Native Prayers with Reflection

Native Prayers

"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, andDemand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life,Beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and Its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,Even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people andBow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food andFor the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks,The fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no living thing,For abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts Are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comesThey weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over againIn a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."
Tecumseh, Shawnee

Reflection:

For my Native American Literature I picked a poem called Native Prayers it is by the Shawnee. The reason why I picked it was because this poem has a respectful noble point of view towards the Native American people who wish only for peace between everyone and everything on this earth. I think this is a nice way to live to be respectful to everyone and not be prejudice against each because of skin or religion. Native Americans are proud, noble, respectful individuals who work hard to achieve tranquility. I think to have these qualities to be peaceful and work hard to achieve honor before death is a very respectful way of life. This poem has honor and it has message of peace between every living thing. The pictures are of wisdom and peace between the elements of the world. These two pictures have passion, beauty and the wish of peace towards the gift of happiness in life.

Dear Diary:

We cross over the prairie a couple of days ago and while we were crossing I noticed a couple of Indians on a hill. I was very scared I heard all lot of rumors about them murdering whites. I hope they don’t come and get us. At first I thought they were uncivilized creatures but today when my papa walk into there camp for supplies I began to notice they were kind of civilize but not a lot. They all had different jobs that would help there tribe, it was like a big family working together to make it work. When dinner came I set next to a girl name White Eagle. She was very nice and she new a little English but not a lot. Even though we couldn’t have a full conversation we had a connection where we could understand each other like friends. When it was time to eat this old man per in front of the crowd of people. He started talking in some weird language, he must be the chef. White Eagle’s brother was telling us in English what he was saying. The chief was very poetic and had a very nice strong calming voice to him. The poem was called Native Prayers, they were praying for peace and I began to think that these people may not be as civilize as us but, they have a more understanding about the world than we could ever have. They want peace with every living creature and plant in this world. I know understand that all the rumors that I heard were false but if they were true the only reason they fought back was because they wanted there land because they were here first. I feel sorry for them because they deserve to be here as much as we do, and better yet they deserve to be here more because they do not hurt nature like we do. I like it how they can be apart of this environment without destroying it like us civilize individuals. These people are proud individuals who deserve to be a part of this world as much as the next.

- Jane

Native American Dairy:

Seasons come and go our way of life stays the same but, what has change is the new danger that gathers by the great water. This new danger is a cruel strange animal with white skin and their strange clothing they come onto our land with strange things. They come in groups and they gather all along the coast. They are strong, they destroy everything in there path and nothing can stop them. Our tribe used to live on that very beach not any more, white men came and used there weapons to push us away. When we fought back our men fall and they fall down hard in numbers. They won’t leave us alone, they come onto our territory and clamed it as there own. We have move far away from the great water, past the great clear grassland and into the deep woods. Even though we move so far away they still come, Chief Windpipe was once a great warrior but, now he is getting old. With his old age, he gains wisdom and wishes for peace with the white man. He doesn’t want us to fight with the white men because that would bring about our downfall. I see his wisdom in this but I think that there is fear in that too. He is afraid of lousing, I wish every one would join together against the white man but, it is useless only a few want to fight back, the rest follow the chief. Tonight at the gathering Chief Windpipe invited the white man to come and join us I was angry at this but, I remained silent. I would not voice, my voice against the chief that would bring shame to my house. They sat there as we dance, and feast White Eagle’s brother Arrow talk to them since he knew there language. Arrow has no problem with the white man. He says that we just have to give them some land, and they will leave us alone. I have been arguing with him for many moons about what will happen when more come and take away all our land. Then they will force us into a torment camp like the Cherokee’s. I will never be able to trust them but I will try my best to get along with them in a noble way like it says in Native Prayers. I just hope that we will not end up in chains I hope we will be able to survive this new danger. I will pray to our god, I will be unmoving in changing to there ways.

Essential Question Reflection:

The Native Americans are the first Americans but, for them coming in first means coming in last. The American Dream that the white man treasures is a nightmare to the Native Americans in which invaders came to their homelands and disrupted their peaceful lives. To the Native AMericans what was once beautiful, clean "nature" has become corrupted by the white man's inventions, "civilizaiton". There is no Native American Dream, like the one for the white man, the American Dream is a false hope which the never ending crulety of the white men inflicts supreme control over the diverse population.

Of Plymouth Plantation

Of Plymouth Plantationby William Bradford
Chapter IX

OF THEIR VOYAGE, AND HOW THEY PASSED THE SEA; AND OF THEIR SAFE ARRIVAL AT CAPE COD

“These troubles being blown over, and now all being compact together in one ship, they put to sea again with a prosperous wind, which continued divers days together, which was some encouragement unto them; yet, according to the usual manner, many were afflicted with seasickness.”

“Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element.”

