Could a Transcendentalist Society Work in Today's World?

In a transcendentalist world, every element and perspective must combine and work together in a way that benefits the society. If not, it will lack balance, and therefore lose its transcendentalist aspects. Concepts of accepting everyone, living simply, and minimal government are all major in this type of world; either viewed as beneficial or harmful. They reinforce the main point of the individual, working in a way to (hopefully) bring one to the best state of mind possible. Harmony also ties in with the balance; without it, the society fails to work properly. Everything working together is the main goal, but is not necessarily possible. Although some might believe a transcendentalist society would work easily in today’s world, increasing reliance on technology and mass production, lack of governmental help, and the failure to accept everyone are why this type of living could never be possible today.

Physically, a transcendental society could work. Isolation on an island could easily be achieved with the money and resources, and setting everything up would be the same as building a town or resort. With its physical image, the society had already fulfilled part of the living-away-from-the-outside-world aspect. Attracting people from around the world could be easy with advertising and transportation, allowing anyone and everyone to come as they are. The society, in essence, would run just like any other, only with more individualistic values. Along with its physical image, the high importance on education could keep everything stable. Its benefits would lead to greater rates of employment and literacy, stopping economic and poverty issues from emerging. Without these issues, the society would be constant and set in a positive mindset. Although the society could stay stable to some degree, underlying tensions and flaws could spark issues, causing its downfall.

In this type of world, one of the most prominent beliefs is accepting anyone and everyone to join. Almost any transcendentalist society would include values of allowing anyone to come as they are and embracing what makes them an individual. With this acceptance, unfortunately, comes a hidden fault. If the world accepted all different personalities to come live, it would mean including those who are critical and judgmental. Not including those types of people would defeat the purpose of the society—welcoming all no matter what. Wherever one travels or goes to, there will always be the types of people who believe non-conformists are unsatisfactory or unworthy. Therefore, the never-ending cycle of putting people down and being bullied for one’s beliefs is inevitable; even in a transcendentalist society.  

Along with acceptance, a main belief in transcendental associations is minimal government intervention. With this, specific rules and punishments are set to avoid conflict and contact with the government. While too much government interference brings negativity to a society, not enough can also cause disagreements and problems. When rules are violated, the low amount of law enforcement would most of the time not even find out about the crime, defeating the purpose of the specific, sometimes strict rules. If the crime was caught, the punishment would not necessarily be enforced, given that citizens are supposed to know the consequences and obey them. Additionally, some of the laws require community service and participating in the green movement. While this is very beneficial to the society, it is not always one’s interest. Transcendentalist societies are all about pursuing what one wants, and making laws pertaining to only certain views or interests creates barriers. A society of this type should most likely have no rules so that it is open to the views of any person, but no law could cause conflict and craziness.

One of the most prized and cherished beliefs of transcendentalism is living simply without distractions. This includes modifying one’s life in a way that excludes many of the technological advances of today and includes many nature-based beliefs. Things like computers, phones, other communication devices, and mass-produced goods would be frowned upon. Unfortunately, today’s technological world interests a large population, so the views of living simply could discourage many from living in a transcendentalist society. The technology has found a way to blend itself into society; in many cases, people would refuse to give up their devices and rituals rather than go live in this type of world. In other words, the acceptance of everyone and all their beliefs goes against living simply, since it is not always one’s belief. Enforcing living simply without distractions leads to more rules, bringing up another barrier to the cycle of transcendentalism. In a world where technology attracts many to places and events, the views of excluding technology and the fast-paced world could stop many from being content with their lives.

Transcendentalism is complex way of life; it has many requirements despite the broad belief of accepting the individual and one’s own views. With so many different personalities and beliefs and ways of life present in today’s world, it would be difficult to integrate all of them into one society. Conflict would be inevitable in this society, just like it would be in any other. The society would only work if every person was accepting of everyone else, dedicated to living simply, followed all rules, and was precise with every other concept of transcendentalism; something very hard to achieve. Even if every person achieved this state of mind, it would not even be a transcendentalist society anymore; it would be more of a utopian society where everyone is alike. This takes away from the entire concept of transcendentalism: the individual. Although a transcendentalist world would seem entirely perfect to some, the inevitable conflicts and personalities would lead to its downfall at some point in its existence. 

