Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Cry, The Beloved Country
I would consider Paton's most important theme to be segregation. Although there are many different themes in "Cry, The Beloved Country", the one that seems to occur the most is segregation. The social inequality is what causes many of the terrible events in Johannesburg. In Book I Stephen Kumalo is introduced to crime and injustice as he travels to Johannesburg to search for his family. I think segregation is one of the main causes of crime because it plays a huge part in the majority of the characters.
One example of racial discrimination is on page 52 when Paton says, "They talked of young criminal children, and older and more dangerous criminals, of how white Johannesburg was afraid of black crime." This statement is stating that the white people are scared of the black people because of their rising crimes. The blacks are becoming criminals because of all the racism and limited opportunities they have. This example also refers to Johannesburg as "white Johannesburg", as if the white people own it. All the people blame the blacks for the destruction and danger of the land when the whites play a big part in the causes of it.
Another example of inequality in this book is on page 67 when John Kumalo is talking with Stephen Kumalo and Msimangu. John says, "I do not say we are free here. I do not say we are free as men should be. But at least I am free of the chief. At least I am free of an old and ignorant man, who is nothing but a white man's dog. He is a trick, a trick to hold together something that the white man desires to hold together." John Kumalo gives us his point of view on the discrimination and unfairness of the world. He believes he isn't as tied down and bossed around in Johannesburg as he was in Ndotsheni. One of the strong points of what he said was when he compared himself to a white man's dog. He is stating that he was treated as if he was owned by the chief. This is what caused John to move to Johannesburg and pull away from his Christian home life.
In the second paragraph of chapter 9 Paton says, "The black people go to Alexandra or Sophiatown or Orlando, and try to hire rooms or to buy a share of a house." This shows how the blacks are limited to their opportunities such as land. The black people were having to suffer just trying to find a house to stay in. One reason it was so difficult to get land or a house was because they didn't have enough money thanks to the blacks earning less money than the whites. In my opinion the racial injustice is a major theme, and it causes a majority of the problems in the book.
Segregation is the most important dominant theme portrayed throughout this novel. Paton has a way of tying discrimination into most events. Out of everything the social injustice stood out to me because I can see how it is a major cause of the native crime and Absalom's bad choices. The blacks were limited on their income, their land, their voice, and basically on everything. The inequality is what caused the blacks to become hostile towards the whites and both have a lack of understanding for one another. It won't end until all people come together and work for the improvement of their country.
Another example of inequality in this book is on page 67 when John Kumalo is talking with Stephen Kumalo and Msimangu. John says, "I do not say we are free here. I do not say we are free as men should be. But at least I am free of the chief. At least I am free of an old and ignorant man, who is nothing but a white man's dog. He is a trick, a trick to hold together something that the white man desires to hold together." John Kumalo gives us his point of view on the discrimination and unfairness of the world. He believes he isn't as tied down and bossed around in Johannesburg as he was in Ndotsheni. One of the strong points of what he said was when he compared himself to a white man's dog. He is stating that he was treated as if he was owned by the chief. This is what caused John to move to Johannesburg and pull away from his Christian home life.
In the second paragraph of chapter 9 Paton says, "The black people go to Alexandra or Sophiatown or Orlando, and try to hire rooms or to buy a share of a house." This shows how the blacks are limited to their opportunities such as land. The black people were having to suffer just trying to find a house to stay in. One reason it was so difficult to get land or a house was because they didn't have enough money thanks to the blacks earning less money than the whites. In my opinion the racial injustice is a major theme, and it causes a majority of the problems in the book.
Segregation is the most important dominant theme portrayed throughout this novel. Paton has a way of tying discrimination into most events. Out of everything the social injustice stood out to me because I can see how it is a major cause of the native crime and Absalom's bad choices. The blacks were limited on their income, their land, their voice, and basically on everything. The inequality is what caused the blacks to become hostile towards the whites and both have a lack of understanding for one another. It won't end until all people come together and work for the improvement of their country.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Happiness Is Important
I believe that we shouldn't fear the opinions of other people because your own happiness is one of the most important things in your life. A person's self happiness is an extremely important thing to have in life. What is life without happiness? One major obstacle I notice in my life, as well as in other people's lives, is the fact that we care about what people think of us. We all rely on our friend's opinion about what we should wear or do in certain situations. If you really care about what someone may think about you, then you are not doing what makes you happy.
