Tonight is Saturday evening and we got together with some friends to spend quality time. So, we watched Elf and A Charlie Brown Christmas to brush up on our English analysis over pizza (and to be awesome like a nerdfighter). We noted as we watched that anti-Christmas-commercialism is a common theme in both films.
Okay here are some examples: in Elf, Santa's sleigh runs on Christmas cheer and the single carolling voice of Walter Hobbs, Buddy's naughty list father, made the difference between whether the sleigh would rise above Manhattan or be attacked by the Central Park rangers. Also, Buddy was so innocent and uncorrupted by the evils of the unchecked, commercialistic society (cough, cough-- Puritanism), that he was naïve to the uncaring ways of the world outside of his sheltered, Utopian-style North Pole. The North Pole was not commercialistic. They made toys because they wanted people to be happy, whereas, the "North Pole" in Gimbels was just about "getting through the holidays" and was solely named so as a marketing technique. In the end of the movie, one can hear the virtual audience cheering as Walter Hobbs chooses to find Buddy, and therefore the Christmas spirit inside of himself, even if it resulted in the loss of his job, instead of staying at work on Christmas Eve (and ignoring what was important to his son).
Now, there are parallels to Charlie Brown. Charlie doesn't understand what he's missing when it comes to Christmas-- why isn't he happy? In the end he realizes that he was the one who understood the meaning of Christmas all along, while everyone else experienced Christmas only on the commercial level, which left Charlie Brown feeling empty. In the end of Charlie Brown, he feels true happiness when he sees that his tree is decorated by friends feeling true Christmas spirit.
We could keep talking, but then what would be left for you all to ponder and comment on? GOODBYE!
~Kelsey and Olivia
P.S. Merchants of Cool ties in as well-- in what ways do you all see connections?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday Nov 24 Minutes
Oops, I forgot to post the minutes on Monday.
On Monday, we continued our discussion on William Bradford. Our discussion led us to the topic of why Puritans preachers seen to favor the "Wrath of God" sermons. The reasons we came up with were as followed: (1) Puritans believe that all humans are innately evil and sinful.
(2) If all humans are sinful then their sin can be used to establish common ground.
(3) Finally, it is easy to point out the fault in others. Another topic in our dicussion was how the strict "rules" of puritanism were implemented. Most of these strict "rules" were taught by parents to their children although the pulpit was often used to reinforce these "rules". We ended our discussion talking about the high standards of Puritans may have led to their ultimate demise.
- Ashley H
11/26 Minutes
Today in class we started our discussion on the poetry of Edward Taylor. Edward Taylor was a man who was very well educated which led him to write scholarly poetry. In comparison with the poetry of Anne Bradstreet, Taylor's is harder to identify with because he was part of what is known was the metaphysical school. Poets who write metaphysical poetry use something called a conceit. A conceit is the use of a fanciful metaphor that is used to shock the audience. Once the audience is schocked or disturbed, it causes them to reread and re-evaluate what they just read and what it means. Conceits are used to jolt the audience out of their sence of complacency which in Puritan poetry made them become more aware of their sins and made them try to be like the way that God planned for them to be.
An example of a poet who used the concept of a conceit was the Anglican preacher John Donne. In one of his poems (http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/sonnet14.php - Batter My Heart) he discusses that a human soul is like a town taken over by Satan. He takes things that would usually be good and makes them bad. In the end the point that he wants to make is that in order to be pure you have to be raped by God. He of course doesn't mean to literally be raped by God but figuratively in order to become a better person. This is an example of a conceit because once someone reads that, automatically they are shocked and must reread what the poet said and think more deeply about it.
Lastly we talked about the first poem by Edward Taylor in our packet called "Meditation Six." The first thing we noted about this poem is that Taylor is talking about money when the poem is supposed to be about God. Taylor wanted to say that our souls are God's treasures (even the ones that go to hell for they are the property of God and he may do with them what he pleases). But in the poem Taylor is not sure of the nature of his soul or what kind of treasure he is.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
-Melissa
An example of a poet who used the concept of a conceit was the Anglican preacher John Donne. In one of his poems (http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/sonnet14.php - Batter My Heart) he discusses that a human soul is like a town taken over by Satan. He takes things that would usually be good and makes them bad. In the end the point that he wants to make is that in order to be pure you have to be raped by God. He of course doesn't mean to literally be raped by God but figuratively in order to become a better person. This is an example of a conceit because once someone reads that, automatically they are shocked and must reread what the poet said and think more deeply about it.