Dead Poets Society Post

Within the movie Dead Poets Society, there is the ongoing tension between expecting to conform and going against those expectations. At Welton, the private, all male, conservative boarding school is the definitive place of conformity. The faculty look and dress exactly alike, talk alike, and teach alike. Although there are many different subjects offered, all classes are similar with their textbook-exact learning. The fact that everything is the same shows the reputation it tries to uphold as a preparatory school. All students have expectations-from parents, teachers, administrators, and other students-ones that can either motivate or crush the student. They include participating in activities only others approve of, getting superb grades, going on to pursue education at only certain, usually Ivy League schools, and becoming only an approved profession. With the rigorous expectations, being oneself is the hardest trait one could obtain at this school. Going against the conformity of the school poses various dangers toward the student, including reprimanding from parents and staff, the threat of expulsion, and the reputation they hold at the school. 

When the new English teacher, Mr. Keating, is hired for Welton, he brings an entire new element to the school. He encourages the boys to "Carpe Diem" and to uphold their beliefs, no matter what anyone says or thinks. His ideas of non-conformity teach valuable life lessons and later encourage the boys to be themselves in certain situations. Unfortunately, this encouraged behavior launched him and the students into disaster. One of the boys pursues his love for acting, but he is forced by his father to quit and do what the father expects. The intense amount of pressure put on the boy for not conforming to his father's beliefs led him to commit suicide. Additionally, certain boys were reprimanded for going out and creating their "Dead Poets Society." Later on, Mr. Keating is forced to resign for his teaching methods and what he taught his students. The fact the school was so unwilling to accept nonconformity and threatened students who embraced it shows the anti-transcendentalist mindset of the school, and how it endangered anyone who wished to be their self.

Transcendentalism Post

Transcendentalists can be described in several different ways. Whether it is unique, different, special, or weird, they do what they think is right for themselves. They ignore the comments from others and live their life in their own mindset. Above all else, they look to themselves, and it will either inspire or disgust others. In the world of modern-day pop culture, Nicole Polizzi, otherwise known as Snooki, is the type of transcendentalist who makes her own decisions and completely disregards others’ responses.

Snooki, who is most known for being on Jersey Shore, can be described as anything but a conformist. Her unique sense of style and behavior has led her to be perceived in many different ways, whether good or bad. Her many different personalities have led her to be a successful TV star, author, and entrepreneur, despite harsh criticism and comments.

Snooki, now age 23, was born in Chile, but then adopted by an Italian family from Marlboro, New York. The influences from her close-knit Italian family led her to be the way she is—a girl with two different sides, one a wild and crazy guidette, the other a shy and fun-loving girl. Her experiences in high school, which included being bullied, inspired her to be who she is today, the girl who does and says what she wants and does not let anything bring her down.  Although she is seen by many as the wild, inappropriate star of Jersey Shore, she has disregarded the comments, knowing her lifestyle on the show is not always the life she lives.

“I still get bullied by tabloids calling me “gross”…at this point I’m just like ‘whatever hater.’ It just gives me more motivation to succeed and prove everyone wrong. I never care what other people, the haters, think. I never let it get the best of me, and I think it’s a great quality every girl should have.”

The success of the star’s life has let her be the strong personality she is today. She claims, “Nobody can get to me at this point.” She also believes that inspiring others to be who they want is the best there is. “You can be any nationality. You have to have that attitude, be strong, independent, and go about your life like it’s your own world.”

http://www.squidoo.com/snooki-sunglasses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9meCWs8LsSw

Walden Essay

            Two years. Two months. Two days. Simple and to-the-point, Thoreau’s depiction of Walden Pond and the time he spent there illustrate a completely new aspect of life. Stressing the issues of simplicity and solitude brings a new and conservative form of life to the people of his day. Many people during his time were mesmerized over the boom of industrialism, growing cities, and technology, and he was trying to diverge from the traditional path. Although pressured to live the busy life of a common male, Thoreau continually lived the life he wanted to. Through his beneficial experiences and events at Walden Pond, Henry David Thoreau produced new, unique ideas that stressed the individual and pushed for a different, simple life.

           

 An important factor to Thoreau’s stay at Walden Pond was his emerging views of a simplistic lifestyle. Thoreau believed that the necessities of life contained only four things: food, water, shelter, and fuel. Besides these necessities, Walden believed almost everything else was unnecessary. Through his stay he gained greater knowledge of living simply in solitude and sustaining only himself. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived” (Thoreau 490). Leaving his life to live in a small cabin by himself forced him to live in a simple, meager way, showing him what he believed in the best way possible. His living this way led him to gaining greater knowledge of his lifestyle, beliefs, and reality as a whole. With all of the craziness of the time, Thoreau’s ideas which emerged provided a new alternative to living how everyone else did.  

