Shorewood Student

1.    Hamlet waits so long to kill Claudius because Hamlet is not a blood-thirsty killer.  He is an average college student who just found out from his father’s ghost that the uncle killed him with ear poison.  Hamlet needed a way to justify what he was doing.  So he waited and put on a play that he hoped would determine Claudius’s guilt.  Hamlet hesitated because he wasn’t sure whether on not he should trust the ghost.  He also wanted to make sure that Claudius was guilty.  These are valid hesitations, since he has no living proof or witnesses that his uncle committed a crime.  Hamlet doesn’t attack the king in the church, because Claudius will go to Heaven if he is killed cleansing his sins.  He wants to catch him when he is doing something sinful.  2.     Hamlet would want to fain madness to throw everyone else off balance.  He doesn’t trust anyone, so he doesn’t want to give himself away.  People wouldn’t be able to predict Hamlet moods.  Hamlet never is truly mentally mad, but grief stricken.  Ophelia is definitely mad.   She has gone mad because of her father’s murder and because of Hamlet’s cruelness towards her. 3.     There is little basis for the Oedipus Complex, since Hamlet’s anger is based on the fact that Gertrude got over his father so quickly, by remarrying.  If anything this goes against the Freudian interpretation.  Hamlet wanted his mother to honor his father.  Hamlet isn’t obsessed with her sexuality so much as with her marriage.  Hamlet is probably in his early twenties.  Gertrude has to be at least thirty-five.  Hamlet is justified because his mother took only a month to get over her husband’s death.  They had to be married many years.  A month isn’t justified.  Gertrude isn’t guilty of murder, she is guilty of a weak heart.  Since Hamlet is mad at his mom (the main woman throughout his life), he has the same resentment toward Ophelia though she did nothing wrong.  He tells her to go to the nunnery so she can be honest.  Hamlet love Ophelia but cannot portray this love because of his mistrust and hate of women.  Since his mom so quickly betrayed his father, Hamlet believes that Ophelia might do the same.  He also has no outlet for his feelings and just needs someone to vent to. 4.     In the Protestant religion, suicide means that you are condemned to eternal suffering in hell.  Hamlet is struggling with the notion of suicide because he is in such pain and depression from the corruption in his family, that he doesn’t want to live anymore.  However, he doesn’t want to suffer in the afterlife for evermore.  Hamlet believes that people chose to suffer the pain of living because they are afraid of what death holds in store for them and the consequences.  5.     At Hamlet’s final soliloquy in Act 4. Sc4, he finally decides that he must kill Claudius.  He had been struggling with the idea for a while, but settled upon it because it seemed the better of two evils (suicide or killing).  Throughout Hamlet, the theme of death is emphasized.  There is always the afterlife to consider.  One can’t die until he has been cleansed of sins, or else he will suffer eternally, you can’t commit suicide, and whether or not killing is a solution.  

In College Board’s preparation guide for the AP Synthesis question, they gave the reader (probably a student) a lot of advice. This source was helpful because it told the audience about the question’s format. In that it gave the reader the breakdown of time, 15 minutes to read the sources. However, the writer failed to mention the fact that time management is extremely important. While you must read the sources carefully, it is important to work quickly and to narrow your ideas down to a point and work from there. The author suggested that the readers keep an open mind, but I think the opposite would help direct the writer. By closing your mind to one side, you might have a stronger argument, rather than an ambiguous one. I also believe that the first thing you need to do is decide what your stance is. This way you can organize your thoughts.

Jonathan Swift is trying to come up with a solution to the poverty and overpopulation plaguing Ireland. He suggests that we harvest the children of the poor people to not only feed people, but also cut down the number of births. He does not address the emotional side to his plan, so we must assume that he cares little about the families of the poor who would have to put their children up for market.

His satirical rhetoric catches the reader off-balance, and shocks them. One would not expect cannibalism to be the solution to Ireland’s problems. This also challenges the reader’s morality. Do they have a better idea about what could be done? If not, would they support this notion? The indirect claim is that mankind is brutal. Though we might initially deny this claim, we may later realize we have been convinced that there is no other option. Thus proving we are brutal.