“What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace?” “May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: "Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity," etc. "Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good: and His mercies endure forever." "Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how He hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor.” “When they wandered in the desert wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord His loving kindness and His wonderful works before the sons of men."

From: http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/english/coke/bradford.htm

Reflection:

The story, Of Plymouth Plantation is an amazing story of the hardships that many immigrants lived through on there trip to the new land. The reason why I pick these passages was because they gave me a huge influence and meaning to express them to who ever reads them. I pick them because it expresses the need of survival and the tragedy of the ride over the sea. I pick them because they gave the meaning of being thankful to be on land and to be alive. It expresses the will of the immigrants to survive through the sea, through the wildness, and through there many hardships.


Dear Dairy:

Traveling over the great sea, to accomplish the only dream and hope we have left which, is to reach the new land. The new land will open many opportunity's to be free from Britain's wrath. Although the adults think that Britain will never really leave us alone, I am scared and worry about what lies ahead. I am constanly feeling the waves hit against the boat, and the wind howling through the sails. People are being tossed around as if they were rocks falling into a pond. The sea is rought, and hard, it's always a crazy ride were no one knows the outcome of it, will we be able to survive the night. With thoughts of death coming into mind, many individuals move towards God, in there wait for survival some consider this as a trail to show how loyal they are to him. Seeing the light of day, gives us hope knowing that we surived the night and we are all still alive. Happiness spreads through out the camp at the sight of land. Our new life will finally begin, as we get off the boat, our eyes begin to consume the beauty of nature, which as not yet been touch by man. Everyone is cheerful to be able to walk on solid land again and I am glad that we can begin our dreams to start anew.

-Jane

Essential Question Reflection:

The Pilgirms coming to America seek the "American Dream", the Dream to be away from Britian to be able to make there own civilize world. Through all the troubles they been through, is the American Dream worth going through the trouble. The white men lived through the angry sea, they lived through the diease and death. Then when they thought things couldn't get worst they reach land were they meet savages and bad land to grow crops. The American Dream can be seen as a flase hope but, for those who work hard they can achieve anything.

Equaino's Slave Narrative with Journal

Equanio's Middle Passage
"But this disappointment was the least of my sorrow. The stench of the hold while we were on the coast was so intolerably loathsome, that it was dangerous to remain there for any time, and some of us had been permitted to stay on the deck for the fresh air; but now that the whole ship’s cargo were confined together, it became absolutely pestilential. The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. This produced copious perspirations, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as I may call it, of their purchasers. This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable; and the filth of the necessary tubs, into which the children often fell, and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable. Happily perhaps for myself I was soon reduced so low here that it was thought necessary to keep me almost always on deck; and from my extreme youth I was not put in fetters. In this situation I expected every hour to share the fate of my companions, some of whom were almost daily brought upon deck at the point of death, which I began to hope would soon put an end to my miseries."
http://www.brycchancarey.com/equiano/extract3.htm

Reflection:

The passage from Equanio’s Middle Passage is a very descriptive writing of the entrapped slaves aboard a slave ship. It explains the hardships of climate, smell, no room, and no food or water during the journey. These slaves were abused and they were strip of there rights to be free on there land. I like the imagery of this passage but I dislike what it is about, the torture they endured. I find it very sad and unbelievable that a human being would do this to another. I think that Equanio and the other slaves were very strong to endure such hardships.

Dear Dairy:

Today at market I met a slave girl her name was Niki and she ran away from her slave owners. She told me her story and I will try to retell it. This is her sad terrible story of coming over to America. "'Walking down the stairs you can hear the creaking of the boards, the smell of the snitch, and the chains clinging against each other.' 'The smell is never ending the smell of death creeps through the room dieses are waiting in every corner for this nightmare is never over because we are slaves.' 'Trap within the gates of hell where we stay hidden in the dark, waiting for the small chance of escape even though it may cost us are lives.' 'Being dead is better than being a slave.' 'Trap within a cage, waiting for food that will never come, waiting for the dieses to hit you in order to die, and waiting for your misery’s to be over.' 'There is no light, there is no food, and there is no room to move, you can not escape the masters will.' 'Those who are prepared to die move to the stairs were they wait patiently to be brought up the stairs of death.' 'There is no freedom for a slave we will be slaves forever until we die.' 'I welcome death with open arms, in order to say good bye to slavery.'" Niki told me this, I thought it very sad and I felt angry towards the slave owners. She also told me that she had lost a lot of her friends on the boat coming over, her family are dead and she is alone. I welcome her to come home with me but, she said she was going to Canada were it was safe. She told me she wasn't all alone because she thinks her cousin lives somewhere up in Canada. That is the last time I saw Niki I hope she maded it across the border to Canada, and I hope she was able to make it with out getting caught. I pryed for her safety every night and I also pryed that someday the slaves will be able to become free again. The conversation with Niki made me realise that whites have been very mean to others who weren't of there color. Like English they think they are superior to other religions and countrys however, a lot of people think that way. I do not think so, I believe we should all get along, no narrow-mindness, everyone should just open there mindes to different opinions and be nice. I will always have an open mind, polite, and I will not hurt the earth.

