Moderism

Disillusionment

I chose disillusionment because almost everyone these days kinda hides what they feel inside and just want people to know what they are like on the exterior. Some people have the courage to open up to everyone and let everyone know exactly who they are and aren't scared to let them true self out. When I read a book I like to know what the character is actually thinking because it makes the story better. When you know what the character is thinking then you know more about the actual story and you don't spend most of your time over analyzing the story.

Soldiers Home

If disillusionment tells the truth and shows what people truly feel about things then this story was a good example. I think one reason this story is a good example because you get inside the character’s head. You know what he is really feeling and not what he wants everyone to think he’s feeling. In the story Krebs seems kinda sad this quote shows his sadness
"Don't look that way, Harold," his mother said. "You know we love you and I want to tell you for your own good how matters stand. Your father does not want to hamper your freedom. He thinks you should be allowed to drive the car. If you want to take some of the nice girls out riding with you, we are only too pleased. We want you to enjoy yourself. But you are going to have to settle down to work, Harold. Your father doesn't care what you start in at. All work is honorable as he says. But you've got to make a start at something. He asked me to speak to you this morning and then you can stop in and see him at his office."
"Is that all?" Krebs said.
"Yes. Don't you love your mother dear boy?"
"No," Krebs said.
His mother looked at him across the table. Her eyes were shiny. She started crying.
"I don't love anybody," Krebs said.

Krebs just seems like he is a lazy man. He seems like he doesn't really want to grow up, he just wants to be a kid forever. After he returned home from the war he doesn't have any dreams or goals anymore. Its like the war just drained his personality. In the quote above, Krebs tells his mother that he doesn't even love her anymore. Him going to war has drained him of his personality, his feelings and maybe even his soul. He just doesn't care about anything anymore. This story shows the truth about what going to war does to you through a soldiers eyes.

Richard Corey

This poem is showing that you can have all the money in the world and still not be happy. Money doesn't make people happy, plain and simple. So many people envy the rich because they want to be happy like the rich. But what these people don't see is that money isn't everything and it is not what makes people happy. Friends and family are what makes you happy. If the only thing you care about is money then you don't have time for friends and family, you only have yourself and your money. This poem is moderism because its saying that there is more to being rich than meets the eye.

Mending Wall

My first impression when I read this poem was that the wall was some type of hate that everyone has in them. Some have it more than others but everyone has it. Its racism. The character only care about fixing the wall so they wont have to face the true fact that they secretly hate one another. They are hiding behind this wall because they both know deep down inside that they do in fact hate one another. All the want to do is hide it and hiding it is not helping.

A Dream Deferred

This writer of this poem is basically trying to figure out what happens to dreams after they have been dreamt. The writer is trying to get the readers to think about something that doesn't have a true answer. Everyone who thinks about the question "Where do dreams go?" has a different answer than the first person. It is basically saying that there can be no wrong answer to any question, I mean only math questions have one answer, duh.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

The poem is about a black man telling his life. He compares his life to the ancient rivers of the world and all that the rivers have seen through out all this time. He feels the same as the ancient rivers because he believes he has seen all there is to see. I think this poem would be modernism by relation to the Harlem renaissance. Its talks about this black man and how he is lived life and experienced is life just as good, if not better, than a white man.

Incident

This is about a young black boy who moves to Baltimore. He lived there many years and exprienced many things but only one thing stuck out in his mind, when a white boy called his a racial slur. This is definitely disillusionment. It shows how powerful and hateful that word is and no matter how tough you may be on the outside there is that one thing that can hurt you more than anything.

Realism

"The Story of an Hour"

The story gives you great description of the characters. It describes how they are feeling, how they act and the environment that the character is in. "She sat with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair, quite motionless, except when a sob came up into her throat and shook her, as a child who has cried itself to sleep continues to sob in its dreams." This quote describes the character very well and I think it described her as well as a photograph.

In this story she is only trying to get society to respect her as herself not as only her husbands wife. She is only accepted as her husbands wife not as Louise but only as Mrs. Mallard. If someone calls her by her name then no one will know who she is but if she is called Mrs. Mallard then everyone knows who she is. This is showing that men had more importantance in society than women.