           

 Another aspect to Thoreau’s writings and lessons is transcendentalism. Thoreau, considered a transcendentalist himself, firmly believed in being who one wants to be and resisting the pressure to be like the common people. Through staying at Walden Pond, he was able to adapt to his own beliefs without the influence of anyone else. He produced a series of beliefs that were new and alien to the time, but became the foundation of originality and uniqueness in America. “It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do” (490). Seeing the population adapt to and transform into whatever the surroundings are inspired Thoreau to promote the individual. His time spent alone added to his success with these beliefs and going against traditional views.

         

   Henry David Thoreau’s time spent at Walden Pond—two years, two months, and two days to be exact—was beneficial in several ways towards society. Although not appreciated until later, people realized of the many common choices and lives they decided to fulfill, taking away from the purpose of the individual. Without Thoreau’s ideas, life in America could have developed in a completely different way; a society more generic compared to others. Whether viewed good or bad, Thoreau’s time spent learning from experience at Walden Pond opened America to new and interesting views. 

Student Declaration of Independence

Student Declaration of Independence

I.                   Declaration of Student Rights

We, as students of Grosse Pointe South High School, deserve basic rights as young adults. Being in a public school, a student deserves freedom while maintaining discipline. The student should have the right to dress, express, and act the way they want to, as long as it is appropriate for a school environment. The student should be able to make decisions for their own self that benefit them and the school.

Academically, with the vast majority of classes offered, the student should be able to take whichever classes they want, as long as it goes along with their ability level. The student has to complete certain academic requirements, but the electives are their choice, it all depends on their interests and expression. If the student chooses to take seven academic classes, it is their right. If the student chooses to take the bare minimum of academic classes and the rest classes of their choice, it is their right.

With extracurriculars, the student has the right to participate in whichever pertains to them. From orchestra to choir to sports to clubs, there is about everything offered to interest a student. No administration should have the right to stop these activities; the students have the right to keep them ongoing for as long as they choose.

Being in high school, open campus should be an automatic right for the student. For lunch especially, it allows the students to choose wherever they want to go that interests them. When it comes to attendance, the student should be allowed to take full advantage of the open campus while respecting the attendance policy. As long as approved by the parent, the student should always have the right to leave if sick, injured, or for other reasons. Going along with attendance, the student should always have the right to have the weekends off, holiday breaks off, and occasional regular school days off. Constantly having homework and work to do is not always to the student’s interest, so these breaks are necessary.

When it comes to teachers and counselors, the student should always have the right to communicate with them, whether it be for help or other reasons. Teachers should always be willing to accept the student for their personality and behavior, and to create a good relationship with each one of them. Students have the right to talk to them and counselors, to figure out what is best for them, for help, whatever it best for them.

A student of Grosse Pointe South should have many rights, being a public school. The student should have the right to express themselves academically, through sports and activities, and whatever other ways they choose. School should be a place to benefit the student, give them rights is the best way of showing it.

II.                10 Complaints

I.        Start time- The start time is just too early. It is easier to get up when it is lighter out. The extra half hour that we could add to the start time would increase the attendance in school. It would increase the attendance because the students would most likely get up on time and not skip their first hour. This would boost the grades of the students in the school.

II.      No free period like other schools- Other schools, like Ligget, have a free period when you can do what ever you want. We should also have designated rooms where students can take naps, like in China at some work places. This free period would recharge students’ brains, and work harder. This period could not only be for taking naps, but you can catch up on work, or go get food. Students will not sleep as much in class because they know they have a nap coming up.

III.    Homework on weekends- Homework on weekends is rarely done. Rather than wasting the assignment, we should be given the homework during the week. The undone or half-way done assignments bring down students grades. There is no point to assigning work that will not get done, because without doing the homework, students will not understand the topic. Without understanding the topic, students will not do will on the test that teachers will subsequently give.

IV.    No snow days- Snow days are rarely had here in Grosse Pointe. Even if the entire state and surrounding states are not in school, we still have school. It should not matter that we do not have buses; some of us still need to get rides to school. If there is enough snow to close down most schools in the surrounding areas that would mean that it is too cold to walk. Also, it is very hard to drive in those conditions, so students could be late to school because of difficult driving conditions.

V.      Electronic use in classrooms- The electronic policy is pretty strict. Students should be allowed to use their iPods or other devices after they finish a test, or while homework is being done in class. If they are not disrupting the other students, it should not be a big deal. IPods help some people be more focused and get more done faster. If students got their homework done faster in school, then they would have less at home, and it would be more likely to get done, and not be a zero.

