests a true hero can hold down, shown in the way his bullfighting style is described- as "smooth and suave". He stays stoic with regard to emotion. When hurt, Romero does not whimper and complain, but instead keeps his emotions and pain inside and presents a stable man to the world.
A drinker, but not a drunk, Romero knows how to live his life and seek the rewards of a life lived in with leisure in moderation. Where the others drink away their problems and involve themselves in hopeless relationships, Romero drinks just a little (a reward of life according to Hemingway) and sleeps with Brett Ashley once. His existent sense of moderation and moral direction show the reader that Romero has a life purpose that the group of expatriate friends do not.
Pedro Romero engages with others, but does not rely on them. This is a contrast to the expatriates who rely on each other throughout the book- especially Lady Ashley on Jake. He is also self-disciplined and steady. He keeps fighting- whether it be a bull in the ring or Robert Cohn in a bar. It's a trait that connects back to his unaffected attitude to create his full Hemingway hero character.
Today in America, we hold similar values as heroic traits. We look up to people who can control themselves, conduct themselves, and get things done in a graceful way. Some of our national heroes are our most successful presidents. Men like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt were not men who shirked under pressure. They led the country through some of it's most trying times, facing great opposition. Still, like a Hemingway hero, these men remained "graceful under pressure" and came out (like Romero) with much support and a victory to boast of.
American heroes don't necessarily hide their emotions as much as a Hemingway hero, but, like pressure, they don't let it affect them. Washington and Lincoln led during wars- times of great emotional baggage coming from the effected families. They did not allow their emotions to blur the success plan they had in their head.
As presidents, these men had quite the serious job, but it is hard for a man to be elected without a desirable personality. Visiting kids, making jokes, and great smile present the same kind of balanced up-tempo and work life make a man a potential hero to the American people. These things are America's more publicly acceptable version of the occasional alcohol and sex Romero partakes of.
One Hemingway hero trait our historical heroes definitely have is purpose- a definite and ambitious purpose that would starkly contrast to the meaningless lives of the expatriates. Romero shows he has a place he wants to go with his life by keeping a moral compass. Great American heroes declare their purposes- be it independence, unity, or stability, and stick to it rather than float around.
Our heroes do have definite support systems- huge amounts of people working around Washington to support their cause- just as Romero has lovers, fans, and friends who support him. But all these heroes are self-reliant. They operate without specifically being told what to do. Romero is independent in the bullfighting ring- obvious by the fact that he must fight for his life alone against the bull. Our country respects people who can make independent decisions if they have to- a trait those who lead in tough times must have.
All of the mentioned heroes at some point felt that they might die for their heroic actions- Romero by bulls, and the presidents by men who did not agree with them. Lincoln eventually did. But Hemingway's top trait for a hero is someone who can face opposition, even death gracefully- something society still idolizes today.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Mitch Albom Explains How OJ Simpson Changed the World (Blog 17)
When I first saw the article Saga of OJ Still Alters Our Lives by Mitch Albom, I did not buy into the arguement Albom makes that the OJ Simpson trial was the most important event of the 1990s. While other events of the '90s also influence the world today, reading Albom's article convinced me that the trial should be counted with them.
Saga of OJ cites short term effects of the trial like Americans glued to their televisions and the world slowing down to watch OJ's trial. Many major news events cause this type of reaction, like the death of a well-known celebrity. But Albom also digs deeper into the long lasting social effects of the 1994 trial.
Albom makes a claim that the OJ Simpson trial caused Americans to mistrust the cops, the legal system, and different races. The judiciary and law enforcement systems were both accused of racial profiling toward Simpson's alleged murder of his caucasian ex-wife. Once the jury decided in favor of Simpson, "whites and blacks moved to opposite sides of the room". With this observation, Albom proves that, even if just for a while, the trial separated American whites and blacks socially. Albom's thorough research and analysis of the effect of the trial proves it was a major, if not the most important, event of the 1990s.
Saga of OJ cites short term effects of the trial like Americans glued to their televisions and the world slowing down to watch OJ's trial. Many major news events cause this type of reaction, like the death of a well-known celebrity. But Albom also digs deeper into the long lasting social effects of the 1994 trial.
