Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Post #4

Dear Mr. Jim Hughes,

As you may or may not already know, this post will be dealing with the subject of senseless violence. In my opinion I believe that greed will drive someone or maybe anyone to senseless violence. If someone wants something bad enough that they will risk their life for it, it will evidently lead to violence. In what happened in Detroit was out of the question illegal. Besides the fact that people got killed, it’s the fact that they were using and dealing drugs. In my opinion everything leads to greed if you think about it hard enough. If you love someone it may lead to suspicion, the jealousy, and in the end it will turn to greed. I believe it is how people are raised weather or not they have the ability to kill someone. If you are raised with the teachings of religion and that taking someone’s life is barbaric then there is a very high chance that you won’t be able to succumb to that way of life. On the other hand if you are taught that killing someone is a good thing then you will do it, and you will be put in jail for the rest of your life.

I was appalled by what happened in Detroit with the two little boys. I don’t even know what could make someone shoot two boys that are barely teenagers and had barely a chance to live or experience the real world where surprisingly there are more nice people than I originally thought. When I herd about what happened it made me confused. It made me confused because I would never do that over a few dollars that I would rather earn in a legitimate, honorable job. I would rather be respected for my hard work then being respected for the ability for pulling a trigger.

A lot of music now has more violence than we think. It actually took me a little time to think about it all. To think, that most of the music that is on the radio is about hurting someone over such trivial things. It makes me realize how important the people in me life are. It’s actually kind of pathetic takes something of senseless violence to realize that. Another sad thing is that people are excited by violence. In movies like The God Father, in games like Grand Theft Auto, and music like 50 cents, “Get Rich or Die Trying.” It affects us all really, and again it’s really sad if you think about it. Children are even more influenced by it because they are being introduced to it at such a young age and for so long.

I believe that people have the right to protect themselves in any way if they are in threat of being harmed or killed. Parents should put their children in self defense class. They should do this because if a “bully” of some sort starts to pick on them and threatens to beat them up, then they should be able to defend themselves. Parents should also be teaching their children more about violence then the television. What I mean is that parents should teach them that it is wrong and shouldn’t be done, and to try and stop their kids from watching violent television.

Jim, what do you think about this subject? This isn’t part of the assignment but have you read “slaughterhouse-five”? if so then what did you think of it?

~Anthony Boyd

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Gatsby Quote Assignment

Quote#1-"This is a valley of ashes-a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens." ~Nick
Answer#1-This quote tells you about how this part of town is run down with the infference of houses and other buildings have been torched and burned to the ground.By the dull color, empty streets, and laid back unsatisfied people you get the feeling of poverty and apathy. It shows that not everywhere in America in "the Roaring 1920's" was as prosporous as the big cities, like New York City. Chapter 2 page27

Quote#2-"It makes me sad becasue iv'e never seen such-such beautiful shirts before."~Daisy
Answer#2-This quote tells us that Daisy is not exactly happy with what she has at home because she cries over shirts that are more expensive than anything she has seen. Gatsby is very blessed with riches beyond most people's beleive. daisy knows she can have much more and will soon make a decision that can ruin more than just one life. Chapter 5 Page 98

Quote#3-"If it wasn't for the mist we could see yopur home across the bay, you always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock"~Gatsby
Answer#3-This quote hionts at the obsession Gatsby has had for Daisy since before he left for the war. He knows that there dock has the green light, he stares at the that light at night some of the time, and he bought his house because he wanted to be right across the bay from Daisy.

Quote#4-"I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife. Well, if thats the idea you can count me out."~Tom Buchanon
Answer#4-This quote is explaining Tom's veiws on Daisy cheating on him with Gatsby. He is outraged by this new found information and distrought, eventhough Tom is cheating on Daisy with Myrtle Wilson.Chapter 7 Page 132

Quote#5-"And if you feel that way about it maybe I'd better sell it somewhere else after all."~Goerge wilson
Answer#5-This quote George gets a little frustrated with Tom and snaps at him with a quick sorry afterwards. It shows what kind of person he is. He is very quiet and scarred of many people. But, that little frustration he showed just might turn into something more. Chapter 2 Page 29

Quote#6-Get some chairs, why don't you, so somebody can sit down.~ Myrtle Wilson
Answe#6-This quote shows the domination of Myrtle over George and the controle that she has. Also it shows the love and devotion George has. Chapter 2 Page 30