Lastly we talked about the first poem by Edward Taylor in our packet called "Meditation Six." The first thing we noted about this poem is that Taylor is talking about money when the poem is supposed to be about God. Taylor wanted to say that our souls are God's treasures (even the ones that go to hell for they are the property of God and he may do with them what he pleases). But in the poem Taylor is not sure of the nature of his soul or what kind of treasure he is.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
-Melissa
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Violence in Video Games and on Television
It was mentioned briefly in class on monday about the effects of violence in video games and on TV, especially on young people. Many have the belief that violence in video games promotes kids going out and doing violent things. Some link school shootings to video games, saying that they caused the shooters to want to live out their fantasies in real life. I personally think that there is nothing to it. If video game violence really caused school shootings, then they would happen every day, not just couple of times a year. If anything, video games allow kids to live out their dark fantasies without ever having to harm anyone, even preventing violence. Of course a parent walking into a room and seeing his/her teenager throw a person out of a car and run them over (in Grand Theft Auto) can be shocking. But would that teen actually commit such an act in real life?
Do you have any other views?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
November 21, 2008 Minutes
Today we began discussion with an important disclaimer about the MHS Blood Drive that is coming up. In order to participate you must be 17 years of age or older and at least 110 pounds. The Northeast region of the country always has a shortage on available blood so please help out and donate.
Next we began our discussion about John Winthrop's "A Model of Christian Charitie" which was a sermon delivered aboard the ship the Arbella. In order to augment our understanding of this sermon we evaluated the work as a persuasive argument. Our class deemed that the sermon did attempt to state arguments and back these claims up with facts, even if these facts were taken from a faith based source, the Bible. Which led us to ponder can a logical argument prove itself through faith based or religious facts.
A good persuasive text can use 3 tactics to back up the argument:
Logos- the logic of an argument
Pathos- the emotion of an argument
Ethos- the reputation of the arguer
"A Model of Christian Charitie" has logos because it states claims and backs up these claims with facts and passages from the Bible that support these claims. It also has Ethos because it speaks of the love in the community and tries to emotionally appeal to the audience. Finally while the sermon does not use Ethos in its text, it relies upon the reputation of John Winthrop externally as a respected member of the Puritan community.
Next we began our discussion about John Winthrop's "A Model of Christian Charitie" which was a sermon delivered aboard the ship the Arbella. In order to augment our understanding of this sermon we evaluated the work as a persuasive argument. Our class deemed that the sermon did attempt to state arguments and back these claims up with facts, even if these facts were taken from a faith based source, the Bible. Which led us to ponder can a logical argument prove itself through faith based or religious facts.
A good persuasive text can use 3 tactics to back up the argument:
Logos- the logic of an argument
Pathos- the emotion of an argument
Ethos- the reputation of the arguer
"A Model of Christian Charitie" has logos because it states claims and backs up these claims with facts and passages from the Bible that support these claims. It also has Ethos because it speaks of the love in the community and tries to emotionally appeal to the audience. Finally while the sermon does not use Ethos in its text, it relies upon the reputation of John Winthrop externally as a respected member of the Puritan community.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Scientific History and Literary History
When we discussed Bradford today, we discussed whether or not his work was a true history. A point that I wanted to raise in class was that there should be a division of two types of history. Scientific, which aims for objectivity and minimal bias much like an average textbook, and literary which emphasizes the story part of history . I would classify Bradford in the latter category. Bradford shares more in common with Homer than with any contemporary historian. Furthermore, I think that "History of Plymouth Plantation" should be approached like "The Iliad." It is a story, a story rooted in history, yet still primarily a story. More concerned with telling a riveting story, than with telling an accurate story. I also think that the bias in "History of Plymouth Plantation" is intentional, Bradford is biased because he thinks his bias is "true." Bradford believed he is on the side of the divine creator and ruler of the universe, and to approach everything as if the Puritans are 100% unquestionably right leads to obvious, unabashed, bias. Furthermore, as Mr. Lazarow mentioned, the Puritans lived nearly masochistic lives in regard to entertainment, so for them to be a little dramatic (even arguably melodramatic) in the areas where they could be is no surprise. So what is "History of Plymouth Plantation?"I think it is an intentionally biased book that was treated as if a scientific document (although Puritans would be unfamiliar with science in any way we understand it), with some entertainment as a by product.