Albom makes a claim that the OJ Simpson trial caused Americans to mistrust the cops, the legal system, and different races. The judiciary and law enforcement systems were both accused of racial profiling toward Simpson's alleged murder of his caucasian ex-wife. Once the jury decided in favor of Simpson, "whites and blacks moved to opposite sides of the room". With this observation, Albom proves that, even if just for a while, the trial separated American whites and blacks socially. Albom's thorough research and analysis of the effect of the trial proves it was a major, if not the most important, event of the 1990s.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Not a "Cowboy" Tone (Blog 16)
They love their job. They come to know more animals than people. They do not complain. Traits descibed by Gretchen Ehrlich in her essay About Men don't exactly sound like cowboy traits, but, according to her, they are; and more accurate than the stereotypical cowboy traits at that.
At times Ehrlich describes the stereotypical cowboy. She uses examples such as the Marlboro Man and describes men who have calloused hands and a sun-baked face. However, she does this with a sarcastic tone that creates a feeling that see doesn't believe the stereotypes. She shares experiences with actually cowboys using a different tone. Her tone is warm and respecting as she tells the stories of Wyoming cowboys. The tone change helps the reader to believe in her actual cowboys above the stereotypes seen in movies because it is straightfoward and not sacastic.
At times Ehrlich describes the stereotypical cowboy. She uses examples such as the Marlboro Man and describes men who have calloused hands and a sun-baked face. However, she does this with a sarcastic tone that creates a feeling that see doesn't believe the stereotypes. She shares experiences with actually cowboys using a different tone. Her tone is warm and respecting as she tells the stories of Wyoming cowboys. The tone change helps the reader to believe in her actual cowboys above the stereotypes seen in movies because it is straightfoward and not sacastic.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Breakdown of Secrecy (Blog 15)
According to Sante, secrecy is a thing of the past. In his essay, Secrets We Tell, he discusses three reasons for the breakdown of secrecy: The Soviet Union/KGB, media, and the internet. He cites the Soviet Union as a breakdown of secrecy because of they way they used information sharing and secrets to help their society. The media and the internet are certainly also enemies of secrecy. Gossip has become a huge public industry, creating a need for all kinds of tabloids, gossip television shows, and blogging. With the help of this network of information sharing, secrecy is not an option. Secrets, especially those concerning public figures, are constantly shared via the internet and media, most often without the secretholder's consent.
Teaching Values (Blog 14)
On a school day, a student spends about half of their waking hours at school. Since so much time is spent at school, some schools have taken it upon themselves to teach their students values and morals, to "raise" them. Yet, with such a range of values different families and groups believe in, what morals need to be taught? Should a child recieve a good citizenship award for standing up to a bully when his or her family may not believe in being assertive with abusers?
These personal values should not be taught in schools, but rather, at home. Topics such as how to treat a friend, how to solve conflict, and how to conduct oneself in public are, for the most part, a matter of opinion. With the exception of extreme or violent behavior, most ways to deal with these situations are viable and a matter of opinion.
Of course, schools should back up common sense values. These include things like don't come to school with weapons or no clothing on, things that can cause legitimate trouble in the outside world. Still, as far as opinion values go, they should be taught at home.
These personal values should not be taught in schools, but rather, at home. Topics such as how to treat a friend, how to solve conflict, and how to conduct oneself in public are, for the most part, a matter of opinion. With the exception of extreme or violent behavior, most ways to deal with these situations are viable and a matter of opinion.
