Prose Essay

Young Goodman Brown is an example of someone who is conflicted. He is seen experiencing pulls from the good and evil side of himself. Though the climax of the story is blurry, it seems evil has won, or at least changed his perspective for the rest of his life.Young Goodman Brown's body leads him one way, yet his mind leads him another. This fits the central theme, that everything is evil or has evil in it. Even young Goodman Brown's body is infested with the sin, by attending this meeting that he knew was evil,  he could not keep his feet from moving.

Young Goodman Brown seems naive as he travels on the path. He wants to be good and godly but doesn't know the power it takes to  stay true to his beliefs . There is evidence that Young Goodman Brown wants to be good. He is able to stop himself at times and try to reflect on what he is doing, why, and where he actually wants to be, at home with Faith. Then there is the part of him that has faith in people that they are not all evil. Towards the beginning, Young Goodman Brown is ashamed of the trip he is about to take. He thinks he is the first to take this tumultuous journey out of the members of his family. He feels his is betraying his God and himself. The theme includes betrayal as everyone is revealed to Young Goodman Brown of being evil and filled with the devil. The walking buddy, who was called the devil by a passerby, revealed Young Goodman Brown's father and his grandfather had taken similar walks with him and had always come out of the forest fine. This shows how strong of a hold the devil is able to attract him and others, who wanted to be godly at one point.

Sin holds him in chains. Even through every thought of Faith and not wanting to betray his God, he still continues on the path to darkness. Young Goodman Brown is unable to keep himself from the temptation of evil. At the point where Young Goodman Brown realized Faith is also involved with the evil happenings, he rushes to the ceremony when the shock and horror of what is happening becomes real. Young Goodman Brown is at the ceremony, yet still really doesn't want to be there, but it seems that there has been a societal pull for him to attend.

Young Goodman Brown is a character with a good heart, but is unable to let the beliefs he believes in shine through. He is ashamed to be attended the meeting and at many points wants to stop. He realizes that he is not a fit for what the meeting will do or change about his life. Yet Goodman Brown treks on through the forest. Even though he wanted to resist, his body would not listen. Young Goodman Brown demonstrates the theme that evil is innate, It is in us and even with a stronger resistance than Goodman Brown's, could stop someone for attending the meeting.

Poetry Essay

Read the following poem carefully. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the poet uses language to describe the scene and to convey mood and meaning.

 Spring is like a perhaps hand
 E. E. Cummings, 1894 - 1962
Spring is like a perhaps hand (which comes carefully out of Nowhere)arranging a window,into which people look(while people stare arranging and changing placing carefully there a strange thing and a known thing here)and changing everything carefully Spring is like a perhaps Hand in a window (carefully to and fro moving New and Old things,while people stare carefully moving a perhaps fraction of flower here placing an inch of air there)and without breaking anything.

Language: suggests the idea and it becomes an accepted idea throughout the poem
Scene: a shop window, along with the changing weather
Mood: methodical, communist like, people need something to control them
Meaning: routine, need something to tell them, new beginning, fresh start

The poet uses language in a convincing way. Suggesting that spring is a gentle but necessary push to society. Through imagery in the poem, a picture is painted with words, mainly the hand which switches things around. The author creates a vision of the hand moving swiftly but carefully as the new season is dictated by it. The hand introduces new things. The hand and spring has a kind of control over people.

 The people outside the window are described as watching intently. As the hand moves moves one object into view and another one out, people can sense change in the air. A window is mentioned, which brings the idea of a shop window, one once decorated with cool tone colors now being changed into bright ones.