VI.    Lunch too short- The time we get for lunch just does not cut if. If a student wants to go across the street to Subway, then they barely have time to eat. By increasing the lunch period by just ten minutes, it would give the students a chance to go somewhere to get food and to enjoy it. It would also give students minds a break, and have a chance to recharge. Being rushed during lunch is not fun, so adding the extra ten minutes would make it more of a relaxing period.

VII.  Attendance policy- Students are not allowed enough absences. Ten absences are not very many for an entire semester. There are sometimes issues with illness, doctors’ appointments, and even custody. It makes it very hard for students to feel like they can stay home and recover from an illness, when they feel they might miss too many days of school. Even just making the days absent to twelve would greatly improve the attendance policy.

VIII.                        Food/Drink policy- Teachers do not want their students leaving class for any reason, so if drinks were allowed in class, it would take away one reason for students to leave. Also, sometimes students do not get a chance to eat breakfast in the morning. So, being allowed to eat in a classroom would be very helpful. As long as the foods or drinks are not mess or distracting there should not be a problem. Eating and drinking can also help some students concentrate, which would lead to higher grades and test scores.

IX.    Tests and Quizzes on Mondays- Having a quiz or test on a Monday makes life more difficult. Some students will forget over the weekend, and some just will not study, because it is the weekend and they do not feel like it. It is very difficult to have a quiz or test on a Monday because the student did not have the review day the day before, they had it three days before. The extra night to prepare if the test was on a Tuesday, would give the students who did study over the weekend a chance at a better grade. Tests and quizzes on Mondays are harder to concentrate on, because it was just the weekend, where students stayed up late, and are now tired.

X.      Unnecessary required credits (computers, art, health, etc.)- Some required credits are just unnecessary. Some students are not very good at computers, or art, and just do not want to know about health. Not doing well in these classes that they have no interest in taking will just bring down their overall grade point average. These classes are sometimes mundane to students, and serve no real purpose. Some students want to take an arts class, or computer class, and they should be able to, but it should not be required that every student do so.

                         

III.             Concluding Statement

The students are the majority of the population at Grosse Pointe South. Therefore it is only fair that the student body make most of the decisions, or at least get a say in the matter. Instead we are forced to go to a school where we don’t agree with half of the rules and policies. We, the student body, are taking a stand. The student body is revolting against the school, the board and Mr. Provenzano. We are told as teenagers that we need at least 8 hours of sleep that is hard to do when school starts at 8:00 A.M. we should be able to come to school at a reasonable hour. We deserve a free period every day, just a single hour a day where we can do homework or anything within reason. The weekend is a time for students to be relieved of stress and take a break, we are swamped with sports, drama, and homework all week, the student body deserves to have no homework over the weekend. The fact that we have one snow day a year is preposterous! It can be below zero degrees and we still must come to school, when schools like L’Anse Cruse have two in a row, we must get more then one snow day. There should be and acceptance of electronics in class rooms, high school students are old enough to be able to use a cell phone in class. Students go to school for approximately eight hours a day, it should not be too much to ask to have a longer lunch. When you are legitimately sick you should not be penalized, you should still be getting credit for taking the class as long as you get the work done. We get to eat once a day, that is it! We are not allowed to eat or drink anything in class, and that is just not fair because teachers can eat what they want when they want it and the students just have suck it up and be hungry. When there are tests and quizzes on Mondays it makes it difficult to get a good grade because you cannot ask questions and no teenage wants to have to worry about studying all weekend. When we are forced to go to school we should be able to pick what classes we take, not be forced to take unimportant classes such as computers. It is the student’s school; therefore the students should make the decisions. We will not cease until our new requirements are met. It is time for the students to take a stand. We will no longer be walked over and bossed around. Our demands must be met or there will be consequences.

Crucible Epilogue

The town is quiet. Dead. Silent. One of the first time it has even been so quiet; no screaming, no yelling, no uproar whatsoever-just a barren town filled with silence. The people approach their lives in a completely different way, and the town has done a complete one-eighty. The society as a whole is more reserved, and the only time everybody gathers at once is at church. The realization has struck the people: they have been living in a town of lies.

            Off in the colonial town of Plymouth,   Abigail Williams is cooking dinner in her new, fairly large house. Surrounding the house is a vast spread of farmland, in which her new husband works every single day. She is brewing some type of soup as her husband, John, walks in.

            “Oh, hello there John! I was not expecting you this early,” she says.

            “Aye, dear, my work is done for the day. I plan to go into town tonight, just to go see some of my old friends,” he replies.

            “Aye, I completely forgot! Would you like some supper before you leave?”

            “No thanks, I better be heading off soon,” he quickly replies.

            “See you later tonight!”