Of course, schools should back up common sense values. These include things like don't come to school with weapons or no clothing on, things that can cause legitimate trouble in the outside world. Still, as far as opinion values go, they should be taught at home.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Classification of Movies (Blog 13)
Every average movie, and some great, can be categorized. I categorize a movie by its purpose. The five purposes I chose to classify movies are:
Made for the Effects:
Examples- X-men, Ironman
Made to Create Good Feelings:
Examples- Hairspray, Lion King
Made to Give Hope to Romantics:
Examples- Music and Lyrics, 27 Dresses
Made for Laughs:
Examples- Wild Hogs, Cheaper by the Dozen
Made to Make People Think:
Examples- Inconvinient Truth, Precious
Judgement of a movie is, of course, a matter a preference and opinion. Some of these movies, like Music and Lyrics, I consider wonderful. Others I feel are just average. Despite the obvious place of personal preference in the judgement of movies, some movies are accepted, in general, as being monumental. The trait that causes such acclaim has to do with where it is categorized, in a way. Truly fantastic movies cannot be classified by one purpose. An example of a universally loved movie is Shrek. The animated movie used the lastest and greatest animation had to offer, employed some of the best actors in comedy, and followed a simple, yet meaningful, plotline about love and judging people for who they are, not what they look like. By these merits, it fits in every category. This trait creates great movies. They have something for everyone and cannot be categorized by stereotypes of any kind.
Made for the Effects:
Examples- X-men, Ironman
Made to Create Good Feelings:
Examples- Hairspray, Lion King
Made to Give Hope to Romantics:
Examples- Music and Lyrics, 27 Dresses
Made for Laughs:
Examples- Wild Hogs, Cheaper by the Dozen
Made to Make People Think:
Examples- Inconvinient Truth, Precious
Judgement of a movie is, of course, a matter a preference and opinion. Some of these movies, like Music and Lyrics, I consider wonderful. Others I feel are just average. Despite the obvious place of personal preference in the judgement of movies, some movies are accepted, in general, as being monumental. The trait that causes such acclaim has to do with where it is categorized, in a way. Truly fantastic movies cannot be classified by one purpose. An example of a universally loved movie is Shrek. The animated movie used the lastest and greatest animation had to offer, employed some of the best actors in comedy, and followed a simple, yet meaningful, plotline about love and judging people for who they are, not what they look like. By these merits, it fits in every category. This trait creates great movies. They have something for everyone and cannot be categorized by stereotypes of any kind.
Pink Flamingo Reflection (Blog 12)
Self-Check:
1) Yes, I think I answered the prompt well. I adressed the main arguements the author made concerning idolization and culture.
2) My thesis could have been a bit clearer and more direct to the prompt.
3) My essay focuses on two main points but they come together pretty well to answer the prompt.
4) Though the timed situation restricted me from covering my topics as thoroughly as they should have been, I did focus on two main arguments and develop them.
5) I should have used more direct quotes rather than just alluding to the text.
Reflection:
1) I got to learn about an interesting subject while writing this essay and my interest in the subject made writing it easier.
2) I didn't go into the flamingo in other cultures due to a lack of time despite its importance to the original text.
3) If given more time I would add more supporting evidence from the text and expand on the other culture idea.
4) Because I outlined as soon as I read the prompt, my structure remained consistent with just a few bumps where I couldn't get my thoughts together about certain parts of the text I planned to talk about.
5) As I wrote I saw that the essay moves its perspective of the flamingo from a front lawn to a global perspective, an interesting way to organize the essay.
6) For the next timed write, I need to support my claims with more quotes and focus only on concepts I know I can support.
1) Yes, I think I answered the prompt well. I adressed the main arguements the author made concerning idolization and culture.
2) My thesis could have been a bit clearer and more direct to the prompt.
3) My essay focuses on two main points but they come together pretty well to answer the prompt.
4) Though the timed situation restricted me from covering my topics as thoroughly as they should have been, I did focus on two main arguments and develop them.
5) I should have used more direct quotes rather than just alluding to the text.
Reflection:
1) I got to learn about an interesting subject while writing this essay and my interest in the subject made writing it easier.
2) I didn't go into the flamingo in other cultures due to a lack of time despite its importance to the original text.
3) If given more time I would add more supporting evidence from the text and expand on the other culture idea.
4) Because I outlined as soon as I read the prompt, my structure remained consistent with just a few bumps where I couldn't get my thoughts together about certain parts of the text I planned to talk about.
5) As I wrote I saw that the essay moves its perspective of the flamingo from a front lawn to a global perspective, an interesting way to organize the essay.