"The Battle with Mr. Covey"

The writer tells about the setting in great detail. The setting is on a plantation well where else would you find slaves? but anyway, the story takes place at a plantation many years ago. The writer describes a slave in this quote "I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute! " While reading this I could only imagine what it was like to be a slave.

Well the obvious social problem is racism. This story can show people who werent around during slavery how bad it really was. "I had by this time crawled away under the side of the post and rail- fence by which the yard was enclosed, hoping to find relief by getting out of the sun. He then asked where I was. He was told by one of the hands. He came to the spot, and after looking at me awhile, asked me what was the matter. I told him as well as I could, for I scarce had strength to speak. He then gave me a savage kick in the side, and told me to get up. I tried to do so, but fell back in the attempt. He gave me another kick, and again told me to rise. I again tried, and succeeded in gaining my feet: but, stopping to get the tub with which I was feeding the fan, I again staggered and fell. While down in this situation, Mr. Covey took up the hickory slat with which Hughes had been striking off the half- bushel measure, and with it gave me a heavy blow upon the head, making a large wound, and the blood ran freely; and with this, again told me to get up." This quote shows how the masters treated the slaves and how horrible it must have been to be a slave.

Even though no one really knows what it was like to live as a slave this story gives a good example of how people lived and how they were treated. This was actually one of the main reason why people are the way they are these days. I know it is a hard thing to forget but it happened and nothing can change it now. I dont think people should dwell on the past, not focus on the future but to live in the present.

Writing 4

When I was in elementary school I remember my parents and my teachers always talking about the dress code at school. Ever since then during the first couple of days at the beginning of each school year every teacher would have to go over the school dress code. The dress codes that schools tend to force upon students is sometimes a good thing but mostly its not. Dress codes can be beneficial to or take away from the students. Schools these days sometimes tend to take the dress code a little too far which gets students feed up with the school system and they want to actually quit school or move to a different school.

Considering that the dress code is only put into affect when the parents and the board vote on it. If both the parents and the board would take time to listen to what students have to say about the dress code and how it only affects them. Students think that it is un-fair because it only affects them although they are not the only ones at the school. The dress code that the school system has chosen for its schools should affect both the students and the faculty. If the faculty and the students both have the same or similar dress code then the students would not be as angry at the system for just putting all the pressure on them to dress to their standards.

Dress codes that are sometimes too strict tend to take away from the students. Each student has a different personality and if you take away the clothes they like to wear then it takes away their ability to be different. Students don’t want to be like everyone else, they just want to be themselves. If a dress code says that students can’t have piercings or dyed hair then that takes away from the student’s personality. Although, there can be some things that benefit the students as well. Dress code can keep students from wearing clothes that would distract the other students such as clothing that discriminates against people or clothing that “shows too much skin” or vulgar clothing. Keeping these things out of school could potentially help students pay more attention to school rather than just the people that go to school with them.

Many students have actually decided to quit school because of the dress code. In Clarke County the graduation rate is low and adding a strict dress code could potentially make students quit school which would make the graduation rate even lower. Students take pride in what the wear and if the school system takes that away from them they will quit school without thinking twice about it. I, myself, attend a Clarke County school and the dress code that the board and parents are voting on actually made me consider moving schools if it comes into affect. Although, I love everything about my school I still want to wear what I want to wear not what the board wants me to wear. Dress codes can be a good thing but if the dress code is too strict then the students will “drop like flies” no matter if they love their school or not.

Having a dress code can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on how strict it is. The best solution to many problems with the dress code is to actually let the students and the faculty vote on rather than the parents that don’t attend the school. Although I do not know why someone would want to take away from someone’s personality, I do know that being able to be yourself is a thing which everyone takes in to value.

The Black Cat/ The Raven

I thought that the story was very crazy and disrupting because it was violent. Poe seemed to be "going to the dark side" in this story. It demonstrates well how the Narrators anger go worse and worse. He starts out just hitting the animals, then kills Pluto, and then kills his wife. He just gets worse and worse until he finally gets caught always like it when a story wraps things up well. I could definitely tell that this story was not transcendentalism.

