Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hannah's Polished Essay <3
Mr. Salsich
English 9
21 October 2008
Really appreciating what comes your way
An essay on appreciation shown in the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored me” and my personal life
Appreciation is shown in so many ways in your everyday life whether you notice it or not. Appreciation is also shown in the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” by Zora Neale Hurston. Appreciation is something that isn’t necessarily handed to you, but something you earn and are proud of. In both my life and in this essay you will see examples of appreciation and what it means to Ms. Hurston and me.
In the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” Ms. Hurston shows many examples of appreciation. One way Hurston shows appreciation is by remembering where her ancestors came from. She reflects in the essay on what her distant relatives went through but she doesn’t let it her bother her. As Ms. Hurston says, “It fails to register depression with me” (115). Another thing Hurston appreciates is her race. She believes that everyone is equal and should not be judged on how they look. At times, Ms. Hurston believes that people should simply “have no race” (117) and be themselves. The last thing that Ms. Hurston appreciates is her self. She seems to be very jovial and loves to go with the flow. She seems to not care about the small things, but the big picture. Ms. Hurston really cares and appreciates many things in life and definitely takes things one day at a time.
TS: Appreciation is a very big factor in my life. SD: The first thing I am appreciative of is my family. CM: Without my family helping me, I wouldn’t be who I am today. CM: My family is also like my backbone and I can deliberate with them if I am going through a tough time socially or academically. SD: The second thing I am appreciative of is my home. CM: I think about all of these people who are less fortunate than I am and I fell guilty. CM: I am so fortunate to live in a nice house, in a nice neighborhood with nice things. SD: The last thing I am appreciative of is my education. CM: Knowing that I am surrounded everyday by people who want me to succeed in life is a wonderful thing. CM: Knowing that what I am learning will take me places and be with me for the rest of my life is gratifying. CS: There are many things I appreciate in life and each one has a different meaning to me.
TS: Through the good and the bad there will always be something to appreciate in life. Whether it’s taking the time to reflect on the past or caring about education, it will all come together in some way. I believe that Ms. Hurston had a great belief in what she appreciated and believed it was worth being recognized for. I also feel the same way. I believe that if you appreciate you education, let it show. Hurston and I pretty much see eye to eye. We both have our priorities straight and really appreciate what life has to offer.
Eleanor's Polished Appreciation Essay!
Mr. Salsich
English 9
20th October 2008
Appreciation
An Analysis of what Ms. Hurston and I Appreciate
T.S: Appreciation, what does this mean to you? The English dictionary says that it’s a feeling or expression of gratitude. C.M: In French it’s said as reconnaissance, and in Latin as aestimo. C.M: However the true meaning of appreciation is what you believe it to be yourself. T: To me, it’s showing thanks for something impressive or perhaps what you think of some-one else’s qualities or aspects.
T.S: Another person who I believe follow along with this would be essay writer Zora Neale Hurston, who in 1928 wrote the essay, ‘How it feels to be colored me’. S.D: She says, “There is no deep sorrow dammed up in my soul,” (115) therefore saying she doesn’t care about being colored. C.M: She doesn’t think that she was given, “a low-down dirty deal,” (115) in life and that she should be miserable. C.M: Nor does she think that her life is more convoluted than others. S.D: Infact it’s more of the opposite. C.M: She is so content with herself that she says, “How can they deny themselves the pleasure of my company.” (117) when someone discriminates against her. C.M: She says that, “It does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me.” (117) which I feel would be a true air of contentment towards herself. S.D: Another key factor to her appreciation would be her bag theory. C.M: She says that she feels like a brown bag among red, white and yellow bags. C.M: All the contents are the same, and, “a bit of colored glass more or less would not matter.” (117) C.S: Zora Hurston really inspires you just to focus on your life, and not on perhaps your bad heritage or your color, because none of those things should change or shape your life, that’s your job.
