Native American Literature

What happens to community when the American Dream is not available to all? How does the community respond to this inequality?

Essential Question:
Native American:The American Dream is not always given to all but with prayer over all land and spirits, the community is able to respond to the matter. In the "Seven Sacred Prayers", Knockwood prays for different matters and tells then needs he has that relate to it. The author shows how prayer and faith helps to resolve problems and better all their surroundings. During the prayers, he ask that the spirit dwell in every object, place, and person in order for the American Dream to be delivered to all. The author shows how he wants everything to be blessed so that he and everyone else can be afforded the American Dream. Knockwood uses prayer to respond to the inequalities over the American Dream and one day hopes that it will be afforded to all.

Native American Literature- Seven Sacred Prayers
Noel,Knockwood."Seven Sacred Prayers".
1996. 17 March 2008.<http://www.indigenouspeople.net/natlit.htm>.

O Great Spirit, who art before all else and who dwells in every object, in every person and in every place, we cry unto Thee. We summon Thee from the far places into our present awareness.

Reaction:
In these prayers by the Native Americans, they are divided up into different sections where they give thanks and ask for things to benefit them. After reading the prayers, I realized how it could be literature because they explained everything they were thankful for and everything that they needed. I liked they way that it was broken up into different sections because they were able to pray for everyone and specific needs for certain people. The only thing that I didn't like, was the way that they worded some things such as: using the word spirit with land and different areas. I felt that they gave too much power to material things.

Diary:

Dear Diary,

I have said my prayers for everyone and I hope they will be answered. The prayers include: mother earth , my spirit, the heavens, and all the land. Hopefully the great spirit will bless all the objects and people who cry unto thee. I realize that there is alot going on in the world today and I have said these prayers to try to change that. Spirit, please give me strength and dignity to do your will and goodness of your gift of life. Please hear these wishes as I grant them done and make sure all the people are given the great gift of life.

Sincerely yours,
Noel Knockwood



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Essential Question - Puritan Era

What happens to community when the American Dream is not available to all? How does the community respond to this inequality?

Bradford/Bradstreet/Taylor/Edwards Essential Question:
Poets express problems that they have experience or experiencing; however they tell of the consequences when the American Dream is not afforded to them and how they deal with it. Bradford and Edwards tell stories of how people are punished for disobeying God. This shows when God is disrespected he takes control and punishes you by taking your American Dream. Bradstreet and Taylor tell a story of hope and faith when their American Dream is not yet completed, yet describing how they can be completed. This shows how these poets share the same American Dream and their hope and faith that will bring them closer to completion. All of these poets tell of their stories and how their American Dream can be taken or resolved.

Of Plymouth Plantation- Reaction

William,Bradford."Of Plymouth Plantation".21March2008.<http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/english/coke/bradford.htm>.
"There was a proud and very profane young man, one of the seamen, of a lusty, able body, which made him the more haughty; he would always be contemning the poor people in their sickness and cursing them daily with grievous execrations; and did not let to tell them that he hoped to help to cast half of them overboard before they came to their journey’s end, and to make merry with what they had; and if he Were by any gently reproved, he would curse and swear most bitterly. But it pleased God before they came half seas over, to smite this young man with a grievous disease, of which he died in a desperate manner, and so was himself the first that was thrown overboard."

Reaction:
In the literature, "Of Plymouth Plantation", it discussed the hardships that the people suffered and how God punished and rewarded them for the things that they did. During the beginning, their goal was to arrive at Cape Cod safely, although not knowing what God had in plan for them. One young man, thought he was excellent and no one could exceed hum but God taught him a lesson to make him learn that everyone is something special and that he is not the only one able to do things. I thought this was a good thing because I don't think that no one should be looked down upon and that everyone should be treated equally. After many struggles, with the grace of God they were able to get across Cape Cod. God works in mysterious ways and with their hard work, he made their mission successful. After arriving at Cape Cod, they had to use the survival instincts in order to find everything that they needed to live. I think that its good that they knew how to survive during hard times because you never know when something bad will happen. After discovering survival need, they heard a familiar cry and it was the Indians and they put up a good fight to defeat their enemies and God was proud of them. The men should have been proud of themselves because they were able to defeat their enemies. I don't think fighting is a good thing, but is there is a need for defense, then I think it is fine. After the fight, they were scared of what was going to happen to them. I think that it was fair to be scared because you never know when something was going to happen but at the end everything was fine after another defeat.

