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.