T.S: Although I may not be as content as Zora Neale Hurston, I have also began to appreciate myself and others around me. S.D: The first thing I am thankful for is my friends and family. C.M: They have always been there for me whether I know it or not. C.M: To educate me, to make me excited, or just to give me a good laugh, I appreciate them more than anything. S.D: I also have grown to love our earth. C.M: Without it, human beings probably wouldn’t exist, and all the wonders of nature would be lost. C.M: The great oceans, the deserts, the rainforests, the mountains, would all be gone. S.D: Lastly, I appreciate how fortunate I am. C.M: I have a roof over my head, no lack of food or water, many luxuries, and a school that I can attend daily. C.M: However many people of the world don’t have more than one or two of these. C.S: It pains me to think of that, which makes me feel more grateful for the happiness I have, and also drives me to help the world.
T.S: Appreciation is more than a word, or a definition in the dictionary. We all appreciate something or someone in our lives. If not now we will soon. It could be the world, your race and culture, your families. What do you appreciate?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Hannah's Appreciation essay
Mr. Salsich
English 9
21 October 2008
Really appreciating what comes your way
An essay on appreciation shown in the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored me” and my personal life
Appreciation is shown in so many ways in your everyday life whether you notice it or not. Appreciation is also shown in the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” by Zora Neale Hurston. Appreciation is something that isn’t necessarily handed to you, but something you earn and are proud of. In both my life and in this essay, you will see examples of appreciation and what it means to Ms. Hurston and me.
In the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me,” Ms. Hurston shows many examples of appreciation. One way Ms. Hurston shows appreciation is by remembering where her ancestors came from. She reflects in the essay on what her distant relatives went through, but she doesn’t let it her bother her. As Ms. Hurston says, “It fails to register depression with me” (115). A second thing Ms. Hurston appreciates is her race. She believes that everyone is equal and should not be judged on how they look. At times, Ms. Hurston believes that people should simply “have no race” (117) and be themselves. The last thing that Ms. Hurston appreciates is her self. She seems to be very jovial and loves to go with the flow. Ms. Hurston seems to not care about the small things, but the big picture. Ms. Hurston really cares and appreciates many things in life and definitely takes things one day at a time.
TS: I am appreciative of many things in my life. SD: The first thing I am appreciative of is my family. CM: Without my family helping me, I wouldn’t be who I am today. CM: My family is also like my backbone and I can deliberate with them if I am going through a tough time socially or academically. SD: The second thing I am appreciative of is my home. CM: I think about all of these people who are less fortunate than I am and I fell guilty. CM: I am so fortunate to live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood with nice things. SD: The last thing I am appreciative of is my education. CM: Knowing that I am surrounded everyday by people who want me to succeed in life is a wonderful thing. CM: Also, knowing that what I am learning will take me places and be with me for the rest of my life is gratifying. CS: There are many things I appreciate in life and each one has a different meaning to me.
TS:Through the good and the bad there will always be something to appreciate in life. Whether it’s taking the time to reflect on the past, or caring about education, it will all come together in some way. I believe that Ms. Hurston had a great belief in what she appreciated and believed it was worth being recognized for. I, also feel the same way. I believe that if you appreciate you education, let it show. Ms. Hurston and I pretty much see eye to eye. We both have our priorities straight and really appreciate what life has to offer.
KEY:
Underline- purposeful repition
Bold- F.A.S.T word
Monday, October 20, 2008
Appreciation
In the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me,” Ms. Hurston shows many examples of appreciation. One way Ms. Hurston shows appreciation is by remembering where her ancestors came from. She reflects in the essay on what her distant relatives went through, but she doesn’t let it her bother her. As Ms. Hurston says, “it fails to register depression with me” (115). A second thing Ms. Hurston appreciates is her race. She believes that everyone is equal and should not be judged on how they look. At times, Ms. Hurston believes that people should simply “have no race” (117) and be themselves. The last thing that Ms. Hurston appreciates is her self. She seems to be very carefree and just loves to go with the flow. Ms. Hurston seems to not care about the small things, but the big picture. Ms. Hurston really cares and appreciates many things in life and definitely takes things one day at a time.