-Jane

Essential Question Reflection:

The African Americans coming to America, have no American Dream, ther only wish and hope is to go home away from slavery but, that is a false hope. With no wish of coming to America, African Americans were robbed from there rights, from there land and from there loved ones. Barely a live they reach land, where they work everyday from sun up, to sun set. The American Dream is only for white men who are rich, it is not for the lower class or for anyone who is different from the white men. To African Americans there is no American Dream, there is no hope, and they are stuck as slaves who will remain slaves till the day they die.

Verses upon the Burning of our House by Bradstreets

Verses upon the Burning of our House

In silent night when rest I took,For sorrow near I did not look,I waken'd was with thund'ring noiseAnd piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.That fearful sound of "fire" and "fire,"Let no man know is my Desire.I starting up, the light did spy,And to my God my heart did cryTo straighten me in my DistressAnd not to leave me succourless.Then coming out, behold a spaceThe flame consume my dwelling place.And when I could no longer look,I blest his grace that gave and took,That laid my goods now in the dust.Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just.It was his own; it was not mine.Far be it that I should repine,He might of all justly bereftBut yet sufficient for us left.When by the Ruins oft I pastMy sorrowing eyes aside did castAnd here and there the places spyWhere oft I sate and long did lie.Here stood that Trunk, and there that chest,There lay that store I counted best,My pleasant things in ashes lieAnd them behold no more shall I.Under the roof no guest shall sit,Nor at thy Table eat a bit.No pleasant talk shall 'ere be toldNor things recounted done of old.No Candle 'ere shall shine in Thee,Nor bridegroom's voice ere heard shall bee.In silence ever shalt thou lie.Adieu, Adieu, All's Vanity.Then straight I 'gin my heart to chide:And did thy wealth on earth abide,Didst fix thy hope on mouldring dust,The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?Raise up thy thoughts above the skyThat dunghill mists away may fly.Thou hast a house on high erectFram'd by that mighty Architect,With glory richly furnishedStands permanent, though this be fled.It's purchased and paid for tooBy him who hath enough to do.A price so vast as is unknown,Yet by his gift is made thine own.There's wealth enough; I need no more.Farewell, my pelf; farewell, my store.The world no longer let me love;My hope and Treasure lies above.

Reflection:

This poem is by Anne Bradstreet’s is about the tragedy of lousing a house in a fire. Many immigrants who came across the sea experience such tragedy because they are unskilled in building there houses which, develops the terrible outcome of lousing everything they love. To be separated from humanize objects that you put in the effort of taking care is hard. This poem reinforces the tragedy by having the speaker is a girl who experiences her feelings of lousing everything. I pick this poem because of these feelings it expresses her feelings in a sad, angry mood. Through this experience of lousing the house can give a new founding strength in the family or it can be the beginning of the end.

Dear Diary:

Today in class we read this poem, it is about a burning house. I almost cried because it reminded me of my sad fate when we first arrive. We had everything set up, a house and everything was going well when our house caught on fire. I couldn't save any of my things, I was grab by my father and we were out in a flash. Everything that I love was burned. We stood outside watching our house fall apart into rubble, we all work so hard but it was gone in minutes. We couldn't do anything to save our beloved home. After the fire, we stayed at my aunt and uncle's house. My uncle is a very nice man and my aunt makes the best cherry pies. I love them both, they are the kindest people I know, they took us in when we needed it. After a while my papa and my uncle started working on a new house. They decided to build it close by in order for us to stay close to them just in case if there was any more trouble. The new house is much bigger and better than before. The reason why everything is going so well is because of our hard work and our prying to God for a new better home than the last one.

-Jane

Essential Question Refleciton:

The Piligrims who have made America there home, seek the American Dream of a happy civilize world where they can live in peace. However, that is a false dream, the American Dream can never happen because it is only a dream. America isn't a peaceful world where you can move right on in and except no trouble. There are always misfortunes happening and when they do you just have to go with the flow. Like when you are attacked by Indians, diseases and lousing your house to a fire. Once these disasters happen, you just have to pick up what you have left and move on but, the American Dream is just a drem where it can never become a reality.

Anne Bradstreet Prologue

The Prologue

To sing of wars, of captains, and of kings, Of cities founded, commonwealth begun, For my mean pen are too superior things: Or how they all, or each their dates have run Let poets and historians set these forth, My obscure lines shall not so dim their worth.

2 But when my wond'ring eyes and envious heart Great Bartas sugared lines do but read o'er, Fool I do grudge the Muses did not part Twixt him and me that overfluent store; A Bartas can do what a Bartas will But simple I according to my skill.

