LOTF Ch.12 Journal

        I felt the end of the book was okay, I would have liked to have seen what happened after the rescue, as it was kind of sudden. Ralph cried at the end of the book because he was just about to be killed, his friends have been murdered, and he can finally leave that nightmare. I despise Jack the most because he was mean for no reason, selfish, and irrational. Also, his lack of understanding for the need for rescue, and putting hunting above it, caused him to be a annoying. I guess I would recommend the book, I don't like reading but it was short and entertaining.

Ch.11 ?'s

1. Ralph's group decides they must go to Jack's group to get back Piggy's specs.
2.The twins for the first time are noticing Ralph's anger towards Jack.
3.Ralph's group still has morals, and is not willing to kill, whilst Jack's group doesn't.
4.Rodger pushes off the rock to show power, superiority, and make Ralph fearful.
5.The conch symbolizes order and it being shattered represents the end of order on the island.
6.The chief serves as a parental figure, guiding the group and solving problems.
7. Why did you feel the need to attack Jacks group when you could have just asked? Why are you so obsessed with hunting more then your rescue? Do you have any remorse for killing Simon and Piggy?
8.        The days on the island have faded from fun to sociopathic savagery. The time has come and the group has split and the blood of the innoncent has been shed and carried out to the sunset of the open water. Simon and Piggy were the thinkers and true helpers of the island and now they've been killed in the brutalist of ways.
            I dont know how much longer I can take on this island the chanting is audible and the lighting isn't striking the same spot twice. The group has waned and shrunk too only me. I have become the prey, the sow wandering in the jungle.
         

Ch.10 ?'s

1. In the beginning of the chapter Ralph and Piggy talk about the previous night with Ralph stating "that was murder." (Golding 156) and Piggy trying to rid the blame by saying things like "Coming in the dark-he hadn't no business crawling like that out of the dark. He was batty. He asked for it." (Golding 157) and "'It was an accident."' (Golding 157). Later, Ralph an Piggy decide to not tell Samneric that they took part in the dance and make themselves feel better by saying they were on the outside. Samneric decide on the same thing, "'Was it a good- '"... "'-dance?' Memory of the dance that none of them had attended shook all four boys convulsively.” (Golding 158).

2. Jack and Ralph's explanations of Simon's death differ. Jack believes that it was the beast in disguise, "He came-disguised." (Golding 160). Also, Jack is in denial, "'But didn't we, didn't we--?' He squirmed and looked down. 'No!'" (Golding 160).  Ralph on the other hand believes that it was murder but tries to rid of the blame by saying he didn’t take part when he knows he did.

3. Jack's order to have Wilfred beat shows his leadership is tyrannical and cruel. Also, Robert's statement, "'I don't know. He didn't say. He got angry and made us tie Wilfred up.'" (Golding 159) shows that his leadership is autocratic. Jack's ambush on Ralph's camp shows his savagery, “Someone tripped over Ralph and Piggy's corner became a complication of snarls and crashes and flying limbs. Ralph hit out; then he and what seemed like a dozen others were rolling over and over, hitting, biting, scratching.” (Golding 167).

* Jack is now the official leader as he is the one with the most power shown in his ambush. Also, he has more followers and now Piggy's glasses which are Ralph's whole plan.

Piggy: curls up
Ralph: bites someone’s finger, hammer fists Eric’s face
Sam: thrown off guard and got mixed up with himself in the corner
Eric: kneed Ralph between the legs
Jack: ambushes, fights, and steals Piggy's glasses
Rodger: ambushes, gets punched by Ralph and fights

Ebola Editorial ?'s

1. Betsy McCaughey says the problem is Ebola patients should not be cared for in local hospitals, due to accidental spreading and death, but to build more bio-containment facilities for Ebola patients.

2. McCaughey's solution is to build more bio-containment facilities.

3. Sean Kaufman says the CDC’s guidelines for protective gear in treating Ebola patients is  “absolutely irresponsible and dead wrong.”

