The other Essay Outline

Based on The Canterbury Tales, to what extent is Chaucer progressive in his views of the social hierarchy of his time?  Does he ultimately display reverent or irreverent view of this hierarchy?  

Thesis:  Through his characters, Chaucer disguises his progressive views and his irreverent views of the hierarchy.

Paragraph 1: What Chaucer’s progressive views are.

v  Small Complaint about the: going to many places in his time.

v  Goes down the ladder, gets more insulting of people.

§          Miller= steals from people, yet good at his job

§          Merchant=is in debt

§          Doctor=Cheats people with his medicine.

Paragraph 2: How his progressive views intertwine with his reverent views.

·         Chaucer shows the flaws in those higher up, but only mock the morals of the lower classes

o   Squire is a ladies man, but is in gaudy clothes and stays up to late

o   The prioress is fat and a bad eater

o   Pardoner sells pardons by scamming people.

Paragraph 3: Why Chaucer is more outspoken with the lower classes than the upper class

·         Chaucer uses double meaning to portray the knight et. others

Paragraph 4: How Chaucer’s real view is irreverent.

v  Mocks the high class with 

Death Tale Similarities and Differences

The “Pardoner’s Tale” and J.K. Rowling’s three brothers story are similar because both stories encompass three friends/siblings that encounter death and try to overcome it. For instance, in the “Pardoner’s Tale”, the three friends go on a hunt to kill death, but in his place they find gold coin. The friends then kill each other to get the coins all to themselves.  Similarly in J.K. Rowling’s story, the three brothers encounter death when they cheat him by successfully crossing the river and get rewards for doing so. Although both tales have a similar meaning, they vary in actions taken, character personality, as well as the plot. The actions taken by the three brothers vary quite differently from the “Pardoner’s” friends. The brothers were offered gifts from death and set up their own demise by the gift they asked for.  The brothers got a powerful wand, a power to bring the dead back to life, and a cloak to hide from death, but in the pardoner’s tale, the friends saw gold, but did not get gifts. The gifts that the brothers did get both helped and harmed them.  The brother who has the wand was murdered, the zombie guy killed himself and the other brother died of old age. However, in the pardoner’s tale, the friends kill each other, but ultimately in both stories death gets their lives. The character personalities in both stories also vary. The brothers in Rowling’s tale are both greedy and conservative but getting gifts that will help them, but the youngest son also helps his son with his cloak. The friends however, are ruthless in their greed and kill each other for their own fortune. Instead of helping themselves with still keeping their friends alive. The plots, however, are what differ  the most. In both plots, the characters meet death, but in the pardoner’s tale, death is disguised as a human where with the brothers, death is in his true form. Also, death gives the brothers “gifts” which ultimately kills them, where as in the pardoner’s tale the friend kill each other from greed, not from their gifts.   

Beowulf Film Project Group Assessment

In the Beowulf film project, our group had the Grendel and Beowulf fight scene. We parted the actual scene into four major parts: Grendel entering Herot, Grendel eating the Geat and attacking Beowulf, Beowulf fight scene and Grendel running away. To make this scene more authentic, we decided to film Grendel in the first person to emphasize the fact that he is not described in the book and to show the methods of Grendel’s attacks. The main themes that we tried to emphasize were “heroism” when we switched from first person to third person when the fight began to show Beowulf’s dominance, and “art & Beauty” by showing the chapel floors and stained glass window. Some other techniques that we tried to incorporate for cinematography was reflecting Grendel’s arm in Beowulf’s eye which depicted that we all have a monster inside us trying to come out. Also, we included Mise-en scene in our writing. For example, when Grendel first encounters Beowulf, he is “sleeping” and seems like the Danes. However, as he confronts Grendel, Beowulf goes crazy screaming “How many walls will your head go through?” This emphasizes Mise-en Scene because there is a sudden change in the character which is seen through his speech. 

Our Group performed extremely well in making the scene. Sydney worked very hard and diligently to make the Beowulf costume and get fake blood (even though we didn’t use it). Tim and I made lots of efforts to write the script, as well as, Tim and Kwabena learning their lines. For the actual execution of the film, we all knew the locations to film, where to stand (both actors and cameraman), and what our lines were because we had a successful, organized dress rehearsal. All of the members of the group supported each other to the utmost extent by complementing each other and giving advice. Tim and I sent emails back and forth to make a google doc scheduled time to work on the script which made it easier for both of us to work on the script at the same time. Furthermore, all of us kept in touch with each other to make sure that the our individual responsibilities were going smoothly. 