6) For the next timed write, I need to support my claims with more quotes and focus only on concepts I know I can support.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Definition Essay Reflection (Blog 11)
Culminating Writers Profile:
1) Since I started AP Language I have come to expect my essays to go through many phases before the final copy. I've been trying to get more in the habit of outlining and preplanning to better structure my essays.
2) My strengths lie in the creative parts of forming an essay and in tying things up well. I'm learning to reinforce these by strengthening body paragraphs.
3) My weakness is getting off track when dealing with a confusing prompt. I'm trying to get in the habit of really clarifing what I'm being asked by the prompt before I start writing.
Evaluating My Writing Process:
1) If I had time to write another draft I would be more sure to show my views that are different from the already accepted views more prominently.
2) The easiest things to change were simple things like sentence structure and wording.
3) I struggled to work my example story into the main essay better.
Evaluating My Sucesses:
1) My most successful large scale revision was restructuring my essay to make my point and purpose flow better.
2) According to those who reviewed my essay, my strongest use of language was in the concluding paragraph where I listed the decending nouns relating to overachieving.
3) I'm not sure on this one, maybe when I gave the specific stories of students...
Being Honest With Self:
1) I was intimidated by selecting a topic because I was afraid I'd pick a cliche one. I combated this fear by selecting something I'm used to talking about that I've developed unique ideas about over the years.
2) The texts we used in preparation for this essay, like those about connotation, helped me understand what I was supposed to accomplish.
3) Through other students I was able to become comfortable using myself as an example. (I always thought that was the worst thing you could do in an essay.)
4) Soiyer helped me word my introduction better.
5) This essay developed me into a better writer because it indroduced me to a new genre I can now use to express different ideas I have.
1) Since I started AP Language I have come to expect my essays to go through many phases before the final copy. I've been trying to get more in the habit of outlining and preplanning to better structure my essays.
2) My strengths lie in the creative parts of forming an essay and in tying things up well. I'm learning to reinforce these by strengthening body paragraphs.
3) My weakness is getting off track when dealing with a confusing prompt. I'm trying to get in the habit of really clarifing what I'm being asked by the prompt before I start writing.
Evaluating My Writing Process:
1) If I had time to write another draft I would be more sure to show my views that are different from the already accepted views more prominently.
2) The easiest things to change were simple things like sentence structure and wording.
3) I struggled to work my example story into the main essay better.
Evaluating My Sucesses:
1) My most successful large scale revision was restructuring my essay to make my point and purpose flow better.
2) According to those who reviewed my essay, my strongest use of language was in the concluding paragraph where I listed the decending nouns relating to overachieving.
3) I'm not sure on this one, maybe when I gave the specific stories of students...
Being Honest With Self:
1) I was intimidated by selecting a topic because I was afraid I'd pick a cliche one. I combated this fear by selecting something I'm used to talking about that I've developed unique ideas about over the years.
2) The texts we used in preparation for this essay, like those about connotation, helped me understand what I was supposed to accomplish.
3) Through other students I was able to become comfortable using myself as an example. (I always thought that was the worst thing you could do in an essay.)
4) Soiyer helped me word my introduction better.
5) This essay developed me into a better writer because it indroduced me to a new genre I can now use to express different ideas I have.
Friday, September 17, 2010
To Be Nobody (Blog 10)
No one is truly a nobody. Every person living is a person, and therefore, somebody. However, some use the term to describe a certain type of somebody. Someone who is called a "nobody" is generally someone reclusive, without devotion to something or someone, someone with nothing to associate themself with.
It's highly unlikely that someone is born a nobody. When children are born, they are hopefully associated with their family, and taken in as a somebody. What causes nobodiness comes later. When someone is either unwilling or uninvited to "get in there" and make a name for themself, they may end up later as a "nobody". Not necessarily defining oneself, but finding something that makes them who they are is a cure for the feeling of nobodiness.
It's highly unlikely that someone is born a nobody. When children are born, they are hopefully associated with their family, and taken in as a somebody. What causes nobodiness comes later. When someone is either unwilling or uninvited to "get in there" and make a name for themself, they may end up later as a "nobody". Not necessarily defining oneself, but finding something that makes them who they are is a cure for the feeling of nobodiness.
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