Eleanor's Essay #4, Appreciation
Mr. Salsich
English 9
20th October 2008
Appreciation
An Analysis of what Ms. Hurston and I Appreciate
T.S: Appreciation, what does this mean to you? The English dictionary says that it’s a feeling or expression of gratitude. C.M: In French it’s said as reconnaissance, and in Spanish as appreciation. C.M: However the true meaning of appreciation is what you believe it to be yourself. T: To me it’s showing thanks for something impressive or perhaps what you think of some-one else’s qualities or aspects.
T.S: Another person who I believe follow along with this would be essay writer Zora Neale Hurston, who in 1928 wrote the essay, ‘How it feels to be colored me’. S.D: She says, “there is no deep sorrow dammed up in my soul,” therefore saying she doesn’t care about being colored. C.M: She doesn’t think that she was given, “a low-down dirty deal,” in life and that she should be miserable. C.M: Nor does she think that her life is more convoluted than others. S.D: Infact it’s more of the opposite. C.M: She is so content with herself that she says, “How can they deny themselves the pleasure of my company.” when someone discriminates against her. C.M: She says that, “It does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me.” Which I feel would be a true appreciation. S.D: Another key factor to her appreciation would be her bag theory. C.M: She says that she feels like a brown bag among red, white and yellow bags. C.M: All the contents are the same, and “a bit of colored glass more or less would not matter.” C.S: Zora Hurston really inspires you just to focus on your life, and not on perhaps your bad heritage or your color, because none of those things should change or shape your life, that’s your job.
T.S: Although I may not be as content as Zora Neale Hurston, I have also began to appreciate myself and others around me. S.D: The first thing I appreciate is my friends and family. C.M: They have always been there for me whether I know it or not. C.M: To educate me, to make me excited, or just to give me a good laugh, I appreciate them more than anything. S.D: I also have grown to appreciate our earth. C.M: Without it, human beings probably wouldn’t exist, and all the wonders of nature would be lost. C.M: The great oceans, the deserts, the rainforests, the mountains, would all be gone. S.D: Lastly, I appreciate how fortunate I am. C.M: I have a roof over my head, no lack of food or water, many luxuries, and a school that I can attend. C.M: However many people of the world don’t have more than one or two of these. C.S: It pains me to think of that, which makes me appreciate more so how felicitous I am, and also drives me to help the world.
T.S: Appreciation is more than a word, or a definition in the dictionary. We all appreciate something or someone in our lives. If not now we will soon. It could be the world, our race and culture, our families. Who do you appreciate?
Olivia's Essay
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
23 October 2008
Appreciation for yourself and life
The idea of appreciation in Zora Neale Hurston’s essay and your own attitude toward yourself
1. Zora Neale Hurston, who wrote the essay, “How it Feels to be Colored Me”, has great appreciation for her life although this is difficult, because some people discriminate against her. 2. She mostly focuses on how she feels and her actions make her feel that way. 3. But Ms. Hurston has an attitude and strength that most people wouldn’t have if faced with the same level of discrimination, which makes her unique. 4. She is happy no matter what ever happens to her and walks down the street with her head held high saying, “Hello world!"
