The Glass Menagerie:Tom

At the end of the play Tom leaves his sister and mother behind. He does this because he wants to start his life and live out his dreams. Knowing the conditions that his mother and sister were in, was it right for him to leave them or should he have waited for Laura and Amanda to be taken care of before he left?

Is Tom considered selfish?

As we seen so far in The Glass Menagerie, the family has become highly dependent upon Tom in the absence of their father.  Due to the fact that they don't have any other male role model or provider, they look to Tom for support and to act as that role model.  After a while of his mother and younger sister looking to him for money and support, he gets overwhelmed with the pressure.  Tom starts going to the "movies" which he is actually going out to get drunk without his family knowing.  He is planning on moving out, yet his family thinks of this as a selfish move.  What do you think?

Scene 1 in "The Glass Menagerie"

In Scene 1, viewers are introduced to Tom, an outgoing man who is following his dreams as a playwright, but is conflicted with personal problems of helping his family, particularly his sister Laura who is an unstable condition dealing with her childhood issues. Amanda, Laura's and Toms mother, is lost in an reality due to her children and is continually trying to have Laura get married and Tom who is now the family caregiver to provide the family with emotional and economic freedom. Why is Tom so important to his sister and mothers well-being? Was the lack of a father the reason or was there are internal conflict that caused the family to slowly but steadily depart from the father? Thoughts?

The ending

Considering what has happened, will Lena finally be "free" and will Joe Christmas be remembered or was he an old story-telling like Hightower?

Byron's Choice in Chapter 18

I will keep this short and allow lengthy text to ensue in the comments, fingers crossed. Why do you believe Byron chose to pursue Brown after supposedly cutting all ties with Lena and his past in Jefferson?

Christmas

Having most of the stories conflicts center around him, or be a byproduct of his actions, Christmas remains controversial. You could say he is catalyzing change, but there is a glaring lack of intent in any good he does cause. While on the other hand there is obvious premeditation in every damaging action he commits. Most want to see him as a victim, and sympathize with the circumstances he was given. However, he is only one victim, and he has caused countless others to be victims of his own misdeeds. So at what point should the reader's sympathy end? And how long will we excuse his actions?

The Hines

In chapter 16 we find out that the Hines are the grandparents of Christmas. We also found out what happened to Christmas as a baby and why he was in the orphanage in the first place. Long story short, Christmas mother (Milly) died while giving birth and soon after Mr. Hines left for some time. When he came back it was only for a moment, then he left again only he took the baby with him this time. Mrs. Hines didn't hear from him for a long time, so she just waited for him in hopes that he'd come back, and he did, but Christmas was gone. He told Mrs. Hines that they were moving and that was the last time she saw Christmas, until now. Now that they have seen him after all those years, Mr. Hines wants him dead and Mrs. Hines wants to see to him. What are your thoughts on the Hines?

Mr. Hightower and Byron

As we see in Chapter 13, Mr. Hightower is starting to realize that Byron has different intentions for Lena Groove than providing that Christian help like anyone else would do, should they interfere.  Before Byron enters the door he knows that when he leaves after speaking to Mr. Hightower that he will not be welcome again.  While explaining the latest news to Mr. Hightower Byron tells him how Lena already knew that Brown was no good.  He didn´t have to hide it from her, she knew and still wanted what Brown might provide for her and the child.  Byron doesn´t approve of such and is planning to come in between of the two before Brown knows about the baby.  ´´No,´´ Hightower says.  ´´You don´t need my help. You are already being helped by someone stronger than I am.´´  For a moment Byron does not speak.  They look at one another, steadily.  ´´Helped by who?´´  ´´By the devil,´´  Hightower says.  Mr. Hightower knows that Byron is going down a dark and reckless path, yet does nothing to stop.  He tries to explain the immorality of what Byron indirect actions are but he´s too niave to see.  Do you agree this is the path that he´s going?

Chapter 8

In Chapter 8, we found out that the waitress is a prostitute. Her and Joe Christmas have an unusual relationship, one I did not understand in the beginning. Did he actually think that they were dating? Or did he knew from the beginning that she was a prostitute? Also, I think she is one of the prevalent reasons why Christmas hates all women in his life. He thinks that women are the reason to all problems. The waitress's betrayal has supported Christmas's negative view of women. Do you guys think that Christmas will fall in love again though out the story? Or has his first love ruined it for all the rest?

Christmas's Motivation

Throughout chapter 7 Christmas displays little emotion, and seems almost detached from the punishment he receives. Yet, at present day in the novel Christmas is in emotional turmoil, and is impulsive when it comes to facing others. (As shown when he subconsciously pulls the razor on the black people in the street). So what caused Christmas to change? What happened internally when his surrogate father beat him to the point of acceptance of physical pain? And if Christmas truly took after Mr. McEachern, as described in the book, why does he value religion so little?

Joe Christmas

I found it rather interesting that even though Christmas was adopted at the end of chapter 6 he kept the last name of Christmas rather than staying with McEachern. In a way he had a chance to change his identity to fit in a white community. Why didn't take the opportunity?

Chapter 6

In chapter 6 readers will discover Joe Christmas' odd childhood. Christmas  joined the a orphanage at age 5 and was introduced to a dietitian who shower immediate severity. One day Christmas finds the dietitians toothpaste and he eats it but as he eats it the dietitian and Charley, a young doctor, are having sexual relations. Christmas is caught "spying" and is called a "nigger bastard" and is offered 1 whole dollar if he can keep his mouth shut but he humbly refuses. This, the dietitian goes to the orphanages janitor and explains the racial background of Christmas. Drastically, the janitor takes Christmas and flees the orphanage only to be caught. Christmas is then placed in a foster home in which his father will beat him to worship God due to Christmas' last name being sacrilegious. Any thoughts on how Christmas will deal with this new lifestyle(in context to the past)?

Chapter 6 Christmas' Backstory

Beginning chapter 6, we learn more about Christmas and his backstory as an orphan in a rundown and degenerate orphanage. Being half black, he's treated far worse than the other children and we learn how much his society bases opinions off of race. On account of his accused murder, he seems more and more likely to have committed the crime. Do you guys think he's guilty?

Joe Christmas

Whilst reading chapter 5 in class today, one of Christmas' thoughts stuck out for me. "Thinking   All I wanted was peace  thinking, 'She ought not to started praying over me'," (Faulkner, 1985, p. 112). This inclines me to believe that Christmas' "peace" is actually a state of apathy. His following thought, concerning Miss Burden praying over him, confirms this all the more for me. He did not want her to do such a thing because with religion comes hope, and hope merely draws out pain with the notion of optimism. Christmas wishes to repress his past and any reminders of it; perhaps, before, he had hoped and the blow of reality had been too much for him to recover from. Inputs?

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 had a turning point in the plot: Joe Christmas is part black. It astonishes me because that changed the whole situation for the police. Since the police thought that that he was just a foreigner, they were not convinced on believing Brown. As soon as Brown told them he was half black, the police automatically think that Christmas is the murderer. Do you guys think that Christmas is actually the one that killed Mrs. Burden? Or is Brown's story just a way to get fast cash?

Light In August: Ch.4

In chapter 4 a lot has happened and all of it is being explained by Byron to Reverend Hightower. We find out that Ms. Burden was murdered; Brown and Christmas are the suspects. Both of them were no where to be found, until Brown heard about the reward money of a thousand dollars, then Brown goes into town and pins the whole thing on Christmas. When he was explaining what had happened he kept getting stuck when the sheriff asked him questions, he was very fidgety most of the time, and he wasn't certain of his answers. To me all of those are signs of lying and on page 42 Byron states that “And even a liar can be scared into telling the truth.” Having the feeling that Byron is a liar, how is Lena going to react to hearing about her future husband being a potential murderer? What do you think she is going to do?
 

