Journal #9 - Free Will vs. Determinism
Free Will - The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will.
Iago: “'tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our
gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners” (1.3 361-3).
Determinism - The philosophical doctrine that every event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedents, such as genetic and environmental influences, that are independent of the human will.
Othello: “Yet ‘tis the plague of great ones … ‘tis destiny unshunnable, like
death” (3.3 313-16).
Using the above definitions, write a paragraph that argues in support of each of the terms. In your paragraphs, use specific examples from Othello to support your ideas.
Iago says that our bodies are our garden and our wills are the gardeners. It is very true because what we do with that free will influences our souls and bodies. We have choices in life that we all must make and sometimes it is between doing the right thing or the wrong thing. Choosing that wrong thing of your own free will can really hurt our souls and body, such as in Othello. Othello chose to kill Desdemona without hardly any information or proof about her affair. That decision changed his life forever and ended up killing him. Our free will guides how our life will go and how we will end up as a person. We must keep our garden healthy.
Determinism is that every event, act, or decision is inevitable due to consequences of what came before. Othello says it is the plaque of great ones and that destiny is unavoidable just as death is unavoidable. Every event that happened in Othello happened due to consequences of decisions. Iago started his revenge based on the actions Othello did. Desdemona died because of the actions Othello thought she did. There is always a cause and effect because of actions before you. Destiny is inevitable.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Journal #8
Journal 8 - Emerson’s Aphorisms
Write a one paragraph personal response based on three of the following aphorisms. Your responses should address the point Emerson is making as well as your thoughts/feelings about what he is saying.
In aphorism number 5 Emerson is saying that in order to be great or something special you must be different and unique. People do not always understand others who are different or stand out, but those unique people end up doing great things that “normal” people would not. This inspires me to be who I really am and not change into a different person just because other people want me to. I should always be myself no matter what others think of me because one day I might aspire to greater things than them.
In aphorism 9 he is saying that what you see on the outside may not be hat is on the inside. People judge by what they see on first look before judging on what is on the inside. Just because the “weed” or person may look like nothing on the outside you may have thing still to discover on the inside. This makes me think about myself and how I think of other people. It makes me want to try harder to look past the outside and not judge so much.
In aphorism 13 Emerson is saying that we must take chances. Life is about living and doing anything and everything you can. Without these “experiments” in life, it would not be much of a fulfilled life. This makes me feel like I should go for anything I want to do and not be scared of failure. Every experience or chance I get to do something I should take it. You must always take chances.
1. Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.
2. Keep cool: it will all be one a hundred years hence.
3. Society acquires new arts, and loses old instincts.
4. We boil at different degrees.
5. To be great is to be misunderstood.
6. There are always two parties; the establishment and the movement.
7. When Nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it.
8. In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.
9. What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not been discovered.
10. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesman and philosophers and divines.
11. What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
12. All sensible people are selfish, and nature is tugging at every contract to make the terms of it fair.
13. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
14. The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
15. The god of the cannibals will be a cannibal, of the crusaders a crusader, and of the merchants a merchant.
Write a one paragraph personal response based on three of the following aphorisms. Your responses should address the point Emerson is making as well as your thoughts/feelings about what he is saying.
In aphorism number 5 Emerson is saying that in order to be great or something special you must be different and unique. People do not always understand others who are different or stand out, but those unique people end up doing great things that “normal” people would not. This inspires me to be who I really am and not change into a different person just because other people want me to. I should always be myself no matter what others think of me because one day I might aspire to greater things than them.
In aphorism 9 he is saying that what you see on the outside may not be hat is on the inside. People judge by what they see on first look before judging on what is on the inside. Just because the “weed” or person may look like nothing on the outside you may have thing still to discover on the inside. This makes me think about myself and how I think of other people. It makes me want to try harder to look past the outside and not judge so much.
In aphorism 13 Emerson is saying that we must take chances. Life is about living and doing anything and everything you can. Without these “experiments” in life, it would not be much of a fulfilled life. This makes me feel like I should go for anything I want to do and not be scared of failure. Every experience or chance I get to do something I should take it. You must always take chances.
1. Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.
2. Keep cool: it will all be one a hundred years hence.
3. Society acquires new arts, and loses old instincts.
4. We boil at different degrees.
5. To be great is to be misunderstood.
6. There are always two parties; the establishment and the movement.
7. When Nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it.
8. In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.
9. What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not been discovered.
10. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesman and philosophers and divines.
11. What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
12. All sensible people are selfish, and nature is tugging at every contract to make the terms of it fair.
13. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
14. The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
15. The god of the cannibals will be a cannibal, of the crusaders a crusader, and of the merchants a merchant.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Journal #7
Journal Assignment #7
William Cullen Bryant’s “To a Waterfowl” (p.151) and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (p.181)
Read the selections and write a detailed response to the following:
1. Compare/contrast the different views of nature that are being presented in the poems. Refer to the list of classical and romantic characteristics and provide specific examples from the poems to support your analysis.
These two poems are very different from one another in their meaning or content but have some similarities as well. The difference between these poems is that “To a Waterfowl” is a more optimistic and peaceful poem while “The Raven” is dark and depressing. One makes you feel good while the other makes you feel bad. These poems have two different views of the world. The most important decisions are either based on logic or your heart. The waterfowl embodies rationality, and balance and more of the leading your choices with logic. The Raven uses emotion and imagination leading more with your heart.
Also, both poems have views on nature but these views are different. In the raven nature is evil or indifferent to his suffering. He thinks it is harmful and torturing him. Nature in “To a Waterfowl” poem makes the writer think of his own life and God and the beauty of nature instead of the darkness of it. The author’s views of nature are very different.
The authors writing styles are also different. The waterfowl is more plain writing while “The Raven” is more ornate. The waterfowl is straight forward unlike the confusion and no resolution in the Raven. Also, both authors write in first person point of view. The setting in these poems is also different. The waterfowl has this sunset that brings a feeling of peace and beauty. In “The Raven” the bird is in the house and not in nature, making the author not interact with nature at all but the animal terrorizing him.
In “The Raven” the writer is dealing with an internal conflict in his mind while the waterfowl speaker comes away with an answer saying if you follow your heart God will lead you in the right direction. The waterfowl symbolizes God and his power of guidance. In the Raven the speaker is looking for that type of feeling but instead the bird keeps telling him “Nevermore” and that there is no afterlife, no heaven, and that he will never be reunited with Lenore.
There are few similarities in the writings but there are some. They are both about birds interacting with a person. There is some type of message the bird, or nature, gives to the person whether it is good or bad.
William Cullen Bryant’s “To a Waterfowl” (p.151) and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (p.181)
Read the selections and write a detailed response to the following:
1. Compare/contrast the different views of nature that are being presented in the poems. Refer to the list of classical and romantic characteristics and provide specific examples from the poems to support your analysis.
These two poems are very different from one another in their meaning or content but have some similarities as well. The difference between these poems is that “To a Waterfowl” is a more optimistic and peaceful poem while “The Raven” is dark and depressing. One makes you feel good while the other makes you feel bad. These poems have two different views of the world. The most important decisions are either based on logic or your heart. The waterfowl embodies rationality, and balance and more of the leading your choices with logic. The Raven uses emotion and imagination leading more with your heart.
Also, both poems have views on nature but these views are different. In the raven nature is evil or indifferent to his suffering. He thinks it is harmful and torturing him. Nature in “To a Waterfowl” poem makes the writer think of his own life and God and the beauty of nature instead of the darkness of it. The author’s views of nature are very different.
The authors writing styles are also different. The waterfowl is more plain writing while “The Raven” is more ornate. The waterfowl is straight forward unlike the confusion and no resolution in the Raven. Also, both authors write in first person point of view. The setting in these poems is also different. The waterfowl has this sunset that brings a feeling of peace and beauty. In “The Raven” the bird is in the house and not in nature, making the author not interact with nature at all but the animal terrorizing him.
