Government Control

Author’s Note: In this final essay I will demonstrate my understanding of comparing and contrasting to books that I have read.

            Money is power, and power is the only thing about which current citizens care for.  Tim Meeker has to make a decision which should allow him to betray or keep his family.  Meanwhile Luke Garner is at a battle with the new and improved government for letting him live his life freely.  These two characters may seem different but you will be surprised at how much they have in common.   The book My Brother Sam is Dead and Among the Hidden are both based on the theme of government control, although they show this in unique ways.

In my historical fiction book My Brother Sam is Dead by James and Christopher Collier many citizens are fighting in a war that has broken out because of how the government has been running the country.  For example the government was taxing the nation and making new unnecessary laws, so the colonists broke out in war.  The Rebels decided to dump tea into the Hudson River to really show the government how they felt. 

Not only is this theme portrayed in my historical fiction book but also in the series Among the Barons.  In this book the theme of government control is showed in a very cruel and unfair way.  The government decided they should not allow parents to have more than two kids, if they have a third it would then result in death upon all that are guilty.  The third children of the country or also known as shadow children try and rebel against the government and make a difference in the world. 

On the other hand, and maybe more importantly, these books are from completely different time periods.  In my historical fiction book the plot takes place in the late 1700’s hence the term historical, because it happened in the past.  Where as in the book Among the Hidden it is demonstrating what will happen in the future.  The timeline is well thought out in both of the books though. 

So as you can see these books are very similar, even if they did seem very different in the beginning.  Hopefully next time you read two books you will think of how they may be similar or how they could be different.  In other words these books portrayed the main theme of government control in different but also similar ways.

Are your problems resolved?

Authors Note: In my essay I will demonstrate my understanding of resolutions of main conflicts.  Also this will prove that no one will ever win in the outcome of a war.

As you live your life you will realize that you will have to overcome many obstacles and you may never even overcome that obstacle.  The book I am reading is called My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher, and there are many events that showed that war is unfair and pointless.  There will never be a resolution after a war because so many men and women were injured and killed and a person can’t come back after they have passed on.  The Meeker family experienced this horrific tragedy in the book.  No matter who you think will win the war, no one will be satisfied in the end.

The Revolutionary war played a very important role in the Meeker family.  It caused outbursts of rage and disappointment throughout the book.  One quote that was spoken frequently throughout the book went like this, “The dead will pay the debt of the living.”  This just proved that war is unfair in many ways because the innocent people died for the deserving ones.  War was a huge conflict too many families that eventually went away when the war ended, but the problems never truly resolved themselves because the ones who died weren’t able to come back.  Some battles may seem like they have been won, but the real battle is truly never over.

The Meeker family will always grieve over their loss of family members but life will go on for them. Some battles will never be over for some people and sadly a lot of families have to deal with this issue.  So I will simply state that the Meeker family issues were never resolved because of their loss of family and friends. Always remember that no matter what the war will always bring the worst out of people and no one will win in the end.

Do you know your point of view?

 Authors Note: I will prove to you in this essay that the point of view will affect how the book is interpreted and that the view of a scene could change. NOTE: This short essay may give away some information of the end of the book.

In My Brother Sam is Dead, the strong influence of father working on one side, and the curiousness of Sam working on the other, leaves Tim in the middle to determine his own point of view on things.  From the perspective of Tim Meeker, certain events are created in violent outbursts about how the war will have changed his family forever.  In every situation that we encounter we will each find that we have a different point of view.  In the book My Brother Sam Is Dead it specifically projects how the story could be interpreted differently, if told by others.

One way that Tim’s point of view could affect the interpretation was when Sam was getting executed by the British.  If told from the British soldiers point of view, he could have felt in control and overpowering.  However when Tim told this it made me felt full of sorrow and despair.  A quote that was spoken all throughout the book was spoken by Mr. Meeker and it went like this, “The dead pay the debt of the living.”  This quote really shows that for people to be able to feel good about them in the war they have to kill someone else in replace of themselves.  It relates to point of view because Sam had to pay the debt of someone who had done wrong in this world.  As you can see Sam’s actions could have affected many people.

Not only is the way the story is told very important because that could also change the interpretation of the reader.  Since Tim is telling the story he makes his brother seem like the most wonderfully brave and fun college boy.  So I would interpret that Sam is a real fun and brave guy.  On the other hand if father was telling the story then I would assume that he is a real arrogant immature college kid.  Therefore the point of view of the narrator is very important if we will want to know about other characters or scenes.

Interpretation is one of the main things that would change if the point of view changed.  That is not the only thing that would change though the scenes in the book would also change because the new character could not have been involved in it.  When you’re reading a story you need to make sure that you know the point of view from which it is being told; that is very important.  Next time you read a story try and imagine the story as if in a different perspective.