Diary:

Dear Diary,
Many people have had hardships trying to arrive at Cape Cod and many have had success but no one had an easy way out. As we began the journey it was this man who thought he was better than everybody and he ended up being the one with the bad luck. After many struggles and the grace of God, we were able to arrive at Cape Cod. When we arrived, we were left with nothing and we had to find our own survival needs, in order to stay alive. We split up into 2 separate groups, which each had to find food and housing. Shortly afterward, we heard a loud cry, that was the Indians and we began a battle, where we were able to defeat our enemies. Not long after, the Pequot War began between the Pequots' and the Narragansetts. The Pequot's tried to to make piece but it did not go over well and they defeated their enemies and another battle was won. We fought many hard battles and through teamwork and a great defense, we were able to defeat our enemies and make God proud!

Sincerely yours,
William Bradford


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Bradstreet Poem-"By night when others soundly sleep"

Anne,Bradstreet."By night when Others Soundly Sleeping".1994-2002.21March2008.<http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/209.html>.
9My hungry Soul he fill'd with Good;
10He in his Bottle put my tears,
11My smarting wounds washt in his blood,
12And banisht thence my Doubts and fears.

Reaction:
In this poem, Bradstreet expresses her love for God. She uses rhyme every other line. The tone is perceived as a serious tone because she talks about at night when she connects with God. Imagery is used in this poem and it makes me remember how sometimes I lay up at night and think of things. Bradstreet wants to show how she is able to connect with God and the influence that he has on her life. After reading this poem, it made me think of how I sit up and think of important things at night. The connections that she used made the reader connect with author and have a better understanding of the poem. In the beginning, she caught the my attention when she described everyone being sleep and her staying up with her eyes open; this made me begin to think of reasons why she would be staying up. After reading the poem, I was able to put together all the imagery together and figure out the person that she was inferring. I loved the poem and I think Bradstreet is a great poet because she makes sure the reader is connected with the author, and that is what is most important.

Diary:
Dear Diary,
I have been sitting awake for the past couple hours and i just do not know how to go to sleep, with so much on my mind. My soul sought him and he bowed his ear from down above. If he could just fill my hungry soul with good, I would be complete. My wounds are being washed in his blood and my doubts and fears are going away. What should I give to my savior? I will continue to serve him and one day hope that he cleanses my soul,

Sincerely yours,
Anne Bradstreet


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Poetry Chart

Title/Author:"By Night when Others Soundly Slept" by Anne Bradstreet

Speaker: a woman who has alot of things on her mind

Imagery: smarting wounds, waking eyes, bottle=put tears

Sound: rep.rhythm= every line, rhythm=last word of each line, alliteration=none, assonance= none, consonance= every other line

Paradox: my smarting wounds washt in his blood

Tone: serious

Irony: Throughout out the poem, you were able to tell who the speaker was referring to.

Conceit: none

Bradstreet Poem- "Verses upon the burning of our house"

Anne,Bradstreet."Verses upon the burning of our house".1994-2002.21March2008.<http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/218.html>.
51"There's wealth enough; I need no more.
52Farewell, my pelf; farewell, my store.
53The world no longer let me love;
54My hope and Treasure lies above."

Reaction:
In this poem, Bradstreet tells her story of her house burning down and the feelings that ran through her during this trying time. She describes how the fire happened and the noises that she heard that informed her of the fire. After realizing she was in a fire, she called on God to pray that she would stay safe. I really like that she is a spiritual women. After the fire, she describes all the ruins of the house and material items and notes that she is grateful for everything and that she is not worried about the material items. I think it is important to draw a line between material items and life. In the beginning, she was upset and scared because she didn't know what to do during this fire. At the end when she realized that she had the most important thing which was hope and treasures, she became thankful.

Diary:

Dear Diary,

As I lay asleep in my bed, I am awaken by a mysterious thundering noise and a dreadful voice that sounds of "fire". After being awaken by the fire, my heart cried out to God for him to save me! The flames consumed my home and my goods were now in the dust. My sorrowing eyes cast aside and I laid for a while. After realizing that all material items were gone and never to return, I began to realize his gift is made thine own. There's wealth enough, I need no more. Farewell to everything that was lost but my hope and treasure lies above,

Sincerely yours,

Anne Bradstreet

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Poetry Chart

Title/Author: "Verses upon the burning of our house" by Anne Bradstreet

Speaker: a scared woman whose house is burning down that digs deep in faith and has a change of heart