In “The Raven” the writer is dealing with an internal conflict in his mind while the waterfowl speaker comes away with an answer saying if you follow your heart God will lead you in the right direction. The waterfowl symbolizes God and his power of guidance. In the Raven the speaker is looking for that type of feeling but instead the bird keeps telling him “Nevermore” and that there is no afterlife, no heaven, and that he will never be reunited with Lenore.
There are few similarities in the writings but there are some. They are both about birds interacting with a person. There is some type of message the bird, or nature, gives to the person whether it is good or bad.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Journal # 6
From Ben Franklin’s The Autobiography (p. 80 – 83)
Write a well-developed paragraph in response to the following questions.
1. Explain what was involved in Franklin’s plan for self-perfection? What conclusion did Franklin come to regarding the effectiveness of this plan?
Franklin planned self-perfection by picking certain virtues that to him at the time seemed most necessary, or desirable. There were thirteen, which he intended to master and have no fault in. He planned to work on one at a time starting with the first, Temperance, and once having mastered that, moving on to the next. To keep track of his progress he made a little book where he made a page for each of the virtues. “I ruled each page with red ink, so as to have seven columns, one for each day of the week, marking each column with a letter for the day.” Every fault he found for a virtue each day, he would mark down in the book. He hoped to give a week’s worth attention to each virtue starting with temperance. The first week he hoped to “avoid even the least offense against Temperance,” and to keep moving on through the virtues each week and mastering each. But he was surprised that he found himself with more faults than he thought causing him to make a new book and keep going. He found himself relapsing and almost got to the point of giving up because it became impossible. He never made it past Order because he never felt he fully reached balance or a clear mind in Temperance. Even though his self-perfection failed he says, “Though I never arrived at the perfect I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell short of it, yet I was, by the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it.”
2. Do you feel that a plan such as Franklin’s would improve you as a person? Why or why not? What would be your top five virtues?
I feel it would improve someone as a person. Even though the goal is unattainable you may have fewer faults than you would if you did not go through Franklin’s plan.
1. Silence
2. Order
3. Sincerity
4. Industry
5. Moderation
Write a well-developed paragraph in response to the following questions.
1. Explain what was involved in Franklin’s plan for self-perfection? What conclusion did Franklin come to regarding the effectiveness of this plan?
Franklin planned self-perfection by picking certain virtues that to him at the time seemed most necessary, or desirable. There were thirteen, which he intended to master and have no fault in. He planned to work on one at a time starting with the first, Temperance, and once having mastered that, moving on to the next. To keep track of his progress he made a little book where he made a page for each of the virtues. “I ruled each page with red ink, so as to have seven columns, one for each day of the week, marking each column with a letter for the day.” Every fault he found for a virtue each day, he would mark down in the book. He hoped to give a week’s worth attention to each virtue starting with temperance. The first week he hoped to “avoid even the least offense against Temperance,” and to keep moving on through the virtues each week and mastering each. But he was surprised that he found himself with more faults than he thought causing him to make a new book and keep going. He found himself relapsing and almost got to the point of giving up because it became impossible. He never made it past Order because he never felt he fully reached balance or a clear mind in Temperance. Even though his self-perfection failed he says, “Though I never arrived at the perfect I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell short of it, yet I was, by the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it.”
2. Do you feel that a plan such as Franklin’s would improve you as a person? Why or why not? What would be your top five virtues?
I feel it would improve someone as a person. Even though the goal is unattainable you may have fewer faults than you would if you did not go through Franklin’s plan.
1. Silence
2. Order
3. Sincerity
4. Industry
5. Moderation
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Journal #5
Journal #5 – from Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” (p.95-6)
1. Identify the specific argument that Paine is making in each paragraph. For each of the arguments, identify whether Paine is making an emotional, ethical, or logical appeal and suggest an effective counterargument.
#1- Thomas Pain is saying we need to standup against Britain and the tyranny. He says tyranny is not easily conquered but the harder it is the greater it is when you achieve it. This is an emotional appeal because it explains how sweet it will be when it is conquered, instead of focusing on the logic of the situation. He talks about how anything worth achieving in life does not come easy and if it comes to easy it’s not worth much.