(TS) People like Ms. Hurston, who lived in the same time and were black probably wouldn’t have much appreciation for themselves, not only because they were black, but also because they were portrayed as just being children of slaves that no one cares about. (SD) However, these people had much more substance than that. (CM) Ms. Hurston appreciated her life in a way nobody else did and she lets nothing get to her. (CM) Nobody can tell her what to feel or what to do, “Peggy Hopkins Joyce on the Boule Mich with her gorgeous raiment, stately carriage, knees knocking together in a most aristocratic manner, has nothing on me.” (SD) As a little girl she lived in Eatonville, Florida and as the travelers would pass she would wave and start conversations with complete strangers. (CM) She enjoyed doing this, because even though she was embarrassing herself and other people found it amusing, she didn’t care what others thought. (CM) Everyone would curiously watch for the reactions of the travelers to her, because the Eatonville neighborhood was mostly all black and the travelers were almost always white. (SD) When she moved to Jacksonville in her mid-teens, she felt like she, “was now a little colored girl.” (CM) While in Jacksonville, she went to a jazz bar where there were white people that would talk about “any little nothing”, and when the music started to play and the white man next to her said, “Good music they have here.”(CM) But Ms. Hurston feels differently about the music. On the outside, the music wildly excites her, but she doesn’t show how she feels on the outside. (CS) Ms. Hurston appreciates the smallest and the strangest things in life, but they all matter to her.
(TS) I have experienced a lot over the past four years of my life and in just starting the fifth, I’ve begun to recognize and appreciate a lot of things about myself. (SD) I realize and I appreciate that I’m passionate, caring and loyal. (CM) These are all good qualities that I would like to share with other people that have these same qualities. (CM) I can’t choose between the three qualities that I listed, because they are all equally admirable traits and I appreciate having all of them. (SD) I appreciate every time I feel an emotion toward something. (CM) I love it when I let go a big booming laugh and everyone looks at me with an expression that says, “Like what is so funny?” It is exhilarating to feel the vibrations in your chest and to know that you are alive and are experiencing the moment. (CM) The two other emotions that I identify are confusion and sadness. Although they might not be the most satisfying emotions in the world, it is still good to feel them, because they are heartfelt. (SD) I’ve evolved and matured from the years that I once thought I had to wear make-up and be someone I’m not. (CM) I am now a freshman in high school and over that summer I realized that I’m pretty the way I am and that my personality is fine. If people can’t accept me as I am, too bad, they’ve missed out. (CM) I realize now that if people don’t like me because of what I wear, say, do or look, then those people don’t matter. (CS) I appreciate who I am, with or without make up and definitely appreciate myself more when being myself and not the person others want me to be.
1. No matter what people think of you, who you are, or what you do, you should appreciate life. 2. Even though life sometimes doesn’t turn out like you thought it would, you could learn something from the things that you’ve done, right or wrong. 3. Appreciate everything in life as Ms. Hurston did, maybe even make fun of yourself along the way as she did. 4. Appreciate who you are, both inside and out and appreciate those experiences that have shaped what you’ve become.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Olivia's Essay
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
7 October 2008
Loss Vs. Gain;
An analysis on the theme, “Loss and Gain”, in Sonny’s Blues and Winter Dreams and a consultation of an on-line essay
In the short stories “Sonny’s Blues” and “Winter Dreams”, each of the protagonists lost and gained something significant from their experiences. One had greater losses than gains and the other had greater gains than losses. Dexter Green from the story “Winter Dreams” was successful and, at one point, had a beautiful love interest named Judy Jones. Sonny in contrast, lived in the ghetto and few understood him.
In “Sonny’s Blues”, the protagonist, Sonny, had many losses and gains. For example, Sonny is arrested for a heroin addiction that had plagued him for a few months and his problems result in being in trouble with the law and he lands in jail. While in jail, he has time to think about what he did. Later on, he has a fight with his brother about what he is going to do in life. Sonny explains to his brother that he wants to be a jazz pianist and explains how it felt to be on drugs. His brother, who is a schoolteacher, does not understand how someone could do something so worthless. After their fight, Sonny invites his brother to come and see him play the piano at a gig, where his brother sees how he plays and is surprised how talented he actually is. Sonny’s brother finally realizes that Sonny is doing well and he realizes that his life style is not that bad. “Sonny’s Blues” is an inspirational story because Sonny gained so much by overcoming his heroin addiction, and was able to follow his dreams.