This quote refers to the was Poe thought "I suffered myself to use intemperate language to my wife. At length, I even offered her personal violence. My pets, of course, were made to feel the change in my disposition. I not only neglected, but ill-used them. For Pluto, however, I still retained sufficient regard to restrain me from maltreating him, as I made no scruple of maltreating the rabbits, the monkey, or even the dog, when by accident, or through affection, they came in my way." This indicates that he was quite out of his mind.

I thought that the poem was quite hard to understand towards the middle and the end but in the beginning it was easy to understand. As I read the poem I could almost sense the way Poe was going through during this poem. There were a few lines that stood out to me like "Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful DisasterFollowed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore--Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden boreOf 'Never--nevermore.'" I thought this part was kinda confusing.

Against Transcendental Philosophy?

The main reason for Nathaniel Hawthorne to be considered a Dark Romantic or against Transcendentalist would probably because of the man his great grandfather. Hawthorne believed that his grandfather, who was a judge during the Salem witch trials, was a bad person because he actually allowed 19 people and 2 dogs to be hanged and 1 person to be stoned to death because he believed that is what God would have wanted. He just knew that his Great Grandfather was very bad man so he believed people weren’t all generally good and people are generally bad.

Herman Mellville was considered a Dark Romantic simply because of what he witnessed as a young child. Mellville was a sailor because his dreams of becoming a writer were slim. He sailed around the world and witnessed many things. While he was young he witnessed cannibals in the South Pacific which made Mellville believe that people were bad and un-pure. Mellville believed if the people in the South Pacific were cannibals there could very well be many other people around the world that were the same way, un-pure.

In Edgar Allen Poe's life there was no such thing as luck, only bad luck came his way. He believed that it was God himself that had made the people that meant the most to him in his life either disown him or die. Poe himself started to act crazy by getting addicted to opium and alcohol. Poe had evil inside of him and he express himself through stories that he had written. Poe had so much taken away from him he probably either hated god or didn’t believe in him at all.

I think I would definitely fall more on the Transcendentalism side because I'm not evil in any kind of way unless someone hurts me significantly then the bad side comes out. I do believe that there are people how contain both good and evil traits. I don't think that there are people who have either all good or all evil traits. I believe that what makes you, whether you are Transcendentalist or Dark Romantic, is because of how you view other people and how you view the actions they wish to take.

A Bend in the Road Pgs 159-368

Sarah finally lets her family meet Miles on Thanksgiving which he met Sarah's mother, father, and brother. After that their relationship began to become more and more serious with the passing days. Miles get a tip on a person that might have been the person that killed his wife, Missy, two years earlier and he begins to act strange towards Sarah, so she kept her distance for a while. Sarah's brother, Brian, comes home from college for Christmas break and reveals a deep secret with Sarah. Brian tells Sarah that he was "the one" he was the one that had hit Missy on that night two years earlier. Sarah doesnt know what to say but she insisted that Brian tell Miles. Brian and Sarah take a trip to Miles' house to tell him the truth about Missy. Miles explodes on Brian and Sarah both. Miles stops talking to Sarah and proceeds to take Brian into custody. On the way to the police department Miles and Brian get into an accident and Brian is injured. Brian stays at home for a couple of days waiting for Miles to come get him and bring him in but Miles never comes. Brian decided to visit Missy grave one last time before he is taken in. Brian gets there and Miles is there also. Miles tells Brian that he is letting him go with the crime because he investigated Brian's story and realized he was tellin the truth about the whole thing and that it really was an accident. Miles and Sarah didnt talk for a couple of weeks and one day Sarah comes home from her mothers house and she sees Miles and Jonah waiting for her inside her apartment.

Worst Case Scenario.

I am currently in high school and have a wonderful boyfriend but if he was to ask me to marry him I would simply say "no." because I have my whole life ahead of me and I actually plan to go to college after I graduate from high school. I havent decided on a school but if the school I decide to go to is far away I would simply keep my answer at no unless my boyfriend is willing to come with me and be by my side and support me while I am at school or actually decide to attend the same college as myself. I think everyone should have the chance to experience life on their own without being under the wing of their parents.