Counter argument- Since Britain is a sovereign nation the King can tax you and do whatever he wants. A flaw would be that the Americans have very few advantages so the chances that they will win are very unlikely. Non-sequiter would be a fallacy because he compares slavery to taxation and that is a jump in logic to go from Britain to slave.
#2- The argument that Thomas Paine is making is his secret opinion that God will not let military powers destroy people that have tried to avoid the calamities of war. This is an ethical or moral argument. He says they are on the right side or morally right side so God will protect them.
Counter Argument- If the King of Britain believed that God gave him his power and was chosen by God why would he protect their enemy. Britain also believes heavily in God not just America. Logical counter argument may be that no one knows what side God chooses. He probably doesn’t want war and may not take sides at all. It is dogmatic because the Americans and Britain have faith in God instead of it being based on logic. A logic fallacy could be ad hominem because he attacks the king and compares him to a murderer. He is attacking the king as a person.
#3- The argument says that America may not be happy and at its best unless separated from Britain. He is saying that America will never be happy unless separated from foreign dominion, so do it right away and do not wait. He says to do it now for the children because war it going to come no matter what, and if they wait it will hurt the children. He is assuming a lot of things about the people of America and the future. He uses emotional appeal because he brings in the children. The logical appeal is that it will happen sooner or later, and ethical because it is right to sacrifice yourself for your children.
Counter argument: If you go to war for your child you may die and leave your child without a parent. Terrible things happen in war and it would not be better for a child if they lost their parent. What he is saying is a false dichotomy. He has no middle ground; he is saying that they either have peace or you have war, you either fight or you are a slave. It is two extremes with no middle ground. He ignores all the bad possible consequences and only looks at the good which would only happen if America won.
#4 It is saying that we need to stay up against Britain, saying that tyranny is hard to conquer, but if they are successful, it will be the best victory. “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” The argument is an emotional appeal. It is also a sentimental appeal because logically it is not going to be easy, and might get killed in trying to do so, but the thought of winning is a great feeling. Do not focus on the fact we are out number, focus that we are going to win and how great it is going to feel. Focus on emotions and not think with their minds. Well, you are not free country; you are subject of the king so the king can tax you back (ethical). Logically, the Americans have very few advantages and might not win. Paine was assuming triumph is going to occur. A fallacy was that it is sequiter. He compares taxation to slavery which is not related. He also uses argument by analogy which compares one thing to another.
2. Can you identify any of the logical fallacies that we discussed in Paine’s arguments? If so, which ones? Overall, what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Paine’s arguments?
Yes there are many logical fallacies stated in the paragraphs above. For example non sequiter, argument by analogy, and ad hominem are fallacies he uses to try and help his arguments. There are strengths and weaknesses in his arguments. The argument about the best for the kids has many holes. If you go to war for your kids you may die, leaving your kids worse than when you left for war. This argument is purely emotional which is a flaw in the argument because emotion should not be put into war or to make great decisions. A strength would be going to war defensively because you did not start it or are the bad guy. You must go to war with no choice making it easier to get people to support it.
3. Formulate a question that you would like discussed based on the reading.
Based on the excerpt, what point/quote/and or argument did Thomas Paine write that you believe would have been the most influential to the readers of this The Crisis, Number 1? Why?
I believe the last argument is the best because it shows you are fighting for a cause. You are fighting defensively, not offensively so you feel that you are fighting justly unlike the other side that came at you. You cannot help but fight when others attack you so it would be easier to do and get people in the war.
1. Identify the specific argument that Paine is making in each paragraph. For each of the arguments, identify whether Paine is making an emotional, ethical, or logical appeal and suggest an effective counterargument.
#1- Thomas Pain is saying we need to standup against Britain and the tyranny. He says tyranny is not easily conquered but the harder it is the greater it is when you achieve it. This is an emotional appeal because it explains how sweet it will be when it is conquered, instead of focusing on the logic of the situation. He talks about how anything worth achieving in life does not come easy and if it comes to easy it’s not worth much.