“I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expense and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging England.” He is saying that his groundbreaking idea is revolutionary and foolproof. Swift suggests that England would be okay with cannibalism, thus implying that Ireland would be doing no harm to them. Therefore they would have no reason to disapprove. This, however, is debatable.

“…these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore, one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fat for a good table.” Swift has mathematically calculated the numbers and proportions of each child. The logic he used (that children aren’t always wanted) made little sense, considering the fact that many mothers would be too attached to their children to sell them after a month. He is assuming that the public is savage and the difference between livestock and humans don’t exist. He also assumes that society would all come to follow this new delicacy. These assumptions clearly did play out to be the majority feelings in Ireland.

“I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing.” Swift reveals that he is just trying to help his country, thus being the “good guy.” This practical wisdom shows that he cares about the people and just wants to see what’s best. He concludes on a note that he has no children he could offer for sale and his wife can’t bear children anymore. This leads one to wonder whether or not he would actually follow through with his diabolical plan, had he children to spare. This also brings to mind the question of the cut-off age for harvesting children, and what would stop us from eating people of all ages?

Chesterton’s claim that people are more creative when they stay in bed is convincing through his use of rhetorical strategies.
Structure
“A man can get used to getting up at five o’clock in the morning. A man cannot very well get used to being burnt for his opinions; the first experiment is commonly fatal.” By using a parallel structure, Chesterton is engraving a memorable statement in the reader’s mind. Repetition enforces an important belief, and is useful when clarifying a point. This also makes his point seem dramatic.

Phonesis
“Thus it is considered more withering to accuse a man of bad taste than of bad ethics.” In this quote, Chesterton is persuading the reader by using common knowledge or “street smarts” to relate with everyone. This practical wisdom is a point everyone can understand and agree on. This builds Chesterton’s credibility, we are more apt to believe someone who tells us something that we recognize from our society. It appears that we satisfy society’s expectations before our own self-actualization.

Comparisons
Comparing “Misers and burglars” of the strict early morning to free, flexible, and creative spirits is bound to influence a way of thinking. By juxtaposing these two opposing characteristics, Chesterton is building a likeable argument. Are there people who want to be compared with the misers and burglars of the morning? No. Of course not, people want to see themselves as free, independent spirits who go where they desire. This notion that lying in bed can help you become more creative, rather than a villain, is more appealing and persuasive.

Anecdote
Couldn’t find any room for new designs, “I found the Turkey carpet a mass of unmeaning colours.” He was lost until he laid in bed and realized his ceiling. “I am sure that it was only because Michael Angelo was engaged in the ancient and honourable occupation of lying in bed that he ever realized how the roof of the Sistine Chapel might be made into an awful imitation of a divine drama that could only be acted in the heavens.” Thus beauty emerged from this idea. The short story he told was specific, which grabbed the reader and pulled them into his world. Dull carpets are vague, but “Turkey carpet a mass of unmeaning colours,” paint a more vivid picture for the reader that shares Chesterton’s perspective. This anecdote also gives the reader a chance to relate and understand how it can apply to anyone, and produce something truly unique.

From John Downe’s letter, one can gather that he has spent time struggling to provide food for his family. His rhetoric is solely directed towards painting a picture for his wife who is at home in England, and potentially starving with the kids. Downe does this by noting, “Outside on the market…there were sheep and lambs’ heads laying underfoot like dogs’ meat. They cut the tongue, and throw the rest away.” This quote implies that there is an abundance of food, so that people can afford to eat the best parts of the meat, while picking off the parts they don’t want. While in England there are people desperate to find even a scrap of meat that they wouldn’t dream of throwing away anything. By catering to his wife’s concerns and empty stomach, Downe is convincing her that life in America is much more prosperous. Hunger is also the first physiological need on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This tells us that people, such as Downe’s wife, can’t begin to think about satisfying other needs before basic food. By giving her reason to believe that she will have food on the table, Downe has boosted her confidence that life may be better in America.