Halloween Participation Make-Up Work

The first 19 lines of the Prologue in The Canterbury Tales seems to start of with having a peaceful mood, but draws into a darker turn. Chaucer first talks about the budding flowers, and April showers. However, as I read down the lines, I discovered that Chaucer takes a dark turn. On line 10 Chaucer says "That sleep away the night with an open eye" shows that perhaps a person is being hunted and has to make sure that someone is not coming to kill him or it is just not a safe time. The tone of the book textually also differs from the beginning to the end of the 19 lines. Just like the mood, the tone seems to start off lovely with Chaucer describing beautiful scenery, however he throws bits and pieces of words and phrases that show a darker side. For example, on line 3, Chaucer says that "The veins are bathed in  liquor of such power". Why do veins be bathed in liquor? this might show that someone is extremely drunk but I am not entirely sure. The mood and tone for the tales are quite similar but the tone brings about a darker side.  

The Boast of Fishing

To me and my fishing counterparts, a boast on who caught the biggest fish (without letting it get away) is a status symbol. The bigger the fish, the higher the ranking and the smaller reel and rod you use the bigger the ranking. Describing a fishing “fight” to your fishing buddies and how the fish fought also brings into your status. A boast similar to this would be heard at an opening season day with hundreds of anglers or at a fishing club meet, which is much like Herot itself, where fisherman come to fish and tell old stories. Anyhow, the whole premises on how big the fish is, and how well told the story is, determines your status. Many of these terms may be unfamiliar to some, so I will have notes at the bottom explaining this.  Now for the boast.

(Assuming that a fisherman has just insulted me by saying you have never caught a solid fish, but are a foolish beginner, this is how I would respond)

                

“Ah. You say that I have caught no decent fish in my time, yet you forget about the Great Trout Opener* of ’14. When not only I landed myself a 12 lb. trout on 4 lb. test **, but that I caught three more with just a bare hook of equal size. As I recall that day, you were nothing but a pile of jackets sulking over your rod and reel, praying to God to catch a minnow. A minnow! But God would have none of your wishes, as you only ask from him and never thank God. All these great men know what a repulsive-leech you are. Three more hours passed, as all great men caught their limit, yet you sit there, empty handed, your hook rusting in the water. Finally God answered your pitiful prayer with a tap on the rod head***, but as you reeled in, you caught nothing but a wind “fish”, not even of keeper size. I had always assumed that fish loved the taste of bronze, as they were always chomping at bait, but you have proven me wrong. As I watched upon you that day, nothing but wishes you were catching. So let me ask, what did compel you to speak of such lies. Here the fish swim happily inside me while you salivate at the thought of having but a taste. I have and will always reign supreme above you, remaining to catch more fish than you, as God wants me to. If you ever speak of such filth again scrawny-one, then we shall see if trout like the taste of tongue!”

*Opener refers to the opening day of a fish season

**Test is the strength of the line. 4lb. Test can hold a 4 pound fish without breaking

***Tap on the rod head refers to the tip of the rod bending when a fish takes your bait. 

Death and Fate cultural view changes

Death and fate have similar and different views now then back in Anglo-Saxon times. Death unlike Anglo-Saxon times is not viewed as highly to die honorable and be grateful. Instead now, we are trying to stop death every which way with new medicine, carcinogenic freezing, and any other crazy product. Back in Anglo-Saxon time, it was an honor to die fighting in battle, because that is mostly how people did die. For those that somehow managed to survive and die of old age, it would be considered a great lost as they had a lot of wisdom. Now, there is still honor in dying in battle or for your country, it is just not as widely “celebrated”. For example, all the men and women who die for our country each year are commemorated for their honor and bravery, but not that many people care or know that. This probably has to do with the size of our people versus the size of the tribes in Anglo-Saxon times. Fate has also been diminished throughout the years. Back in the good old days, fate was fate, as in completely unavoidable. Now it is a term we throw around to motivate people to get better. If you told someone in the Anglo- Saxon time that it was their fate to be killed by a grizzly bear, they would accept and wait for the time. Now you say that to a person in our era and you have a totally different scenario. You would have a motivational coach shouting from behind that this is not your fate, it is not set in stone and you can change it. It would appear that the only aspect of fate that is still the same as Anglo-Saxon times is not when, where, why and how, but you will die, and that is something no man can change his fate from.  