Counter argument- Since Britain is a sovereign nation the King can tax you and do whatever he wants. A flaw would be that the Americans have very few advantages so the chances that they will win are very unlikely. Non-sequiter would be a fallacy because he compares slavery to taxation and that is a jump in logic to go from Britain to slave.
#2- The argument that Thomas Paine is making is his secret opinion that God will not let military powers destroy people that have tried to avoid the calamities of war. This is an ethical or moral argument. He says they are on the right side or morally right side so God will protect them.
Counter Argument- If the King of Britain believed that God gave him his power and was chosen by God why would he protect their enemy. Britain also believes heavily in God not just America. Logical counter argument may be that no one knows what side God chooses. He probably doesn’t want war and may not take sides at all. It is dogmatic because the Americans and Britain have faith in God instead of it being based on logic. A logic fallacy could be ad hominem because he attacks the king and compares him to a murderer. He is attacking the king as a person.
#3- The argument says that America may not be happy and at its best unless separated from Britain. He is saying that America will never be happy unless separated from foreign dominion, so do it right away and do not wait. He says to do it now for the children because war it going to come no matter what, and if they wait it will hurt the children. He is assuming a lot of things about the people of America and the future. He uses emotional appeal because he brings in the children. The logical appeal is that it will happen sooner or later, and ethical because it is right to sacrifice yourself for your children.
Counter argument: If you go to war for your child you may die and leave your child without a parent. Terrible things happen in war and it would not be better for a child if they lost their parent. What he is saying is a false dichotomy. He has no middle ground; he is saying that they either have peace or you have war, you either fight or you are a slave. It is two extremes with no middle ground. He ignores all the bad possible consequences and only looks at the good which would only happen if America won.
#4 It is saying that we need to stay up against Britain, saying that tyranny is hard to conquer, but if they are successful, it will be the best victory. “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” The argument is an emotional appeal. It is also a sentimental appeal because logically it is not going to be easy, and might get killed in trying to do so, but the thought of winning is a great feeling. Do not focus on the fact we are out number, focus that we are going to win and how great it is going to feel. Focus on emotions and not think with their minds. Well, you are not free country; you are subject of the king so the king can tax you back (ethical). Logically, the Americans have very few advantages and might not win. Paine was assuming triumph is going to occur. A fallacy was that it is sequiter. He compares taxation to slavery which is not related. He also uses argument by analogy which compares one thing to another.
2. Can you identify any of the logical fallacies that we discussed in Paine’s arguments? If so, which ones? Overall, what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Paine’s arguments?
Yes there are many logical fallacies stated in the paragraphs above. For example non sequiter, argument by analogy, and ad hominem are fallacies he uses to try and help his arguments. There are strengths and weaknesses in his arguments. The argument about the best for the kids has many holes. If you go to war for your kids you may die, leaving your kids worse than when you left for war. This argument is purely emotional which is a flaw in the argument because emotion should not be put into war or to make great decisions. A strength would be going to war defensively because you did not start it or are the bad guy. You must go to war with no choice making it easier to get people to support it.
3. Formulate a question that you would like discussed based on the reading.
Based on the excerpt, what point/quote/and or argument did Thomas Paine write that you believe would have been the most influential to the readers of this The Crisis, Number 1? Why?
I believe the last argument is the best because it shows you are fighting for a cause. You are fighting defensively, not offensively so you feel that you are fighting justly unlike the other side that came at you. You cannot help but fight when others attack you so it would be easier to do and get people in the war.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Journal #4 - Food
French fries are a delicious, mouthwatering snack. When you first get them they have the most appetizing look. They have a golden brown tint with steam coming off and sometimes you can even see the tiny grains of salt that you know once you eat, will explode your taste buds. They feel rough on the outside and you know there will be a crunch when bitten into, but not so hard that it will break your teeth. On the inside is warm, mush that may not sound good to the ear but is a treat to the mouth. The smell of the fried, saltiness makes the mouth water. The first bite is always the most satisfying. There is a crunch followed by an overwhelming taste of sweetness from the salt. You know the grease is there from frying them because of what is left on your fingers, but the delicious taste of fried potatoes with salt, ketchup, mustard, and whatever other dips, makes you forget about all the grease you are eating.