We should all focus on our own wants and needs rather than the irrelevant comments from people that won't matter in your life. I used to rely on everyone elses' opinion except my own. I was terrified to wear whatever I had in mind without checking with a friend because I feared being made fun of by others. I never really realized how ignorant I was to actually care about other people's opinions about me. It is mostly teens that have this fear of being judged because at our age, we want to fit in and be the best. Out of all the people you go to school with, only a few will ever matter in your life after high school.
When you worry about other people's opinions it will just hold you back and cause you to miss out on amazing opportunities. I can recall specific times when I would stress over what I was wearing to school or to a party because I did not want to be judged. I would always check with my friends to get their approval before making decisions. A few times, I would stay home instead of going to parties because I feared that I would not fit in with the crowd. Afterwards, my friends would tell me about the great time they had, and I would get angry with myself for not going. Life should be enjoyed, not feared. I no longer let society decide what I wear, say, or do.
There are so many children that get bullied at school. The pain these children go through is awful. The key to over taking this pain is to simply ignore the rude opinion's of other people. It is true that words hurt, but you can't let them get to you. We should all focus on being ourselves.
With so much hatred in this world, it might be hard to find your happiness. If we stop caring about all the hate people throw at us, we can keep our heads held high and walk through life with courage and happiness. It is time to be independent and stop letting your peers influence your life. I believe my life should not be affected by people that will never matter in my future. Don't get held up on the past; you have to keep moving forward with hope for the future.
We should all focus on our own wants and needs rather than the irrelevant comments from people that won't matter in your life. I used to rely on everyone elses' opinion except my own. I was terrified to wear whatever I had in mind without checking with a friend because I feared being made fun of by others. I never really realized how ignorant I was to actually care about other people's opinions about me. It is mostly teens that have this fear of being judged because at our age, we want to fit in and be the best. Out of all the people you go to school with, only a few will ever matter in your life after high school.
When you worry about other people's opinions it will just hold you back and cause you to miss out on amazing opportunities. I can recall specific times when I would stress over what I was wearing to school or to a party because I did not want to be judged. I would always check with my friends to get their approval before making decisions. A few times, I would stay home instead of going to parties because I feared that I would not fit in with the crowd. Afterwards, my friends would tell me about the great time they had, and I would get angry with myself for not going. Life should be enjoyed, not feared. I no longer let society decide what I wear, say, or do.
There are so many children that get bullied at school. The pain these children go through is awful. The key to over taking this pain is to simply ignore the rude opinion's of other people. It is true that words hurt, but you can't let them get to you. We should all focus on being ourselves.
With so much hatred in this world, it might be hard to find your happiness. If we stop caring about all the hate people throw at us, we can keep our heads held high and walk through life with courage and happiness. It is time to be independent and stop letting your peers influence your life. I believe my life should not be affected by people that will never matter in my future. Don't get held up on the past; you have to keep moving forward with hope for the future.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Maw Maw's Strawberry Pie
Ingredients:
After you get out the strawberries, wash them and set aside to dry. Strawberries are one of the last, but most important ingredients in this pie.
I think back to when the family would get together at my grandmother's house for birthdays, holidays, or some special occasion. I was just a little girl back in these memories. Me and my cousins loved to run around the house playing hide and seek. The feeling of being surrounded by people that love me has always comforted me. The women of the family, such as my mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother hang around in the kitchen as they socialize and cook.
My great grandmother, whom I called Maw Maw, will always be a very special woman in my life. It has been about three years since she passed away. She was wise and religious in everything she did. I spent most of my time goofing off with my cousins, but I did occasionally sneak in the kitchen to taste the dinner and desserts. After getting out the necessary utensils, my Maw Maw would get out the ingredients for her amazing Strawberry pie. You need sugar, cornstarch, strawberry jello, water, red food coloring, and strawberries.
Mix 1 cup of sugar, 4 tablespoons of strawberry jello, and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch together. Next, you add 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of red food coloring.
I sit on the kitchen bar stool and quietly watch the women cook until I hear my cousins shout, "Kassidy, come play a game with us!" Then I would take off running around the house some more. All the grownups would yell, "Ya'll stop running! If you hurt yourself do not come crying to me!" We would all laugh, and us being kids would say, "We are being careful. We just wanna have fun!" Then me and the cousins would run up the stairs.