BNW Essay

Brave New World highlights the issue of an inner and outer self, even though only a few characters can actually see this.  Bernard is one of the only ones to be not okay with how life in the new world is going. He is having conflict but has a hard time exposing his distaste to the socitey; when his inside is so much like their outside, imprinted with lessons of the controlling world they live in. 
Bernard is an example of a character who seems to be the most human in the beginning of the book. While other characters seem less aware of the pseudo perfect world they live in, Bernard is one of the only one taking strokes against the current.  Everyone around him looks like they are living a dream life because they fit in their class. Bernard feels left out because he is unlike others in his class. He feels his inferior looks separate him from the other Alpha Pluses. Many joke of him being given the wrong mix of injections and that is what made him different. Also, a drug called soma is used by many to create the feeling of happiness whenever their contentedness falls. Bernard isn't interested in this drug. Also the rest of society feels it is okay to sleep around and have orgies whenever, but Bernard doesn't. Bernard values connection between people and doesn't believe in sleeping around. the people enjoy this world because they are happy and can fufill their (sexual) desires whenever they please. Bernard feels very content fitting into his own society rather than someone else's perfect world. Bernard shows the 
At times though, Bernard is frustrated he can't fit in. He wants to be someone who isn't singled out because he isn't normal. When Bernard is jutted into fame after he returns from the Reservation with the salvage, Bernard begins to conform more with the world he so vehemently disliked before. He began breaking the beliefs he used to stand for. He participated in what society labelled as okay, which included sex and soma. 

Moyer's Essay

Moyers said something really great. If you have a mind dulling job that finally robots are able to take over for you, the imagination  and creativity you once had has now been beaten out of you. I think that is really important in what we are learned in Preston's class. It isn't about us cramming to get the fabulous grade we think we can earn by studying and writing every essay or doing every literature analysis. It is more about finding your way to love learning and in turn finding it irresistible to not hang off every word.
And also the creativity part of it is cool too. Thinking of our masterpieces and everything everyone gets to dream of creating is exciting. Each student gets to see what the other is interested in and their dedication and pursuance of that project shows what they think of learning. I have seen Ysensia working on her project really diligently with the person who knows the language she wants to learn, so it is exciting to know she is working towards her goal and getting closer every day to knowing the language.
As we are learning to love learning, I think we can create something like Dr. Preston has been able to create. An innovative learning environment that allows the people in it to become better learners for THEMSELVES. Not for the grade but for each person's way of figuring out life isn't about the grade. I think you find that when you follow your passion and that is ind of what the masterpiece project is all about. To inspire others to learn, you have to share with them and get them to feel the same way you feel about learning. You want them to be excited in class, not sleeping through it. Still for me finding to love learning is a struggle if it isn't my favorite subject, but maybe one day there will be a way to make every class exciting and fun.

Great Expectations Essay

I think every story, there is some sort of bildungsroman. There is a point where the main character realizes something adult. Recently their was a commercial made somewhere in Asia about a little girl and her dad. He did everything for her and she saw that. she saw all the great times and smiles and wrote a letter to him about it. However what she also saw was his lies. It wasn't r him to buy her a Popsicle and he was always in a hurry and stressed even though he acted so carefree around her. She realized all of this when she was maybe in first grade. It is a bildungsroman moment because she has stepped out of her little girl shoes and into ones closer to those of her father. Now she has to carry some of his stress and anxiety about  money and a roof over their head. It is a moment where the innocent of her childhood is left and the reality of what real life  is is entered. For Pip, he has moments of understanding, of how the way life works is when you turn down a certain path. Pip changes from an innocent young man to a matured one through his life experiences in the book.

Pip through the book realizes life isn't always as it once seemed. At one point he was able to frolick around  life any kid could. He didn't have to worry about bills yet or eating food. Pip was just living life and having fun. Then there was an inciting moment which brings life to a harsh reality and sickness that brings the phrase "life isn't fair" into prospective. In the past month, there have been two of these inciting incidents for me. First a close friend's father died. It left them shattered and me wondering how a great man and precious father could be taken so simply like his life didn't matter. Next, towards the end of that month a close friend and great happy person was killed in a car crash. That was the point I shattered. Waking out to terrible news and knowing that there was no praying that could bring back a precious friend left me so sad... I just cried and cried. Now there is Pip who learns what his life can and can't be. He sees examples of how people lived their lives and was either inspired or turned away from their tactics. As a kid, you want your life to be full and in order to make sure that happens with the smallest amount of error possible, you have to follow in other people's footsteps.