            As John leaves, Abigail soon starts pacing around. With a quick change of mood, she feverishly scribbles something on a piece of parchment. She crumples it up and throws it by the fire, but she does not realize it fell only a couple inches from going in.

            A couple hours later, John walks out of the bar in town. He sees a man that looks lost, so he decides to walk over to help him.

          “Hello there, sir? You look like you are in need of some assistance. Is there anything I could do?” John questions.

            “Aye, please, sir. Do you know of a young woman named Abigail Williams?” he replies.

            “Why yes, she is my wife.”

            “Oh! Well, could you please give this to her? She ought to see it,” the man says while handing John a newspaper.

            John, while riding home, unfolds the paper. On the front reads an article titled “Abigail Williams, The Real Witch?” While scanning the article, he reads a paragraph of it:

            This day marks exactly one year since the termination of the Salem Witch Trials. The hanging has ended, but has the wrath of those involved? Abigail Williams, young woman involved, is now confirmed as one of the starters of the nonsense. Her evil acts of blaming others and making up lies and seeing spirits lead her to flee the town, and she has not been seen since.

            “Why…this cannot be…” John says to himself. “She…what?”

            As John arrives at his house, he quietly looks around. He sees a piece of parchment on the ground, and decides to look at it. In Abigail’s writing it says:

            Perfect. Simply perfect. My plan is almost complete. And John does not suspect a thing. Knowing him, he will never figure out I married him just for the money. I will soon rise to power in this town, and the people of Salem will be mine once I control the land. Then I can get back at Parris, Mary, Hale, the girls, and especially Elizabeth…and then hopefully bring back my beloved John Proctor, the real John I want, with my spiritual powers. I will have it all!

            John is in complete shock. His innocent Abigail, the one he thought would be the love of his life, has a completely different personality. She has been faking her love-the entire time.

            A few minutes later, Abigail hears John pacing around by the fire. She decides to get up and go see him. Through the doorway she sees John walking in circles and back and forth, and her note she wrote to herself is crumpled in his hand.

            “John…what’s going on here?” Abigail says.

            “How about you tell me,” John angrily replies.

            “Well…this is your entire fault!” Abigail screams.

            “What are you talking about?”

            “How could you do this to me! Ah!” Abigail yells.

            “Wha-what did I do?” John stutters, becoming more and more scared.

            “You! You!” Abigail screams, the combination of craziness and anger building up.

            “Abigail, what are you talking about?”

            “I can’t believe you. You…we…were in love, and then that awful Elizabeth comes between us!”

            “Who’s Elizabeth?!”

            Silence fills the room.

            “Abigail?”

            But Abigail has lost it. She hurls herself at John, and in the mess of fury, pushes him almost completely into the fire. She grabs a piece of firewood and continuously beats John more and more into the fire. He is so weak he cannot get up.

            “I hope you burn to death, John Proctor! I will always love you, but I hope you burn.”

            “Who’s…John…Proctor?”John sputters out, as his last words before he dies.

            It has shown that in the mess, Abigail has psychologically mistaken her husband for the dead John Proctor. Her mind is anything but sane.

            A few days later, Abigail arrives in Salem. The town is quiet, like it has been for the past few months. She slams on the doors of the houses, screams like a maniac, and everyone comes out of the church in the commotion.

            “What is going on here?” yells Reverend Parris, walking out of the church.

            “WITCHES! WITCHES I TELL YOU!” Abigail yells.

            Everyone is silent.

            “They’re coming to get us all! Elizabeth Proctor! She is a witch!!”

            Everyone has a blank look on their face. Nobody replies to Abigail. Parris whispers to two men, and then go and grab Abigail by the arms. They put her in a stagecoach, and one of the men rides off on the horse pulling it.

            “You are all condemned I tell you! It is witches controlling this town!” Abigail screams for the coach.

            The horse and buggy rides off into the distance. Everyone of the town laughs, knowing her lies are the most ridiculous thing thought up. As for Abigail, she is disposed of at the Appalachian Mountains, where she hides and is never seen again. The towns of Salem and Plymouth have returned to their silent, peaceful state, never having to experience the wrath of Abigail Williams again.

Crucible Essay

     When it comes to blaming others and the power of lies, anything can happen in a weak society. When the power is in the hands of a weak leader, the power inevitably falls in the hands of those who do not deserve it. Back in the 1690s in the colonial town of Salem, the scariness of the Witch Trials made everyone rethink people's beliefs and the value of religion. Within The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, the details and origins of the witch trials are clearly illustrated. It shows how people of the time forgot common sense and made up anything possible for certain people to die. Many of the characters in the novel make an impact on the novel, but three particular people influence certain events and outcomes.