Character Alignment Chart

Lawful Good: The reason why I choose Spock for this category is because in all the Star Trek films and shows, he always does the right things, but does not go gung-ho crazy as would Captain Kirk. Instead, Spock thinks of the best possible solutions with statistics and laws. Furthermore, Spock always listens to orders by Captain Kirk, showing his lawful side. He is down to Earth and is the logical one of the enterprise crew.   

Neutral Good: Mr. John Keating from Dead Poets Society would be viewed by his students as Lawful Good, but by his colleagues as Lawful Chaotic. The reason why I placed him there is because he does follow the rules set by the Welton Academy, however bends the rules by inspiring the boys to create the dead poets society, not to mention making them march around in a circle or kick balls into a goal.  Since Mr. john Keating does teach with all the rules as set standard by the school making it Lawful good, he teaches his class in his own way which could be viewed as not following orders, hence Chaotic. Mr. keating is neutral good because he could veer into both lawful and chaotic good if you view him at different angles.

Chaotic Good: The face of Gromit is known well by many of us. If you have seen all the specials and movies like I have, there is a logical reason why I put Gromit in Chaotic Good. In all the specials of Wallace and Gromit, Wallace goes on these crazy adventures and Gromit doesn’t follow Wallace’s plan. For instance, in the Wallace and Gromit special A Matter of Loaf or Death, you find Gromit sneaking into a murderer’s house to see if she is really the culprit. Of course Wallace did not tell him to do this, he went there on his own terms.  In the same special, right as Wallace is about to get “murdered”, Gromit comes to the rescue and saves Wallace’s life. Similar plots are found in all the specials. Gromit leaves Wallace, Wallace gets in trouble, and Gromit saves Wallace. According to the definition Mr. Holeman gave us, “He/She doesn’t follow orders, and shows up at the last moment”. That is exactly what Gromit does all the time.

Neutral Lawful: Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory is an iconic character for setting strict rules that range from roommate agreements to how to “properly” play rock, paper, and scissors. Sheldon would be described by most people (including his friends) and very strict with his rules. Sheldon of course would argue that the rules or laws are necessary to maintain a fluid lifestyle that would maintain optimum efficiency. However, when any of his friends come in real trouble, he will (slowly) forget about the rules and help his friends out. Since Sheldon both writes very exact rules and precise rules and sticks with them, thus being lawful, he also will pardon these rules in order to help a friend out, thus being Neutral to the rules.  

Neutral Neutral: The infamous parrot, Iago, is known well in the Aladdin movie series. Once a sidekick of Jafar, Iago moves around with different people in the movies. For this reason I decided to put him under the category of Neutral Neutral. Iago in the Beginning of Aladdin is with the villain Jafar, who stops at nothing to get the magical genie lamp. However, when Jafar is defeated, Iago works to get on Aladdin’s good side who then takes care of him. Iago is willing to work with anyone as long as he is able to survive, making him be universal to move to any area. When he was with Jafar, he could be looked upon as lawful evil, for doing whatever Jafar says no matter who gets hurt. But when he is with Aladdin, he becomes good neutral because he listens to Aladdin, but is not as eager to go into dangerous situations. Since he is like a wild card for the character alignment chart, I decided to put him in Neutral Neutral.

Neutral Chaotic: Han Solo is a famous character for not caring about anything but his ship and blowing stuff up. In the beginning. Han Solo acts like a scruffy rat and doesn’t care, but toward the end cares about Luke and the rest of the gang. Since the space of Chaotic Neutral has the ability to move to neutral good, that is a great place for Han Solo. He loves blowing things up in any way, shape or form but still cares about his friends (as long as they pay him).

Evil Lawful: The battle droids of Star Wars are known for taking orders, followed by a “Roger Roger” and slaughtering entire species. Battle droids do not care about life and species because they are robots. So, any order that they get, they follow through with. They cannot tell right from wrong.  Since they are following orders to the extent of killing several people with no subconscious thought, they are basically future “freedom” fighters, which also fits into the Lawful Evil section.

Evil Neutral: Grendel is a creature that is viewed upon the humans as a pure monster. Grendel is much like that. For example, he got pleasure out of throwing rocks and trees at a "stupid" mountain goat. Furthermore, he will go to the Meadhall and kill several people, including at the end eating people out of their beds. Just like a villain who would be found in the space Evil Neutral, Grendel is power hungry. This power hunger is not in the sense of ruling the people, but actually to just be equally powered and with them. Grendel wants to be equal with the humans, then when he doesn't get his way he kills people in spite.    