Recently we read the short story, “Winter Dreams”, and as in “Sonny’s Blues”, the protagonist Dexter Green experiences many losses and gains. Dexter is a young boy and is working as a caddy at a golf course and is contemplating whether to quit his job or not. Before he quits, he sees this wonderful, oddly beautiful girl, who needed a caddy. He wanted to start to work so that he could help her, but he could not because his boss had not arrived yet. After his boss arrives, he decides to quit, losing his chance to meet the stunning Judy Jones. Years later, Dexter becomes a very successful businessman. As the years pass, he plays a game at the golf course where he used to work and that night he meets Judy and a romance begins. The loss, which he gains while romancing the gorgeous Judy Jones is that every other man in the town thinks she is attractive and she begins to cheat on Dexter, often. When she is faithful to Dexter, all others are jealous. Ultimately, their relationship ends as Judy pursues another suitor. Many years later, Dexter is informed by a man named Devlin that Judy Jones is married to a drunk and is no longer beautiful. When Devlin tells him this, he starts to cry, because, “Devlin destroys this imaginative present.”(Burhan 3) Then again, if he had married her, she would have lost her beauty anyway. In the Story “Winter Dreams” it is obvious that Dexter looses more then he gains.
The two men in these short stories had very different lives. The irony is that the rich successful man suffered the largest loss in life while the reformed drug addict with past legal troubles eventually followed his dreams gaining success in life. Some people lose more than others and some people gain more than others, while some people’s lives are more tragic than others and some are more successful than others. In the end it all evens out, proving that you do not need to have a perfect life in order to be happy.
Burhan, Clinton S.,Jr., ‘‘‘Magnificently Attune to Life’’’: The Value of ‘‘Winter Dreams,’’’ in Studies in Short Fiction, Vol. 6, No. 4, Summer 2000, pp. 401-12.
[databaseon-line];http://www.enotes.com/winter-dreams/magnificently-attune-life-value-winter-dreams (accessed 4 October 2008).
Eleanor's Essay, Loss and Gain
Mr. Salsich
English 9
7th October 2008
What will we gain and what will we lose?
Comparing Loss and Gain in Sonny’s Blues and Winter Dreams
Loss and gain are two of the words that the human race moves around. Everybody loves to gain, but hates to lose. This is no dissimilar within ‘Sonny’s Blues’ and ‘Winter Dreams’. Both Sonny and Dexter lose something or someone they loved, but gained something in return that was not necessarily an item.
Wherever there is a loss there is always a gain and, unfortunately wherever there is a gain, there is usually a loss. One loss for Sonny would be when he was addicted to drugs. His life then became revolved around heroin instead of being revolved around jazz, and blues music. He became so immersed in drugs that it was like all of his feelings, and his life was being sucked up by a giant sponge. Luckily life for Sonny was not all bad. Soon after the tragic loss, there was a gain. This was a life-long gain, the friendship with his brother that had long gone for many years before then. ‘Sonny’s Blues’ might be an inspirational story, but I believe that there were more losses than gains, or the losses were larger than the gains to come. This puts the story a little out of balance, which could have had a negative effect. However it is the future we look to, and as the story, ‘Sonny’s Blues’, potentially could keep going, it feels like it has a brighter outlook to a story that has the two words plastered at the bottom of it, ‘The End.’. ‘Sonny’s Blues’ is no Cinderella story; it has to do with life’s reality, and the fact that with a loss, there is always a gain.
Just like ‘Sonny’s Blues’, ‘Winter Dreams’ has a remarkable relationship with loss and gain. Dexter, the stories protagonist, only had one major loss, unlike Sonny. This was when ‘the images of [Judy’s] youthful beauty and desirability’ (Clinton S. Burhans) had faded away after being told about her marriage. He was torn apart, but at least then he could finally move on in life. Before and after this event there were many gains. He was now know as, ‘one of the best’ instead of being know as the caddy, like he was in his younger years. He also became extremely rich, whereas in his childhood he and his family were poor. Then there was the diminutive gain that occurred after Judy Jones really left his life; he could finally move on. Unlike ‘Sonny’s Blues’, the story had more gains than losses. However the story still balances out, as the single loss was so big compared to the small gains. His love for Judy had taken up some of the story, while the other scattered gains took up the rest of the pages. In reality, Dexter would have been a very lucky man in everything, except for love.