Jaggers and Joe are good models for Pip to learn from. He sees what it is like to have it all from both angles and also sees that each person kind of believes they are happy and living a "full" life. First their is Jaggers, who on the outside seems to have it all. He has the nice things, the big bank account and luxuries that make daily life great. However he misses out on something big which is compassion and real happiness. The lady that unfortunately becomes his slave/servant is subject to Jaggers' gross respect towards others and their struggles. He sees his struggles as the top priority and even though that should be important, he can't see the other important stuff he has lost from his life, but Pip is able to see it. Culturally Jaggers is the one who should have the happiest life but Pip is able to see it another way. In a clearer way that fogs what culture leads society to believe. Pip can see a darkness that changes everything. Then there is Joe, who on the outside has nothing much. He has the essentials, yes, but society says that is no where near good enough. Joe has little but he has so much in happiness and love. Pip is able to see that contrast of what society claims a full life is and on a personal level what a full life is.

Pip makes discoveries throughout his journey. He makes shocking ones but also enlightening ones. Through his discovery of the real world and life that he exposed himself to, he begins to understand what it means to prosper in a society that doesn't always know what is best for a person. Pip becomes enlightened though his journeys, the truth being uncovered in ways he didn't know, like falling in love with someone who was only playing a game. He found life to be cruel at times but the cruel part of life is what makes you strong and move bullet proof when cruel tries to encroach upon what you want your life to be. Pip finds out what he wants his life to be and begins to follow the path that will lead him to a place of happiness.

Poem Comparison Essay

Hamlet essay

"To be or not to be".... I feel like this embodies all of Hamlet's internal struggles. He is deciding what he wants to do on the outside and wrestles with that inside his head. The play is filled with dynamic situations, unexpected twists and turns that Hamlet leads those in the play and those reading the play on. He is very mindful of all of his actions and the overall image he puts out. Hamlet is one of the most complex characters to have  developed in a book through direct characterization. He describes himself and helps readers understand where he is coming from through his soliloquies and other bits of dialog he shares. "Thus conscious does make cowards of us all.." The tone is apprehensive or indecisive. never knowing if he will make the move. I know he will make a move, but its the tone in his mind that baffles him as goes back and forth between believing if it will really happen.

The soliloquy takes place right before Hamlet gives Ophelia a lot of advice, such as " Get thee to a nunnery.." It also happens after Guildenstern and Rosencrantz spill that Hamlet is a little wound up about the play to Claudius. It is where Hamlet is really going back and forth if he can actually carry out the act. In his speech, Hamlet is speaking what his mind is thinking. He is talking himself through a difficult situation. Hamlet learns about himself and his thinking through the speech, and makes it maybe a little clearer that he will be able to do what his father asked him to do. Even though he is pondering it a lot recently, and the more you think about something, sometimes the less likely it seems it will happen, in the audience's eyes, they are able to see how much this means to him. For me, as I was up studying at 3 am the night before the biology test, I was thinking what a failure I was. I still had so much to read, takes notes on and review. But as I had those little moments in studying for it, I would continually be getting closer to the end. Hamlet took a break to stress and reveal to himself that he was a failure at the moment. But each time he did that, he reinforce to himself how important it was not to fail. Feelings of failure and inadequacy come as you are moving to success. For me, success was getting a good grade on my biology test, Hamlet's success was the fulfillment of his father's wishes for Claudius to be killed.
Performative Utterance has to do with the mental configuration of an idea and what has to happen for the physical results to happen. Locutionary force was the transfer of understanding from Hamlet's dad to Hamlet that he wanted Clauduis to be killed. The illocutionary force was Hamlet accepting that he will kill Claudius. The perlocutionary force was Hamlet carrying out his father's orders and killing Claudius.