3 From schoolboy's tongue no rhetoric we expect, Nor yet a sweet consort from broken strings, Nor perfect beauty where's a main defect; My foolish, broken, blemished Muse so sings, And this to mend, alas, no art is able, "Cause nature made it so irreparable.

4 Nor can I, like that fluent sweet tongued Greek Who lisped at first, in future times speak plain. By art he gladly found what he did seek, A full requital of his striving pain. Art can do much, but this maxim's most sure: A weak or wounded brain admits no cure.

5 I am obnoxious to each carping tongue Who says my hand a needle better fits, A poet's pen all scorn I should thus wrong, For such despite they cast on female wits; If what I do prove well, it won't advance, They'll say it's stol'n, or else it was by chance.

6 But sure the antique Greeks were far more mild Else of our sex, why feigned they those nine And poesy made Calliope's own child; So 'mongst the rest they placed the arts divine; But this weak knot they will full soon untie, The Greeks did nought, but play the fools and lie.

7 Let Greeks be Greeks, and women what they are Men have precedency and still excel, It is but vain unjustly to wage war; Men can do best, and women know it well. Preeminence in all and each is yours; Yet grant some small acknowledgement of ours.

8 And oh ye high flown quills that soar the skies, And ever with your prey still catch your praise, If e'er you deign these lowly lines your eyes, Give thyme or parsley wreath, I ask no bays; This mean and unrefined ore of mine Will make your glist'ring gold but more to shine. 1650

Reflection:

The reason why I pick this poem was because it has a lot of passion in it, I like the different metaphors and sayings which the author uses to describe his message. I like this poem because you have to think in different ways to understand how the author is expressing his feelings through the poem. This poem has the message of survival the author express this survival instant through the lives of a pen and the lives of the people. The speaker could be anyone expresses his feelings to only to those who will listen. This poem speaks of many different things but, it many talks about the hardships in which people endure to survive.

Dear Dairy:

As one sits to read this poem, many thoughts per into my mind. I have become puzzled between two worlds, one is the life of a poet and the other is the life of many individuals in which the poem speaks of. Both pieces of life are hard and difficult to live like, the life of a pen will always struggle to accomplish the page. While many individuals struggle through hardships in life with different kinds of tragedies. For me, my tragedy is coming over across the sea to the new land. What hardships I have experience, the loss of friends, and the sickness of the sea I have experience. I myself feel trap between two worlds. Sometimes I feel like turning back to France, to live in a more civil world. Then there are times were I am glad to live here. Like the painting above I see a beautiful bird trap inside a storm, will he be able to turn back and head home or will he be lost. I hope for his safety that he is able to return safetly to his home. For I have decided that even though time here is hard, I am still glad I came across the big sea and made this new solid ground my home.

-Jane

Essential Question Reflection:

The American Dream can mean many things but, the main one is to be happy and to live your life to the fullest. Even if you are going through a hard time right now, it doesn't mean it will last forever. To live your life to the fullest you just have to throw away your worry's and live your life care free but, if you throw all your worry's away you will never reach the true American Dream. The only way to reach the American Dream is to work hard by worrying and working hard through your hardships then maybe you will be able to reach your happiness.

To My Dear and Loving Husband

"To My Dear and Loving Husband"
by Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold Or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense. Thy love is such I can no way repay, The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let's so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Reflection:

The speaker is a woman expresses her feelings to her husband through the poem, To My Dear and Loving Husband. The woman conveys her feelings by comparing her love to objects and women. Like gold mines, other women, and riches. I like it how she is trying to convey her feelings to her husband but, I don’t like it how she compares herself to other women and riches. I think love is too pure to have it be compared to other things. However, to even write a letter about her love to her husband is a great act and her choice of imagery is good.

Dear Dairy:

Right now, I am reflecting over a poem I just read, it is called To Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet it conveys a message of how much a woman loves her husband. Through this poem I can see that she thinks very highly of him, and she wishes to stay with him always in life as well as the next. What I think is odd about this poem is that she refers to money, and she compares herself with other women. I wouldn’t compare myself to other women, I think it is very odd but, I have never experience love. I shouldn't complain since I have not reach that stage, yet. Although I may not have a love relationship I know many people who are having one. Like my parents which is going well. However, I hope Ashley's relationship improves because she and her boyfriend are having a little bite of trouble. He is still living in France and she misses him a lot. I hope they will find a way to solve there problem. To tell you the truth, I think I should give Ashley, this poem to help express her feelings to her boyfriend. Since she talks about him nonstop, you think it would be easier to express her feelings to him. It is so obvese that she loves him and that she doesn't want to be away from him. Right now, I may not understand this poem but maybe some day I will.

-Jane

Essential Quesiton Reflection:

The American Dream can be lead down different roads, the road of happiness, hope and of love. Through the American Dream many individuals wish there dreams of love to stay eternal. To be able to experience the same feelings of love for the other individual for the years to come. Happiness and love come together because as long as you have love you can always be happy. The American Dream can be seen as a false dream to some but, to others it can be seen as a sign of hope where there wish of love and staying together will last forever.

