To Kill a Mocking Bird

“When a character acts selflessly against the prevailing vice(s) of the dominant social order, true virtue exhibits itself.”

Tom Robinson acts selflessly simply by being such a generous man to help Mayella Ewell whenever she had tasks for him to do. It was against the dominant social order because racism was so dangerously popular. He was risking his life by stepping over the property line, but acted selflessly to be a gentleman to a lady in need. He would help chop up furniture, reach things too high for Mayella, and fix little quirks of the house. Tom seems very sure of how kind his is trying to be, he values his ability to be of assistance quite high. These acts get to people as they realize that true virtue is valuing everybody the same, no matter what skin colour. 

Boo Radley is in a completely different situation, as pretty well the whole social order is against him and the rumors direct unsupported blame on his innocent head. When he goes out to save the children he knows the risk he's taking as he enters the social world as an unacceptable being. But he also knows it is the right thing to do. "True Virtue" presents itself as he successfully saves the children's lives and shows the town he's got a good heart. 

Atticus Goes against the social order in such a brave way, it is mistaken as a bad thing. Standing up for a black man was such a wrong thing to do, and a waste of time according to the people in Maycomb. Though he was showing real bravery, the town thought him a coward for helping a man of another race. He effectively proves the white man to be in the wrong at this hearing. Though it doesn't save Tom's life, it shows everyone who attended the court case, or later heard about it, that black men do have good hearts, and are only as wrongful as the rest of us. Humiliating Mr. Ewell is at the surface, but the value and increase in equality lies not much below it. The dominant social order begins to get a clue.

               

Reflection of Anthem

How is "every man--is an end in himself" realized in the story of Equality 7-2521? 

Equality 7-2521 is a deep thinker who enjoys learning. This plays out as he becomes braver throughout  the story. He discovers a tunnel where he may experiment and this boosts his curiosity. I think in the end, he really relishes the idea that he is different from everyone else, and in turn, that everyone is different from everyone else. He learned that society wasn't meant to be a body of people that were all the same, he broke away from that. He learned that man is supposed to be in-charge of his own fate, and be his own individual person. 

When a character acts selfishly against the prevailing vice(s) of the dominant social order, true virtue exhibits itself?

Equality 7-2521 acts selfishly most of his life, disobeying the society in little ways, such as considering people as friends, which is forbidden. He is a born rule breaker, keeping his secret of the tunnel, talking to the Golden One, and finally running away and admitting selfishness. But I believe that after being raised thinking everyone is the same and things are only as they are planned out to be, such as getting his street sweeping job, selfishness is deserved. 
Similar to mothers who do so much work they have no time to themselves, it is important for Equality 7-2521 to make time for himself. 
True virtue? That is hard to say. In most cases acting selfishly is frowned upon, but really its a necessity of life. No one can be entirely selfless their whole life. Except for the people who Equality 7-2521 left behind, but they weren't really living. Being controlled is never a way to live, free will is so important, it shapes our colourful society and makes it the amazingly intricate piece of art that it is. Without individuality we are nothing.

I feel Equality 7-2521 and the Golden One's decision was a wise one, and will treat them well. True virtue has been exhibited to a point, a new life that is free and happy. They've learned to fend for themselves and it will improve their quality of life by a long shot.

Reflection of The Pearl

Kino and Juana suffer through a paradox, consisting of evil coming from good. Have they learned to live with the paradox, and what have they learned?

Kino and Juana suffering is related to the theory that evil comes out of good.
When Coyotito is stung by the scorpion  evil comes among the family. In the hope of healing the baby they must find money to pay the doctor. Being native, Kino would not be able to acquire a job, so he must do what his people are known to do: find a pearl. Kino Finds an huge pearl, "The pearl of the world", one that could buy himself weapons, pay for a wedding, and send his son to school. But evil is held within the pearl, making the family feel they need to get as much as they can from it.
Recently, a man won a million dollar lottery and was so proud of his earnings he bragged to anyone who would listen. And he was murdered before he could spend it. This relates to "The Pearl" because the pearl throws the family into danger. Though Kino does not outright brag, everyone knows, and he tells them all how he wants to spend it. He gets attacked, people enter their home while he is asleep, and launches his whole family into danger. But Kino is gripped by the evil of the pearl and will not dispose of it or sell it. Jauna trys to get rid of it, stealing it from him to throw away, and the evil of greed causes him to take it back and slap her. This is not something he would normally have done, nor approved of doing, but evil has possessed his heart.
When they run away, they hope that it is selfless enough to save them from the evil. But the pearl hasn't lost its grip. Not until **SPOILER ALERT** Coyotito is killed, does the pearls's grip slacken. The evil has done its work. Only now are Kino and Juana able to let go, and do so by throwing the pearl away.
Kino and Juana have learned what comes out of good fortune, and have let it change them. The greed has weakened them, and the final sorrow of the entire course of events have drained them of what was left of their normal life. The good has brought their life through evil and they understand that. But they have learned. Greed has torn the family apart, and they will not let it happen again. Disposing of the pearl is the first attempt to return the nature of evil, and shows a readiness to forget.