Chapter 4

Mrs. Burden has been killed by the accused Joe Christmas. Mrs. Burden's head had been completely detached from her body and her throat was slit by a person from the town. A rumor spreads that Christmas is half black and he killed Burden out of racial issues. Brown blames Christmas for the killing as a $1,000 dollar reward is offered for the culprit. Consquently, Brown becomes economically viable and blames Christmas for a crime he did not possibly commit? Was it Christmas or Brown? Why, would anyone do this to Mrs. Burden?

Chapter 2

Today in class we read chapter 2 and met Byron, Brown, and Christmas along with other characters like Ms. Burden. Each one seems to keep to themselves and no one really knows much about them. In the end of the chapter, Lena and Byron are talking about Brown. Lena seems suspicious of Brown, I think she believes Brown is really Lucas Burch. Anyone else?

Why all the hating?

In chapter 2 readers are introduced to Joe Christmas who is lonely, ruthless, and almost proud. Joe refuses to talk to his coworkers at his job(the mill) and rumors spread that Joe illegally sells whiskey behind Mrs. Burdens home. Mrs. Burden(negro lover, in context) is a woman whom is white but prefers negros which is practically restricted in the town of Jefferson. Later on, Lena Grove arrives into town only to discover that there is no man by the last name of Bunch. Could these events initialize betrayal leading to isolation?

Inner meaning of Chapter 1

In chapter 1 readers will begin the book with Lena Grove. Lena is from Mississippi but walked to Alabama on her own bare feet. Lena encounters a town in which her brother works and lives in. Overtime, Lena is invited to live with her brother and sister-in-law as she takes care of her brothers children. Subsequently, Lena also becomes pregnant by a man with the last name of Jake(?) Burch. As a result of Lena's pregnancy willingly leaves her brothers home into a world beyond her imagination. As Lena is on this journey she encounters a clash between isolation and disgust from fellow townspeople. As Lena lays in a ditch she is picked up by Mr. Armstid(a civilian of the town) and is invited to stay at the Armstids house for a night or two. As time inevitably passes by, Lena discovers that she is not alone and will receive help from others, as of Mrs. Armstid whom didn't approve of Lena but gave her money to catch a wagon(taxi). As Lena is dropped off at the bus stop by the generous Mr. Aristid she encounters with a man who tells her that her partner in adultery(if you call it that) that her baby's fathers last name is Bunch, not Burch. Lena acquires this information with great and utter confusion. Lena then catchs a wagon and she tells the driver of her situation and as the driver continues on his path he notices two plumes of smoke in which a house may have caught fire. What do you believe that plumes of smoke represented? Overall, Faulkner started off his book with mans humanity to man to portray the willingness in most people, but as the novel continues Joe Christmnas, main character will deal with mans inhumanity to man. Any thoughts on how Faulker will portray Joe's issues? Also, how does Lena symbolize Mary?

The Cruicible/ Most Interesting Character

I honestly love reading about the period of time when there were witch trial occurances.  I find it interesting that a society such as the puritans were so horrfied at the idea of someone being a "witch" that they would do the extreme as to hanging them.  Further more, how it was a sin to lie in the society, yet I wouldn't put it past me that most of the people accused, lied to get them out of that situation.  However, it was the only way to get them from being hanged of something that you may or may not be and have no way of proving otherwise.  In saying this I think the most interesting character was Abigal.  She was most dynamic character from being accused of practicing witch craft, to being the innocent victim, to fleeing Salem.  Abigail causes the most problems in the book, especially for Proctor John, and at the end of the book she flees because she codemmed the one person she loved to hang. 

Karen's Input on Dyanna's Presentation

Through out the whole block, we have been studying transcendentalism as a class. We made connections to characters in The Scarlet Letter, like Hester, to making connections of the character of John Proctor in The Crucible. Today in Dyanna Pacheco's presentation she focused on one of the female civil rights leader, Rosa Parks. When I think of Parks, I think of a transcendentalist character not following the norms of society. She stands by her own ground, no matter the consequences. Especially being an African-American woman during the Civil Rights Movement, society imposed so many rules on to her. Whether it was from not drinking from a White person's water fountain or not speaking up about her rights just because of her gender, only caused her to not obey the rules. Just like Hester, Parks did whatever felt right at her heart. Do you agree with this connection?

Elizabeth & John

A prominent yet rocky relationship, which is a tragedy in itself. Instead of giving us a beloved couple which we can easily root for, Arthur Miller gives an estranged couple with a crumbling relationship. To me, it seemed that despite their failing marriage, John and Elizabeth deeply loved each other. I believe that is why John felt so hurt by Elizabeth's coldness to him before he cheated. That is also why I believe it was so hard for Elizabeth to forgive him. It seemed like they grew distant over time, and their pride stopped them from admitting and or stopping it. However, they were forced to face their failing relationship when John cheated. Yet even then they both pushed it off, and avoided really confronting it, and moving on. However, the witch trials forced them to face each other, and to really be honest with one another. And I believe that brought them together again. The prime example of this being John and Elizabeth's final dialogue before John was hanged. Despite not being romantic in the traditional sense, the underlying emotion was powerful. As I have stated before, to me, the only reason Elizabeth even tried to change John's mind was out of a personal desire to be with him again, to have him to herself again. Additionally, I believe the only reason John initially agreed was Elizabeth, and the thought of finally having her love him and accept him again. In short, the idea of forgetting everything else, and just thinking of each other was almost tempting enough for them to go against everything they believed in. However, they knew they couldn't live with themselves if they were that selfish, so they sacrificed their relationship to do what was right. Do you agree?  

The Power of The Individual

One person's word was the reasoning for countless executions. One person was able to turn a town on itself, and cause a movement that to this day lives in infamy. One person, was able to bypass the American judicial system, and lock away his enemies for crimes they have yet to commit. This idea of the power of the individual, is what makes The Crucible so powerful. Because, no matter how you look at the Salem witch trials, or McCarthyism/The Red Scare, it always came down to one persons word. Whether it be Abigail or McCarthy, one person was able to change, or make history, depending on how you look at it. Now you could say that in both cases it was the people that enacted these movements, it was the general public which incited revolution amongst themselves. However, Abigail and McCarthy where the catalysts, the excuse the people needed to take action on their fears. Do you blame the water for rippling when a stone is thrown into it? Or do you blame the person who threw the stone? For the water, it is only natural to ripple, to react to what has spurred its movement. But for the individual, it is deliberate. They want to see the water react, they want to cause a change. As for the stone, it is something always their, something that always has the potential to cause the water to move. However, it can not act on its own, because it is a tool. So in this rather elaborate analogy, the stone is fear. For fear is what causes people to react, what causes the water to ripple. But in a different perspective, the stone is a tool, a tool for those willing to use it, those who are willing or desiring the water to react. I guess with the elaborate analogy put aside, I am trying to say something that both the Salem witch trials, and McCarthyism demonstrate. We are all at risk of giving in to our fears, of allowing ourselves to be used. We are all looking for an excuse to attack our fears, despite what they might be, and that is what gives people like Abigail and McCarthy power over us. Because to them fear is a tool, something that can be used to incite the downfall of anyone. And I guess that is the main reason for the Salem witch trials, or McCarthyism, or any similar movement/event. These opposing perspectives on fear. It is what has caused many movements, and will continue to cause many more. And I personally believe that is something Arthur Miller focused heavily on in the Crucible.

Elizabeth vs Abigail

Elizabeth is the long-suffering wife of a man who betrayed her. She is a good wife and mother, with a strong sense of morality and virtue. She punishes her husband continuously after his transgression by withholding her warmth, love, and trust. Abigail plays the vindictive, jilted lover. She is determined to exact revenge on Proctor's wife and have the man for herself. She has no scruples, and is willing to do whatever necessary to rid herself of her rival..... even to emit the false accusations that will lead to her demise. Like Elizabeth, she is determined to punish Proctor. 