Hamlet Essay

After reading up to act three, we have seen hamlet change from a lost boy, to a mind bending man, then into someone with very little control. It reminds me of myself when studying. First I look at very thing I have to do and sigh," this is going to take so much work...", then I get to the point I have studied so much I could practically quote the book, then I get to the point of ," what do I even know anymore?" "I just need to take this freakin test and get it over with!" I think Hamlet and I go through the same phases similarly. And I think part of his crazy mode know everything mode started when he and Ophelia were watching the play and he starts spewing his knowledge and letting her know he knows what will happen before Irene happens, maybe to impress her or show himself off, be a little cocky. Then the next part when he finally sees Claudius react he knows he got him. He worked so hat to get to this point, just about the time the bell rings for me to get to my class and take the test. Then he is somehow delayed, but then goes to speak to his mother and his adrenaline is coursing through his veins, about the part when I sit down and put everything away. Then as he starts going off on his mother, I start flying through my test like no body's business. I have studied so hard and worked my butt off to get here and so has Hamlet. Then all the sudden he sees the curtain rustle and his chance, one shot, to get back at what Claudius did to his father. As he stabs his knife into Polonius, the fire bell goes off and water starts sprinkling all over my just finished test. And as polonius falls my answers from blots to smears to nothing. The class screams with joy as I start planning some studying to ace this test, even though I am bitter. Hamlet drags the body out of the thing the got in his way.

Hamlet shows a lot of evidence of being human, not crazy sociopath. He did reach a breaking point by some means, but in some ways he would become more frustrated with himself rather than others and kill himself because of those frustrations of not being able to honor his father or get te revenge he has been waiting so long to hand on a platter. The fact that Hanelt isn't suicidal shows how even though he is failing in his own mind, he is still most focused on the task at hand, not his feelings of despair and non self worth. With some many attempts and plans and obstacles, most would give up, but because Hamlet is so willing to do what the ghost tells him, he is un phased by the possible feelings of defeat, he is fueled by them which makes sense. However I think about a hurdler in a competition. They have their eye on the prize which is the finish line. The tension and focus builds, "On your mark, get set, go!" The gun fires twice, misfire, but being a rookie, you start going and nothing can stop you because all you can see if that waving finish line and no one in your periforal vision. And as you cross the finish line and throw your hands in the air, you see everyone else at the starting line and the staff motioning you to head back and do it all over again. Hamlet is in the place of that hurdler running back to the start and feeling defeated and cheated and not wanting to go on because you just spent everything you got and now have to do it all over again. 

I think hamlet thinks he has a purpose that he is focused on with the ferocity of a lion on a antelope. Whatever holes he stubbles in, edges that snag his clothes, he will show up half naked with twiste ankles and a dead Clauduis at his feet to present. 

Beowulf Essay

                A hero in the early literature period was someone who had a call to adventure or action and accepted it. In Beowulf’s case, he felt called to action many times and always answered it with eagerness. A modern day hero is more freely interpreted. It, however, seems harder to obtain the title of “hero” in this time. To be a hero you have to give your life, everything that you have worked for and earned for this one purpose.  A hero could be a firefighter who saved someone from a burning building or solider, who has devoted their life to protecting the country. A hero is someone who is unafraid of the future, because the next thing they know, it may not be there. Though the concepts have changed, the attitude toward which the hero enters the fight it the same, giving all you got.

Beowulf is the story that supposedly set off the literary trend of a heroic tale; bringing monsters to justice, saving people and being brave is all part of Beowulf’s character that readers learn about reading his story. He is not the type to shy away from danger, just like many other heroes of our current literature.  His adrenaline seems never ending, pumping ready for fight, not flight. Heroes, we have learned, have little to no fear, demonstrated by Beowulf fighting naked against Grendel. Techniques in the story and of the time include symbolism and imagery, simple but powerful literature devices that are common in heroic stories of today. Iron Man, a character similar in ferocity and extremity to Beowulf in the face of enemies, both make courageous and life-threatening actions to serve the purposes they have been called to.

Iron Man is a contemporary hero whose story is told through a movie rather than a book. His purpose is the save those who are threatened by savage, powerful people. In some cases, he is called to action like Beowulf was. Iron Man witnesses something wrong, from innocent people being killed to his own weapons being used in wrong ways, which he knows he has to do something about.  He has the ability and courage to risk his life to save many others, a devotion to someone other than himself which makes him a hero by definition. A hero has to be willing to think only in the moment and make decisions not only for their well-being, but for others too. In these ways he differs from Beowulf. Beowulf was very proud and may have answered many of the calls to actions, not because he wanted to save people, but to show his power and ability.