I think that a transcendentalist would do something similar in this situation. Transcendentalists value self reliance and self awareness through trusting their decisions. Transcendentalists believed that the voice in your head was the voice of god, telling you to do what was good and true.

From Self-Reliance: "nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind."

Transcendentalism

I thought this was hard to understand because the use of the authors words. Emerson stated that nature is not only just trees, grass, wildlife, flowers, water, etc. Emerson stated that human beings are considered nature as well. I believe that every person should have their own quiet place outside that way the people who really dont appreciate nature could take the time to actually see how beautiful it is and take advantage of the soothing sounds and the beautiful landscape to escape from society. People who dont appreciate nature dont know that if it wasnt for nature we, humans, would not be here living.

Nature is a great example of Transcendentalism because Emerson states: "I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God." which indicates that God sees through the eyes of man.

Self-Reliance is a good example of Transcendentalism because Emerson states: "So God has armed youth and puberty and manhood no less with its own piquancy and charm, and made it enviable and gracious and its claims not to be put by, if it will stand by itself." which says that God has given all men, young and elderly the power to let their actions speak louder than words.

Resistance to Civil Government is a good example of Transcendentalism because Thoreau states: "That government is best which governs not at all" which says that the people should be governed how they think is right and not how society says they are suppose to.

Romantic?

This picture is romantic because the man in the picture is standing on top of a rock or mountain of some sort and is thinking that he is on top of the world or he is like God because he can look down upon the rest of the world. It looks like there is another man or woman standing on a distance mountain imaging the same.

Handi-Dandi Rope.

The Ropewalk is a poem about a man that works at a rope factory. One day while he is at work he becomes very bored with the work and begins to imagine many things. All the things that he imagines are the many different things that the rope he is making is helpful for. Things such as swings, reins for horses, gallows, and bell pulls. The one image that really stood out to me was when he imagined the woman bringing water up from a well and she saw her face in the crystal clear water. This poem had things that classified it as a Romantic poem such as all the imagery.

Imagination is Not Just for Children

In the poem Thanatopis there were many things that are very Romantic, not lovey-dovey, but romantic. At the beginning of the poem the author refers to nature as a person, Mother Nature, and you can speak to her whenever you please. He also refers to common people being able to accomplish things if they set their mind to it. At the end of the poem he emphasizes the fact that all people are created equal and just because you have a better title than someone else doesnt make you better than them. Everyone has the same fate and there is no reason for anyone to be scared because it happens to everyone.

Writing 3

When I first decide to move in with my mother, Classic City played a big role in my life. It was the summer of 2007 and it was my first time ever living with my mother. I decided to stay with my mother throughout the school year but I knew I wasn’t going to be able to drive all the way to Oglethorpe County everyday just for school. I started looking in to Clarke County schools such as Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals but I knew right off hand that those were not the schools for me. I told my brother, a graduate from Clarke Central, about my problem and he told me about Classic City Performance Learning Center. He planned on attending Classic City but decided he wanted to stay in school with his friends he knew since middle school.

I decided to look into Classic City Performance Learning Center. I found Clarke County School District website and found more information about the school. I liked what I saw and my mother and I went to the school about two weeks before school started. I took the test and got in. I was nervous because this would be my first time going to a school in Clarke County. Going to a new school where I don’t know anyone was a shock to me. The first day of school wasn’t bad at all and everyone was very nice. I found out that the people at this school are here to help you graduate and help you figure out what you want to do with your life because they don’t like to see people fail at what the want to do.

When I decided to move to Classic City I got my transcripts from Oglethorpe County and there were a few of my credits that didn’t transfer. This means that I lost some of the credits that I had worked hard for. Teachers and counselors helped me get my credits back on track and they also gave me alternative choices such as night school and summer school to help. I am thankful that they found a way for me to graduate with my class even though I had lost a few credits. To graduate from Classic City with a tech seal you have to have 22 credits which benefit me as well because at my old school I had to have 24 to graduate with a tech seal.

Teachers at Classic City will go out of their way to help someone with any situation. At Classic City it is more of like a big family rather than a school. I think Classic City is much better than a traditional high school because of the atmosphere it has and because there aren’t many people which means there is more one on one time with teachers and students. I think that benefits the students in a way that a traditional high school wouldn’t.