     As one who could be called most responsible for it all, Abigail Williams is one of the most daring, ridiculous, and evil characters in the novel. Just to get attention from people of the town, she purposely lies and acts in a fake way. Her actions lead to the start of the witch trials in an almost inevitable way, because of her personality. From dancing in the woods suspiciously, to stabbing herself, to blaming spirits, to threatening the lives of others, her mind acts in a completely different way. "...I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I...will shudder you" (Miller 20). Once the witch trials have become a prominent event in the town, Abby gets girls from all over to go along with her act, with the power of threat. She sees the possibility of her popularity, and she eventually will do whatever it takes to have the ultimate power. Power is her motivation, and  power and an evil personality equaled a deadly combination in this case. With her, it started with a disliking to Elizabeth Proctor, and it ended up doing anything and everything to get certain people in the town dead and having a relationship with John Proctor. Abigail completely threw away the concept of kindness and common sense in this situation, and therefore was one of the sole contributors to the wrath of the trials. 


     Without knowing, John Proctor is another responsible for the Salem Witch Trials. Unlike Abigail, he was smart, had common sense, and knew that the events were nonsense. The factor that added him into the trials was his relationship with Abigail. Choosing to have an affair with Abigail led to Abigail wanting Elizabeth out of the picture, Abigail dancing in the woods with the girls, and then all the craziness then leading to the witch trials. Even though he did not want to be a part of it, he was one of the indirect catalysts of it. "...I may think of you softly from time to time" (23). This remark he makes to Abigail after the witch trials have just begun starts a new motivation within Abigail. Instead of rejecting Abigail at this time, his subtle comment adds new hope for her. Though unwanted, John Proctor indirectly and inevitably contributes to the trials in an emocional and heartbreaking way. 


   Despite her seemingly small role in The Crucible, Mary Warren is one of the most powerful when it comes to the witch trials. Switching quickly from Abigail and the other girls' side to John Proctor's shows that she is a follower, and anything but a leader. Willing to do and say whatever so that she does not suffer gives her the routine of swapping point-of-views. As an example, Mary Warren continuously tells the judges the girls are making everything up. But when the girls start screaming and saying they "see Mary's spirit", she easily switches to their beliefs. This quickly switching perspectives demonstrates how many people, especially during this time, would not take the blame for their actions, but would tell lies to save themselves. Her actions are a symbol of the town's overall personality of following those who might not be the best leader, but have the controlling power. 


    As a whole, Abigail Williams, John Proctor, and Mary Warren simultaneously cause, contribute, and affect the Salem Witch Trials. The combination of their actions shape the town into a mess of lies, unnecessary beliefs, and death. Common sense and intelligence were outnumbered by weak leaders who motivated themselves through the idea of power. Started by a power-hungry person and ended with a power-hungry society, the Salem Witch Trials were a scary period of time. Anyone could be judged or blamed for anything, and its responsibility fell to those who had no control. 

Crucible Post 2

Within The Crucible, John Proctor lies and says he believes in witches in order to protect himself. In this society, where lies and fake personalities are dominant, anyone can say anything to defend their reputation.

When it comes to today, I would most likely stand up for my beliefs. If someone is pressured into doing something or forced to be something they're not, it takes the uniqueness out of their personality. People are all different, if everyone was forced to think and be the same, the world would be a whole different place. Everyone should stick to their own beliefs and personality in order to be the person they want to. In a society like colonial Salem, the situation has to be viewed from a completely different perspective. Anyone can be blamed for any crime, since it is lacking in the court procedures and intelligence people have today. When it comes to life and death situations over complete lies, I might lie to protect my life. In any other situation I would do the opposite, but being persecuted for nothing is not worth it. Since the whole situation originated from made-up lies, the people should live and have their rights.

Standing up for one's beliefs and the freedom someone has should always be a part of life. Although the Salem Witch Trials were unfair and people could have stood up for themselves, their choice to protect their lives is respected by me.

Crucible Post 1

Within Act One, the power has evidently shifted in a both religious and controlling way. In a town almost obsessed with the idea of power, anyone will do anything to have it go their way. 


When it comes to Parris, he is one that is desperate to keep his grip on his power. After finally gaining respect from many people and being the religious leader, he is praying that everything will turn out for the better of him. With the idea of witchcraft spreading, he could be blamed most responsible, and that is what he has been fearing all along. When it comes to the girls, they too want power, but it mostly Abby controlling all of them. This leads them to say whatever they can for people to believe them. Even though they were in the woods dancing suspiciously, and Abby drank blood, their actions definitely did not have to do with association with the devil and witches. With their actions being revealed, the people are more likely to want to hear their side of the story. In this aspect, the power has somewhat intentionally shifted from Parris to the girls. 


