Civil Disobedience

Today we discussed Civil Disobedience. We discussed two major topics today- the first was whether civil disobedience typically is a successful form of protest and the second topic was whether the constitution should protect the burning of the American Flag. I agree that burning the American Flag in protest should not be punished. Even though, seeing the flag burned would upset me, I think that it would be hypocritical to not allow a person to burn the flag.

If the Flag is a symbol for America, then I think that by banning flag burning we would be banning one of the fundamental rights that we have and may be symbolized in the flag itself. It is freedom of speech (this would fall under symbolic speech.) What do you think about this? Should burning the American Flag be illegal? Could flag burning be considered civil disobedience?

Kelsey

6/10/09

Today in class we discussed Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance. We talked about the quote, "To be great is to be misunderstood." However, Emerson's definition of great could be very different from some one else's definition. So we ask the question, what defines being great? Emerson gives examples of people who were misunderstood during their time but he defines them as great. He only gives a few examples and leaves out people who were considered great and understood. Another thing that we pointed out was that a theme of the Romantic writers was that they weren't appreciated or understood until after they died. So did Emerson just have this belief because he was a Romantic writer?
We also talked about the quote, "Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist." It is hard to define being a nonconformist because can anyone really be original? Everyone always seems to follow what some one else that they have seen before is doing. So why would being different make you a man? And also what is Emerson's definition of a man? These are questions the reader has to decide for themselves.

-Callie

minutes june 9th

Continuing on with trancendentalism, we started dicussing " Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson was rejected by the clergy because of his radical ideas, and was proclaimed as a heretic. He was influenced greatly by Buddishm and Hinduism. Emerson adovcated the idea of the oversoul, in which everything even the trees and rocks has God in them. So, we are all apart of the oversoul. Although his beliefs were not widely accepted in his time, after his death his views became more popular.
His rationale for the oversoul was that God created man, by making him in his image and giving him a soul. If we are created by God in his image, then how are we different from God. Assuming that God didnt create man as an inferior beign, then a part of God is in all of us. Also that there is no absolute truth, you find your own path to God.

Note: If I left anything out feel free to comment. Thanks Ashley.

Justice and The Law

One segment of Billy Bud that the class seemed to find particularly interesting was the deliberation scene. After completing the movie, we began discussion about that trial and its significance. Two main points of interest that were considered were Danskurt's quote and the difference between justice and the law. We reflected on how everyone on the ship felt guilty, in one way or another, for the death of Billy. However, although we agreed that justice and the law should go hand in hand, it seemed that this movie did not represent this point. Are there any instances today where this still applies? Or has the law evolved to more fairly handle criminals?

Mike B.

Billy Bud, Day 1

Hello all, just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts in relation to the first part of the movie? It'd prob be good to discuss it fairly well on the blog seeing as we'll be tested on in afterward. I'll just give a brief plot synopsis for the first half an hour or so -

Billy Bud is a ship's mate on the English merchant ship, the rights of man. He seems to be very adept at the skills of a sailor. His captain soon sees a warship on the horizon, and immediately knows it will be impressing his men soon. He avoids their advances as long as he can, until an officer from the man of war boards his ship and inspects his men. He sees Billy Bud, and takes him aboard. We soon find out that Billy does not know how old he is or where he was born. He was found in a basket, seemingly dropped off by parents who could not care for him. This indicates a possible wanderer lifestyle that brought him to the merchant ship in the first place.
It becomes apparent that Billy has adapted well to his duties on the new ship. However, he is horrified to see a sailor whipped in public for no reason. He simply cannot understand the logic of whipping an innocent man, and becomes disturbed. He recognizes the power and no-nonsense attitude of the man who ordered the whipping (Captain John Claggart). In the mess hall, Billy meets several other ship mates, including an old Danish man who has the task of showing him the ropes. Billy reveals that he stutters profoundly in certain occasions, a behavior he rationalizes by saying it only occurs when he cannot find the words for an emotion. Another sailor named Jenkins picks a fight with him for this, though Billy makes quick work of him. The two compromise, though right after it ends Claggart investigates the feud and emphasizes his authority. He is angered by Jenkins for the fight, and proves this further when he knocks over Billy Bud's and several other food bowls during mealtime and makes him clean it up even though he is very sick.

That's all I have for today's viewing. Feel free to comment on any emerging themes/motifs, plot characteristics, etc.

-Colin

May 27 Minutes

Today we continued talking about Ethan Brand:

We started off with a continuation of our discussion on what the unpardonable sin was that Ethan Brand was searching for. It was decided that it was intellect taking precedence over morality as well as a preson's decision to expel himslf from the rest of humanity. When Ethan returned to the kiln, he no longer cared about others and is basically no longer human. This is symbolized by his heart turning to marble. 

We also discussed the part in the story in which Ethan sacrafices himself into the fire and becomes high-grade lime. With this, Hawthorne is saying that even though he is dead, he is putting his atoms back to work. Ethan Brand is more useful dead than alive. The concept of death being a return to nature is very romantic.

We talked about why Ethan even bothered to return to the kiln. Brand returns as a sort of closure to his journey. He began his search for unpardonable sin after talking to the devil he saw in the flames of the kiln and he ended his journey in the same place. The fire in the kiln represents a contained version of hell, in which Brand willingly throws himself into. 

We ended our discussion with a debate over whether a person is innately caring or caring is learned through experience.

Feel free to elaborate on the above topics. 

-Julie S

May 19 minutes

After Mr. Laz being absent for a few days we got right back on track with 'The Minister's Black Veil' -- we talked about how the veil not only alters others perceptions of Mr. Hooper, but also taints everything he sees as well. Here are some more bullet points from today's discussion:
-he does a church service, funeral and wedding all in one day (elements of life, daily ritual, beginning and end)
-corpse doesn't actually shudder, everyone wants to look for a reason for wearing the black veil-- however Mr. Hooper never looses his reputation
-this is an indictment of Hawthorn's ancestors -- the Puritans
-people act as if they have no sin -- holding it inside their hearts
-gothic image = Mr. Hooper being buried wearing the black veil
-would it have been honorable to reveal the sin (take away the veil)? -- Possibly, however would not prove Hawthorne's point -- God is the only one who knows
-"earth, too, had on her black veil" -- Romantic perception ~ earth and humanity go hand in hand

HW: Refresh on 'The Birthmark'

-Sammi