The Proctors' Fate

As we know, or more accurately can predict, John Proctor was hung for his alleged sins, leaving behind Elizabeth, his three sons, and the expected baby. Personally I would have appreciated some closure on the remaining Proctors' behalf. Did John's death, coupled by all the other hangings, result in a cease of the witch trials and spare Elizabeth? Or did the court wait for the baby's birth to hang Elizabeth? If so, what happened to the, now four, Proctor children, were they taken in by anyone or where they left to wander the roads aimlessly, mirroring the fate of many cattle? What do you believe happened?

I believe that Tituba was the most interesting character in the crucible so far because she is the roots of the witch trials, she was blamed for bringing the devil and the injury of a girl. But she was saying she had nothing to do with the devil and never knew one. Then they mention how they would kill her so she says she did know a devil but she had nothing to do with him, Then starts mentioning people that she knew that had an affiliation with the devil then Abigail and others start ratting out names as well. So the reason i believe she is interesting because she started the trials.

Abigial and Proctor

We learn that the affair ended seven months ago; however, Abigail makes it clear that she wants Proctor back. Proctor, on the other hand, is determined not to resume their relationship (which is just a bit different than saying he does not still want to be with). So could Abigian and Proctor possible get back together?

The Crucible:Most Interesting Character

In my opinion I think that Abigail is an interesting character. She is very unpredictable; in the first act she ratted out a lot of women in the town saying  they took part in the witchcraft just so she could take off the heat from her and put it on other people. Then we find out in act two that she accused Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, of being out in the forest with them. Abigail did this because she knew that it would cause a conflict between Elizabeth and Proctor, also she did it to get rid of Elizabeth so she could be with Proctor. Who knows what else Abigail will do to get what she wants. What are your thoughts on Abigail? Do you think that she is a horrible, selfish person or is there more to Abigail than how she is seen now?

Most interesting character

I think the most interesting character is Hale. Like Ali said in Ross's today, Hale seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to the Devil and demons. He isn't afraid to speak about those types of things which makes him interesting. Hale also seems like the type of person that takes charge, he gives off this authoritative vibe.

Proctor and Elizabeth

Today we read Act two from The Crucible, and it seemed to focus on the relationship between Elizabeth and Proctor. We discover that Elizabeth knew about the affair he with Abigail, and that there are trust issues. Their relationship of wife and husband is very tense and Proctor has had enough of Elizabeth always doubting him. She has noticed that he is always defending Abigail, that's why she wants him to confront her for bringing Elizabeth's name up. From what we can analyze from these characters, can they be compared to characters from The Scarlet Letter? Also Abigail, can she be compared to perhaps Chillingworth?

The Crucible Act 1: Abigail

The character that intrigued me the most was Abigail because she is so evil and mischievous. Abigail in my opinion is the most important character because throughout Act 1, she causes many civilians consequences for actions they have never done. After being caught doing unusual acts in the forest, she carelessly began to lie and blaming others for her own problems. She seems to have a grudge on everyone. I believe her reason for her sinful and heartless acts was because she witnessed the death of her parents. Furthermore, leaving her as an orphan and left to an uncle who cares about himself more than his own niece. Therefore, I believe that her motive is to cast a charm on anyone who crosses her or anyone who she dislikes. Her past seems to affect her, mentally. For example she drank a charm that was filled with blood to kill John Proctor's wife in order for her to be with her love, John. For Abigail to get what she wants, she needs to cast spells and wish them to be killed. She also drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor. This child is very diabolical.

Tituba

The character I found interesting was Tituba. This is because of her change in character when she was accused of being a witch.When Parris asked her if she was a witch , she at first said no,  but then had to change her answer in order to save herself. She had to confess to the reverend and give him the names of the witches she thought were the ones that harmed Betty. The situation that Tituba was in and how she reacted to it seemed interesting to me because she was a great example of how the majority of the people would react during the late 1600's when being accused. It's a cycle in which everyone accuses one another and continues until one of them (or a group of people) is found guilty and punished.

Betty

I think Betty is pretty interesting at this point. She was dancing in the woods with a kettle on a fire, creating a love potion with a so called witch, and apparently saw the devil but faints when she sees her dad? My guess is that she's faking her coma to cover up or make people pity her so they will forget what she was going. The moment she hears that by ratting out other people they will not be killed she wakes up and rats out Abigail.

Reverend John Hale

Reverend John Hale is the most interesting character because he has high knowledge towards the devil. Also, he knows about marks from the devil and he has no fear of the devil. Unlike most whom may be afraid to collaborate with the Devil, Hale has no fear or remorse for the Devil and the actions taken towards to bring out the Devil from Abigial. Any suggestions on why else he may be intriguing?

The Crucible

"Uncle, we did dance; let you tell them I confessed it-and I'll Be whipped if I must be. But they're speakin' of witchcraft. Betty's not witched".

So, could this be a another England such as the England Oliver Cromwell ruled. Cromwell banned all singing, dancing, and nearly all enjoyment. Witchcraft is considered dancing? As we progress Parris states that "abominations are done in the forest" thus one can conclude that most witchcraft was done in the forest.  Therefore, as the story progresses readers will soon discover that all enjoyment is considered witchcraft. Any thoughts on what may come?

The Crucible(Background Information)

The Crucible is a 1952 play by the American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a dramatization of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692 and 1693. Miller wrote the play as an allegory to McCarthyism, when the US government blacklisted accused communists. Miller himself was questioned by Senator Joseph McCarthy’s US House of Representatives’ Committee on Un-American Activities in 1956 and was convicted of "contempt of Congress" for refusing to identify others present at meetings he had attended. The play was first performed on Broadway on January 22, 1953. Miller felt that this production was too stylized and cold and the reviews for it were largely hostile. Nonetheless, the production won the 1953 "Best Play" Tony Award. A year later a new production succeeded and the play became a classic. Today it is studied in high schools and universities because of its status as a revolutionary work of theatre and for its allegorical relationship to testimony given before the Committee on Un-American Activities during the 1950s. It is a central work in the canon of American drama.

Source: https://sites.google.com/site/english3gk/home/literature/the-colonial-period/the-crucible/the-crucible-notes/background-information-on-the-crucible

Chapter 23

In this chapter the Townspeople are stunned by what they have seen. Mr. Dimmesdale  has died and the Scarlet Letter on his chest in exposed for everyone to see. Many people in the crowd are astonished by this and they start to question what they have seen ,therefore, Hawthorne shows his point of view as some of the noble townspeople start defending Dimmesdale. Ironically, Toget Chillingworth has wasted nearly a decade of his life trying to torture Dimmesdale and he starts to feel an inner rage because he never go his vengeance( yeah right). Any thoughts if Chillingworth will be able to aboard the ship if Hester doesn't say anything to the crewmen? Will he find a way to aboard the ship? Thoughts.

Chapter 22

It's Election Day and the whole town is filled with smiles and music. Everyone has gathered in the Market Place to celebrate this traditional holiday. As Hester and Pearl join the festivities, the captain of a ship that is leaving for England tells Hester that Roger Chillingworth is also going along for the trip. How on Earth could Chillingworth found out about Hester's and Dimmesdale's plan to escape to England? I just have no idea how he would have known that. Does any one have any explanations? Also, what is the whole point of Election Day? Does a new governor take the place of the old one?

Chillingworth at his climax!

In these two chapters Hester has seen and become able to experience the evilness of Mr. Roger Chillingworth. Due to Chillingworths sorrow and vengeance Hester feels as if she had brought upon this form of anger  towards him and she starts to feel sympathy for Chillingworth. Hester then asks him if  he could not necessary forget about the issue at hand but have no revenge for she is also depressed for Dimmesdale. As the book progress' Hester starts to feel a inner hatred for Chillingworth because of his callous actions and his refusal for peace. Therefore, I believe Chillingworth will stop at nothing to get his "rightly" vengeance towards Dimmesdale. Anyone believe that Chillingworths vengeance is justified or just a  simple act of  inhumanity.