Evil Chaotic: The movie Saw is often known for its intense craziness from holding people hostage and forcing them to “escape” even though they will die in the end anyway. Jigsaw, who is the mastermind behind this is definitely Evil Chaotic because he sets up these elaborate mazes and traps to see people cut off their limbs and practically kill themselves. As an added bonus, he created a puppet that he puts on a t screen to scare people. He is like the Joker, but with less explosions. 

What Will Happen Next in Catcher in the Rye?

If Holden Caulfield keeps the same perspective of believing everyone is a phony and wondering about the central park ducks when he takes his “little vacation”, than it will be inevitable that he will most likely spend most of his vacation near and in central park. Since Holden does have a small, limited supply of cash it will be most likely that he goes to a cheap motel in close proximity to central park. If Holden does stay in a cheap motel, he will complain about every small detail and probably keep referring back to what the other boys are doing at Pencey. In order to get to central park from his motel, Holden will most likely walk to Central Park. Once Holden is in Central park, he might sit on a bench near the lake where the ducks swim. Furthermore, if Holden does stay in central park a lot, I think he will be thoroughly engaged with the central park ducks and go on a “mission” to find them. Holden does not seem to be the person who likes fancy restaurants, so I believe that Holden will eat off of hotdog stands or fast food places.  As an alternative solution to what might happen, Holden might just go back to Pencey. Since Holden had a hard time saying good bye in the beginning to Pencey as he laid on the field above the football field. With this in mind, I do believe that Holden will sneak back into Pencey before all the kids leave for winter vacation. If he sneaks back in, it will most likely not be your typical spy, sneaking in through a back window or through the air ducts. What might happen is Holden goes back and stay with Ackley since his roommate is gone for the weekend, or Ackley will help him stay inside Pencey, like make him hide in the janitor’s closet or under the bed when the teachers and principle are walking around.

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Letter

Dear Mr. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi,

                I am here to congratulate you on presidential election of Egypt.  I am sure that you will take Egypt to new heights. There are several ways though that you could accomplish this with few riots if any. As the Secretary of State of the United States of America, I have encountered first-hand how to keep a country at peace and have no violent protests. I have observed several ways of taking care of a country peaceful, both what to do and what not to do. The first big step to make your people happy is building a democracy. The people will now feel they have say in the government and will be less obligated to riot. Another strong way to keep your people at peace is to give them more freedom and proper rights. A prime example of what happens when freedom and rights are taken away from the people is Hosni Mubarak’s Emergency Law. By allowing police to arrest people without charge and detain the indefinitely, it was only a matter of time until they revolted, which they did on January 25, 2011. In order to keep your country’s peace, a strong tactic is to change when the people need change. Do not stick to old ways if the people need and what new ones. After all, we do not what you to become like the Muslim Brotherhood, being so strong headed that you are in a position where you have to change or fail as your ultimatum. These are just two of many ways that you should do to keep your country’s peace long lasting. Many of these ways can become out of hand and tumble out of control if not properly maintained. There is however actions you should not do to keep a county at peace.

                The word has always been a cycle for war, making the same foolish mistakes over and over again. These are some ways that you will get out of that cycle. The keystone that will hold your government together is not becoming a dictator. Instead offer your people a democracy; the future will be much calmer since one person cannot become power hungry. Furthermore, as president of Egypt you should not forget who got you to this position. Your people may believe once you forget about them, you become power hungry. Like Brutus said about Caesar, “Whereto the climber-upwards turns his face;/ But once he attains the utmost round/ He then unto the ladder turns his back,/ Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees/ By which he did ascend”. Do not become like Caesar in the aspect of you forget your people and only care about yourself. The final action you need to avoid to keep peace in your country is do not believe you are invincible like Caesar. Caesar was so blindsided by his confidence that he did not see the enemies around him. If you do this, you will most likely have enemies that are your closest friends. Remember, just follow these few things and you will be on your way to being a great president in no time. It will be good to talk to you in the near future on how your country is doing. The best of luck.

