Journal 8 – Emerson’s Aphorisms

“There are always two parties; the establishment and the movement.” –

This aphorism shows that there are two paths people can take. They can either be a talker or a doer. The talkers are the establishment; they draft ideas and plans, and organize the course of action. The doers, the movement, are the ones that actually carry out that course of action and put the plan into effect. Most of the time, it is the movement that receives the credit, and they deserve the credit for they are the ones that are putting themselves at risk and in the line of fire. This idea can be related to war very easily for there are always people designing military strategy while they themselves stay in the safe zone and send others out to do what they have established. Emerson brings up a point that has been present throughout history and continues to be here in the present day.

“What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not been discovered.” –

All life has quality. All life also has a reason or purpose for being there. Emerson says that a weed is just something that people have not yet found the good in. Therefore, if there is something you do not like or someone you do not care for, try and find the good in them before you reject them as a weed. All people have a good quality to them and deserve for that quality to be found. When people find a weed, they just rip it out of their grass or garden and dispose of it. Not only do they tear it out, but they destroy every piece of it, including the root, so as to leave no trace of it behind. Emerson says we should first discover what good the weed can do before we remove it from our lives.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” –

The past and the future should not affect our present lives. The past is history and what happens, happens. The only thing to do next is to move on and live your life. Worrying and fearing about the future will only bring you stress and anxiety. The future is what you make it and you shape it by what you do every day. Emerson is saying that people should focus on what is inside of them and discover what they want to do and what they want out of life and they can shape their future into something worthwhile.

Journal 7 - "To a Waterfowl" vs. "The Raven

William Cullen Bryant’s “To a Waterfowl” and Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” can be compared to each other in the sense that they both use the image of a bird as the main figure of the poem. However, the aspects of the poems are very different. “To a Waterfowl” has a peaceful and calm tone. It is a classical writing that shows order. Harmony and calmness are presented in “To a Waterfowl” with certain images such as when the bird “floats along” and when Bryant describes the ocean by saying, “the rocking billows rise and sink on the chafed ocean side.” Also, the setting is dusk by an ocean. This creates an image of a peaceful environment that symbolizes tranquility. Poe’s “The Raven” is a gloomy poem that represents the emotional romantic style of writing. He describes the time of year as “in the bleak December”, which creates an image of a cold time when the days are short. The speaker’s tone makes an impact on the reader in “The Raven”. The speaker comes across as depressed, grief-stricken, and eccentric. This further helps to make the poem more melancholy.

Journal #6 From Ben Franklin’s The Autobiography

1. Explain what was involved in Franklin’s plan for self-perfection? What conclusion did Franklin come to regarding the effectiveness of this plan?

Franklin’s plan for self-perfection involved a set of virtues he designed to improve the quality of both himself and other people. These virtues are temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Franklin states that he does not find it feasible to obtain every virtue, but it is possible to live by many if them if you put the effort into it. He concludes that if people follow his plan and live by his virtues to the best of their ability, they will reap the benefits and be prosperous.

2. Do you feel that a plan such as Franklin’s would improve you as a person? Why or why not? What would be your top five virtues?

I feel that Franklin’s plan would improve me as a person. I know I would not be able to follow all of the virtues, but if I could follow at least a few, I could improve my life. My top five virtues would be order, resolution, industry, cleanliness, and tranquility.

Journal 5 – from Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”

#1 Argument: Thomas Paine is saying we need to stand up against Britain. Tyranny is not easily conquered, but the harder the battle is, the better the win will be in the end. Anything worth achieving has a struggle to it. If there is no struggle there is no achievement.

Appeal: Emotional – it is getting people fired up. It stirs up emotions in people and forces them to overlook reason and logic.

Counter-Argument: Britain has power over the colonies so they have the right to tax the colonies if they want to. There is no guaranteed triumph for the Americans at this point so Paine’s emotional appeal is not valid.

Logical Fallacies: Non-Sequiter – Paine compares taxation to slavery. This is a jump to compare these things because it is exaggerated. Begging the question – it is an assumption that the Americans are going to win so his logic is flawed.

#2 Argument: Thomas Paine's s argument is his secret opinion that God Almighty will not let a military force destroy people who have tried to avoid war by every method that wisdom could have invented.

Appeal: Emotional – Paine bases his argument on his beliefs.

Counter-Argument: My suggestion for an effective counter-argument is that the King of Britain believes his power is derived from the power of God, therefore, why would a God so supportive of the British protect their enemy, the Americans? Another counter-argument is that God does not choose sides. The side with the highest morals will win in Gods eyes.

Logical Fallacies: Ad Hominem - Thomas Paine attacks the King of Britain as a person in a personal way. He calls the king a common murderer and a highwayman (a roadside robber). Begging the question – why should God help the British if he is not going to let the Americans lose to the British army? Why do the British even ask God for help?

#3 Argument: Paine argues that in order for American happiness, separation from Britain must occur. He says that war will not end until this happens. Therefore, America should break ties now rather than fighting. This is for the benefit of the children so they will not have to fight and they can live in peace. War will happen eventually so better sooner than later.

Appeal: Logical – things are only going to get worse and war is going to happen sooner or later. Ethical – a “generous” parent would be looking out for their child’s best interests and would rather sacrifice themselves for their children.

Counter-Argument: If you go to war, you could die and then your child would not even have a parent so the argument that action should be taken for the sake of the children is not strong.

Logical Fallacies: Straw Man – there are only two choices. There will never be a compromise or there will be a war. Paine assumes that America will win the war.

#4 Argument: Paine compares the King to a thief that destroys your property and kills or threatens to kill you. You would not take this from a thief, so why take it from the King? Paine’s argument is by analogy; he compares the king to a thief.