I remember constantly slipping in the kitchen to ask the most annoying question ever. "Is it ready yet?" The women would laugh, and then they would tell me to have patience. That is one thing I have still not managed to grasp. I do not have patience. Maw Maw was the professional pie maker. She would share her recipes and secrets with the rest of us. I absolutely adore those sweet, fun moments spent with the family. They never fail to cheer me up when I am having a bad day.
You cook the pie mix over medium heat until it gets thick and smooth. Finally, after it cools, slice berries into the cooked pie shell and pour the filling over the strawberries.
Now we all run to the kitchen, racing each other to the plates. My grandpa was always there to stop us so he could bless the food. Then we all sit at the table and eat our dinner as we share stories and thoughts. After dinner comes what we have all been dying to get our hands on. Maw Maw's pie is one of the family favorites. The pie is served with whipped cream and cherries if desired. My memories of these great times will forever be with me, just like the sadness I felt when it was time to go home. This is one of the many family traditions we have, and it wouldn't be the same without it.
- 1 cup of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons of strawberry jello
- 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of red food coloring
- 1 pint of strawberries
After you get out the strawberries, wash them and set aside to dry. Strawberries are one of the last, but most important ingredients in this pie.
I think back to when the family would get together at my grandmother's house for birthdays, holidays, or some special occasion. I was just a little girl back in these memories. Me and my cousins loved to run around the house playing hide and seek. The feeling of being surrounded by people that love me has always comforted me. The women of the family, such as my mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother hang around in the kitchen as they socialize and cook.
My great grandmother, whom I called Maw Maw, will always be a very special woman in my life. It has been about three years since she passed away. She was wise and religious in everything she did. I spent most of my time goofing off with my cousins, but I did occasionally sneak in the kitchen to taste the dinner and desserts. After getting out the necessary utensils, my Maw Maw would get out the ingredients for her amazing Strawberry pie. You need sugar, cornstarch, strawberry jello, water, red food coloring, and strawberries.
Mix 1 cup of sugar, 4 tablespoons of strawberry jello, and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch together. Next, you add 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of red food coloring.
I sit on the kitchen bar stool and quietly watch the women cook until I hear my cousins shout, "Kassidy, come play a game with us!" Then I would take off running around the house some more. All the grownups would yell, "Ya'll stop running! If you hurt yourself do not come crying to me!" We would all laugh, and us being kids would say, "We are being careful. We just wanna have fun!" Then me and the cousins would run up the stairs.
I remember constantly slipping in the kitchen to ask the most annoying question ever. "Is it ready yet?" The women would laugh, and then they would tell me to have patience. That is one thing I have still not managed to grasp. I do not have patience. Maw Maw was the professional pie maker. She would share her recipes and secrets with the rest of us. I absolutely adore those sweet, fun moments spent with the family. They never fail to cheer me up when I am having a bad day.
You cook the pie mix over medium heat until it gets thick and smooth. Finally, after it cools, slice berries into the cooked pie shell and pour the filling over the strawberries.
Now we all run to the kitchen, racing each other to the plates. My grandpa was always there to stop us so he could bless the food. Then we all sit at the table and eat our dinner as we share stories and thoughts. After dinner comes what we have all been dying to get our hands on. Maw Maw's pie is one of the family favorites. The pie is served with whipped cream and cherries if desired. My memories of these great times will forever be with me, just like the sadness I felt when it was time to go home. This is one of the many family traditions we have, and it wouldn't be the same without it.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
A Man with Wings
Have you noticed the increasing amount of cruelty and hatred in this world? Everywhere you look there is meanness lurking around. In her short story called A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, Gabriel Garcia Marquez shows how cruel the people of the world can be.This story also shows how easily you can take things for granted. A filthy, mysterious man with enormous wings shows up face down on the ground in a small town of curious people.
This short story has many examples of meanness and sympathy. When a unhealthy winged man shows up in a small town, a man named Pelayo decides to take the man to his home and help him. Pelayo and his wife, Elisenda, talk with a neighbor woman and decide the man must be an angel. Pelayo and Elisenda take this disgusting, pitiful man to their home and keep him in the chicken coop. The family shows sympathy towards the unusual winged man by helping him out even when they don't understand what he is. Next, the news of the angel spreads all across the people, and people come from everywhere to examine the unknown being. The crowd of people demonstrate cruelty by throwing stones at the man and branding him with a hot iron.