When a character acts selflessly against the prevailing vice(s) of the dominant social order, true virtue exhibits itself.

The family in "The Pearl" exhibit a large amount of selflessness, that effects the events that follow. When discovering the pearl, though some wishes may seem selfish, Kino really wants whats best for the family; a wedding, Coyotito to go to school, and hunting weapons. He keeps his values in mind: family, safety, and fitting in. When they leave their home, it is because Kino realizes he is acting selfishly. The tragic end shows how selfishness springs out of good fortune, greed out of prosperity. Kino and Juana understand what should come first in life, understanding how people can be change, and how to value life and their virtues in future experiences. 

Blog Post 9: No More Dead Dogs

I am in the middle of reading No More Dead Dogs By Gordan Korman.

The first 5 stages or quite different from any other book, but you can still tell which ones which.

I'll tell you about the call to adventure. The main character, Wallace Wallace, can't tell a lie. When he writes his book report about how much he hates the asssigned book, "Old Shep, My Pal". His teacher becomes very angry and tells him he has detention until he writes a proper report. He refuses (refuses the call) but eventually, on detention time, begins helping with the school performance of "Old Shep My Pal".

Blog Post 8: The Golden Compass

I'm just beginning of reading The Golden Compass By: Philip Pullman 

Lyra is a young girl that is very good at sneaking around and getting into stuff she shouldn't. She lives in a college, I'm not sure why yet, but she is often very lonely, being the only little girl mixed up with a whole bunch of intelligent scholars. She must make life on her own, receiving no "motherly love". Shes used to sneaking around on her own, which has helped to shape her personality. She has a very tough uncle who visits periodicaly, but shes very afraid of him and often avoids him. She has a pet that keeps her company but no human adult she can trust.

I choose this picture because it acuratly describes how she entertains herself and how she spends her time. Shes very sneaky and sly and enjoys sticking her nose in other peoples business. One word to describe her is: curiouse.

Blog Post 7: Getting The Girl

I've just finished reading Getting The Girl written by Susan Juby.

I'll start by explaining the story: Sherman Mack a boy who's totally new to the idea of high school is stuck going to the school with the worst popularity ranking system. Every once and a while a girl will get "defiled" which is the when the entire school spreads horrible rumors about that person then ignores them. Sherman takes it upon himself to find the mystery person who is responsible for pasting the picture of this seemingly "bad" girl in all the schools bathrooms. With hard work, many complications, and girl drama, it's an exciting and funny read and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

A question I have about the text is: What is the motivation of the students to make the "defiled" person so miserable? Why won't someone stand up for them or tell a teacher?

 I believe the answer is simple. Peer Pressure. No one wants to be the odd one out for fear of being defiled themselves. As aggravating as it is, it's true. Teens are so self conscious and worried about what others think of them. This story exaggerates high school a bit too much but it does a good job of telling you to stand up for yourself.

Blog Post 6: Mockingjay- Haymitch

        In Mockingjay the "mentor" is Haymitch.
   Haymitch trains and encourages Peeta and Katniss as they go through the Hunger Games. Now they've met some new obstacles and Haymitch has new roles but he still keeps his mentor personality. He teachs, gives his (sometimes unwanted) opinions, and overall compainion and person to talk to.
   He also has some attributes of the shapeshifter. At the beginning you don't know whether to trust him or hate him, because he asks very rude and mysterious. katniss doesn't know how to feel about him either which makes the reader even less assured.
He is more a mentor but has parts of a shapeshifter in his personality.