Imagery: piteous shrieks of dreadful voice, flame consume my dwelling place,sorrowing eyes,bridegrooms voice,mouldering dust,dunghill mists

Sound: rep. rhythm= every line, rhythm=last word of each line, alliteration= Adieu adieu All's, assonance=every other line, consonance=every line

Paradox: piteous shrieks of a dreadful voice, sorrowing eyes,the world no longer let me love, my hope and treasure lies above

Tone: upset/satisfied: it turns into a satisfied tone at the end

Irony: awakened by piteous shrieks of a dreadful: the audience knew it was something bad

Conceit: none

Bradstreet Poem- "To my dear and loving husband"

Anne,Bradstreet."To my dear and loving husband".1994-2007.21March2008.<http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/217.html>.
1If ever two were one, then surely we.
2If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
3If ever wife was happy in a man,

Reaction:
In the poem ,Bradstreet uses compassion to express her feelings for her husband. She expresses her feelings by using imagery that includes: explaining the love by describing it as a prize more than a whole mine of gold and rivers that cannot quench.This imagery she uses, makes you think of the way that she loves her husband because it gives you a picture of how she feels. The tone that she uses is happy because she expresses this when she describes her love for her husband. I think this is an excellent poem because she is able to tell the story of her love for her husband. When I began reading it, I was able to keep in touch with the author because she guided me with her imagery and I really like that in poems.

Diary:
Dear Diary,

My husband is very loving and caring and I adore him for everything that he does for me. I am thankful for having him in my life and loving me in a special way. He brings joy to my life and I am happy to wake up to him every morning, to make my day. I hope this love will last forever and never fade away. He is a prize more than anything that the world could offer me. I am so thankful to him and I want everyone to know that I have a dear and loving husband!

Sincerely,
Anne Bradstreet


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/v3/03-14-2008.N1A_14Southwest.G9V2C1VDK.1.jpg

Poetry Chart

Title/Author: "To my dear and loving husband" by Anne Bradstreet

Speaker: a woman who loves her husband

Imagery: prize of love= whole mines of gold and love= something river cannot quench

Sound: rep. rhythm=every line, rhythm=last word of each line, alliteration=when-we, while-we, assonance=me-ye,ever-were,consonance=none

paradox= love=rivers cannot quench,prize=whole mines of gold, when we live no more, we may live ever

tone=loving,happy, irony=none

conceit=none

Huswifery

Edward,Taylor."Huswifery".21March2008.<http://www.puritansermons.com/poetry/taylor14.htm>.
"Then cloath therewith mine Understanding, Will, Affections, Judgment, Conscience, Memory; My Words and Actions, that their shine may fill My wayes with glory and thee glorify. Then mine apparell shall display before yee That I am Cloathd in Holy robes for glory".

Reaction:
In this poem, Taylor describes how he wants God to complete him and surrounded with his glory. He describes his completion, by using metaphors that compares his completion to materials that are used in the everyday world. When Taylor described his completion, I was amazed because I never thought of completion in that matter. The reader connects with Taylor, when he describes how he would like to be complete, using imagery such as: a spinning wheele which resembles the start of his completion, knitting which resembles the holy word connecting with him, flyers which resembles his feelings towards the road to completion , and a spoole which resembles his faith and the guidance that the spirit has given him. Using theses pictures, the the reader can relate to his completion. After all, he just wants God to be on his side and guide him in the right direction, and I feel that this is a great way to live!

Diary:

Dear Diary,
I am in need of a change and I would like to be made whole by the holy spirit. When its time for my completion, I would like to resemble a spinning wheele that will be made complete; while the holy spirit gives me courage to become a stronger man. The flyer's that I will give all my emotion and passion,so that you know I am desperate for this completion. With the spool, I grant my soul to be guided by the holy spirit. Holy word, please hear this conversation and grant me the completion that I desire. Cloath me and provide me with everything, so that I can be fulfilled with the flying colors of the heavens. Holy spirit these are all the things that I am passionate about; cloath me in your holy robes for glory. Everything has been asked and I pray that it will be answered!