I think people take many of the things around them for granted, and people use others to better themselves. Pelayo and Elisenda take their son's health and the man with wings for granted. The couple start charging admission to see the man, and they make a great amount of money off of him. Some of the people in the crowd came seeking information and healing from him. This poor man was used by many people. The angel man was mistreated, but I think he was a gift from heaven to help the small family he stayed with.
The world we live in today is filled with cruelty. In the story A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings the people are very unsatisfied and mean. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is an excellent author who knows how to make a reader feel emotion. This story gives great examples of the way people treat others. Pelayo and Elisenda realize the importance of the angel when they think he is dying, but he regains his strength and flies off into the horizon. In my opinion the angel helped the family become wealthy and taught them to be more open minded about the things they have.
This short story has many examples of meanness and sympathy. When a unhealthy winged man shows up in a small town, a man named Pelayo decides to take the man to his home and help him. Pelayo and his wife, Elisenda, talk with a neighbor woman and decide the man must be an angel. Pelayo and Elisenda take this disgusting, pitiful man to their home and keep him in the chicken coop. The family shows sympathy towards the unusual winged man by helping him out even when they don't understand what he is. Next, the news of the angel spreads all across the people, and people come from everywhere to examine the unknown being. The crowd of people demonstrate cruelty by throwing stones at the man and branding him with a hot iron.
I think people take many of the things around them for granted, and people use others to better themselves. Pelayo and Elisenda take their son's health and the man with wings for granted. The couple start charging admission to see the man, and they make a great amount of money off of him. Some of the people in the crowd came seeking information and healing from him. This poor man was used by many people. The angel man was mistreated, but I think he was a gift from heaven to help the small family he stayed with.
The world we live in today is filled with cruelty. In the story A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings the people are very unsatisfied and mean. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is an excellent author who knows how to make a reader feel emotion. This story gives great examples of the way people treat others. Pelayo and Elisenda realize the importance of the angel when they think he is dying, but he regains his strength and flies off into the horizon. In my opinion the angel helped the family become wealthy and taught them to be more open minded about the things they have.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Tainted School Lunches Leave 21 Children Dead
I read the 21 Children Die From Tainted Lunches at Indian School article in The New York Times. All countries need health codes and requirements before serving food to people. It is much harder to supply healthy food in the poor countries like India. Have you ever had to worry about being on your death bed from eating school lunches? You most likely have not had to worry about that. The United States has many rules and regulations on the school health codes. People should take the time to ensure the children's safety.
I think the poor countries need more health requirements, especially in the schools. The article says 21 children died and two dozen were hospitalized. There is no excuse to why all these children were poisoned. I understand India does not have the needed wealth, but the contaminated lunches could have been prevented if people put more effort into their jobs. Many charities and organizations help provide the food, and that is amazing. People just need to take the time to simply test the food for harmful substances before serving it.
My opinion on the health of other countries is well supported by the article I chose. It is stated that the quality of the food served is not very good, and the school lunch program is the largest in the world. India's school lunch program serves over 12o million children. One man says it is not possible to taste the food in all the 73,000 schools before it is eaten, but I disagree with that statement. The food can be tasted in all schools before being served if people were actually willing to work and help out.
A country's wealth should not matter when it comes to its safety. All schools should have health codes much like the United States. India's tragedy should be an example and an inspiration to people everywhere to help make the environment a safer and healthier place. School lunch programs need to step up their game, and check all meals before schools serve them to the children. Health codes like this should not only be encouraged, but required in all schools around the world.
I think the poor countries need more health requirements, especially in the schools. The article says 21 children died and two dozen were hospitalized. There is no excuse to why all these children were poisoned. I understand India does not have the needed wealth, but the contaminated lunches could have been prevented if people put more effort into their jobs. Many charities and organizations help provide the food, and that is amazing. People just need to take the time to simply test the food for harmful substances before serving it.
My opinion on the health of other countries is well supported by the article I chose. It is stated that the quality of the food served is not very good, and the school lunch program is the largest in the world. India's school lunch program serves over 12o million children. One man says it is not possible to taste the food in all the 73,000 schools before it is eaten, but I disagree with that statement. The food can be tasted in all schools before being served if people were actually willing to work and help out.
A country's wealth should not matter when it comes to its safety. All schools should have health codes much like the United States. India's tragedy should be an example and an inspiration to people everywhere to help make the environment a safer and healthier place. School lunch programs need to step up their game, and check all meals before schools serve them to the children. Health codes like this should not only be encouraged, but required in all schools around the world.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)