The town will easily believe almost anything, and when it deals with witchcraft and suspicion, they will listen to the lies of the girls. Since these rumors are such a big part of the town, all common sense has been left behind. People will readily accuse others and tell huge lies. Even though the whole situation is confusing, the power has shifted and everything now depends on both emotions and actions.

"Sinners" Follow Up Post

When Jonathan Edwards first proclaimed his descriptive and graphic speech, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," people back then were terrified, insulted, and scared. It made them change the way they thought about religion. In a world with so many religions and beliefs, it would be interesting to see how people today would react in this type of situation. It seems that the responses could go either way, they could be terrified just like people back then were, or they could completely ignore the speech.


Since the world today is filled with people both very religious and not religious at all, it is hard to determine how people today would respond. When it comes to very religious people, it seems that they would be more affected by the sermon. They could be put in the position where they would want to become even more focused on religion, simply because they would want to listen to the speech. They could be terrified, and it would want to make them even better people. When it comes to non-religious people, it could go either way. They could be affected in such a way that they would want to make religion a new part of their life; what Edwards intended for his speech in the first place. In a different aspect, non-religious people could be so unwilling to listen that they would completely ignore what the speech is trying to say. 

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" Post

Within the introduction to “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, it explains how powerful and moving Jonathan Edwards’s sermon of 1741was. According to the video, this speech was the most important ever given in the Americas. It was so important, that today it is the only sermon included in American Literature books. Back when it was first delivered, it struck the New England colonies like lightning. It changed these places forever, sparking controversy and spiritual rebirth. When the speech is retold, even those who deal with extremely graphic pictures and literature can be numbed with terror.

            What Jonathan Edwards said in his sermon sparked so much controversy, therefore, the speech must have had to been brutal and graphic. Him being a religious person, he probably thought the new colonists were taking everything for granted. He might have thought many people were ignoring religion and what happens after death. In this aspect, he might have preached almost unreal details  of what hell is like and what God would do to you if you went there. If he was speaking in the aspect of everyone ignoring religion, he might have blamed the people and described that God would send them right to hell. In whichever way he preached it, it definitely was crucial in the reformation of the church in colonial America.

Descriptive Post

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=atlantis+bahamas&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&tbm=isch&tbnid=qxD4uhe8xmuDfM:&imgrefurl=http://q8travelbud.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/atlantis-paradise-island/&docid=9TQATWwQLx-3dM&w=2048&h=1536&ei=mAVuToq8F8augQeN96T2DQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=625&vpy=372&dur=188&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=164&ty=90&page=1&tbnh=157&tbnw=205&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:0&biw=1280&bih=819


Atlantis, Bahamas

     In this peaceful and tropical scene, the sky is clear blue with a few wispy clouds in the left and right edges of the picture. Towering in the back is a pink-beige hotel building divided into two buildings, but connected with an arch. On the very right edge in the background, you can see in the distance more of the same pink-beige hotels. In the middleground of the picture, there is a line of palm trees and other tropical trees. Around this cluster of trees there are brown rocks. The trees/tropical plants are divided into two sections, where there is a small lagoon/river connecting water in front of the hotel to the water at the front of the picture. In the front of the picture, it consists of shallow, blue-green water where you can see wisps of seaweed floating through. Along with the water, there is a narrow sandy beach in front of the hotel, and there is also a small amount of sand in front of the trees on the right edge. Sunlight shines over this whole paradise scene, making the water clear and calm, the beaches bright and warm, and the blue sky illuminate in the back.

Expectations of an Honors American Lit Student

     In an honors English class, much can be expected of the student. Along with the fast-paced academics, there are rules and regulations to be followed at the same time. Within Honors American Literature, a student must be good with his/her time management, willing to improve and learn, and take full advantage of opportunities in order to achieve his or her full potential.

     While taking an honors class, time management is one of the most important keys to success. Balancing work for each class will most definitely lead to less stress in the end. For example, if a student is assigned an essay due in one week, writing and/or editing in small amounts each day will lead to completion before the due date. If the essay is put off until the day before it is due, the stress to finish will probably overcome the potential of an A or B grade paper. Along with balancing the work load, it is important to stay focused when it comes to reading, writing, and in general, homework. Going on the computer can always help with research and other learning tools, but it can eventually lead to going on for entertainment/social purposes. Sites like Facebook and Twitter can lways lead to distraction. When it comes to time managament, balancing work while saving time to breaks and fun wil lead to a more successful result in the class.