The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale Theory

Basically, in the story so far we have been led to believe that Hester is the protagonist, and events in the story revolve around her. Everything done so far was in relation to Hester. But what if that's not it at all? What if, Hester was simply a result or byproduct of actions taken against another character. What if the leaders, and higher class of the town knew the father the entire time, or atleast discovered it before the story began. What if Hester is Dimmesdale's punishment? At the end of chapter 10, it is revealed that something incriminating is either under the shirt of Dimmesdale's, or physically on his body. Many people believed it to be an A, either as a brand or as a necklace on the reverend. Well what kind of idiot brands an A on himself, asked many people. But its only assumed to be self inflicted. Upon discovery of his actions, the ruling class of townspeople took decisive and private action against Dimmesdale. They branded him, as punishment, and as sadistic torture to remind him for the rest of his life what he's done. Then, to further his torment, they made him responsible for Hester's fate, by choosing him to speak on Hester's behalf when she was up on the scaffold. They knew that Dimmesdale would either be exposed publicly, or forced to watch his precious lover suffer and take on the burden of their combined sin. This is also why they kept Hester alive. Hester's suffering was Dimmesdale's final and most detrimental punishement. He had to watch his lover suffer alone, on a daily basis. All the time, knowing that there was nothing he could do besides join her in her ignominy. Furthering this point, when Dimmesdale screams upon the scaffold in chapter 12, Reverend Wilson walks by. Dimmesdale believes he confessed to Wilson, however Dimmesdale then tells himself it was vision when Wilson walks by seemingly not noticing him. However, could it be Wilson intentionally ignored Dimmesdale? Being aware of the truth, and understanding how insane Dimmesdale's guilt is driving him, he might even be pleased by this. Seeing the incumbent sinner brought to his knees feeble and delirious.  For the pain you can inflict on a lone individual slows and numbs over time. But the pain instilled through a loved one's suffering is boundless, and a tender agony; thats potency never fades.

The beginning of a new life?

As the story progresses Hester has started to feel a propinquity with Reverend Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale as mentioned in earlier chapters has declining health and Hester starts to feel bad for him. Dimmesdale also starts to have fierce dreams of Hester pointing her finger at the letter on her dress and the then at the reverend's bosom. One night  Dimmesdale escapes his home and goes to the scaffold(yes, the one where Hester was publicly shamed for all possible eternity). Furthermore, he lets out a scream for help and no one hears him or so did they think. As Dimmesdale is up there he is overheard by baby Pearl whom is with her mother after checking measurements for Governor Winthrop's burial rope. Thereafter, all 3 stand on the scaffold together(awe moment) holding hands and the letter A appears in the sky which highly symbolizes hope for Pearl, Hester, and hopefully the Reverend. Right there and then Dimmesdale starts to realize that Chillingworth may be his enemy but he will not let his intuition get it the way of his thought process for he has sinned. Do you believe the reverend will eventually tell his ulteriored secret of sin.

Chillingworth vs Dimmesdale

In the past couple of chapters in which we have read, readers start to sense the actual harshness of Mr. Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth has constantly haunted Dimmesdale for the truth and Dimmesdales health has been declining and a major aspect for this is his sin in which he brought upon himself and Hester. One night Dimmesdale is sleeping and Mr. Roger Chillingworth sneaks into his room and checks under his shirt were he finds the scarlet letter. Startled, Mr. Chillingworth starts to feel a need for vengeance towards Dimmesdale and the reverends intution of who his enemies are starts to decline because of his belief of creating such a sin. Therefore, I believe Mr. Chillingworth will not get his revenge because Dimmesdale has slowly decreased in self worth as he beats himself every night trying to relieve himself of his sin.

Chapter 8(A Mothers Love)

In Chapter 8 readers are introduced to a question of thought. This question being where Pearl was born? Pearl had stated that she was picked by the rose bushs next to the prsion door rather than answering the Heavenly Father. Therefore, the Governor feels as if Pearl is mistaken and he starts to sense that Hester is improperly raising Pearl. Hester rapidly responded to this as says that Pearl is a gift from God and that no one can take that gift away which is also Hester's only reason for joy and sorrow in her abundant life. We as readers tend to feel for Hester because she has gone out her way for Pearl and by her actions in which she has shown her true and idea love for Pearl. Anyone feel that Pearl should be in the hands of the Governor. Also The Governor did state that Pearl will STRICTLY be taught.

Chapter 7

As I read chapter 7, I saw how much of Hester is in Pearl. The outgoing, unique, outspoken attitude is in her daughter, much like how it was on her. Also, I see Pearl as her mother's defender because while they were walking towards the governor's house, a group of boys wanted to throw mud at them and Pearl scared them off. I thought that was so cute because she's about 3 or 4 years old and she already has an attitude of self defense. The chapter also mentioned how Pearl is always dressed in bright colors, especially red, and this is due to the scarlet letter. Hester sees Pearl as the scarlet letter, so she emphasizes it in her daughter's outfits. Finally, I'm assuming that Hester is the first example of sin in the town because the governor and ministers want to take Pearl away, which is such an extreme measure. Even after three years, all the attention is still focused on Hester Prynne and her sin. What do you guys think?

Chapter 7

In chapter 7 readers start to sense the emotion of love because Hester has realized a rumor has spread about having Pearl taken from her arms. Although Hester is emotionally unstable she must go to the Governors hall and provide The Governor with an accessorie in which he ordered. As Hester is holding Pearl a group of men are nearby and Pearl leaps out a scream and then silence erupts throughout the hall. Any thoughts of the rumors being true?

Hester and Transcendentalism

Upon looking at the 6 paragraph promt,  I realized that a little bit of transcendentalist thinking has appreaed in the thoughts of Hester Prynne in chapter 5.  In a puritan society it is frowned upon to question God or your belief in him.  However, when you're cast away and put to shame I feel that thinking would go along with that.  In this chapter you see that she is asking her self, is she really the only person that has commited adultery? She is merely the only person in that situation that it was that obvious.  Is she really the only person ever to have commited a sin and punished this serverly? She is starting to doubt this and think of people as just human, that this should be normal and the punishment is over board.

Pearl

In chapter 5 we start to notice the adulterer child whom is named Pearl. Pearl is an outgoing child and is very playful. From what has been mentioned in class we can conclude that Pearl is a sign of hope and remorse from her mothers actions. Her mothers symbol of sin may not be sin rather it will be a sign of dignity if and only if Pearl comes out to be a "star" then her mother may not be shamed for all eternity after all...but hey miracles happen...disagreements?

Chillingworth being upset or hurt????????????

What I don't understand is why Chillingworth is getting so upset or hurt about Hester committing adultery. He knew she didn't love him and he basically forced her or tricked her into that marriage. Also he was gone for years, he left her by herself in a place that was new to her. She was bound to cheat on him.

The Scarlet Letter Ch.4

Why does Chillingworth so desperately want to know the name of Hester's secret lover? Do you think Chillingworth wants to do more than just meet him? The way he acted and the way he spoke around Hester gave this chilling and evil feel. I think he's hatching up a scheme towards Hester and her lover. What do you think?

What do you think about Chillingworth?

After reading chapter 4 today in class, we got to know more about Chillingworth. He seemed very reasonable and compassionate about the situation with Hester and the affair. Towards the end of the chapter, I think that he gives this "evil" vibe about wanting to know who the guy Hester committed the affair with. Why would he give this image to Hester? She did seem to scare her after letting her know why he wanted him.