Huswifery by: Edward Taylor with Journal

Huswifery
by Edward Taylor
Make me, O Lord, thy Spinning Wheele compleat;

Thy Holy Worde my Distaff make for mee.

Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers neate,

And make my Soule thy holy Spoole to bee.

My Conversation make to be thy Reele,

And reele the yarn thereon spun of thy Wheele. Make me thy Loome then, knit therein this Twine:

And make thy Holy Spirit, Lord, winde quills:

Then weave the Web thyselfe. The yarn is fine.

Thine Ordinances make my Fulling Mills.

Then dy the same in Heavenly Colours Choice,

All pinkt with Varnish't Flowers of Paradise.
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.

Reflection:

The poem Huswifery is by the author Edward Taylor who expresses the tale of a woman asking God to be granted her desires in order to be premitted be to be in his grace. She asks him to spin her soul through the spinning wheel into whool to make her life beautiful. The woman wishes to be granted these different personalities because she wishes to be given the life of happiness. The author uses alliteration to conveys the message of how this individual must prove to him that he has the right to be apart of his wisdom. I like this poem because of how it compares a spinning wheel to the wheel of fate. I like how it expresses the imagery and I like it that the individual is asking to be greater than he once was, to improve himself in his fight of survival.

Oh glory God, let the sun rise in the sky
Oh glory God, may it shine with all your might
May you shine to help me rise to you
May your bright star help guide me in the night sky
So that I will have the strength to rise from the ground
Oh glory God, let your Rain, your treasure of the sky fall to me
Oh glory God, May your jewels of precious pearls fall from the sky
Letting me grow and spread my petals
With everlasting beauty
In the eyes of all that look upon me
For I maybe a flower for a moment
But, a precious memory for all time

Dear Dairy:

Today I was walking down the road and I notice a blind man by the side of the road. Beside him he had a case open with food and money in it. I walk up to him and ask, “Are you ok sir?” He smiled and said, “I am fine miss, but I would be better if you allow me to tell you a prayer in exchange for something.” I look through my pockets and found an apple that I was carrying with me to give to my teacher for school. I ask him, “Would an apple be all right?” The blind man replied with a smile and nod. He took in a scratchy breath of air and recited the prayer (poem) Huswifery. It was about a human asking God to be given the personality of a noble human being. The poem then talked about a spinning wheel that decided everyone’s fate, and I wish to myself that it could be that easy to pick out ones own fate. When he finished the poem he asked, “How did you like it miss?” I smiled and replied, “It is a nice prayer, it is very spiritual but, it is faked, no one can pick out there fate.” He nodded then looked up to me as if he could see and said, “‘well miss that is true but you can pick out your destiny by picking the road you travel on.’ ‘You can pick your own destiny because it is your own and no else’s.’ ‘Do you see a dream catcher hanging from my case?’” I looked over and there it was hanging from his case, I never noticed it was there before. I reach down and felt it. It was very pretty with eagle feathers hanging from every corner. In the middle was this spiral twin connecting the sides like a wheel which kept spinning within the twin. He smiled and looked down there as if he could see it there still he then said, “‘every piece of string on that dream catcher is connected to each other.’ ‘They make there own destiny, like the people they are all connected and they all are alike in the same way of wishing for the best life.’ ‘They may not pick there fate but, they do pick how they lived there lives.’ ‘Do you understand, now miss?’” I look at the apple then the dream catcher and smiled, “Yes sir, I understand now, this poem is about connecting with God asking to be granted her desire to be given the right to be in his grace.' 'This poem is about beautiful spirtial prayer to God asking to be given the dream that everyone dreams of, happiness Thank you and God Bless You!” I then place the apple in his hands with a smile I waved good bye to the old blind man and left for school. After school on my way back he was gone but his memory remaind inside of me forever.

-Jane

Essential Question Reflection:

The American Dream can be seen as a false hope but, it can also be seen as the only hope left with the spin of the wheel it can be either one. Constantly spinning it's results can lead to destruction of bad luck or the best spark of luck. When the Puritans come across good luck they think that God grace them with his favor. However, when they come across bad luck they say that, the individual has fallen in God's disfavor. The American Dream is a wheel where God is constantly spinning to see which individual will come across his favor or his disfavoring.

Jonathan Edwards - Sinners in the hands of an Angry God! with Journal

"Another thing implied is, that they are liable to fall of themselves, without being thrown down by the hand of another; as he that stands or walks on slippery ground needs nothing but his own weight to throw him down.
That the reason why they are not fallen already and do not fall now is only that God's appointed time is not come. For it is said, that when that due time, or appointed time comes, their foor shall slide. Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined by their own weight. God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, but will let them go; and then, at that very instant, they shall fall into destruction; as he that stands on such slippery declining ground, on the edge of a pit, he cannot stand alone, when he is let go he immediately falls and is lost."