The best snack to go with French fries is a vanilla milkshake. It looks like melted ice cream with a bit more thickness. It is so cold just like you are eating snow after a storm but it tastes like the most delicious creamy vanilla ice cream in the world. At first sip, your brain freezes just a little bit, like it would with a Slurpee, but combined with a hot frie will make your taste buds explode. The sensation of hot French fries and cold milkshake or ice cream makes the greatest combination in your mouth. It is like coming in after playing in the snow for a long time and sitting by the fire with a hot cup of hot chocolate. It is a comforting feeling you get and makes you crave more and more of it. This snack is one of the most appetizing because of the different textures, rough and slimy, and the different temperatures, hot and cold. It is great, try it.
Journal #3
“No Wonder They Call Me a Bitch” – Ann Hodgman
(The Norton Sampler p.77)
1. Cite three specific examples of Hodgman’s descriptive imagery that you find to be particularly effective.
• “There was a horrifying rush of cheddar taste, followed immediately by the dull tang of soybean flour—the main ingredient in Gainesburgers.”
• “I had been expecting to see the usual homogeneous scrapple inside, but each can of Cycle was packed with smooth, round, oily nuggets.”
• “There were chunks in the can, certainly—big, purplish-brown chunks. I forked on out and found that while it had no discernible chicken flavor, it wasn’t bad except for its texture—like meat loaf with ground-up chicken bones.”
2. What do you think Hodgman’s purpose was in writing this essay? What overall message/meaning do you take from the essay?
• The purpose of this essay was to see if dog food really tasted like the advertisings say they do. Hodgman wanted to see if the dog food was like people food as the advertisers say. I think the message is that looks can be deceiving. The outside containers were bright, and shiny, with colorful designs. The advisers wrote things on the containers like, “Great Meaty Tastes—without bothering the butcher. It would make anyone think that the content inside the container was good, but it was quite the opposite. You can’t always trust the exterior so you must also know the interior.
(The Norton Sampler p.77)
1. Cite three specific examples of Hodgman’s descriptive imagery that you find to be particularly effective.
• “There was a horrifying rush of cheddar taste, followed immediately by the dull tang of soybean flour—the main ingredient in Gainesburgers.”
• “I had been expecting to see the usual homogeneous scrapple inside, but each can of Cycle was packed with smooth, round, oily nuggets.”
• “There were chunks in the can, certainly—big, purplish-brown chunks. I forked on out and found that while it had no discernible chicken flavor, it wasn’t bad except for its texture—like meat loaf with ground-up chicken bones.”
2. What do you think Hodgman’s purpose was in writing this essay? What overall message/meaning do you take from the essay?
• The purpose of this essay was to see if dog food really tasted like the advertisings say they do. Hodgman wanted to see if the dog food was like people food as the advertisers say. I think the message is that looks can be deceiving. The outside containers were bright, and shiny, with colorful designs. The advisers wrote things on the containers like, “Great Meaty Tastes—without bothering the butcher. It would make anyone think that the content inside the container was good, but it was quite the opposite. You can’t always trust the exterior so you must also know the interior.
Jouranl #2
- Annie Dillard – “The Death of a Moth,” from Holy the
Firm
1. How are the moths in the essay’s opening different from the moth at the campsite? What do the different moths represent?
The moths in the beginning are already dead and empty while the moth at the campsite is not. The campsite moth has a really detailed description of the burning and is not emptiness. It shows the two different sides of life. The first ones are dead bits that have really no drive or passion while the burning one brought some light and beauty. Even though what that moth did was destructive, it was creative. If you want to achieve your goal you must be like the moth at the campsite that shows this burning, passion, and intensity.
2. What lesson does the moth provide that Dillard takes back to her students?
The lesson is to know what you want to do or find your passion and then really go for it and have that drive. Be like the moth in the campsite and go for your passion 100%.