-Alexander Altaras
-Alexander Altaras
November 20, 2008 minutes
Today in class, we finished our discussion about William Bradford and his writing styles. In the beginning of class, Laz posed the question, "What is the purpose of Bradford's document?" and "Is it primarily historical?" One opinion was that the document was not solely historical because it is hostile in nature; pointing fingers and focusing on an image of the oppressed having to stand for what they believe in to be accepted. The work does not serve only to inform, but also as a means by which Bradford can persuade a reader into thinking that the Puritan way was the best, etc.
From this, the question arose whether this work can serve as a history or not. THe writing goes with the times in that there was not yet a standard of writing, so if Bradford was intending this to serve as a history, which is likely because the Puritans were into history and disagreed with fiction, then he was basically making up his own format or basing his format off of that of another individual who made their format. It definitely serves historical purposes, and may in one way or another a history, but then we must decide if we accept it as a history.
Thus, discussion turned to the attempt at understanding what elements of a work qualify it was a history. We discussed the necessity of a thrid party to serve almost as a mediator in composing the events without the use of bias or emotion. In the end, however, we mostly agreed that a third party is only useful with the aid of recollections and thoughts of those involved, who can contribute the necessary emotions and "inside information" that presents a much clearer picture and broader understanding.
At the end of class, we talked about the legitimacy of textbooks and delved into the comparisons between an elementary text book and a high school level textbook. The elementary books seem to only have one view point. It seems as if contexts are simplified in order to be easy understood by children, but is this debilitating their possible abilities and self-fueled ideas of the future? Children maybe do not get enough credit for their thinking abilities. They seem to be mislead at a young age as if theat is somehow better for them. Also, textbooks seem to leave out a lot of mistakes that America has made in the past, ie. the true events of Columbus's time. Lastly, we tried to decide if the aim of always being politically correct obstructed views, but we did not quite finish this conversation. Any thoughts?
-Jen
From this, the question arose whether this work can serve as a history or not. THe writing goes with the times in that there was not yet a standard of writing, so if Bradford was intending this to serve as a history, which is likely because the Puritans were into history and disagreed with fiction, then he was basically making up his own format or basing his format off of that of another individual who made their format. It definitely serves historical purposes, and may in one way or another a history, but then we must decide if we accept it as a history.
Thus, discussion turned to the attempt at understanding what elements of a work qualify it was a history. We discussed the necessity of a thrid party to serve almost as a mediator in composing the events without the use of bias or emotion. In the end, however, we mostly agreed that a third party is only useful with the aid of recollections and thoughts of those involved, who can contribute the necessary emotions and "inside information" that presents a much clearer picture and broader understanding.
At the end of class, we talked about the legitimacy of textbooks and delved into the comparisons between an elementary text book and a high school level textbook. The elementary books seem to only have one view point. It seems as if contexts are simplified in order to be easy understood by children, but is this debilitating their possible abilities and self-fueled ideas of the future? Children maybe do not get enough credit for their thinking abilities. They seem to be mislead at a young age as if theat is somehow better for them. Also, textbooks seem to leave out a lot of mistakes that America has made in the past, ie. the true events of Columbus's time. Lastly, we tried to decide if the aim of always being politically correct obstructed views, but we did not quite finish this conversation. Any thoughts?
-Jen
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
November 19, 2008 minutes
Today in class, our symantics tests were passed back. We also received graded printouts for the first quarter. Mr. Lazarow claimed that he was upset by the amount of blog participation that had happened during the first quarter. This especially relates to the fact that we have stopped doing our minutes. I decided that I would start off the minutes again and then we can just go around the room. Hopefully this time we will be able to keep order better so that we don't forget about the minutes.
We also discussed the first reading in our Readings in Purtianism packet. This is the reading by William Bradford, called "History of Plymouth Plantation." We discussed the fact that William Bradford used symantic devices in his writing. These included propaganda, maps and territories, varied connotations for the same word, and others.
We also discussed the Mayflower Compact. It was the beginning of a plan to create rules, but wasn't very detailed in describing any specific ones. It also showed the respect that the Puritans had for King James and being British citizens, despite the persecution they had suffered.