Reflection:

The speaker is an individual expressing his feelings about how people louse there grip and fall to the darkness of the world, through this passage, Sinners in the hands of an Angry God! The author conveys his feelings of how individuals louse to the darkness of the world. Even though people do louse there grip to the darkness of the world there is always a chance for them to recover and become part of the light. I didn’t really like it how it said people can louse there grip and become evil but, that is kind of true. People do experience hard times, and they louse there will to survive. However even though a person has given up hope there are always others who haven’t given up on him. There is always a chance to recover and move on with your life. I hope if anyone becomes lost they will be able to find the light and get help from someone to move on.

Dear Dairy:

Today I read the must horrible passage ever. It made me sad, it was about how humans fall to the evil side and how they have a choice between good then evil. In the quotes above Edward display's how anyone can louse there grip and fall into the darkness of the world. When an individual falls, God can not always save that individual becuase it is a lesson, for them to learn from there mistakes. The picture above, has a fallen angel falling to earth with his wings changed from bird feathers to bat wings this shows how he has become lost to the darkness and now he falls to earth. Good always conquers over evil and thats a lesson were everyone must learn.

I knew this old man once and he was going through some hard times. His name was Tom and his family died from a diesase coming over from England. Tom was always sad and usually drunk. Mama always sent me over to see him everyday because, she thought that someone should give him a helping hand. Sometimes I thought that it was annoying but after a while I was glad that I could help him because without me, he seemed kind of lost. A couple of months ago I was able to convience him to stop dranking and I thought that I lifted his spirits. I thought he might be on the road to recovery. I also thought that he had conquered his own darkness, just a little and some day he will be able to reach his true happiness within him.

Essential Question Reflection:

The American Dream is a dream of bogus imagination for all who consider it as a dream worth trying to succeed. This dream is a fake, it isn't for everyone, it is only for rich white men, too everyone else it is considered has a nightmare. The American Dream is a sine because it gives the people a phony hope in which it brings disappointed and depression. American Dream isn't a dream, it doesn't provide hope, and it doesn't provide the possibility of you succeeding, the only thing it gives you is the insurance that you can never recieve the American Dream.

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD: Patrick Henry & Thomas Paine

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

by: Patrick Henry

"The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extentuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Dear Dairy,

Standing among by brothers and my sisters, I listen to the words of Patrick Henry, as he recited powerful words of liberty. These words were influnce by a powerful spirit that came and lifted my spirits as if I was a kite in the wind. His words gave us hope that our light will not flicker in the presence of darkness. Patrick gave us a vision of what it means to be free. Yet at first it was scary at the thought of welcoming war. War brings bloodshed and tears to us all but, without war we can never be free from Britain. We can not sit by and watch the suffering continue. We are Americans the strong and the brave! We will not go quiet in the night and we will face our enemies. We will stay strong with our flag which flaps violently in the air of the madness of war. We will win or we will die trying to gain our liberty!

Jane

Reflection:

Patrick Henry picked good words to reinforce the desire of liberty onto the people. These words such as, “The war is inevitable – and let it come!” in this phase Patrick uses these words to impact (logic and emotion) onto that the listeners that war will always be on there doorstep unless they fight back. The words that he use were emotion, ethinc, and logical which influence the people. Patrick's most powerful phase is “Give me Liberty or Give Me Death,” this was an emotional phase which awake the people of America to fight back for there liberty. This phase reinforce the need to gain liberty and to be free from their slavery of being trapped by Britian's arms. Patrick Henry uses ethos and pathos to exposes how a credible speaker can influence the people through his experience and knowledge.

Selection from “The Crisis, No.1”

by Thomas Paine

"These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value."

Dear Dairy,

Last night I over heard my father reading aloud The Crisis by Thomas Paine. I sat on the stairs and merely listen to what Paine had to say. It is true what he says, for I believe every word of it. The time as come for our men to stand up and face our enemies. Since the beginning of the war men have risked there lives for liberty, and with time there very souls are being tested to see how worthy they are to posse such a thing as liberty. For those who run away in fear from the enemy are nothing but cowards who do not deserve liberty. Those cowards would only get in our way to achieve our dream of liberty. Our victory in war is to achieve our freedom, our liberty from the slavery of taxes of Britian. This victory will be so sweet like a peach on a summer afternoon because we have finally won our liberty. I believe such a day will come, because as long as there men out there that think like Thomas Paine who are real patriots we will achieve the greatest victory of all, liberty.