Abortion should be allowed in the United States for many reasons. For one, women have the right to choose what is right for her own body. Nobody else should be able pass a law determining what she can and can’t do. If this law is passed, women who were raped would have no escape from the ordeal if they became pregnant. Without the option of abortion, women would be forced to go to the streets, even if it’s unsafe. Why should women be subjected to this treatment, when everyone deserves a pursuit of happiness? Or is it only men who have this privilege? Even if you do not personally support abortion, that doesn’t mean you have to get one. However, this allows other people to choose for themselves what is right. Why should you have any say in how someone can live their life? Once the unwanted child is born, think about the child’s life. If the child can’t be supported financially, or mentally, a his/her chance at happiness is already at a strong disadvantage. Without love, the child might be raised as a burden to its family as well as society.

Abortion shouldn’t be allowed in the United States because it contradicts America’s religion Christianity. We know this is America’s religion because God is all over our Constitution, “In God we trust.” So if we trust God, who can we trust? The radical liberals, who support women’s rights? After all, he created mankind and everything about our life. Why would we try to ruin his plan for us? God also loves everyone, so we shouldn’t kill God’s creations. I say live, and let live. Who are we to say who lives and who dies? To quote Dr. Seus, “A person is a person, so matter how small.” And who knows what this little fetus could grow up to accomplish? Why, they could be the next president (…) If abortions were legal, some might abuse this and use it as a fall back plan for reckless sexploits. In conclusion, abortion is wrong.

If I were going to draft an outline response to this essay, I would begin by identifying the main point of the article. Kennan’s point was that military enforcement does not run the lives of Americans. Next, I would contradict this claim, by supporting it with back up evidence. Kennan is false, but this is because he is dated. Since this was written in the early 1950s, society enforced people to act a certain way rather than the police. People were concerned about their neighbors, friends, or strangers and whether or not they were Communists. However, looking back on the following generation, the 60s, the police were much more involved in enforcing laws, than society. WTO is an example close to home where the police were using aggression in Seattle riots. Kent State is another example when the police over-enforced their ‘rights’. While our society still has a set of norms, it is not comparable to countries in Asia, where collectivism is more stressed than individualism. United States has now turned the police into the enemy rather than the friendly helper.

The Renaissance and the early 1960s were two very different time periods. Yet, from these diverse cultures came works of art that produced profound statements about women. Both Marilyn Monroe and the “Mona Lisa” have a myriad of stigmas attached to them. Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” has been proclaimed as, “Serene, beautiful, untouchable.” While Marilyn Monroe carries the reputation of “adoration and lust from the movie-going audience.” Although both women are quite different, their painters, Da Vinci and Warhol have managed to portray them as a reflection.
Looking at these two paintings, one of the first elements that might come to mind is the contrast in color. The “Mona Lisa” is comprised of neutral colors with beige, brown, and cream hues. This soft color does not attack the viewer, which leaves the impression that she is soft spoken and at peace, and in harmony, with her surroundings. The darker greens in the foreground of her dress combined with her brown hair, made Mona Lisa’s face the center of interest in this portrait. These conservative colors attract little attention to the painting, but it is Mona Lisa’s eyes that draws the reader in instead.
Andy Warhol’s portrayal of Marilyn Monroe seems to be quite the opposite. His bright colors draw in the viewer, rather than her hidden eyes. The primary colors: red, yellow, and some pink bring out the bright, young star that Monroe was to society. Warhol painted her against a pale blue background so she would stand out and seem all the more vivid These colors also reflect Warhol’s look at the conformist and superficial norms of the 1960’s, which were evident in his similar works of distinguished pop-art. During this time period, many societal problems simply weren’t mentioned. However, Monroe’s reckless lifestyle was displayed for the public to see. Thus Warhol used flashy colors to create a cover for her errors, so audiences would only see the happy actress they knew from the movies.
Though there are differences in color, the tone/mood of each piece is mysterious. If you look closely at Mona Lisa’s face, you will notice that her eyes aren’t looking at you, but to Da Vinci himself. This creates a puzzle for the viewer. Why is she looking at the painter, rather than her audience? What is distracting her to smile? Usually, audiences would expect to see a stiff painting, yet this one has life. These questions are unanswerable, and so they continue to make us wonder. First, one must understand that Warhol completed this painting after Monroe’s suicide in 1962. The portrait’s array of colors suggests that she was struggling to maintain her spotless façade amidst the turmoil in the media. Though we know she was under pressure, we still wonder, why she chose suicide? Remove all make-up from her countenance, and her expression, like Mona Lisa’s, is at peace.
Da Vinci and Warhol both emphasize grace in their portraits. Mona Lisa’s figure makes up the golden triangle. Her head being the top, and her elbows being the lower corners. She is poised, and sitting upright in a position that is very natural for her. Her face is smooth and calm. There are no wrinkles that show worry or panic. Her peaceful expression harmonizes with her natural background. The trees, bushes, and mountain peaks are unclear, which focuses the attention on Mona Lisa. The winding road in the background and curvy line of the shall create a dynamic shape which mirror’s a seductive sensuality. Da Vinci’s painting of Mona Lisa is a soft grace, whereas Warhol’s painting emphasizes Monroe’s regal grace with his use of organic lines. Monroe’s eyebrows, eyes, lips, and hair all have organic lines that elegantly give her face a round shape. Even the shadows that surround her neck are graceful. Though the organic lines soften her features to make her appear flawless, there is a beauty mark on her face creates an imperfection in the symmetry. Yet the mark offsets her face in an intriguing way that reminds us she is still human.
Mona Lisa and Monroe both symbolized beauty in their own eras. So far they have both proven the test of time, but they have also taught us there is more than meets the eye. A smile is not always a smile. It can be the discovery of secret or the façade of one who has smiled too long. No matter what the condition our life is in, we can always find light. Both Da Vinci and Warhol portrayed the women whose beauty and allure were timeless.