     The willingness to improve and learn in an honors English class is another step to achievement. Without the want to do well, theres is no chance that that person's success will surpass one's with a motivated attitute. In a realistic situation, one who strives to improve as a student will most likely achieve goals with their high amount of effort. This is almost required for an honors-level class, because the high-speed of everything is fit for someone who is interested in that subject. To achieve something hard to reach, such as an A in an honors or AP class, the person must be willing to accept the challenge and try to go for it. Along with trying to do well in a class, a student is even more prepared if they would like to surpass that goal and improve as a person and a student. Improvement is one of the best ways that shows that a student achieved what they wanted. The want to learn and to do well goes hand-in-hand with time management as one of the expectations in an Honors American Lit class and how it can affect one's performance levels.

     Along with the strive to do well, taking full advantage of op[portunities is expected to accomplish what the students want. In any situation, one can take full advantage of what is given to them and improve further. For example, after writing an essay, a student could seek to where he/she could improve his/her writing by adding in new vocabulary so they learn the word more. In this essay, the writing and vocabulary of the writing improved, just because they took full advantage and edited it. Additionally, taking full advantage of resources given could help the student out of an unessecary issue. For example, if the student missed a day of school, he/she could look online or ask another student for homework. This way, the absent student can already be caught up and avoid falling behind. This situation also goes hand-in-hand  with time management, in the way of balancing the work out in a timely way. All three ways link together so that one is expected to be a well-prepared student that makes the most of the class.

     To achieve one's full potential in an honors English class, the student must manage time wisely, have the eagerness to do well, and take full advantage of one's opportunities. If they can, it is what is expected of them. If they achieve their goals and improve, they have finished the honors course in a successful way; exactly what it was designed to do.

About Me

     Oh hey there, it's me, the one and only, Dana. I am a 15 year old girl (emphasis on the girl, I have had enough with the people thinking Dana is just a boy name) that lives in Grosse Pointe, the GP, the 313, whatever you want to call it. Being a sophomore at GP South, I'm excited for what this year is going to bring. At 5 feet and barely one inch, I am a hardworking, dedicated, and unique girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. Although I might seem like the quietest person when you meet me, once you get to know me better, I can be the most outgoing person to be around. Why do I feel like I'm filling out an application for match.com or something right now? Anyways, I feel that my friends, family, and activities have shaped me into a busy person that is somewhat a perfectionist. With me, nothing can go wrong. If it does, well...

     My friends and family are one of the most important aspects of life to me. My family, who I think is most important, consists of my mom, dad, brother, sister, and me. They really keep me motivated and happy. My parents, Steve and Kris, continually help me to strive to be the best person I can. My brother, Kevin (11 years old), and my sister, Megan (6 years old), can either keep me in a great mood or drive me completely crazy. Being the oldest, it really just depends on the day. As the oldest child, I have many more responsibilities compared to my siblings, which can be extremely irritating. All in all though, we are a pretty crazy family, but I'll always love them. When it comes to my friends, I hope I'll always have them to be there for me, because I don't know what I'd do without them! I'm especially excited for this year, which leads to meeting new people and having a great time.

     Besides family and friends, my interests and extracurricular activities are my favorite. When it comes to sports, I play on the varsity field hockey team for South in the fall. I think playing a sport has lead me to meeting a ton of new people, especially since I came from a private middle school before attending South. My team this year is filled with a ton of talented and super nice girls, and I think we have the potential to be a great team. Besides that, I dance year-round at Grosse Pointe Dance Center. I've been dancing since I was five years old, and my passion for it lead me to join the competition group they have. Taking on a more serious role has made me improve in ways I never thought, and even though the time commitment is big, I love the program and everything it brings. Everyone asks me this question, "What kind of dance do you do?". In this situation, I just say everything, because my weekly classes include two different classes of ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hiphop, modern, theater, conditioning, rehearsals for each competition dance, and so forth. Exactly why I say pretty much everything. Since my dance studio is about 15 minutes away, I dance with girls that go to North, South, Liggett, Regina, and Pierce. Even though we all don't go to school together, they are some of the closest friends I have. All the competitions and performances we have done together have brought us together, sort of like a dance "family". Besides that, I am a senator for the Student Association at South, I hope to join Varsity Club this year, and outside of South I am a part of Sigma Gamma, an association that does volunteer work that benefits the Detroit Institute for Children downtown. A pretty hectic schedule, I think. I really don't know how I balance it out sometimes. I think it's food that helps me, honestly. Especially chocolate.