Jane

Reflection:

Thomas Paine is a patriot who stood with his country to gain liberty. Liberty is a powerful desire that every one wished to gain. Liberty is the ability to be free from slavery and Paine was a man who reinforced others to believe in that ability of gaining liberty. One example is, "These are the times that try mens' souls," this phase has logic and ethnic to influence the people. During this time of war, men were tested to see how strong they were and how strong was there need to win liberty. Only with hardwork and suffering can you achieve the true goal in life, "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value," Paine words a combine power of logic, ethnic, and emotion to convey the truth in his words. Only those who fought against Britain and did not turn to run away deserve our up most appreciation because they fought for our liberty. That is one reason why we have such a wonderful gift because of the men and women who work hard to achieve the true desire of freedom from Britain.

Essential Question Reflection:

Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine are two patriotic writers during the Revolutionary War. They both wrote inspiring pieces to go and join the war against Britain. They wrote how the only way to achieve liberty is to fight back against Britain and win to gain liberty. The men, who fought in the Revolutionary War fought for our freedom from Great Britain but, along with freedom is sadness because of all the lives that were lost in the fight for our happiness. Right now time is being repeated, soldiers are fighting to protect us and to keep our liberty from being destroyed. The American Dream is a false hope because for patriots like Henry and Paine both died when the beginning of liberty. They didn’t get to enjoy it and live it as we are. It gave them fake hope because at first they thought they could make America with no bloodshed with Britain but, in the end they had to fight for liberty. This is being repeated today, the American Dream of being safe from harm is a fake dream because there are always terrorist who are greedy and want what we have.

Personal Extension:

How are you working to live out your American Dream?

What do you do when you hit an obstacle?

My American Dream is to work hard to be success, to be happy, and to have fun in life. Right now, I would say I am doing alright on my road to my dream. I have a few obstacles to go over but, I know I can do it. When ever I have a problem I will either think of the best way to get out of it and then if that doesn’t work I slowly stop worrying about it then I will move on with my life. Sometimes I can be a care free person and move on with happy fun topics in life but, other times I can be a very serious person that worry’s A LOT!

Political Cartoon:

Interviews:

Jay:
1.What do you think the American Dream means?

I think the American Dream is to have the Freedom to enjoy life, and to live a happy comfortable life.

2. How have you lived the American Dream?

Over the years every house I owned was always a step better than the next. With working hard I achieve better places of living that would help take better care of my family.

3. What are some of the happiest moments in your life?

Some of my happiest moements are when I achieve my Batchers degree at Indiana University, having my children and, getting married to my wonderful wife Deniece.

4. Would you like to change anything different about your life, past or present?

I would love to travel more and go snow skiing more.

5. What are some of the goals you would like to accomplish in the future?

My main goal would be to retire.

Deniece:
1. What do you think the American Dream means?
I think the American Dream means to have the job of your dreams and the ability to afford what you want.
2. How have you lived the American Dream? I try to enjoy my job, by working hard and with this I can enjoy spending money for my family which, produces a happy free life for them.
3. What are some of the happiest moments in your life? When I got married and when my babies were born.
4. Would you like to change anything different about your life, past or present? I would like to have a better education.
5. What are some of the goals you would like to accomplish in the future? Saving money for a happy peaceful retirement.

Ashley:
1. What do you think the American Dream means?
I think the American Dream means to be successful in your own eyes.
2. How have you lived the American Dream?
I have gotten into college and I survived a horse accident.
3. What are some of the happiest meoments in your life?
I won a poetry contest, called Who Whose Among the American High School Students.
4. Would you like to change anything different about your life, past or present?
I would have never gotten on that horse which cause me 2 years of pain.
5. What are some of the goals you would like to accomplish in the future?
I would like to be a Pharmacist and to enjoy my life.

In Edition to Interviews:

What did I learn from these interviews?

I learn that many people think that the American Dream is about living a happy life by making money. This is the American Dream of today, it use to be get married, have kids and have a nice house. Like our environment it evolves over time with technology and the minds of the people. I learn that the American Dream of today, can not always be achieve because times are harder but, I am on the way to achieve mine and no one is going to stop me!

Cubist:

The man behind the friendly face.

MATERIALISM

Henry David Thoreau Walden Pond:

What is a house but a sedes, a seat? — better if a country seat. I discovered many a site for a house not likely to be soon improved, which some might have thought too far from the village, but to my eyes the village was too far from it. Well, there I might live, I said; and there I did live, for an hour, a summer and a winter life; saw how I could let the years run off, buffet the winter through, and see the spring come in. The future inhabitants of this region, wherever they may place their houses, may be sure that they have been anticipated. An afternoon sufficed to lay out the land into orchard, wood-lot, and pasture, and to decide what fine oaks or pines should be left to stand before the door, and whence each blasted tree could be seen to the best advantage; and then I let it lie, fallow, perchance, for a man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.

Reflection:

Henry David Thoreau created this passage through detail and riddles. To me I think Henry enjoy the country than he did with the city, for the country is free and beautiful. There you can roam and be happy to see the never ending sea of grass. Henry was a man who enjoyed the outdoors who could sit and enjoy the smell of the pureness away from the corruption of the city.