4.  Rep. Michael Burgess states CDC chief Frieden is more protected in Africa wearing a full head-to-toe suit then American nurses and doctors.

5. a) I agree with McCaughey's recommendation.
    b) My parents also agree with McCaughey's recommendation.

Article Summary

         In the formal article titled Congressman Tim Ryan Changes Position On Abortion After talking To Women, Laura Bassett discusses a congressman and his change of opinion on abortion. First, Basset states that recently Ryan has changed his mind on abortion and she also provides a quote. In the quote Ryan states he has changed his mind after interviewing multiple women and seeing how complex the situation really is, in the end he says “the heavy hand of the government must not make this decision for women and families.” Next Bassett introduces Ryan who was raised Catholic and has voted for numerous abortion restrictions since he was elected to congress in 2003 up until now. Also, Bassett inserts a direct quote from Ryan’s op-ed, that states as he got older his position has evolved and he respects both sides, but he restates his new opinion again, “we must trust women and families-not politicians-to make the best decision for their lives”. In addition, he believes government has the ability to play a significant role by giving woman and families the tools they need to prevent unintended pregnancies by expanding education and access to contraception. Finally, Bassett includes a quote from Stephanie Kight, CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, “We look forward to working with Congressman Ryan to ensure that all women, no matter where they live or how much money they have, can access the care they need without political interference.”

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/28/tim-ryan-abortion_n_6563314.html

Essay: Conversion Therapy

             “I believe it causes all sorts of trauma and I know that there are people who have taken their life because they felt so ashamed of who they are and felt like God couldn’t love them as they are, and that’s something that will haunt me till the day I die” said Alan Chambers, Former President of Exodus International (most well-known conversion group). Conversion therapy is a very harmful practice that is only illegal to use on minors in California, New Jersey, Washington D.C., and needs to be illegal everywhere.

             The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Counseling Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American School Counselors Association, National Association of School Psychologists, and National Association of Social Workers all say being a part of LGBTQ is not a disease and does not need to be “cured”. In conversion therapy, a method to “repair’ a man’s masculinity would be to participate in sports, avoid activities of interest to homosexuals, avoid women unless it’s for romantic contact, spend time with heterosexual men, attend church, and engage in heterosexual activity. Another method is spiritual condemnation such as this statement from a head pastor, John MacArthur, “alienate, isolate, not have a meal with and give over to Satan your homosexual child”. Lastly there is aversion treatment which involves causing pain and associating it with homosexual acts. Conversion therapy causes depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, isolation, anxiety, and poor self-esteem.

             Recently Leelah Alcorn, a transgender girl, committed suicide because she felt the life she would’ve lived wasn’t worth living. In her suicide note she states she was taken to conversion therapy where she was told she was selfish and wrong. She also says that “The only way I’ll rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren’t treated the way I was, they’re treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights”. Since her passing a petition to ban conversion therapy has been signed by 330,519 people.

            In conclusion, conversion therapy is highly unsuccessful and causes harmful side effects. More than 330,000 people and I agree that it should end, so should you.           

https://www.change.org/p/president-of-the-united-states-enact-leelah-s-law-to-ban-transgender-conversion-therapy?just_created=true

Joy Luck Club Essay: Prompt 3

            When Suyuan died, Jing-mei has to all of a sudden fill her mother’s shoes by replacing her at the Joy Luck Club and fulfilling her mother’s greatest wish for Jing-mei to meet her daughters and tell them about their mother’s life. Jing-mei fulfilled her mom’s legacy and honored her.

             She honored her mother when she became the fourth corner at the Joy Luck Club mah jong table and kept the tradition going. The Joy Luck Club was started by her mother in Kweilin, China to cope with horrors of the war; it was a time for her and her friends to be happy, eat lots of food, tell stories, and bet over mah jong. Suyuan continued the tradition in America.