Sincerely yours,
Edward Taylor


http://www.campusterrassa.upc.es/associacions/gbu/images/jesus.jpg

Poetry Chart

Title/Author: "Huswifery' by Edward Taylor

Speaker: a man who would like to become complete with the holy spirit

Imagery: spinning wheel,swift flyer's, yarn, robes

Sound: rep. rhythm=every line, rhythm= last word of each line, alliteration=none, assonance=every line, consonance=every line

Paradox: completion= spinning wheel, reel of yarn, weaving web to make completion, clothes in holy robes

Tone: passionate

Irony: none

Conceit: compares completion to spinning wheel

Sinners at the hand of an angry God

Jonathan,Edwards."Sinners at the had of an angry God". 21March2008.<http://www.piney.com/JonEdwSinHands.html>.
"The observation from the words that I would now insist upon is this. -- "There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God." -- By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty, any more than if nothing else but God's mere will had in the least degree, or in any respect whatsoever, any hand in the preservation of wicked men one moment. -- The truth of this observation may appear by the following considerations".

Reaction:
After reading the Sinners at the hand of an angry God, I felt like I was in a whirlwind. One thing I did like was how he related everything to Bible verses so he could relate it to the words of God. He also shows how when you commit sins or disobey God, he will punish you with some type of consequence. I enjoyed reading this passage because it not only made me think about some things, I learned some Bible verses that I did not know. If I was in Edwards place, I would just reword some of the things such as: natural man prudence does not preserve their life and it doesn't secure a moment. I do not think this statement is true because you do have to watch what you do, in order to secure a moment. This narrative portrayed how bad decisions in life never go away and will someday come back to haunt you, and I think that is very true. This was a great piece of literature that portrayed the consequences of bad decisions.

Diary:

Dear Diary,
Everyone makes bad mistakes, and I think this is normal for every human. Bad mistakes should never turn into bad decisions that will make you a bad person. God loves all his people and he will do anything to help anyone; however conducting the same bad mistakes over and over doesn't make him a happy God. As used in Psalms 72:18: Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou castedst them down into destruction." This shows how being set on bad choices causes you to fall into a bad place and begin to live a life that is not well liked. "There is no want of power in God to cast wicked men into hell at any moment. Men's hands cannot be strong when God rises up.The strongest have no power to resist him, nor can any deliver out of his hands"(Edwards). God is a powerful God and he does what he knows is right for that person and I wish the best for everyone and hope that they never sit at the hands of an angry God!

Sincerely yours,
Johnathan Edwards



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Half-Hanged Mary

Questions for Poem

1. Puritans
2. Rugged
3. She is similar to a flag being raised because of her being hanged in the tree at a high level.
4. They are the women and they are afraid because they know that could happen to them also.
5. She gave a baby care when it was sick and she gave a lady an abortion because she was unwed.
6. If they helped her they would be punished and tried of witchcraft also and the witchcraft would rub off on them.
7. She feels like he is not helping her the way he should because she says faith, hope and, charity are three dead angels.
8. All three of the things that she name were negative in this period; she compares death to them because she feels like these people can do things to make her suffer.
9. She is trying to convince herself to die because she sees no need to suffer all this pain.
10. The two different kinds of prayer that she is referring to are, the kind where you ask for something you want, and the one you ask for something you need. At this time, she is asking for something she needs because she needs God on her side and his mercy during this time of suffering.
11. The wording is used because she wants the reader to feel her pain. She wants to show us how she had to suffer for being accused of a crime, she did not commit.
12. The only crime that she thinks she committed was being borne. She uses the word born over and over because she wants the reader to get the meaning of the way she uses it. Born is like birth and borne is holding on through long suffering.
13. 10 hours
14. The sun is longer a simile for God because the sun is huge with light and God is being portrayed as not shining down on her at this time.
15. They probably felt humiliated because they were probably the ones he accused her of this crime and wanted her dead.
16. She mentions this because after being tortured and punish for a crime that she hasn’t committed and it has caused her to change her perspective on life.
17. They feel like she is untouchable because she was able to survive such a harsh punishment.
18. Since the hanging, she is not the same person because she feels after suffering cruel punishments she is on top of the world and able to do anything she pleases. Her mental state is a crazy because of the punishment that she received.

Equaino's Slave Narrative

What happens to community when the American Dream is not available to all? How does the community respond to this inequality?

Essential Question:
Equaino's Slave Narrative:During slave times, many African Americans were abused and stripped of all their rights of the American Dream; however Equaino was a man that stood up for himself and did whatever was necessary to be afforded the same American Dream as the fortunate. Equaino stood up for himself when he was called out of his name until he couldn't bear the punishment any longer. Equaino shares this to show how he was a strong person and how he wanted to overcome these times. Equaino thought that if the slave master change their character and treated them as men, then they could have happiness. This shows how the slave masters treated them and that the American Dream was not offered to African Americans slaves that wanted something from life. This narrative is a great piece of literature that shows how someone tries to receive the American Dream when its not afforded to them.