I’m glad I chose to come to Classic City. I’ve met some of the best people and some of my best friends at this school. While meeting new and wonderful people I am getting my education. Classic City has helped me in many ways from getting my credits straight to donating money when my house burned down. People from Classic City are some of the best people I have ever met in my life and I am glad I met them. I am going to try to keep these people in my life for as long a possible because they mean a lot to me. From my friends to teachers to my counselors here at Classic City all of them mean a lot to me. I am grateful for Classic City Performance Learning Center because of the many ways it has benefited me.

Rip Van Winkle

While I was reading Rip Van Winkle as first it was kinda confusing. I had to re-read many sentences, phrases and paragraphs multiple times before I actually understood what was going on in the story. While reading the story one thing that caught my eye is the little trolls and elves in the story that Rip Van Winkle saw. He described them very good as in what they were wearing and what they looked like. I also enjoyed the pictures while reading the story online.

His dog, Wolf, was his bestfriend and whom he talked to while he was avoiding his wife. And he said that Wolf was feeling the same way he did just because of the way he looked at him. Rip Van Winkle said it looked as if the mountains began to throw their long blue shadows over the valleys because the sun was starting to set.

A Bend in the Road Pgs. 65-159

I have really gotten into this book because it is a love story. Sometimes the timeline confuses me but the more I read the more I figure out what is going on. But so far it is a very good story.

Miles and Sarah started dating and spending more and more time together. On Halloween they took Jonah trick-or-treating and listened to ghost stories together. Jonah is fine with the fact that his dad is dating his teacher. Sarah's mother wants to meet Miles but Sarah isnt going to let that happen anytime soon....

Lets Think Like Rationalists, Here.

Thought #1: " the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."

• I think that this excert from The Declaration of Independence shows that everyone would have the right to "think outside the box" about how man should live.

Thought #2: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

• I think this excert is pretty self-explainatory.

Thought #3: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

• This states that the people can overthrow the government when needed and they shall change things until they are happy.

Courtneys 13 Virtues

1. Joyus. being happy with my lifes choices.
2. Tranquility. avoid accident prone sitiuations.
3. Rebellion. learn from my mistakes.
4. Collective. keeping my mind clear of issues.
5. Cleaniness. judging eyes are always around.
6. Humour. being relaxed, friendly and of ease.
7. Respectibility. looking up to those elderly to me.
8. Truthfulness. being worthy and honest to everyone.
9. Compassion. learn to live with those who are different.
10. Patience. those who wait will better their future.
11. Passionate. desire to love someone for more than one reason.
12. Optimism. viewing the world as a positive place.
13. Loyalty. being devoted to one person or cause.

Franklin? A Rationalist?

Benjamin Franklin did many things in his life that makes him a very well known Rationalist. One of the main things he did that stuck out to me was the fact that he was will to leave his home when he was only 17 years old to move to a larger city by himself. When he moved to the city he got a job at a printers. Working at the printers he became interested in how things came together and what they benefited and he wanted to know why? From that time forward Franklin was bound and determined to find the explaination for why everything happened. Franklin wanted the scientific reason why things happened. He didnt believe that everything happened "just because God wanted it to."

Rationalist vs. Puritans

There is a big difference between the Puritans and the Rationalists. Unlike the Puritans, the Rationalist needed an explaination for the reason why things happen not "just because God made it happen." Rationalist believed that anything could be explained through some type of science. Puritans thought that God was the reason why anything and everything happened and that if they tried to change it God would not save them. Today people believe that you should be punished for being drunk in public and for having sexual relations outside of marriage, the Puritans believed that same. There are Rationalists in the United States today. There is a group from Tennessee called The Rationalists of East Tennessee and this group has many things they would like to accomplish things such as encourage critical thinking on all aspects of human life, emphasize the importance of the scientific method and provide a fellowship for people who share these purposes. The Rationalists wanted to do the same.

A Bend in the Road Pgs. 1-65

Before I started reading this book I kinda had a feel of how it was going to start out because Ive read many books by Nicholas Sparks and they all started out the same way. It starts with either a male or a female that has been through some kind of tragedy. What Ive read so far has pulled me so deeply into this book that I could read for days.