Loss and gain are important words not only in reality, but to stories and books alike. Infact you could spin most stories around the phrase, including ‘Sonny’s Blues’ and ‘Winter Dreams’. There could be a gallant win in a battle, but unfortunately there will probably be a few casualties to your comrades. Or maybe you lost a game in sports, but the parents prepared an excellent snack. Everywhere in the world losing and gaining happens.
Works Cited:
Clinton S. Burhans, Jr. “Magnificently Attune to Life” : The value of “Winter Dreams,” Studies in Short Fiction Vo.l. 6. October 7 2008
http://www.enotes.com/winter-dreams/magnificently-attuned-life-value-winter-dreams
key:
purple-FAST words
green-purposeful repetition
HaNnAh EsSaY #4
Hannah Staley
Mr. Salsich
English 9
07 October 2008
Life’s Situations
An essay on the gains in losses in “Winter Dreams” and Sonny’s Blues”
There are many gains and losses in “Winter Dreams” and “Sonny’s Blues” that are clearly visible. Some of the losses and gains are similar and some are completely opposite. Both Sonny and Dexter seem to struggle through life but they wait out the storms and come out in good shape. There are also many differences in these stories which may change your perspective on how you look at the situations the protagonists go through.
TS: Sonny, the main character in the short story “Sonny’s Blues,” gains and loses many things dear to him throughout the story. SD:One thing Sonny gains is perspective. CM:Looking at his situations at different angles makes him realize that the people around him really do care.CM: Also, he realizes that his brother not only cares about him, but really wants him to get better so they can form a new relationship. SD:Additionally, Sonny gains the ability to understand.CM: He soon comes to realize that communication is key in any relationship wheather it is with a family member or not. CM: Also, he comes to understand that what he puts himself and his family through could change all of their lives significantly, especially his. SD: On a sad note, something Sonny loses is his father. CM: Some of what Sonny does results in releasing the tension and stress that he feels burdening him about his predicament. CM: At the end of the book, Sonny realizes that he is going to get better and plays the music that he loves while his dad watches over him and smiles. Sonny has a lot of ups and downs through the story. CS: Anyone who has problems like he has and turns out as well as he did, should be proud.
“Winter Dreams” addresses gains and losses in a different way. Dexter, the protagonist, loses love. Judy Jones, who he is in love with from day oneand is hoping to one day marry, cheats on him. Their relationship falls apart because she is unstable and unable to stay committed to Dexter. Dexter is also unable to comprehend the “nature of what he lost” (Burhans 31) which makes him contemplate the situation even more. But, Dexter's story is not all about losses. He gains money by the end of the story, which is an interesting twist since he grew up poor. Even though money isn’t everything, it seems like it is to Dexter who has worked so hard to be on top. The last thing Dexter gains is a "reality check." He realizes that while it would be nice to be with Judy, it's not possible to have everything in life. He also realizes that when you are younger you need to earn your way up to the top. Success just won't be handed to you.
In both of these short stories, the main characters learn a lesson that helps them become better people. They aren’t perfect and they realize that. They learn from their mistakes, which only helps them become better people. These two characters have a lot in common but in different contexts. If they met, I think it would be quite an event.
Works Cited:
1.Burhan, Clinton S.,Jr., ‘‘‘Magnificently Attune to Life’’’: The Value of ‘‘Winter Dreams,’’’ in Studies in Short Fiction, Vol. 6, No. 4, Summer 2000, pp. 401-12.
[databaseon-line];http://www.enotes.com/winter-dreams/magnificently-attune-life-value-winter-dreams (accessed 6 October 2008).
Key:
light blue- Purposeful Repetition
Red- F.A.S.T Words