Appeal: Emotional – Paine is trying to get people fired up over the King acting like a thief.

Counter-Argument: The King is really not the same as a thief. His power is legally binding and his actions are permissible.

Logical Fallacies: Argument by Analogy – Paine does not use much reason.

2. Can you identify any of the logical fallacies that we discussed in Paine’s arguments? If so, which ones? Overall, what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Paine’s arguments?

I can identify Ad Hominem, Begging the Question, and Straw-Man technique. Paine’s argument #3 is very weak. It has many holes in it and there is no concrete reasoning in it. However, Paine’s argument #1 is very strong. It is going to catch people’s attention and be a driving force in them and others.

Journal 4 - Food Description

The sound of the shrimp grilling creates the hungriest feeling in the world. The salad is tossed and catches the attention of your eye as all the ingredients fly into the air and land back in the large bowl. The water boils as if a notification that the pasta is done. And then, everything is combined to make a delicious mixture. The shrimp, oozing a tangy scent of lemon, rest on a noodle-bed with their heads poking out of leafy green blankets. The garlic pepper lingers in the kitchen for days. The little bowties are scattered throughout the bowl waiting to be chosen by the fork. The crunch of the lettuce is very contrary to the softness of the chilled pasta. The dressing clings to the shrimp and pasta as if it is a coat of paint. The pink shrimp vary in size, the largest being the best and most flavorful. The bread on the side gives off its heat before it even gets to your mouth and the crunchy edges give way to a soft, warm, center. The dipping sauce smells mostly of olive oil and basil, but there are hints of salt, pepper, and cheese.

Journal 3 - “No Wonder They Call Me a Bitch” – Ann Hodgman

1. Cite three specific examples of Hodgman’s descriptive imagery that you find to be particularly effective.

1: “Rather, it looked-and-felt-like a single, long, extruded piece of redness that had been chopped into segments”

2: “the ‘meat’ chews like Play-Doh that’s been sitting out on a rug for a couple of hours.”

3: “A lumpy, frightening, bloody, stringy, horror is a sign of high-quality – lots of meat.”

2. What do you think Hodgman’s purpose was in writing this essay? What overall message/meaning do you take from the essay?

I think Hodgman’s purpose in writing this essay was to show how deceiving dog food companies can be. The ingredients in the food are not always what the bag says they are. her essay is satirical yet it shows the truth about what dog food really is. The overall message I take from this essay is that appearances can be deceiving so do not always trust what you see or hear.

Journal 2 - Annie Dillard – “The Death of a Moth,” from Holy the Firm

1. How are the moths in the essay’s opening different from the moth at the campsite? What do the different moths represent?

The moths in the essay’s opening are empty shells. They are not recognizable moths. The moth at the campsite starts as a live moth, flying around before it burns in the candle and turns into a wick. The dead empty moths represent a life that is over and empty. It is unfulfilled. The moth in the fire represents striving to reach your goals. It is a flame that symbolizes determination, passion and desire.

2. What lesson does the moth provide that Dillard takes back to her students?

The lesson the moth provides is that you should live your life to the fullest and do what you have to do to make your dreams and aspirations come true. You have to have the motivation and determination to be active in your life and not treating life as a spectator sport.

3. How many references are there to fire in the essay? What’s the larger significance of fire in the essay?

Fire is referenced in the essay when the author describes the moth burning in the fire. Fire is also referenced by the book title, The Day on Fire, and the candles the author lights at home that accidentally catch her cat’s tail on fire. The significance of fire in the essay is the inspiration or passion the author wants people to have for life.

4. Address how each of the following quotes connects to Dillard’s overall point.

a. “I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”

-Jack London

This quote connects to Dillard’s point because they have the same message. They both say don’t die out as an empty shell, however, live life to the fullest and get fired up about it. Find something you love doing and that will keep you motivated.

b. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

-William Butler Yeats

This quote connects to Dillard’s writing because she wanted the children she taught to be a flame instead of a burned out wick. By learning new things in life, you are lighting a fire that can ignite yourself and give you a passion for something you really enjoy.

c. “A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.”

-Franz Kafka

This quote connects to Dillard saying we should go at life with a broadax. Reading a book and learning new things can give us inspiration. With inspiration we can become motivated to do something we have always wanted to do in life.

Journal 1 - Robert Frank Photo Journal

My great-grandfather Bernard Bradley was a very important man to me. He was kind, compassionate, generous, and very amusing. Unfortunately, he passed away in June 2010 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. This picture of Robert Frank has an uncanny resemblance to my great-grandfather Bradley.

A moment in my life that I will never forget is one time visiting my great-grandfather in hospice at Stella Maris in Timonium. It was heartbreaking to see him unable to remember who my family and I were and it was even more depressing to see he did not even recognize himself. I was extremely surprised, though, when my great-grandfather looked at me and said “Where’s that dollar you owe me?” This is a joke he said to me every time he saw me, even though I didn’t think it was that funny. I was completely taken aback and excited that he knew who I was and remembered that joke even though he could not recognize a picture of his wife. Even though it seems like something trivial, it really meant a lot to me. My great-grandfather went through so much in his life and I have so many memories of the tragedies he endured. I will always have the image of him breaking down and crying over the casket holding my great-grandmother when she died in 2005. He was a very tough man, a naval officer, and a long-time semi-pro football coach. Nobody expected him to be so devastated. Because I have bad memories like this one it feels so nice to have a good one, especially at the end of his life. I will always remember the day he told me that joke and I could show you the exact spot we were when he said it. The picture of Robert Frank brings back the memory of my great-grandfather, a man I will never forget.