The story started with a man named Miles whos wife had been a victim of a hit and run accident. The two had a son, Jonah, who is a very intellegent little boy in the second grade. Miles is a police officer in the small town of New Bern, North Carolina. Jonahs second grade teacher Sarah called for a conference with Miles regarding Jonahs work. Miles met with Sarah and felt something he hasnt felt before. Miles pushes the feelings aside and trys to forget about them but he just cant...

Writing 2 [University of Georgia]

The University of Georgia is located in Athens which is a small town in Georgia northeast of Atlanta. Athens is known mostly for the University of Georgia and of course football. The University is what set the foundation for the small town. The University of Georgia was incorporated on January 27, 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly. From that day the university has been the main reason for people coming to Athens. Even today people from all over the United States come to Athens to attend one of the largest universities in the South.

“The UGA campus is one that maintains its historic character and its southern charm.” – Wikipedia. The campus is divided into two main sections, North Campus and South Campus, over the years the campus has grown and there has been East Campus added to the traditional map. North Campus is where you would find the historic buildings and a few new additions such as the Law School and the Main Library. South Campus is home to most of the science and agricultural buildings and classrooms. The largest academic building on UGA campus is the Student Learning Center. It has classrooms, a library, and a technology space (computers and other technology). The Ramsey Center is located on East Campus. It is one of the largest student athletic/recreation facilities in the United States. The Ramsey Center has 4 gyms, 3 Olympic-sized pools and many other athletic facilities. The East Campus has several fine art facilities like the Georgia Museum of Art and School of Music.

On North Campus you can find one of most known symbols of the University of Georgia, The Arch. The Arch is the main entrance to North Campus and is also the Seal of the State of Georgia. There are several “urban legends” about the arch such as if you walk under the arch as an underclassmen you will never graduate from UGA and if you walk under the arch as a freshman you will become sterile. The arch is also on the Georgia state flag and the three columns each one stands for something different: wisdom, justice and moderation.

The university is most known for its athletic association. The Bulldogs participate in the NCAA’s Division I-A as a member of the Southeastern Conference. The university has won National Championships over the years not only in football but in many other sports as well. One of the Bulldogs’ biggest rivals is the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket. This rivalry is nicknamed “clean, old-fashioned hate” simply because the schools are approximately 70 miles apart from one another. One of the Bulldogs’ most known rivalries is the Florida Gators. The game that is always played in Jacksonville, Florida is widely known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.” The Bulldogs’ have only won 3 of the last 15 games.

Considering how small Athens was before UGA you can see that the small town has come a long way. Coming from nothing to having one of the most legendary football teams in the southeast and one of the most popular universities in the south. I love living in Athens because I love the college scene and I love the variety of people that come from around the world to attend UGA. I hope to attend the university one day so I can walk through the arch with a diploma in my hand.

A Bend in the Road

Im reading A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks. Sparks is my favorite author because I love his stories. Sparks is very well known for his writing. He is the author of two very well known books, The Notebook and A Walk to Remember. Both of which have been made into movies.

Tupac Shakur

My brother introduced me to Tupac Shakur’s music a few years ago. The first time I ever listened to his music I fell in love with the lyrics of his life. Although Tupac being one of the most successful rappers today, it had nothing to do with why I started listening to his music. Most of his songs are about growing up around violence and other problems with the society. Shakur’s mother had a huge impact on his life, and it was because of her that he did some of the things he did. My passion for music influences my life and the way I live it. Shakurs music had a huge impact on my life with the very first song I ever listened to.

I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you backBut the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

Shakur’s lyrics had an impact on my life. I live my life the way I choose to, and people who are passionate about what they love to do influences me. I love to hear someone tell me that they love their career because they are passionate about what they do. I wish to do the same with my future and when I hear of people making their life successful by doing what they love, it makes me want to do the same with my life. Shaku’rs lyrics showed me that he came from a hard place and could make it to the big league. Even though I may not have the money for college or a family who will just hand me money, I’m still more passionate about going to college than most kids who know they already have the money for college. I plan of making something of myself and living with it for the rest of my life and that’s exactly what Tupac Shakur did.