Chapter 3

Today in class we read chapter 3 of The Scarlet Letter. In this chapter Hester refuses to give up the name of baby's father to the council. Why is this? If it was a one night stand or someone that meant very little to her, she would've probably given him up. Wouldn't you? I think whoever she committed adultery with, she has strong feelings for them or some type of connection with them. Now, if it is the reverend then maybe she just didn't give him up because of who he and the type of punishment he would get.

The Scarlet Letter

Just a few thoughts on the rose bush from the first chapter. For the most part we know that the rose bush has been growing there in the prison for a while and that it the first and maybe last thing prisoners could see. So like discussed in class the bush symbolizes hope and could give hope to those in the prison. Not only that my be symbolize Hester and her daughter in some way, maybe it could symbolize Hester's daughter, since rose bushes are beautiful but covered in thrones it could be hinting to some thing that could happen to the daughter.  

Chapter 3

In chapter 3 we see a true side of Hester as she refuses to give up her child's fathers name to the council. By doing this Hester has portrayed her loyalty to this man(could possible be the man in the crowd?). Hester late on makes eye contact with a white man whom stares back at her and as Hester is doing this she is being taunted by the throngs of women, men, and children of such ages. Hester is later on sent to prison and the gender of her child is a girl.

The Scarlet Letter Thoughts

Based on what we've read so far I'm going to predict that Hester was justified in committing adultery. For starters, her marriage seemed forced to put it lightly. What's more, it seems like she would have been an outcast even before her "sin". I don't think she likes living in the village, and I really do not think she likes her husband. To run the risk of committing adultery in that time period, shows that at the very least her marriage wasn't perfect. However, I support Hester so far. She seems brave, and pretty strong/defiant. I don't usually support adultery either, but she seems like she had her reasons. She reminds me a lot of Aliena from Pillars of the Earth, except Aliena is a lot more defiant and strong, and lived in a much earlier time period. But I'm worried about that kid. Everytime Hawthorne mentions the kid, he always calls it her "shame". And I get he/her must be a constant reminder of that event, but still. I mean in the beginning she was described smothering it in her gown, just to hide the A. And what's with that one female character who seems to know exaclty what's going on? The young wife, seems like one of those characters who blatanly tells you the subtext through dialogue. But overall it seems like another protypical story of a protagonist vilified becuase they don't adhere to the social customs of the time. Also, considering the context of when this was written(1850), this seems like it was a big contribution to the suffragette/feminist movement.    

The Scarlet Letter

Recently we have read "The Scarlet Letter". In this novel we have been introduced to a prison full of sorrow and loss of the marrow of life. As we read on we notice a reference towards red roses near a grayish prison door. Red will later on have a symbolic and important meaning as we read on. A young woman which we know a portion about has committed adultery and is in threatened with the gallows( where people are hung). This woman has her baby in hand and is being watched by a throng of people. Furthermore, throughout these two chapter we see a form of nature having pity towards mankind as well as a unknown symbolizine towards the color red.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

For the past few days we've learned about transcendentalist thinkers such as Thoreau and Emerson. In my believe, they subscribes entirely to the philosophy, but Hawthorne is different. Although he believed in the philosophy and even lived 6 months in a community the transcendentalists established, he did not follow the philosophy entirely. His life was very interesting as I read today's homework. I'm excited to see what The Scarlet Letter has in store for the class since the author amazes me. He was in politics, helped establish the American short story, and changed the way society viewed Puritanism. I also had a little curiosity. As I read the packet, it stated that Hawthorne injured his foot and had to use crutches for two years. That is pretty unusual for me since I have never heard of anybody using crutches for more than a year. Did anybody else catch that?

Thoughts on Civil Disobedience

"That government is best which governs not at all," if a truer statement has ever been voiced I know of it not. We, the people who created government have allowed it to surpass us. As John Steinbeck said in The Grapes of Wrath, "For man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments." It is that defining trait which makes humans unique from all else in existence, our place above our creations. And yet, the concept of government which we made into reality governs over us. We have become the government's expedient, not the other way around. Today, more people do have a voice, especially in the United States, the issue is making sure that that voice is heard. I ask of you fellow classmates, no, fellow human beings, can we rise above our accomplishment the way we were supposed to? And if so, when will we bring about a better government? Will it be when all of our voices are heard, or is such a thing impossible?

Ralph Waldo Emerson(the Father of Transcendentalism)

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American poet whom is the father of Transcendentalism moved away from the religious and social beliefs of his contemporaries. He gave lectures that he then published in his work called "Nature". He later on became a central figure in most of his literary  and philosophy groups. He believed that God was unknown and relates to a reason for corruption in society. He felt that one needed a connection to nature.

Transcendentalism discussion

Transcendentalism is something that occurs almost naturally in most people. It urges us to emphasize the individual, have a view point truly our own. This is why it is so popular, why so many people can relate to it. Because we all view the world from our own point of view. Outside influences have an impact on what path we choose, but in the end it is our choice, and our choice alone. The view points of others are so often, if not always, considered second. Transcendentalism champions our ability to be unique. That is why it denounces conformity, and loaths institutions that strip away someones individuality. And this can either incite extreme selfishness, or the most beautiful acts of creativity. Do you agree?

Transcendentalism

" I know the rules, but the rules don't know me" -Eddie Vedder

Transcendentalism is a very strong movement, the quote above really captures what transcendentalism means. It causes people to question themselves and society. It challenges everything you believe in and it challenges you to follow your own path. Being a transcendentalist you challenge anything and everything; no belief, fact, or idea is set in stone. You go against the status quo and in my opinion all of us have a little transcendentalism in us or have experienced it at some point in their life. In our society today there is more freedom to express yourself; we can try to be ourselves and find what makes us, us. With that being said there are still things in our life that keeps us from being who we are, there are a lot of things that distract us or take us away from our true selves. Comment bellow what you believe is a distraction in our society today and why you think that. 

The Philosophy of Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism's core belief was the inherent goodness of both nature and most especially people. Also, they wanted to understand a religion but not by its practices rather it's definition and reasoning. They believe religion was a main aspect of a corrupt individual. So, my question to you is the following: Is religion really corrupting oneself or a society and its nature.

Self- Relaince

In the poem of "Self Relaince" by Raplh Emerson the poem relates to a world of transcendentalism due to a reasoning of questioning God and the society that we live in. Furthermore, into the poem we as readers notice a mentioning of the great minds such as the following: Socrates, Luther, Einstein,etc. and how they're misunderstandments from society transformed into a way of life which we take for granted.

Chapter 25

"Behind the fruitfulness are men of understanding and knowledge and skill, men who experiment with seed, endlessly devloping the techniques for greater crops of plants whose roots will resist the million enemies of the earth: the molds, the insects, the rusts, the blights." 

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage."

This chapter is powerful because it reveals the beginning of a new age of agriculture through the application of science, but this new age does not come  without mistakes and these mistakes carry a heavily toll as with each failure, the death of the old age comes ever so closer and the poor get ever so hungry. The poor's hunger turns into hate as they see this supposed "new age" of farming succeding in only killing them faster, an age where food is supposed to be bountiful and cheap being destroyed simply because it doesn't meet standards set by those that have plenty to eat. With every new beginning comes new challenges to overcome but what happens when this new age isn't needed? The farmers of the past managed but now are deemed obsolete and tossed aside. Do you think that it was nesscessary for modern agriculture to sprout when it did?

Chapter 18

"I got a feel in' I'm bringin' bad luck to my folks. I got this feelin' I oughta go away an' let 'em be. I ain't comf'table bein' like this." -Uncle John 

This quote speaks volumes on Uncle John's character and how even after all these years, after all the good deeds he has done to clear his "sin" he still can't forgive himself. Even when everyone has moved on John is still stuck in the past and still tries to blame himself for the present. John, unsure of what to do, goes to Casy in the hopes that he understands him more than John understand himself but the truth is that no one knows John better than he knows himself and that it's because of this that John must find inner peace and finally stop his constant self-persecution. Do you think Uncle John could finally forgive himself for his past and start living again?