Have You Been Stereotyped?

Author’s note- This essay shows that defying stereotypes was one of the main themes and it stayed throughout the whole story. My purpose in writing this is to show that everyone would just like to be seen as who they really are.

           “Have you ever considered you were being judged on your looks or your actions?”  In the story The Outsiders the Greasers (which are lower class) have been and will always be condemned by society.  Defying stereotypes is when someone envisions what you are like when they don’t know much about you.  Throughout the entire story of The Outsiders almost everyone was being stereotyped. Not only were the Greasers being stereotyped but also the Socs.  No matter how peculiar we may all seem we all just want to be accepted for who we really are.

Society thought that the Greasers would never even think to do anything pleasant in their life.  No matter what a Greaser did they would always be seen as the same and a quote that really showed this was spoken by Randy and it went like this.  “You can't win, even if you whip us. You'll still be where you were before - at the bottom. And we'll still be the lucky ones with all the breaks. So it doesn't do any good, the fighting and the killing. It doesn't prove a thing. We'll forget it if you win, or if you don't. Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be Socs."  This really shows that society will always be against the less fortunate ones and the higher class will always be stuck with the hero act.
Society has been very brutal to many people but, being afraid to get judged was always my downfall.  All my life I have been afraid that I will mess up.  But as I got older I realized no one should live like this, not even me.  I can relate to the theme defying stereotypes because everyone always expects me to be so great at sports.  But really no one can have a great game everytime, and this makes me feel like it was my fault if we lost.  Dally and I can relate because we both put on a mask to hide my fear from showing.  People don’t understand that when you have your image set for yourself you can rarely change it.  We also are imagined as the more experienced people in everything, which isn't always true. Society is one of those things where you either love it or hate it.  But don’t let it get the best of you, just try and be yourself and don't worry about what other people think. 

 Everyone has gotten flustered at least once because they thought they would be judged by their actions.  Even though I got stereotyped, I never let it get the best of me and neither should you. Dally in the book The Outsiders  had made plenty of mistakes in his life. This set an image in his life as a bad boy or criminal.  Dally quoted in the book “I did some crazy things in New York that I will never forget.”   Dally was stereotyped; but he really is a criminal because he made some bad choices, but even he has a heart.  Just because someone may have a bad side doesn't mean they don't have a heart too.

   People stereotyping people, that is just how life is and we can never change that.  Society will always try and stand in your way.  Never be afraid to try and reach your dreams .  If you mess up that is okay, because if the people you are worried about stereotyping you really are genuine people, then they would never judge you on your one mistake.  Always remember to be yourself and don’t change to be the stereotype people make you to be.  But most important of all,we just want to be known for who we are.

Steroetyping

Author’s note- This essay shows that so many people are judged on one mistake and once someone sets an image for themselves it usually sticks with them.

 “Don’t judge a book by a cover.” Many people use this quote to show that your judgment about a book or person before could be completely different from what they are really like.  Judging something before you know more about the thing is called stereotyping and everyone does it in the world.  This is one of the themes of The Outsiders because so many people in the story got judged when they didn't really know them which is stereotyping.  Prejudgments can really hurt someone, because it can eventually limit them to what their full potential really could be.

Every little mistake can change one persons’ life forever.  Everyone has gotten nervous at least once because they thought they would get judged and they could never live it down.  Dally in the book The Outsiders has made plenty of mistakes in his life, which set an image in his life of a bad boy or criminal.  Dally even quoted in the book “I did some crazy things in New York that I could never forget.”  Misjudged is what Dally and I are because everyone thinks I am dumb because I am blonde but really I am thesmartest one in my class.  He was stereotyped too because he is a criminal but he has feelings and a heart which not alot of people realize.  Don’t be afraid to be yourself, because if someone doesn’t like the real you then they aren’t a true friend.                                                                                                                      
Stereotyping can hurt you feelings and most of the time your prejudgment is not right.  As I said in the paragraph above Dally was misjudged by many people.  Everyone has a heart and you have to remember that. Just imagine what you would feel like if someone thought you didn’t care about anything at all.  Dally loved his gang and he would do anything to protect them. That is what people didn’t know about Dally was that he really hated the Socs and society but it all boils down to Johnny and how he loved Johnny and he was heartbroken when he died.  Love is such a strong thing and everyone always has it.

         
Stereotyping is when you judge someone but don’t really know them or if it is true.  People stereotype everyone that’s how life works.  We should never do this though because so many people might get their feelings hurt and they might feel like they have to change.  Also don’t be afraid to do the things you dream about and don’t worry about messing up and people judging you because if they are a genuine person they would never judge you on one mistake.  Always remember to be yourself and don’t change to be the stereotype people make you to be.