Shakur’s lyrics about his life influenced many teens and adults. His lyrics of his life showed everyone that you can make it through hard times if you work harder. Shakur showed many young people that they you could turn your life around. Although Shakur came from a hard place he proved to everyone that he could make it in this world of dictators, violence and hatred. Doing so, he became one of the best known rappers ever.

When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules

These lyrics are the first verse to the first song I ever listened to by Tupac Shakur. These lyrics are the lyrics that made me fall in love with the music that Shakur made. As you can see, these lyrics are lyrics of his live and the way he lived it. I’m sure many kids have gone through the exact same thing that Shakur is expressing in this song “Dear Mama.” This song shows that Shakur had a rough childhood but over came that and moved on with his life to become a successful rapper.

Perhaps I was addicted to the dark side
Somewhere inside my childhood I missed my heart die
And even though we both came from the same places
The money and the fame made us all change places
How could it be through the misery that came to pass
The hard times make a true friend afraid to ask, for currency
But you could run to me when you need me,
I'll never leave I just needed someone to believe in, as you can see

To preserve Shakur's legacy, his mother founded the Shakur Family Foundation (later re-named the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation or TASF) in 1997. The TASF's stated mission is to "provide training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents." The foundation also sponsors essay contests, charity events, a Performing Arts day camp for teens and undergraduate scholarships. The foundation lead to the opening of Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, Georgia in 2005. TASCA is a center to help students who are currently struggling with school but have a passion for music and wish to turn their passion into their career. The foundation is a way to help students go from “low life” to “the life.”

Shakur’s legacy lives on today just as strong as the day he walked into the rap scene. Many teens and adult admire the struggle Shakur went through to be successful. Being so passionate about music was Shakurs main reason for sticking with it. I believe if everyone today puts their busy life on hold and sit back and realize what they really love to do, many people will realize that they could have made a career out of what they love to do rather than doing something “just for the money.” Shakur influenced me many ways from the lyrics in his songs to his autobiography. I’m going to live my life the way I want to live it.

Puritans

The Puritans believed that everyone is born sinful and that God chooses who he wants to save. They believed that only those who were able to spread the word of God such as preists were the only people going to be saved. They believe Jesus died only for a select few people, not for everyone.


The Puritans sailed across the ocean on the Mayflower in search of a new land. They brought things along that would help them settle. Things such as tools and materials to build homes and other things and they also brought along food and different domestic animals. During one of the first days they were there they decided to explore and came across a few dogs and a few people, who were Indians. They followed the Indians hoping to speak with them. Acording to the writing the Indians at first were not very friendly and were not willing to know these newcomers to their land.

Upon meeting these Indians, The Puritans decided to create a government. So, they made the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact stated that the Puritans would spread Christianity amoung the indians, there would be colony meetings and it also confirmed that John Carver was the governor. John Carver fell sick and died. After his death, William Bradford became the new governor and his assistant Isaac Allerton took his place when he passed away. Starting a government made a foundation of the rest of the country and it also made things better between the Indians and the Puritans.

Everyone became ammune to the weather and the land. Many people had been dying because of their weak ammune systems. The winter season was not a hard for them to live through anymore because they learned of new ways to harvest and to build their homes. They began to practice fishing during the warmer months and they practiced hunting game in the colder months. These things that they practiced were carried on through the years and we still use their techniques today.

The Puritans and the Indians had a way of helping each other when needed. They had crops that both the Puritans and the Indians worked on and both could have their fair share of the food. They worked together on many things.

The Puritans believed many things but the thing that stood out the most to me was the fact that they believed that everyone is born a sin and God chooses only a select few to save. I think that if you take the time to devote your life to the church then there should be no question to wether or not God will save you. I also think that believing that only a select few such as presists and minster were the only ones going to be saved because they spread the word of god. The Puritans show their respect to God because they believe it will save them even though it wont. The Puritans wanted the Indians to know what they believed therefore they wouldnt be the only ones that God wouldnt save. The Puritans wanted God to save them for passing their believes to the Indians.