Describe one of your core beliefs. How is that belief seen in your life?

One of my core beliefs is that kindness is free. What this means to me is that kindness is one of the easiest gifts to give, even if you have nothing else. I'll often go out if my way to help others if I can, and when someone else helps me it usually has an emotional impact on me.

Crucible Act I Question

Considering the strict rules and punishments of the Puritan society, was Tituba justified in confessing and naming names to protect herself? Were the other girls? Be sure to support your answer.

I feel like Tituba was justified in naming other girls in her confession. Abigail kind of threw her under the bus when she accused her of working with the devil when she and all the rest of the girls were going along with Tituba. However, I don't think the other girls were justified, because Tituba was just confessing to save herself. The other girls joining in was kind of overkill.

Great Gatsby Chapter 7 Questions

1. What does Daisy represent to Gatsby?

Daisy represents Gatsby's motivation for his actions throughout the story. Gatsby does everything he can to get back together with Daisy, such as befriending Nick, firing all of his previous maids once they start being together again to avoid gossip, and even making a ton of money in order to give Daisy the financial security she married Tom for.

2. Do you think Gatsby loves Daisy or merely what she represents?

I believe that Gatsby really only loves Daisy for what she represents, the "American Dream". Gatsby has all this money, a nice house, throws lavish parties, but all he's missing is someone to love. Gatsby specifically wants Daisy because he remembers all the good times he had when they were together, and wants to relive that with her.

Great Gatsby: Daisy

1. At this point, what do you know and what is your opinion of Daisy?

Daisy is Nick Carraway's cousin and is married to Tom Buchan. Tom is having an affair with a woman named Myrtle Wilson. Daisy knows of the affair between Tom and Mytle.

I think Daisy deserves much better since she's just a woman who wants what's best for her child. I wish that she and Tom would split.

2. Do you think Tom will leave Daisy for Myrtle? Support your answer.

I do not think Tom will leav Daisy. They are both unhappy, but they have a child. I think they will stay together for the sake of the child. Also Tom beats Myrtle when he's drunk.

Booktube Review: A Boy and a Jaguar

Book Title:

A Boy and a Jaguar.

Was the video engaging for children?

Not really, the people in the vide were just presenting the information in a normal way. They didn't really make it fun or interesting. They did have some nice music in the background though.

Would I have read the book if I were in elementary school?

Being honest, I probably would not have read the book. I didn't really read in elementary school anyway. The only time I ever read was if someone else was reading to me.

Waste Land Documentary Questions

1) What is the context of this piece

Poor people in Brazil earn money by collecting recyclables out of the landfills and selling them.

2) What is the artist's motivation for creating art in this format?

Muniz wants to raise awareness for the poor people in Brazil. Not many people know that hundreds of people collect trash to sell everyday, so Muniz wants to make it known.

3) After looking at some of Muniz's work, why do you think this art would have resonance with some people?

In the film, Muniz said that people in museums will get up close to a piece and see the material, and then step away to see the image. When people see this piece, they'll see beautiful works of art from far away, but then get closer to see that it's made from garbage. The viewers will realize that there are amazing people that could be living better lives, but are instead picking trash out of landfills for money.

4) Write a thesis, adhering to the format presented in class, analyzing this piece.

Muniz creates artwork using garbage in order to raise awareness for the poor people of Brazil, who pick trash out of landfills every day to make some money for their families.

Which affects the world more- Immigration or Child Soldiers?

I believe that child soldiers affect the world more than immigration does. In many countries, children are recruited into rebel groups, militias, and even the military. Some children are even kidnapped from their families. This is an issue that major global powers, including the United States, have gotten involved in. United Nations has gotten involved as well. Usually, when global powers are involved, it's a pretty major issue.

Survey- What does it Mean to be an American?

Author Comparison- What does it mean to be an American?

Recently I have read from many different authors, all with different perspectives on what it means to be American. Many of them talked about the struggles of being a minority in America, and not fitting in. Here are two authors that had similar opinions that I agreed with.

Americus excepts by Shaun Tan

The excerpt from Americus that I read had to do with a boy named Niel being bullied by other boys because they thought he was gay. The word "gay" has a very different meaning when used by bullies, and instead of having to do with sexuality it has more to do with being "less of a man". The bullies stole something from Niel and threw it in a dumpster. After Niel fished his belongings out of the dumpster, a teacher, who had no idea about anything that just happened, told Niel that he should cherish highschool because his highschool years will be some of the best in his life. After the teacher leaves Niel stays behind and has a look of hopelessness on his face, and the excerpt ends. Hopelessness seems like a common feeling among people who don't fit in in America. You feel like you'll never fit in, and that there's nothing you can do about it.

American Born Chinese excerpts by Gene Luen Yang

In the excerpt of American Born Chinese that I read, a boy from a family of Chinese immigrants in California feels out of place in America because of the way he looks. In one scene, the boy shows and old woman his Transformer toy, and says that he wishes he could be a Transformer when he grows up because he would be able to transform into whatever he wants. This is symbolic, because later on in the story the boy wishes he could change himself to fit into American society better. People who don't fit in often want to change themselves to what society says they should be. This is slightly different from the feeling of hopelessness from Americus, because instead of feeling like you can do nothing about not fitting in, you feel like you need to do everything in your power to change yourself to fit in.

American Image

To me, this image is a good representation of America. There are so many different people with so many different backgrounds, and we all try to help each other out.

What Does it Mean to be American?

I believe that being an American means loving others around you, no matter who they are. We are a nation founded by immigrants, and almost everyone can trace their ancestry back to another part of the world. If an American can’t love someone because of who they are, then they’ve forgotten where they come from. There are so many people who come to America from all over the world, you might as well hate everyone else in the United States.

Being American means to love the people around you no matter what they believe or where they come from. The most interesting part was when she said if you can’t love the people because they are from a different country, then you might as well hate everyone.

Jordan Whitfield

What problem do I want to solve in the world?

I wish things like puppy mills would go away. I hate that people will breed dogs just for profit and discard any puppies that don't fit the "proper look" of the breed. Female dogs are bred continuously without concern for their health, and the dogs will often have horrible diseases such as epilepsy.

The best way to start solving this problem is to adopt and support your local shelters. If you really want a pure-bred dog, find a breed-specific rescue group. Keep in mind that pure-bred dogs can end up in shelters too, just like any other dog can.

https://www.aspca.org/animal-cruelty/puppy-mills/closer-look-puppy-mills