            Jing-mei always felt like she couldn’t live up to her mother’s expectations, until one night Suyuan gave her the jade pendant at a point where Jing-mei was filling terrible about herself, and assured her she had the best quality heart. Suyuan called this pendant Jing-mei’s life importance,

and as Jing-mei grew older it represented her development and understanding of her mother’s gestures. Also as she gets older, Jing-mei learns more about herself and her mother and the meaning of the pendent deepens, just as the color of the jade. This shows that her mother is proud of her and sees her for who she is.

            At the Joy Luck Club table Jing-mei got the opportunity to fulfil her mother’s long-cherished wish to go to China to see her sisters. Jing-mei reunites with her sisters and fulfils her mother’s legacy.

            Jing-mei’s mother’s wish has been fulfilled, and through the process, Jing-mei feels that she has come closer to her mother and now her sisters can learn about their mother through her.

Leopard Man Response Questions

9) Tom Leppard is called Leopard Man because his skin is tattooed to look like the skin of a leopard.

10) The author finds people who have piercing and tattoos unimpressive as he sees them as desperate for attention in society.

11) Leopard man is different from other non-conformists with tattoos and piercing because e doesn't act the way he does for attention, but genuinely enjoys living a secluded lifestyle.

12) Leopard Man lives in a small cabin in the Scottish wilderness.

13)According to Feyes, society fears what they don't understand, especially loners. He states they pursue their own values without seeking others' permission or permitting others to hamper them.

14) The " world's most prevalent and most pernicious psychological disorder" is conformity. Feyes states living in society we are pressured to conform opposed to being an individual, which can lead to the destruction of one's self.

15) Leopard Man is happy because he lives the way he wants to without societal pressures and people to ridicule him.

Diction Handout

1."...I only climbed on the spare spar and leaned over the rail as far as i could..."

2. Opaque: Not able to be seen through; not transparent
    Elongated: Make longer; extended
    Phosphorescent: Exhibiting an luminous appearance
    Elusive: Difficult to find or catch
    Cadaverous: resembling a corpse; corpselike

     Paraphrase: The water on the side of the ship was unable to be seen but I spotted something long and pale floating close to the ladder. A light flashed and I was unable to identify what it was but then I saw it, a headless corpse exhibiting a greenish glow. My cigar dropped from my mouth and I hung over the rail staring at the mystery stirring from the sea at the bottom of the ladder.

 3.The use of elevated language is definitely more descriptive and gives the readers the feeling of isolation and eeriness, while the paraphrased version is more for comprehension as it doesn't catch the tone or mood very well.

4. - "But i saw at once something elongated and paled floating very close to the ladder."
    - "With a gasp I saw revealed to my stare a pair of feet, the long legs, abroad livid back immersed right up to the neck in a greenish cadaverous glow.
    - " One hand, awash, clutched the bottom rung of a ladder."
    - "The cigar dropped out of my gaping mouth with a tiny plop and a short hiss quite audible in the absolute stilness of all things under heaven."

5. I think the Conrad left the captain, crew, and ship nameless for the sense of immersion.
6. The denotative meaning of  The Secret Sharer is a person who shares without others knowing.
Word                   Denotation                                  Connotation
Cadaverous          resembling a corpse                     emotionless
Darkling               growing darkness                        (ideas)fading away
Pale                      light complexion                          corpselike
Phosphorescence emission of light w/o heat            outgoing
Ghastly                shockingly frightful                      frightening creature
Headless              without a head                               idiotic
Fishlike                resembling the qualities of a fish  skiddish

Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer Lit. Analysis

Part 1: The book starts off in Foer's early years telling of the world's greatest cook (when he was younger) his grandmother; his fatherhood, when he started researching for the book: and his wife and their label as vegetarians who sometimes ate meat. The book being non-fiction, partially autobiographical, and informative, it lacked a climax. The book goes on to tell the relationship of "farm animals" to household pets, the technology that is harming our sea life, words and their meaning, farming and farmers, the effect of genetically modified food, the effect of farm animals on the environment, and ends with a chapter on thanksgiving, more specifically, the turkeys.