“Mona Lisa.” http://www.rossettiarchive.org/docs/op76.rap.html.

“Marilyn Monroe.” 2008. http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Marilyn-Monroe-Green-Posters_i382990_.htm.

Julie’s alarm clock startled her awake. In a daze, she felt around for the snooze button. “Just 5 more minutes” she promised to her prudent alarm clock. After a suspicious five minutes, the impatient alarm clock created another racket. “Fine! I surrender!” Julie mumbled to herself. Going about her morning routine, she managed to trip over a half-eaten apple, some skewed DVDs, and pile of unfinished AP Composition homework. Julie had somehow managed to let herself care less about homework and more about socializing with friends. Her thoughts of 5-paragraph essays drifted to more interesting topics like college the next year and the exciting classes she planned on taking with her major. Thus, unfinished homework had become a daily occurrence and her grades suffered as a result. “I’ll just finish it during Spanish.” She thought to herself.

Well, the morning rolled on and Julie managed to show up ten minutes late to her homeroom. “Julie, how could you let this happen to your pristine record? You used to be such a good student. Now this? What have you to say for yourself?”
“Meh” replied Julie haphazardly. “I just don’t care about the busy work we do here.”
“Well, you might want to start caring young lady, or else graduation won’t be an option.”
“Whatever…”

Julie ended up not completing her homework and received a zero on the project. After school ended, she came home a sat down on the couch and proceeded to watch re-runs of old shows while snacking on Fritos. One she had finished off her Fritos, Julie yawned and sauntered over to her planner. “Hmm… math, social studies..” she ticked off the assignments and was about to start them when her phone buzzed. “What could this be?” she wondered to herself. Opening the text, she read that there was going to be a bonfire by the beach. “Great! Procrastination saves me once again from my torture chamber!” Triumphant Julie left home and partied with her friends until it was 1:00am. Once she was home she flopped on her bed, and never had a second thought about her homework.

This unfortunate scheduling resulted in bad second semester grades. Thus, Julie was rejected from her 1st choice college. As Julie mourned the loss of the college of her first choice, she realized, that she could have made better decisions.

This photo represents the confused values that some Americans continue to hold today. Though it was taken April 5, 1976, racism is still very much a reality that many oppressed have been forced to experience. This photo bluntly shows a white man attempting to stab a black man with an American flag (and symbol of freedom). The irony is blindingly clear. On the year of the bicentennial, this image shows how little progress we have made. There is nothing to hide in this photo. This photo also reminds me of the classic Boston Massacre painting, when the British attacked the citizens. However, that was a biased painting, while this photo is reality. This photo really is an insult and wake-up call to all we stand for. To many, the American flag stands for freedom, liberties, and rights. When seen as a weapon against blacks speaks for itself.