                                Sincerely,

                           John Kerry

                  United States Secretary    

Propaganda Poster

 

   The Propaganda Poster I created is anti- Brutus and the conspirators. The Roman Capitol Building, which is the central building for the Roman government, is being supported by sand pillars to demonstrate that Rome is now weakly being held up and will fall. There are daggers in the pillars to show that civil war is going to overtake Rome and cause havoc as well as backstabbing. Which makes the "pillars" even weaker. I decided to put Brutus's name at the bottom of the Capitol Building because it was supposed to represent Brutus being the main reason why Rome is now supported by weak pillars by killing Caesar. The last image that is used is blood droplets coming down from the sky. This is to replicate the dream Caesar's wife had and to show that Rome will be drowned in the blood from civil war. The quote I used "Domestic fury and fierce civil strife/ shall cumber all the parts of Italy" from Act 3, Scene 1, Lines 289 and 290. This quote is said by Mark Antony when the conspirators left and he was plotting to avenge Caesar. I found this a fitting quote for my propaganda poster because Mark Antony talked about how Italy will be at civil war with “Shall cumber all the parts of Italy”. Since Antony said "fierce civil strife", I imaged the city in turmoil and weak, thus giving me the idea for the sand pillars. This image is too directly against Brutus, making it look like Brutus is the main reason civil war will be started.

Trout Fan Letter

Fan Letter

Dear Mr. Trout,

My name is Billy Pilgrim and I am here to tell you how happy I am with your book “The Big Board”. You should remember me, I am the one who talked to you personally and invited you to my wedding. I first read your piece of work while at a veterans hospital years ago. I finally bought the book now at book store in New York City. I adored this book so much because it reminded me of my time on Tralfamadore. My favorite part was when the Zirconians brought in the female stock broker because it reminded me of when the Tralfamadorians brought Montana Wildhack to the zoo. She is still there in certain moments if I choose to go to that moment. You see I can time travel. This book also reminded me of moments of World War 2 which I experienced, and can still experience if I travel to that moment. When to male stock broker stole some of the stock share from the female stock holder, it reminded me of poor Edgar Derby, a school teacher in the war who stole a teapot. Just like the male stock broker, Derby was killed for the theft. So it goes. Another time where your book reminded me of the war was when the stock brokers were beating each other up for making a bad investment. That was like the time Roland Weary was beating me up in Luxembourg because I was too slow. The only parts that were not right were 1. When the earthlings were kidnapped, they aliens did not talk to them. The Tralfmadorians talked to me when I was kidnapped. So that seems a little off. And 2. The Zirconians believe in time as you do, a moment and then it is gone, which is very wrong. The Tralfmadorians and I believe it lasts forever and you can relive that moment, which is the way it really is. All of your books are works of art and I am pleased to own all of them. Have a happy life, and relive all the moments you want.

Billy Pilgrim

Kilgore Trout Cover

The goods of the Internet

   The internet has changed the world in many good ways. As a starter, the internet has allowed people to socially communicate to each other, even when they are hundreds of miles away. Socializing with other people on Facebook or twitter is a great way for everyone to communicate. Another great example of the internet is that it makes writing an final's paper much easier. The internet offers a plethora of online sites and books that have all the information you need to write a paper.

      The internet has allowed people to jump start their business/ organization. By having a website, more people are able to have more customers or followers just by the fact that millions of people around the world can read your website. The internet has done many things for people around the world, but probably the most important ability the internet has given us is we are have complete knowledge of all of the world events
that are happening.The internet is a very useful and helpful tool for us to use.

Song of My Generation

  The song I was given was Young Blood by the Naked and Famous. This song is about a girl losing a relationship and she is remembering all the places they went and what they did there. I think the meaning of the song is that even tough a relationship is over, doesn't mean it has truly died. When she sings "fall back in love eventually", it clearly shows that she sees hope that the two of them will get back together.  The point the song brings out is don't believe that anything is truly over, it just goes away for awhile. I believe that my partner selected this song for our generation because it  describes what we think of ourselves and how we think. When the song says "Can't help myself but count the flaws", our generation does that. Most of my generation seems very worried about what others think him or herself and how he or she can change to make others like him or her not. This is not always good because then people are liking someone we truly are not. Another reason why this song fits my generation is when she sings "We're only young and naive still". Many (not all) people in my generation are naive. This song is about a break-up, thinking that they can have a lasting relationship. When in reality it will not work out (for the long run anyway). The final phrase that I think best describes our generation is when it says "Claw my way out through these walls". This small sentence describes our generation so well because our generation has a beautiful gift. We don't want to just be like everyone else, we want to make a name for ourselves. We claw our way out of the standard of the world, we set a new standard. This song fits our generation more than you would first think. All and all this song describes our generation pretty well. Both good and bad.