The story of a hero has evolved and most likely will continue to do so. From the beginning, a call to action has brought forth a hero. Beowulf, who called himself to action, seemed to do so out of pride sometimes, but other times it was out of love. Every time he answered a call, it was to make something better for others. He is in some ways incomparable to modern day heroes because he has an invincibility about him. He never has many real threats that put his life in danger.  Iron Man, a hero who fights and conquers the enemy, does so humbly. He has a suit that protects him but he doesn’t at first reveal he is the one risking his life and saving many people. The hero has changed from Beowulf, being a strong and static character, to almost any person who may have just been minding their own business but is put in a place to act on their call to action.     

Ms. Beowulf

Contrastingly, the whole plot and meaning of the story might have been lost if the character was female rather than male. Though it is unlikely considering a man who was smart and intelligent wrote this because of the opportunities he was granted being male, he would have known of women’s lower stature in society and knew that if this book were to be remembered, that would only happen if someone of importance, a male, would leave a lasting mark. If Beowulf was told from a female perspective, the tale may have gone extinct long before now. A story of a female hero is weak and not of much encouragement to both genders to work their hardest, follow their heart, and die a hero. A female is perceived as being in need of care, which is not always true, but just how women are perceived. It would be strange; whatever time period this book was written in for a female to be the hero. It is like a mouse versus the lion being a hero. The book would mean much less to readers if it was told through a woman’s point of view. Though much of the prestige would be lost, a woman would capitalize on certain points. Though women are not known for their strength, they are known for their intelligence. Maybe they could not beat the fist fight, but they could through smarts, working smarter not harder. They could win battles with tricks rather than brute force. Also, a woman is led by love, demonstrated when Grendel’s mom decides to pick a fight with Beowulf. When called to action, a female hero might answer it not because of pride or for respect, but out of love and care for those who are at risk. 

Montaigne/Austen Essay

        This is a, "it feels like midnight, but it's not and i still have more homework to do " essay. I tried to answer the questions presented in the prompt but I already know all my thoughts aren't completely devolved and it is repetitive. I still will appreciated any input and I hope to revise and make this essay better soon.

Montaigne ventures to describe the life he has experienced with frankness and honesty. He has a single minded style that leads him in in thoughts and actions. He has a style similar to stream of consciousness; he gets caught up in the moment and subject that is causing him to deeply reflect on himself. Montaigne is open to the audience on his opinions concerning certain subjects and problems that riddle society. This is contrasting to both Wallace's and Austen's way of thinking and styles

             Unafraid of not being able to totally describe how he feels or what he is thinking, Montaigne goes for it. He thinks the fear of being unable to accomplish what he hopes to do is not big enough to hold him back. Though Wallace's opinion of being only able to sketch a situation may be true, Montaigne is able to show he is willing to try to explain his motives and ideas, even if the whole picture cannot be thoroughly seen. He sees there is a bigger benefit trying to write it, than not trying at all. Montaigne is not afraid to try to break down his thoughts and thinking for the reader to pick through. He wants the reader to see him analyzing what is going on in his head, why his is thinking the way he is and what is driving his to feel that. He has a willingness to explore his thoughts for the audience to reflect on for themselves.

            His style shows a willingness to be open with the author. Montaigne wants the author to read and want to know about him. It makes his thinking a very obvious whereas Austen's style one of more reservation and class is as she shares herself through her fictional book. Austen’s work has a large, eloquent vocabulary along with text full of smart remarks. Montaigne's writing is filled with ideas and deep though in reflection on his topics. Austen’s style might be better revealed if she was writing a book about herself, like Montaigne, but even if she was, the same elements that were in Pride and Prejudice would most likely also be in this new book.

Wallace’s statement regarding words’ inability to fully portray a situation is opposed by Montaigne. He ventures to contradict Wallace’s statement, hoping his views and thoughts can be grasped and learned from by the audience. Montaigne works to describe, as thoroughly as, possible what he is thinking and why. Montaigne’s openness and honestly allows the reader pick his brain which he has already laid out for them on paper; he tries to get them thinking about his thinking. He shows them the great variety of thought that is contained in only one mind. Montaigne’s thinking is different from Austen’s in that he has no limitations on what he shares but Austen has the ability only to share so much because it is not a book solely about her. Austen and Montaigne are able to share their thoughts through their books and the reader is about to understand each’s style.