Dear Dairy,

Today I read Henry David Thoreau’s “Where I Lived, and What I Lived for”. This passage was created with such descriptions that it allow my mind to wonder to think of a different life style. To think of the happiness of the west and the freedom of the country, it allowed me to think of the possibilities of living for what I want and not for someone else. Henry was a man who used his knowledge to spread the word of the pureness of the country to be able to be free and sit enjoying the smell of the pine. Oh, I wish to escape my city prison to the open fields of freedom. Unfortunately I will have to wait tell I am older but, until then I will continue dreaming the dream of the country.

-Jane

Walden Pond gallery???

Civil Disobedience

Governments show thus how successfully men can be imposed on, even impose on themselves, for their own advantage. It is excellent, we must all allow. Yet this government never of itself furthered any enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way. It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way. For government is an expedient by which men would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are most let alone by it. -Henry David Thoreau

Reflection

In Civil Disobedience Thoreau gives of the curiosity of what is the government really for. How is it run, is it run by the greedy men who thirst for power or is it the people who wish to live a happy life. The answer is that no one runs America, because no one can do it alone. There will be always people who will back up the next individual, people who have the same common interest. Is the person who governs America alone, if he thinks he is he is wrong there are thousands of people watching him and helping him pick the best discussion for us all.

Dear Dairy

There is so much disruption in the world I don’t know when we will be ever be free of it. It seems like there is always corruption waiting in every corner. Like the corrupt cities growing bigger and bigger. Soon there won’t be any country left and there will be nothing but cities. I hope we will be able to come out of this dark hole we got ourselves in. I believe someday we will finally have a president who sees for the people, someone who is there for us and not for his own. I think Thoreau believes in the same thing, in his Civil Disobedience he speaks of how America can’t be governed by one person, it is controlled by us all and once we all come to an understanding of this, then we all can get along better with each other. Until then we will just keep on coming up to the many bumps in the road of equality.

-Jane

Extra:

Nature and Self Reliance

Nature Chapter 1 Ralph Waldo Emerson

"When we speak of nature in this manner, we have a distinct but most poetical sense in the mind. We mean the integrity of impression made by manifold natural objects. It is this which distinguishes the stick of timber of the wood-cutter, from the tree of the poet. The charming landscape which I saw this morning, is indubitably made up of some twenty or thirty farms. Miller owns this field, Locke that, and Manning the woodland beyond. But none of them owns the landscape. There is a property in the horizon which no man has but he whose eye can integrate all the parts, that is, the poet. This is the best part of these men's farms, yet to this their warranty-deeds give no title."

Dear Dairy: Today I was walking into town to buy some supplies for the winter. There were two men arguing on the corner of main and 5th street. I couldn't help but to stop and watch them argue. They were making such a big noise. I ask a man who was watching the quarral what it is about. He said it was a fight over land and each farmer thinks the land belongs to the other farmer. I asked, "Why don't they split it up?" He repiled, "well that is because they are spoiled man and everyone wants more land to farm." I nodded and move on. I don't understand grownups they are always fighting over land. The land can never be owned by man because it belongs to god and not us. Well they will figure out that lesson sooner or later. -Jane

Self Reflection:

This piece allowed to feel apart to nature again. I haven't been able to enjoy nature as I used to because I have been too busy but, through this essay I feel more respectful to nature. I like how he went into depth into nature and show that there is always time to get away from society to the beauty of nature. There are always time to sit back and to enjoy the space of beauty. The lesson is to go outside more and respect it every chance you get.

Self-Reliance Ralph:

" I read the other day some verses written by an eminent painter which were original and not conventional. The soul always hears an admonition in such lines, let the subject be what it may. The sentiment they instil is of more value than any thought they may contain. To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, — that is genius. Speak your latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense; for the inmost in due time becomes the outmost,—— and our first thought is rendered back to us by the trumpets of the Last Judgment. "

Dear Dairy: I was getting ready for bed when my grandfather walk in. "I am going to put you to bed tonight" he said with a smile. I jump into bed and got comfortable. He smiled and asked, "Did you pray" "Yes" I respond. He nodded and pulled out the bible and read me a chapter. "What is this chapter about?" he asked me. I looked at him and said, "It is about finding your self." He nodded and asked, "Do you think you have found yourself?" "I think I found part of myself but, not all of it." I repiled. "By the time you get my age you will come to an understanding with yourself, god, and with nature." "Until then it is time for bed." said Grandpa. Thats when I closed my eyes and I enjoyed the welcoming sleep dust. -Jane

Self Relfection: When I read Self-Reliance I thought that the author wanted the reader to understand that every individual as the right to speak out and to believe in there force. That you don't have to hide your opinion, to speak your mind and find an understanding with the world as well with nature. This is a piece of writing expresses how the reader needs to find the inner self "being". In order to be well and have peace on this earth.