Chapter 3

This chapter I believe, is a over arching metaphor where the turtle is ones convictions and willingness to move forward despite what challenges comes their way. The red ant that infiltrates the exterior shell and attempts to harm the turtle from the inside is a metaphor for ones negative emotions that can corrupt oneself since red being a color being commonly associated with rage and hate but the turtle presses forward, defeating its inner demons. The terrain is yet another metaphor for ones surroundings and their influences that they make on its surrounding people similar to how living in a broken home can lead to a troubled life, however despite this their willpower exceeds their surrounding and once again the turtle continues on. it then encounters vehicles who are a metaphor for other people and how their actions both help and hinder ones convictions, ideatical to how one vehicle spares the turtle while the other goes out of its way to harm the turtle. The metaphor finally ends with the turtle unknowingly planting new life, a metaphor for how at the end of every hardship lyes hope. Do you agree with my interpretation? If not, do tell because I'm interested in what interpretations you made.

Chapter 29/30

There is a deep connection with the people and the land but I believe it's a much greater picture. Everywhere, whether the characters know it or not, there has been a conflict between individual and nature. It's what makes us instinctive land animals, from the cavemen we have learned that nature is fierce and aggressive. We've been fighting against our own land from the beginning. This book just gives us a pov of the people suffering because of others that take advantage of the effects. It shows that no matter how much you take, he people still have themselves & still have the capacity of binding together.

Chapter 28/29/30

With Tom leaving it seemed like the soul of the family was crushed. Looking back on things, one would think that Tom's leaving would have been the final nail in the coffin. However, Steinbeck goes even further, and has Rose deliver a stillborn child. The Joad family has lost nearly everything, and their future is still as uncertain as the day they first set out for California. It now seems like a completely useless endeavor. Everything they hoped for has faded, with the reality of the situation being so cruel. The Joad's, and Rose specifically no longer have anything to their name. Yet, they still find the heart to sacrafice for someone else. They never quit, despite how daunting their obstacles and pointless their efforts seemed. They have nothing yet they still manage to give.

Chapter 25

This chapter shows a failed harvest. Not because the year was too dry, or floods destroyed the crops. Not because the fruit came in sour and rotten. Not because bugs infested and crippled the crops. No, it was because a profit couldn't be turned. Money couldn't be made, and that deemed the fruit to be useless. Unable to fufill its purpose, not as food for the hungry, but a money for the rich. So the farmers toss it aside. Cripple their own crop, sabotage the dinner of thousands. Becuase these farmers pay no heed to the starving people around them, watching them. How can they? They could sell to these desperate families, but at the cost of angering the larger farms, and quite possibly losing their own homes and jobs. So who's fault is it? Can you really blame these small time farmers trying to keep up with the ever growing corporations disguised as farms? These farmers, they know they're only a step away from the "okies". They know they are one bad move away from starving with everyone else. So the blame is endless, an infinite loop. There is always someone to blame, something to blame. And it gets to the point where blame becomes pointless. It doesn't matter who screwed you over, it only matters that you were. So who do you blame? Who is the root of all this suffering?

Chapter 26

Jim Casey has always been a Switzerland type of person. He was never too hot, never too cold, always neutral until some recent chapters when he states to Tom that he's tired of talking and never acting out his ideas. Just as he says that he makes his first Christ-like step he takes the blame for Tom. From the beginning Jims message has always been to unity of the people's do love for one another, which is the same message Jesus came to spread. Similarly, both Jesus and Jim have sacrificed them selves multiple times for their people and dying for their beliefs. Plus, I don't think it's a coincidence that they have the same initials.

Chapter 19

As a reader I've come to a certain point where I've began to undertand and feel familiar with Steinbeck's writing. Yet, as I get further into the book I become more conflicted. How much of Steinbeck's dialogue is developement of the stroies characters, and how much is a reflection of Steinbeck's own views? The story is compelling because it so accurately depicts what a family of that time, in that sitaution would be like. However, does it ever seem that Steinbeck impliments a bias or personal set of views on his characters? If so, do you think his own beliefs changes the book in any way?  

Chapter 30 Spoiler

The ending of Chapter 30 completely shocked me. The ending was so distinct and memorable, one that I did not expect at all. Rose of Sharon's labor and Pa trying to build a flood bank are similar because they end negatively and cause the same emotion to the reader. I felt hopeless and pessimistic. When Uncle John was sent to bury the dead baby, he sent it down the river to deliver a message, much like what Moses (Biblical refrence) as a baby was sent to do. Even after the Joad's had so many obstacles in front of them, they still managed to keep moving foward. Once they got to the dry barn, Rose of Sharon breastfed the sick man in order to keep him alive. She was once a naive, self- centered girl and now she has transformed into a figure of maternal love. Overall, the last three chapters in the book were very interesting and Steinbeck managed to leave me craving for more.

Chapter 28

In chapter 28, one of the symbolism was rain. Rain could mean life or death. In this case, I think both things are going to happen. With rain, comes the birth of life on Earth. Not only do plants grow and babies are born, but Tom has a "rebirth". While hiding out in a dark cave and having nothing to do, he starts thinking and reflecting on Jim Casy's teachings. He finally shares the same faith and philosophy that Casy had. This is when Tom realizes that his calling in life is to help others and help unite the migrant families. Do you guys think that Tom made the right decision of leaving his family and helping others? Or was it selfish because his family, especially his mom, needed him?

Chapter 22

Chapter 22 in my opinion gives a comparison of what California is like for the migrants who are arriving. I came to this conclusion because as seen in previous chapters the camps that were scattered throughout California were dirty and overcrowded. We would also see how the general population of California doesn't like at all the incoming migrants looking for jobs. This resulted in the residents of California disrespecting, and showing very rude and unfair treatment toward these migrating families.  This view of California however was changed during this chapter, when the Joad's found themselves in a government camp which was clean, not crowded, and free of unfair treatment. The people within this camp were also very different as they seemed to welcome and treat the Joad family with respect. Ma Joad was one of the characters most impacted by this change since she said that she had felt like she was treated as a person again. I believe that this is a clear comparison of the two types of communities that could be found in California as well as the two types of people and treatment that, as a migrant family, you could come across.

Chapter 25

Chapter 25 starts off with a detailed description of the setting, just like in Chapter 1. I believe that the purpose of this chapter is to emphasize the "growing wrath" of the poor in the country. When I read this chapter, it deeply touched me and made me angry. How is anybody able to throw away food while others are dying of starvation? Also, this chapter describes the struggles people are facing due to the selfishness of the landowners and the wealthy. Out of the whole novel, this chapter is one of my favorites due to the emotional connection I had to it.

Chapter 30 SPOILER

In this chapter we see a  fear of flooding and  Rose of Sharon ironically starts feeling pains in her body which means she will soon give birth. As of this issue Pa Joad helps insist the men to build an embankment After this Rose of Sharon gives birth but sadly to baby whom is unaliv. Later in the Joads go to a barn which they found in order to get away from the flooding and they find a boy who's father is slowly dying of hunger then Rose of Sharon goes into action and feeds the starving men with her breast milk.