Robert,Allison."Equaino's Slave Narrative".1995.21March2008.<http://www.princeton.edu/~howarth/304.Projects/Erera/Pages/Narrative.htm>.
"While I was on board this ship, my captain and master named me Gustavus Vassa. I at that time began to understand him a little, and refused to be called so, and told him as well as I could that I would be called Jacob; but he said I should not, and still called me Gustavus: and when I refused to answer to my new name, which I at first did, it gained me many a cuff; so at length I submitted, and by which I have been known ever since." (61)

Reaction:
Equaino's Slave Narrative, is an important piece of literature, that I think should be read by everyone. In this narrative, Equaino shares the story of life as a slave. His first paragraph begins with him telling the readers that he thought this was something important, that needed to be shared. I believe that it was right for him to share this story, so people could know the real truth behind slavery. Equaino took pride in the challenges that were brought before him because it made him a stronger person. While in slavery he was able to gain an education which gave him an advantage over most African-American slaves. I think an education is one of the most powerful necessities that a person has and he was very fortunate as a slave to gain this knowledge. After reading this narrative, I realized that he was a strong-willed person that stood up for himself and what he thought was right. When he told the story about him being on the boat and the man giving him a name that he didn't like and him taking the punishment for a while before he accepted it; I thought this was great and it showed the strong person that he was and it carried him on to be a success. Equaino made me realize the true things that went on during slavery and the hardships that African-Americans faced daily. I believe that he was a great person and I thank him for sharing his story to help everyone feel the true meaning of slavery.

Diary:

Dear Diary,

As an African American slave, I have faced alot of hardships but I have continued to grow and develop skills that will help me survive. I have been abused, verbally,mentally, and physically but I still continue to be a strong young man and do as I am told. My spirits are high and one day I wish for all this to stop and live a normal life. I had one experience that changed me for the better when I was on a boat and called out of my name and I told him my name and he refused to call me by that; I continued to correct him until it gained me a cuff and I began to accept. Being an African American slave, I am very fortunate because I was able to gain an education during these troubled times. I am a strong-willed person and I stand up for what I think is right, and slavery is something that I think should stop. One day I hope all this could stop, and every man could be treated equally.

Sincerely yours,

Equaino

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Essential Question - Revolutionary Period

What happens to community when the American Dream is not available to all? How does the community respond to this inequality?

Essential Question:
Revolutionary Period:When the American Dream is available to your community and you feel that there is no way around it, you make a stand for everyone to show the importance of the people in order to reinforce decisions of the government and the people that serve our people. Henry reinforces the importance of a good government because without the country will suffer a downfall and without anyone to stand up to them, it will continue. This shows how someone cares about the country and his people because he stands up to the government and expresses his feelings toward their doings. Paine reinforces how it is very important for the people to be involve or nothing will go right because the people are the ones that need to stand for what they believe, and keep their faith in God to have a better country. This shows how important the people are in politics because without their voice the government won't take a second to think whats best for the people but only whats best for them. Both of these authors brought good points to the table and reinforced the importance that people have on the government and without someone standing up, we will continue down the rough path.

Patrick Henry- Give me Liberty or Give me Death

Reflection:
In this selection, Henry expresses his feelings towards the President and his decision-making. I love the points that he makes in the selection such as: that if he hold backs his thought, he should be tried for treason, not to deceive self, and that he wants God to forbid all the wrong doing. The way he explained his cause for these accusations were wonderful and it made you think in a different manner. In this, you learned how selfish the government is and how everything they do is to benefit themselves or something that they are for. He expresses his feelings towards the President, so that he understands how he feels, and the reason that he feels this way so he knows that his people don't like the things he is doing. At the end Henry says to give him liberty or death and he says that because without peace in life you are going to suffer and never achieve the American Dream that you have hoped for.

Diary Entry:
Dear Diary,
I have taken into consideration alot of things about my country and the leaders and I realize that we have many flaws that we need to correct. The President needs to take a moment and take into consideration his people's feelings and try to correct the problems that we have in our community. I feel that it is my duty to step up as a leader and speak for my community because if I did not, I would be like everyone else who just lets people run over them. I would like the President to consider the reason for his decisions such as war and analyze his concern for this topic and see if it is necessary. I would just like to have peace in our country and for everyone to live a happy life. God please forbid all the wrong doing and the people that are causing our country to dissolve in the catch of an eye. Give me Liberty, or Give me Death!