3. How many references are there to fire in the essay? What’s the larger significance of fire in the essay?
There are many references to fire in the essay. The book title has fire in it, her focus at camp is on the moth that flies into the fire, at the end she talks about leaving candles burning at night, and the cat’s tail gets caught in the flame. The biggest reference to fire is the moth at the campsite that goes right for the fire and does not shy away. The larger significance is you must have your fire or inspiration and find that passion that drives you. You must be active and passionate and driven and do whatever it takes to do what you want.
4. Address how each of the following quotes connect to Dillard’s overall point.
a. “I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”
-Jack London
It brings to mind the two moths, the one that was empty and dried up and the other who went wholeheartedly to the fire even though it burned to death. It shows the two different ways of life. Not going for your passion and living a dull life, or live your life pursuing everything you want. Everyone should live your life to the fullest.
b. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
-William Butler Yeats
School is the time to be inspired and learn about yourself and what your true passion is. Then you must go out, give it everything you have got, and achieve it.
c. “A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.”
-Franz Kafka
It shows you need to go at your life with an ax. The book is the as that break up our ice. Must break down yourself and get in touch with who you are to find what you really want inside. Breaking down that ice will ignite that passion within us.
Firm
1. How are the moths in the essay’s opening different from the moth at the campsite? What do the different moths represent?
The moths in the beginning are already dead and empty while the moth at the campsite is not. The campsite moth has a really detailed description of the burning and is not emptiness. It shows the two different sides of life. The first ones are dead bits that have really no drive or passion while the burning one brought some light and beauty. Even though what that moth did was destructive, it was creative. If you want to achieve your goal you must be like the moth at the campsite that shows this burning, passion, and intensity.
2. What lesson does the moth provide that Dillard takes back to her students?
The lesson is to know what you want to do or find your passion and then really go for it and have that drive. Be like the moth in the campsite and go for your passion 100%.
3. How many references are there to fire in the essay? What’s the larger significance of fire in the essay?
There are many references to fire in the essay. The book title has fire in it, her focus at camp is on the moth that flies into the fire, at the end she talks about leaving candles burning at night, and the cat’s tail gets caught in the flame. The biggest reference to fire is the moth at the campsite that goes right for the fire and does not shy away. The larger significance is you must have your fire or inspiration and find that passion that drives you. You must be active and passionate and driven and do whatever it takes to do what you want.
4. Address how each of the following quotes connect to Dillard’s overall point.
a. “I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”
-Jack London
It brings to mind the two moths, the one that was empty and dried up and the other who went wholeheartedly to the fire even though it burned to death. It shows the two different ways of life. Not going for your passion and living a dull life, or live your life pursuing everything you want. Everyone should live your life to the fullest.
b. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
-William Butler Yeats
School is the time to be inspired and learn about yourself and what your true passion is. Then you must go out, give it everything you have got, and achieve it.
c. “A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.”
-Franz Kafka
It shows you need to go at your life with an ax. The book is the as that break up our ice. Must break down yourself and get in touch with who you are to find what you really want inside. Breaking down that ice will ignite that passion within us.
Journal # 1- Narrative
My name is Betty and my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer several weeks ago. I am the only one to take care of her because she is a single mother and moved us away from her family when I was only two. We live here in New York in an apartment together and the bills have been stacking up because of all her treatments she must have to stay alive. I never finished high school because I never did well and figured school was not for me. I regret that decision now. I am currently working at any place that will take a nineteen year old girl without a high school diploma. I work at this little diner, almost every hour of every day. I do not make too much money but it is enough to pay rent for now. My life is a mess and is not getting better. Because my mother and I have these hospital bills and must pay rent, as well as get basic necessities, we do not have money for me to go back to school so that I can get a better job and make more money for us. It is almost Christmas and the doctors say my mother is not doing well and may not make it to the New Year, so I will soon be alone in this world with hardly any money or future.
It is now June 1st 2012 and my mother passed away right before Christmas. Before she died she told me who my father was, and I finally got to meet with him. I got my G.E.D and am going to start college in the fall which my father is paying for, as well as the left over hospital bills. Even though my mother is gone now, I feel I am starting a new beginning, and I am excited. I hope to get my education, make more money than I ever got in that little diner I worked at, and make a sizable donation to the breast cancer foundation. Life is looking up.
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