Chapter 22

"We're Joad's. We don't look up to nobody.  Grampa's grampa, he fit in the revolution. We was farm people til' the debt.  And then- them people. they don't somepin to us.  Ever' time they come seemed like they was a-'whippin me-all of us.  An' in Needles, that police.  He done somepin to me, made me feel mean.  Made me feel ashamed.  An' now I ain't ashamed.  These folks is our folks- is out folks.  An' that manger, he come an' set an' drank coffee, an' he says, 'Mrs. Joad' this, an' Mrs. Joad' that- an' 'how you gettin' on, Mrs. Joad?' "  She stopped and sighed.  "why, I feel like people again." 
- In this quote Ma Joad starts off saying that she has pride in saying that she is a Joad, and everybody else should as well.  The Joads don't take anything from anyone, they stand up for themselves.  However, that changed ever since they left there farm.  While on the road they experienced the corruption of the world and it was starting to change them.  How she talked about the officer in Needles, she had to stand up for herself and be harsh so she could defend herself against him.  They made the family feel ashamed to be who they were, treated them like they were less than human.  Yet that changed once they got to the government camps.  The people at camp would treat her all the same, they would treat her equally.  For example, as she explained, the manger would address he as Mrs. Joad's instead of an "Okie".  That's why she says, "why I feel like people again," she was reminded that she was equal and human.

Chapter 4

The introduction of "preacher" Casey seems almost metaphorical. During a time of devastation and poverty, the preacher is the one left the most morally and spirtually conflicted. It seems to go together well with Tom's questionable faith. Additionally, this novels lack of emphasis on faith so far seems to foreshadow the tone of what's to come. It seems that Casey has turned towards an almost philosophical way of thinking. Which really excites me for the future of this character. But if a former preacher has such a lack of faith, what does that mean for the characters to come? 

Chapter 19

John Steinbeck, in this chapter, portrays a different but interesting type of capitalism in California through the owners of the land.  Due to the fact that the owners has so much power of the employment rate, they become in control.  For example, the owners are very few; therefore, as individuals they own a vast amount of land.  When you're an owner you can chose to either pay fewer people to operate machines or pay more people to do the work the machine would normally do.  This also has the same concept when it comes to picking fruit.  The owners sent out the handbills expecting that they would get more workers than they needed.  By doing this they would get desperate, hungry people willing to compromise for wages lower than they normally would be.  They become in control of what their paying and don't expect the migrant workers to disagree with the pay because there is little work to began with.  In other words the land owners are in control of the employment rate and therefore dictate how the "squatters" live their life.

Chapter 16

In this chapter you find that every character is changing some for better and some for worst.  Along with the personality change you also find their motives beginning to change.  For example, it seems that Ma Joad is becoming stir crazy and defiant against her husband.  However, this is misinterpreted for her intention on keeping the family together.  Ma Joad has always been the one to keep the family together emotionally and not she's doing it physically.  Unlike Ma,  Granma seemed  have changed for the worst ever since her husband had died. Although that is to be expected with loss, one can conclude that Granma is no longer herself.  Rose of Sharon and Connie motives are very different from Ma Joad's, being that they want to break away from the family and start their own life.  Connie explains that he can start studying and make a living by owning his own store. Upon hearing this Al finds that he too can do that as well.  Although the others are looking farther into the future, Tom, Pa, and Casey's motives focus more of the simple, immediate goals.  Such as getting the family to California and initially supporting the family by getting jobs.  Even though everyone seems to have different motives, I think I agree with Ma  Joad of the fact that the family is better off sticking together. 

Chapter 13

I think chapter 13 slightly introduces what Casy was saying when he says he's been preaching for a while but he's realized there is something worse than the devil. notice everyone's life style and how the hard working men are always at the bottom, Casy was talking about capitalism. The big companies take in all the profit while the rest of society is hanging on by a thread. For example, the "yellow painted company stations" have oppressed the man that's been trying to run a small business. The man in turn oppresses the joad family without meaning to harm them but regardless the cycle goes on and creates a bitter society.

Chapter 17

In this chapter we see a much more optical description of a community which helps provide a idea of self-government unlike Jim Casys ideas of love and focus on the afterlife. If everyone followed the laws it would be most likely be possibly for people to govern themselves. Also, as of mentioned by a "spring up" of people in a new community was the rise of industrial workers whom fought for higher wages and workers rights. which eventually led to new rights and the idea of self-government. These community's both focus on the idea of freedom rather than ideas of communism.

Chapter 18

In this chapter the Joad family have arrived in California even through the difficulties to get there they are still a whole and/or family once again. Ma Joad is embodying dignity by trying to keep the family as a whole as of which Grandpa or Pa Joad would have done. Also, dignity and rage have been much controversial in the novel but are associated in a way as of growing and intense anger as of which much people have dealt with in order to achieve the dignity that they are given. Rage will also teach the Joads how to handle their rage towards a forced journey to a new life thus teaching them how to handle a new life. Therefore, the most meaningful episode of this chapter is Ma Joads stability to move westward even through Grandpa Joads death which shows her true compassion for her family and mostly her legacy.

Chapter 28

Tom`s isolation from the family, and any other human interaction, had allowed him free rein of his time. As a child is told to sit in time out and reflect on thier actions, so too did Tom. His reason for being alone gave way to thoughts of his actions and what had caused them, the murder of the ex-reverend Jim Casy. "Guess who I been thinkin' about? Casy!" ( pg. 418). It was then that Casy truly became a Christ-figure in my opinion. Throughout his time with Casy, Tom unknowingly listened to all Casy said and became the "apostle" to Casy's Christ-figure. It was also, in Chapter 28, when Tom's dynamic character aspects became apparent to any and all who had followed Tom through his journey, reintroducing him as a person prepared to lead the way to change. Chapter 28 was the chapter which presented Tom in his final form, so to speak, and bore the fruit which had been nourished by the hate of migrants. All the challenges and trials thrown at Tom Joad failed to raze his determination, and instead gave way to another unflinching "Okie", adding to the growing grapes of wrath.

Chapter 3

     Moving away from the Joads Steinbeck focuses on a turtle and its journey across the road. After observing the road the turtle started to cross the road, this symbolizes the start of the Joads' journey to California. However when on the road the turtle had a bit of difficulty getting across, this show the difficulty the Joads will face during their travel to California. One thing that got my attention in this chapter are the cars that the turtle encounters during it journey, since the turtle resembles the Joads I can to believe that the cars resembles problems or issues that will stop the Joads from advancing, but I doubt that these problems will stop them since they have each other.

Chapter 15

Steinbeck uses this chapter as a descriptive chapter. This is because we get to see, through steinbecks description, what the gas stations and restaurants that were on the road to California had to deal with. The employees of these establishments seemed puzzled because of the amount of people that they saw heading west. They were also wanted answers to questions such as, where they come from, and why they are heading west, simply because they had never seen anything like that before. This chapter also gave us a clue as to how people acted and reacted toward the traveling families, through the eyes of the waitress, the cook, and the truck drivers. Toward the end of the chapter we see how a man would like to buy a loaf of bread, for his family, under the normal price, which gives us an idea of how poor these families were and how much they were struggling on this long journey to California.

Chapter 9

     Chapter 9 gives us an example of what is was like for the farmers who had to leave everything behind and start a "new life" in California. The farmers plan to move on and go to California to start their new lives, but then they realize that there are no restart buttons in life. The past will always be apart of them and they can either try to forget it or accept it. In addition it talks about how difficult it was for them to sell their belongings because to them they weren't just objects in their lives, they had a story and meaning behind them. Then it states, "This land, this red land, is us; and the flood years and the dust years and the drought years are us." The farmers put so much time and effort into their land; generation upon generation grew up on that land and they probably planned to keep it for their children's children and so on. They went through so much there and now the banks are taking it away and there's nothing they can do about it. Later on in the novel it says "And some day- the armies of bitterness will all be going the same way. And they'll all walk together, and there'll be a dead terror from it." Is this some form of foreshadowing what will happen later on in the book or is this just a dream statement?