Sincerely Yours,

Patrick Henry

Thomas Paine- The Crisis

Reflection:
In this selection Paine discusses his discomfort with political decisions and how he would like everyone to correct the problem in the society. He reinforces his feelings by saying that God can fix anything my saying that his secret is that God Almighty will never give up on his people. I love the way that Paine discussed how the people could help society be a better place instead of just blaming all the problems on the government. Without the support and help from the people, the government is going to do anything they want because there is no one to stand up to them. In the selection he addresses that you should show your faith by the work that you do. I love this statement because it shows that work in the community will show the faith and pride that you have in your community and your country to make it a better place for all. In conclusion, Paine does a great job of reinforcing how much the help of the people means and it makes you want to offer more to your country.

Diary Entry:
Dear Diary,
I am affected by the steady downfall of my community and I would like it to change soon. There are always complaints of the country and the failure of the leaders but never anyone there to help. People need to show their faith by their work and help this country to become the place that it is capable of being. I would just like everyone with the guidance of our Almighty God to help and pitch in so that we can make our country a better place. I have done my part and I feel that I need to try harder also as a person. Do the people that we battle daily not care about each other? Why are they keep our people as slaves? God is the only one with enough to commit such a hate crime that he would never desire of doing. God please listen to everything that I am saying and I hope that you and everyone else will take into consideration what I am saying.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Paine

American Dream Interviews

Questions to Answer:

What do these men have in common?
Can you see how because these men gave so much, we benefit?
Can you make any connection/extension to today's political figures? How so?

1. These men both have faith in their country and realize that they have to take a stand in order for the government to hear the people's voice.

2. These men both gave alot because without them standing up for the people they would've still been in a rough patch. They gave advice to the people so that the government can realize that the people care and that there needs to be a change made. With the help of these people, I think they benefited us today because more people take a stand and express their feelings toward government decisions.

3. Both of them remind me of Barack Obama. Obama is a strong person that believes in his people and expresses his feelings towards the downfall of this country. He believes in his people and wants the best for them; however he allows them to voice their opinions so he knows how he could help.

Personal Extension:
My American Dream is to graduate school with honors and to become a successful Physician Assistant. In order to do this, I am working my hardest in school and try to put more emphasis than I have in the past. When I hit an obstacle I try to overcome it and try harder to get to the next level, so I can be successful in life!

Interview Responses:
1. Grandma: My American Dream was to get a great education, get married, have children, make a good living, have grandchildren, retire and enjoy retirement, and spend my time with my family. I am currently living my American Dream and enjoying everyday of it.

2. Dad: My American Dream was to get a good education and be able to provide for my family. I am fulfulling my American Dream and glad to help others.

3. Mom: My American Dream is to be debt free and able to spend more time with my children and not be under such economic pressure. I an currently working towards my American Dream and happy to be able to fulfill it soon!

Cubist Response:
I feel that Paine and Henry had the same idea as the candidates that are running today. Most candidates tell of the corrupt government and how they would like to fix it. Barack Obama is a great example because he is someone who truly cares and listens to the voice of his people to serve as a great leader. Alot of candidates say what they want to get into office, and then when their time comes it turns into another story. The "08" candidates seem to have a passion for their people and wish to correct that the corrupt government that is serving us now. I believe the government should put more focus on their people and with a new government leader in 08, I think we would be able to achieve this American Dream.

(My personal picture that I created)

This picture represents Hillary Clinton and the campaign that she is running. I used a picture that had two different colors on each side of its face, to show that Hillary has two sides to her campaign. On the dark side, I showed how the people viewed Hillary of a good woman that is working to serve the country and will do anything that the American people ask. On the bright side, I show the real side of Clinton where she really doesn't care about the people and thinks that she is always the correct one and that everything should go her away. With this picture, you are able to view your political candidates in a different way.