Chapter 2.5 of the Outsiders

 Authors note: After the movie Cherry has to drive home with Bob and he does not look very happy.     

  As Bob and I drove home I couldn’t help but think about Ponyboy and what would happen to him.

“I can’t believe you were hanging out with that Greaser.” Bob sighed. 

“I don’t care that he is a Greaser!  He was nice and that is all that matters!”  I spit back with aggression. All Bob every really cares about is getting drunk and beating up kids, I thought to myself.

“Bob don’t blame those Greasers it was my idea to walk with them.” I said trying to be as convincing as possible.

“I don’t care Cherry!  It is always something knew with you, I never know what you are going to do next.” Bob argued.  It is not my fault I can find the good in everyone.  Maybe that is my problem; I care about too many people.  Bob looked really angry; I am just dreading what he will do after I get out of this Mustang.  We were only a few blocks from my house now, my palms were so sweaty is seemed as if it was raining. 

“Bob just listen to me; I know I messed up tonight but don’t do anything you will regret.  Be mad at me not at the Greaser’s even break up with me, if you want.”  I was breathing heavily now all the windows were cloudy. 

“Cherry I am not going to break up with you, and trust me I won’t do anything I will regret.”  Bob laughed.  Oh no!  We were at my house now, I was out of time.  All I can hope is that Ponyboy is at home safe.  As I got out of the car Bob had fiery in his eyes.  Every step was in slow motion as I moved towards my house. Everything started to spin around me.  It seemed as if an hour passed by the time I got to my front door.  Who knew what was going to happen as the blue Mustang sped around the corner off in the East.

I am proud of my country

I am Proud of my Country

Authors Note: I am very proud of America and after this essay hopefully you will be proud of America too.     

    I am proud of my country because we have a freedom and that means the world to me.  I can’t even imagine a world without freedom of speech or freedom of religion.  That basically says to me that I can’t ever be myself but here in America I feel like I can and I am ecstatic for that. I am also great full for all the heroes that defend our country to keep our peace and freedom You should always feel free to express yourself now matter what country you are in.

            Even though I am so great full for all the things America has done for me there is also some bad things that have happened.  Every country will eventually make mistakes it just comes down to the fact of how bad the mistake was.  We have been having wars for a long time, I understand that we will have wars because not everyone agrees on things but I don’t think it should get to the point where we have to physically hurt one another.  Also if you haven’t noticed our economy is terrible we have to keep firing and laying people off.  Many people have families to take care of but not every country can be perfect.  Just remember always believe in yourself and your country.

The sea of monsters

Author’s note: This essay is about how Percy’s actions affected the climax at the end of the story.

The flames went higher and higher as everyone talked. As the words were being spoken, sparks were flying out of the fire. Everyone started shouting at Tantalus “We need a Quest, We need a quest!” But no one dared say the reason why they needed a quest which was for Percy to go and get the Golden Fleece to save the camp. Finally agreement went throughout the camp. “The one who deserves the quest has been our hero and has our respect in this camp, and that is going to be…Clarisse!” Tantalus was grinning as he spoke his words. Percy was livid as soon as he heard the news that he was not getting the quest. Camp half-blood was now in dead silence. Sometimes your decisions can effect and change everything in the future

Percy made a lot of decisions that had a huge effect on the mortal and immortal world. One of them was when Grover (he is a Satyr which means half man half goat.) contacted Percy in his dreams and said he was in trouble.  This would be a huge decision to make, because if you leave camp you would get expelled, but you could save your best friend from dying or you don’t leave camp and let him die. If I were in Percy’s shoes I would go and save my best friend because you can’t always think about yourself, and if I didn’t save him I would blame myself if he did die.  Percy did make the right choice in the end and he saved Grover and found the Golden Fleece.

            The Golden Fleece can’t only heal camp half-blood it can heal someone an inch from death if necessary. As soon as Percy got back from saving Grover and getting the Golden Fleece he put it on Thalia’s tree to save the protective border of the camp. When he did put the Golden Fleece on the tree, a girl appeared lying next to the tree that appeared to be Thalia!  This was a huge event at camp half-blood because Thalia has been stuck in the shape of a tree for 7 years because she was fighting a monster and her father Zeus took pity on her and turned her into a tree.  Once again the camp was speechless because they never thought this could ever happen, and they never knew anything could interfere with the god’s magic. Who knows what trouble Thalia’s life could be in since she is a daughter of the one of the greatest god’s in the universe.

            If you were Percy would you regret leaving camp to get the Fleece? Everything has to be done for a reason and I believe that Percy did the right thing even though he didn’t know that would happen.   He truly did save two lives in one day! Always remember to never second guess yourself you always will have done the right thing at the end of the day.