Chapters 20 and 21

       It was rather interesting on why Steinbeck choose the title "Grapes of Wrath". At one point of the story the grandfather mentioned eating grapes when they get to California. However once the family gets there we find out that the people of California, such as the cops, don't want the Okies in there state. In previous chapters we know that those people what to do anything to get rid of all the Okies, which in a way shows their wrath. Since the people of California own the land where they grow the fruit such as the grapes it makes sense why the story is titled " Grapes of Wrath". It called that way because the grapes belong to the wrath of the people of Califorina.

Chapter 25

Chapter 25 is much similar to chapter 1 because it relates to nature and the effects that nature has on society and the world. Also, these chapters relate that  there is no set back to great that can not keep the men remained as an "entire". Furthermore, this chapters promotes a much more broad form of decay through objects and people. This chapter describes the truth behind capitalism and in which store prices would plummet if the homeless people were fed, but must there be money made?

Chapter 5

"But where does it stop? Who can we shoot? I don't aim to starve to death before I kill the man that's starving me." (pg. 38)

This is a quote said by one of the farmers talking to a bank worker who explained that they had been kicked out due to the bank taking their land back.  This conflict poses a plausible question of who does the problem lie with, man v. man or individual v. society.  With this quote the farmer is consumed in frustration that he does not get the big picture. That picture being no matter who you kill that law will still be enforced, the rules will still be instituted.  The physical conflict may lie with man v. man, but the initial over all conflict is with individual v. society. 

Chapter 2

The truck drivers characterization of Tom Joad had varied throughout the whole ride.  From the beginning the truck driver had known that Tom had just got out of prison, but since he agreed to give Tom a ride he must of thought that he was harmless.  However, little things throughout the ride gave the truck driver a suspicion that Tom could've of been in jail for being aggressive.  For example, how he noticed that Toms hands looked like that of one who had been put through labor.  Another example is when Tom started drinking and revealing more about himself.  When Tom started talking openly the truck driver knew Tom was someone not to be messed with and therefore did not ask him any more questions.  When Tom told him how he'd been in prison was when the truck driver became defensive and feared that Tom could be threatening.  By the end of the ride the truck driver said nothing more about the matter and decided not to interfere in fear of Tom Joad. But I wondered why the truck driver gave Tom a ride in the first place, taking a risk knowing that Tom was just released from prison.

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 begins with Highway 66 and how thousands of families are traveling on it to get to a land where success and prosperity are available. Highway 66 unifies the diverse landscape of the U.S., just as it gives the fleeing migrants some solidarity in their hardships.This highway sumbolizes unity and a road to success or the awful outcome of obstacles families like the Joad's have to face. Since this highway was described in the first paragraph of the chapter, I assume no one pays any attention to it but I would like to know if anyone had any ideas why there was such emphasis on Highway 66. Steinbeck always begins every chapter with a description of the setting and their importance.

Chapter 22

In this chapter there comes to be a broken bond of self-worth. Also, there are massive differences in Governmental camps as opposed to Hooverville/makeshift camps. In government camps migrant workers are able to govern themselves which helps them stay away from the abuse of the law and police. Furthermore, government camps are to be kept clean with running hot water and showers throughout the entire facility. The mood of the story has changed because the Joads have become much more knowing of the life in California and during this move there is a sense of dishonorable actions and a feeling of "all for one and one for all".

Chapter 13

The idea of foreshadowing being apparent with the incidents concerning the family dog and Grampa, as addressed in this chapter's prompts, leads me to believe that more deaths are to occur. All I could deduct from the death's of Grampa and the family dog are the deaths of others later on, but if anyone else has a different idea of what is to come please do share. I think some optimism might be in order for the Joads because if not, then all there might be to the story is guessing who dies in what order.

Chapter 19

In this chapter Steinbeck has portrayed capitalism through the eyes of third person omniscient. Capitalism has been portrayed through the land-owning banks as being "monsters" by the deviations the bank has caused to land-owning families. Derogatory terms used by Steinveck throughly the novel are "Okies" which mean Sons of Bitches and "Big Cat" which are machines used by the banks in order to evict farmers from their land. Also, a revolutionary revolt as of the novel was the Great Depression of 1931 which hit America and caused many revolts towards banks. Do you believe in the "American Way".

Chapter 11

The conflict between nature vs man is much overseen. In nature there is a sense of life and the warmth of life, but when there is a tractor there is a smell of death and ore in the air. Due to the land a certain stranger has no correlation to land opposed to someone who has lived there their whole life causing them to feel a sense of need towards their "rightful" land. In paragraphs 2-6 Steinbeck is contrasting the perspectives of a landowner and tractor driver as in which they view a certain land. The theme created by this chapter is a sense of decay and betrayal which stands over a farmers land. So, is this nature vs man or man vs the bank?

Chapter 3

"The CONCRETE HIGHWAY was edged with a mat of tangled, broken, dry grass, and the grass heads were heavy with oat beards to catch on a dogs coat". The description of the setting is metaphorical because it explains how the grass around the highway is dry( which will be seen with the mouths of the Joads who are in need of water) and how everything is tangled. Steinbeck is using the turtle as a possible future character who will be thrown alongside and learn how to survive on their own. Who do you believe the turtle will symbolize as of being most likely thrown thrown out.

Chapter 6

The Joad family is willing to move to California, but aren't not happy with losing their land causing a much more bitter temptation towards a new life in the west(California). Since many families are moving to California there will conflicts such as: overpopulation, high competition(business wise), and  lower wages which were seen during the 1st Industrial Revolution. Tom faces the irony that many other families are moving west and are  having the same temptations and goals  in California  as of Tom and  the Joads. Will the Joads make it in the West or will they face the same problems all other families will face socially and economically?

Chapter 8

This chapter's introduction of Uncle John reveals him to be a person who prefers isolation, but is quick to make sure others are well off. His paranoia for others is surely attributed to the passing of his wife and the circumstance of her passing. I feel that it will be interesting to witness Uncle John's transition from a life of isolation to a life which will force him to interact with others. The result of this change will undoubtedly put him in a position where the well-being of the others will be directly affected by the choices he makes. Will his paranoia constantly cause havoc within his subconscious, or will he overcome it and become a new person?

Chapter 1

" A gentle wind followed the rain clouds, driving them on northward, a wind that softly clashed the drying corn. A day went by and the wind increased, steady, unbroken by gusts. The dust from the roads fluffed and spread out and fell on the weeds beside the fields, and fell into the fields a little way" 

John Steinbeck is an exemplary author; in this chapter I felt like I was there. He explained very well what the scenery looked like, how it felt, and how the character's viewed the situation. I can't wait to read the rest of the book. 

Welcome English Honors 5 + Tips!

Hello current students taking English Honors 5, I am a former student of Mrs. Ross' English class. I thought I'd pass down some of my past experiences and knowledge to you guys. Here are some helpful tips about assignment you've all been given this summer. 

1.)  Don't wait until last minute to read Steinbeck's novel Grapes of Wrath. Try reading a chapter a day instead of procrastinating. If you're traveling somewhere, try bringing the book along with you and read it on the plane or car. If you wait until the last few days of break to start reading the book, you will regret it.

2.) Take well detailed notes. You are going to be tested on the novel the first week you return from break, and taking notes will help you prepare. Also if you find a quote you like, write it down along with the page number (trust me on this one). Plus you are graded on how well your journal is written. Remember these are your first two grades of the block, so if you want to start off the class on a good note I recommend doing so.

3.) Check the blog often. You won't only blog over summer, you'll also be blogging all throughout the block. Making posts will be apart of your grade. I remember my class only made posts, we hardly commented on other students' blog posts, which I recommend you not to do. Comment on your peers posts, ask them questions agree or disagree with their statements -- start a conversation in the comment section.

These are just some on the tips I have for you guys. If you want any more advice leave a comment below or find me in the courtyard during lunch.

       

Welcome to Honors English 5!

The discussions that follow will be based on John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Feel free to look in the archives at previous discussions of this book. Remember to learn from one another and to challenge one another.