Creative Writing

Characters:
Maria Sanchez
Jennifer Hunter
Chapter Used: XVII(17)- Paper Book
Takes place in Illinois

When Spring came, after that hard winter, one could not get enough of the nimble air. Every morning I awakened with a fresh consciousness that winter was over. The Sanchez’s were now in their new brick house by then. Their family had been building it for the past couple of months. While the dogs drew in the water and nosed each other, and drank again, I saw Maria with that long flowing black hair and tanned skin of a young Mexican girl sitting on the porch. “Hey Maria, how are you?” Did you see the White Sox play last night? “No, Jennifer we don’t have cable because we are new to this town and my family has little money and all of it has to go to the bills.” “Well, I need to ask you something. My mother wants to know if you could go to the semester of school that starts next week over at Jones College Prep High School. She says they have great teachers and you would receive a great education that would help you so you could help your family out with the money.” Maria stood up with great distress and her eyes looking like a river overflowing. “Sorry, Jennifer I do not have time to learn. If I do not work in the house, my family will have little money to survive and we will have no where to go. The women somehow are expected to do everything in the house and if I leave people will look at me funny because I am a Mexican immigrant and they feel that we have no right to be in America. My little brothers might be able to go but the women have to stay and take care of all the business.” Maria then began to walk off as if the world had just ended. As she walked, all I could think about is this young girl throwing away her life away and not being able to live her dream due to the misconceptions that the American people have of Mexican Immigrants. Maria took my hand. “Jennifer, please go to school and learn a lot so some day you may come back and tell me about all the nice things that you were offered. As Maria was talking I began to feel knots in my stomach because I know this is a smart girl that can do anything she can put her mind to but is stopped because people want to give titles such as: Mexican, wetbacks and many others that I know were not true about Maria. When she was almost to a stop, I realized that I will do anything for her so maybe one day she can be the capable person that I know she is. Sure, Maria I will do that for you and if you or your family every need anything, you know you can count on us. I will teach you if you would like and you can learn everything that I learn in school” “Thank you Jennifer and maybe one day as immigrants, we can live our American Dream and enjoy all the wonderful things that society offers.” “Maria, that day will be soon don’t worry because I know you have capability and will do anything that you put your mind to. I have to go back inside now and help my parents but I will never forget what you told me and anytime you need anything, don’t hesitate to come over and ask.” “Ok Jennifer thanks for everything and maybe I will come over soon and try to get some lessons.” “Ok Maria do that and make sure you say Hi to your family and let them know if the boys would like to begin school at the start of the semester, they can come with me” “Ok Thanks, talk to you later.” Bye!

Nature by Emerson

Reflection:

After reading Nature, I realized the true meaning of nature. I realized that nature was your eye and the way you viewed it, not just something that is there to look at and keep moving. Now I look at nature in a different sense and I realize the true meaning and how beautiful nature really is. In the selection, it says that he is a transparent eye ball and he is nothing but he sees all. This to me means that nature surrounds you daily and there in no way to go around it. Nature is also a part of life that alot of people find relaxing and put time into which causes them to have an transparent eye. I do not really like nature and it is not something that means alot to me but after reading this selection, when I look at it, I will look at it in a different perspective.


Diary:

Dear Diary,
I really didn't have much interest in nature before reading a selection by Emerson. I realized nature is not just trees, grass, flowers and many other things but it is everything that your eye sees. I realized that nature is beauty and has alot of meaning far pass making a garden look pretty. I realized that I could come to love nature and have a passion for it. I realized that many people look at nature to relax and let alot of stress of. I realized how beautiful nature was and I really think that I will have a new grown passion for it. I will now have a translucent eye and make my eye all about nature and not about me.

Self Reliance by Emerson

Reflection:
After reading Self Reliance, I learned more about myself. My favorite saying out of the whole essay was do not seek out of yourself, this saying takes you a long way. When I read this I started to think of the many things that it could mean. The first thing that came to mind was always do what you feel is right and don't follow others. The second thing that came to thought was stay true to yourself and you will always come out better in the end. To me my second thought was the best because I looked back at the many mistakes I have made in life and they all come from thinking I can get by and not staying true to myself. This was a great essay that could help one find them self but to me it taught me to stay true to myself and be my own leader.

Diary:
Dear Diary,
I read a really great essay that could tech you about life. I loved the essay and it made me have many thoughts that changed me as a person. After reading the essay. I realized that I need to be true to myself and always do what I think is right. I need to be independent and don't rely on others for anything. I also learned to be my own leader and not follow others because it won't get you far. As Emerson says, "Do not seek out of yourself", this will take you a long way if you listen to it and embrace the meaning of it. It could mean alot of different things to people but he is trying to say, stay true to yourself and this method will always keep you in a good place.