Part 2: The main theme of this book is facing reality. "While it is always possible to wake a person who is sleeping, no amount of noise will wake a person who is pretending to be asleep" stated by Foer. Foer decided to focus on this theme because the dangers of ignorance. Factory farming genetically farmed food is not beneficial to us besides producing a lot of meat that we don't need and is harmful to us, animals, and the environment.

Part 3:  Being non-fiction, the closest to a protagonist is Foer himself. Foer is a well-rounded guy who can see two sides of the story. While being a vegetarian and seeing that meat is not necessary for human consumption, he still has respect for farmers that take care of and treat animals correctly. "But I went to farms where animals were treated better than I treat my dogs, and it would be impossible to honestly try to argue that they don't have good lives. So, of course, they're killed in the end, but our lives are destined for death also." This statement by Foer shows that he has respect for progress being made in ending factory farming.

Part 4: A significant symbol from the novel would be a food label, free-range, fresh, and organic. These labels almost mean nothing. Free-range means "access to the outdoors", which could mean a small door that is sometimes open at the end of the shed containing 30,000 chickens. "Fresh" can be frozen and there is no time component to food freshness. To be organic the animal has to be raised on organic feed, traced through their life cycle, not fed antibiotics or growth hormones, and have "access to the outdoors." the book, being about the food industry, shows the misconception that consumers have because the little information food corporations have to provide about where their food comes from.

Part 5: When I saw the book it appealed to me because I'm vegetarian and I knew it would relate to me. I also enjoy learning about our food industry and the effects it has on people, animals, and the environment.

Part 6: Since the book is non-fiction these events really do happen and it's eye opening to read or see about how the food on your table came to be. About a year and a half ago I saw an opportunity, one of my really close friends was a vegetarian, and me not being someone who likes to join things on their own, I hopped on the train.

Part 7: "Common Farming Exemptions (CFE) make legal any method of raising farmed animals so long as it is commonly practiced in the industry." The CFE is definitely something I will remember because it's insane how the government give corporations power to define what's cruel in the farming industry.

Latin Roots #6

Roots and Derivatives

1. corp(or) (body): corpse, corporation, corps, corpuscle, corporeal, corpus, corset
2. cred (to believe, to trust): credo, credit, discredit, credence, credentials, accreditation
3. cur(r), curs, course (to run, to flow): current, excursion, discourse, concur, recourse, curriculum, recurrent
4. dic(t) (to speak, to say): diction, indication, edict, jurisdiction, dictionary, addict, interdiction

Word List

Benediction: n :the invocation of a divine blessing, at the close of a religious service; a blessing or a state of blessedness

·         The benediction of the funeral was very long as every person blessed their beloved family member.

Concourse: n :a running or flowing together; a broad public walkway or hallway; a crowd or throng

·         The concourse to the main stage was very crowded.

Concurrent: a :occurring at the same time; meeting or acting together

·         The amount of feces being produced in factory farms is concurrent at about 80,000 pounds per second.

Corporal: a :related to the physical body

·         A corporal examination of your body is often called a physical.

Corpulent: a :very stout; fleshy and obese; fat

·         In ancient times being corpulent in size was a sign of wealth.

Credibility: n :the quality of being believable or trustworthy

·         The bank will not loan you money if you have bad credibility.

Credulity: n :the (naive) willingness to believe too easily without proof

·         The credulity of my mom combined with the sarcasm of my brother causes her to be confused often.

Cursory: a :done in a superficial or hasty manner

·         The cursory manner of our meat production in factory farms causes cruelty to animals.

Dictum: n :an authoritative saying or  maxim

·         My teachers use of dictums annoy me as they always state the obvious

Incorporate: v  :to form into one body or functioning unit; to combine several different things into a whole

·         The game studio decided to incorporate all their previous games into one for the next generation of gaming systems.

Incredulous: a :not believing, skeptical, or doubting

·         The community shows an incredulous feeling on where there tax money goes to.

Indicative: a :characteristic of or very much like; suggestive

·         The  label was indicative of warnings and precautions.