Another topic discussed was the Puritan belief of predestination. The Puritans chose to not deal with this topic. They believed that whatever you did with your life is what God has destined to happen.
The only homework was to continue reading in the Puritan packet. We will be going on to the John Withrop readings tomorrow.
--Alexis
We also discussed the first reading in our Readings in Purtianism packet. This is the reading by William Bradford, called "History of Plymouth Plantation." We discussed the fact that William Bradford used symantic devices in his writing. These included propaganda, maps and territories, varied connotations for the same word, and others.
We also discussed the Mayflower Compact. It was the beginning of a plan to create rules, but wasn't very detailed in describing any specific ones. It also showed the respect that the Puritans had for King James and being British citizens, despite the persecution they had suffered.
Another topic discussed was the Puritan belief of predestination. The Puritans chose to not deal with this topic. They believed that whatever you did with your life is what God has destined to happen.
The only homework was to continue reading in the Puritan packet. We will be going on to the John Withrop readings tomorrow.
--Alexis
American pride vs. Moorestown pride
Branching off of Mike's topic, I think a lot of people take advantage of living in America. They don't realize the opportunities they are given simply by being American. Now that American pride and Moorestown pride have both been discussed on the blog, I was wondering which you have more of. I think I have more pride in being from Moorestown than I do for America, probably because I don't know how hard my great-great grandparents had to work to become American citizens, when I do know how hard my parents have to work to live in Moorestown and provide everything they do.
Also, since I have traveled to other countries (Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK) I can compare them to America. I went to Holland on a People to People trip this past summer and whenever we had free time, everyone wanted to go to McDonald's. I don't like McDonald's but apparently that's "un-American" of me. I realized that every time we went in it was mostly tourists eating there. In Italy I don't even remember seeing a Mcdonald's. That was the one thing that really stood out for me, because I noticed there were virtually no obese Italians walking the streets of Rome. These people eat real food, and then they have McDonald's around for the tourists who refuse to actually eat the food of the country they are visiting.
-Sammi
Also, since I have traveled to other countries (Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK) I can compare them to America. I went to Holland on a People to People trip this past summer and whenever we had free time, everyone wanted to go to McDonald's. I don't like McDonald's but apparently that's "un-American" of me. I realized that every time we went in it was mostly tourists eating there. In Italy I don't even remember seeing a Mcdonald's. That was the one thing that really stood out for me, because I noticed there were virtually no obese Italians walking the streets of Rome. These people eat real food, and then they have McDonald's around for the tourists who refuse to actually eat the food of the country they are visiting.
-Sammi
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Being American
We talked briefly today in class about what it meant to be an American during the time of the Puritans and the ideas that went along with it.
Back then it seemed Americans themselves believed that they were in some sort of promised land of opportunity and that they were a superior and privledged people.
These ideas have lingered on with us for centuries becoming deeply rooted into our history and society, but I was wondering if these beliefs had begun to fade in any way; mainly due to our current situation and recent events.
We may or may not be the greatest nation in the world, but do we still believe we are?
-Mike Bass
Back then it seemed Americans themselves believed that they were in some sort of promised land of opportunity and that they were a superior and privledged people.
These ideas have lingered on with us for centuries becoming deeply rooted into our history and society, but I was wondering if these beliefs had begun to fade in any way; mainly due to our current situation and recent events.
We may or may not be the greatest nation in the world, but do we still believe we are?
-Mike Bass
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Presidential Election
Seeing as the blog is pretty quiet right now we might as well start a new topic. If you were 18 right now and eligible to vote in this tight election who would you vote for and why?
I would vote for John McCain because I don't think Obama is experienced enough yet to be president. I think McCain is prepared to reform our current policies that clearly aren't working and work with both the Republican and Democratic parties to get work done.
No matter who wins it is nice to see larger numbers of Americans voting, because the result of the election should really represent what the majority wants, not the 55% or so that usually vote.
I would vote for John McCain because I don't think Obama is experienced enough yet to be president. I think McCain is prepared to reform our current policies that clearly aren't working and work with both the Republican and Democratic parties to get work done.
No matter who wins it is nice to see larger numbers of Americans voting, because the result of the election should really represent what the majority wants, not the 55% or so that usually vote.
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