The Slap in the Face
First love is always confusing because we are not really sure what to do. We think it is love, but when we grow up and look to the past we see it was just a little crush. However, we will always remember as our first love, even if we never had a chance to tell the other person what we were feeling. I wouldn’t say Griet is in love, but she has a deep crush on Vermeer. Very deep inside she knows there is a small chance for her to be with him, but Griet has hope so I think that’s why she tells Pieter she is too young to get married. Being her friend and an outsider, I can see better what is happening and give her a clear advice; which I think Pieter would be the best choice for her.
I think if Griet had stayed with her family, she wouldn’t have the hesitation of getting married to Pieter. Once Griet had the opportunity to see how interesting it is being with an artist and how life can be easier when we have money, she got attracted to this new and amusing life. My friend, Griet, is a dreamer. So Pieter would be perfect match because he is the anchor that brings her back to reality. Her family is not wealthy, but Pieter has a stall at the Meat Hall, so he can provide a better life for her and also her family; not as the fancy life Vermeer has, but a descent and honest life. So when he told her that her family needs him, she got offended with his comment, but she knows with Pieter she has a better chance to be happy.
I tried so many times to convince Griet that she is just another beautiful young girl for Vermeer and he would never leave his family to be with her. She keeps telling me that she is not interested on him, but I can tell by the way she talks about him that it is not true. It is hard for me to see my friend in this situation because Pieter will not wait for her forever. He is a nice man and seems to be honest, so I hope Griet can see him as her prince charming.
Even thought, it was a terrible situation I was really glad to know that Catharina figured out about Griet’s painting. My friend needed a slap in the face to wake her up from this dream, but it had to come from Vermeer. After seeing in Vermeer’s eyes regret, when Catharina tried to destroy the painting, she knew that life wasn’t for her; it was the slap in the face that made her wake up. When she told me what had happened I just gave her a big hug and told her to look for Pieter.
Probably, I wasn’t the best friend because I should have been stronger in my approach convincing Griet she was making a big mistake in having expectations about Vermeer. However, sometimes what we need it is just a support from a friend, even though if we don’t agree with our friend’s choices. Love is always a complicated subject and there is not a single and right answer. Sometimes we know our feelings take over of our thinking, but everything including mistakes is valid as a life experience.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Reader's response - "Girl with a Pearl Earring" final
SUMMARY
One Sunday, when Griet went home her parents tell her that she smells like linseed oil, she doesn’t tell them it is because she has spent a lot of her time at the attic helping Vermeer. Instead she tells about the new painting, van Ruijven with a flute. Vermeer is not happy with van Ruijven’s request of having a painting with Griet, but he agrees to paint her alone. When Griet comes to the studio Vermeer has problems in finding the right pose for Griet because he doesn’t want to paint her as a maid, but just like the Griet he had meet at her house. Vermeer also thinks Griet should take off her cap, but she refuses the request. Instead, she finds a cloth that she uses to wrap her head and hide all her hair. It is a secret painting, only Maria Thins, van Ruijven and van Leeuwenhoek, but Griet suspects that Cornelia might know too. One day, while Vermeer was painting Griet he notices that something is missing, but he cannot really figure out what it is. However, Griet knows right away what Vermeer will ask her when he sees Catharina’s pearl earring. Griet doesn’t want to wear the earring, but Vermeer convinces her saying the earring will bring the light and complete the painting. Cornelia sees when her father finishes Griet’s painting, so when her mother comes to back home she takes her to the studio and shows her the painting. Catharina is very upset and asks Cornelia to call Vermeer at Guild. Maria Thins, Catharina and Vermeer are at the studio discussing the situation, until Griet is called to joy them. At first, Catharina accuses Griet for stilling her pearl earring, but Catharina knows what really upsets her is not the earrings. So she tries to destroy the painting, but Vermeer is faster and holds Catharina’s hand. Griet just leaves the house and run as fast as she can without looking back. A few years later, Tanneke comes to Meat Hall where Griet now married to Pieter works with his stall, to ask her to come to her mistress house. Griet is not really sure if she should go, but she decides to accept Catharina’s request. When she gets to the house Catharina and van Leeuwenhoek are waiting for her, and for her surprise Vermeer in his will request that the pearl earrings go to Griet. At first, she doesn’t want to take them, but Catharina insists and Griet accepts. She doesn’t know how to explain to Pieter about the earring so she sells them and she will tell him that the money is from Vermeer’s to set the debt they had with Pieter, the father. Although, the extra coins she will keep in a secret place and never spend it.
PART I LIKED
When Catharina figures out Vermeer painted Griet, she gets very upset and asks Cornelia to call Vermeer home. The whole situation is very dramatic, but Griet seems calm and keeps doing her house chorus. Catharina tries to destroy the painting, but Vermeer stops her before she causes any damage or even hurt herself (page 215). I like this moment because as a reader I am on Griet’s side and I want to see her having a happy ending. So when she walks away from the house without looking back, it gave me hope that she will be happy with Pieter.
CONFUSING PART
On page 214, Catharina asks Vermeer why he never painted her or any of the children, and he answers that they are not part of this world. Why does he mean with this answer?
QUESTIONS
Why is so important for Griet to hide her hair?
On page 186, van Leeuwenhoek says Griet to be careful and remain herself, but she doesn’t understand what he means with this. So he says to Griet that the women in Vermeer’s paintings get trapped in his world and they can get lost there. What does he mean with women getting trapped in Vermeer’s world?
INTERPRETATION
I think Griet had to go through all the drama at Vermeer’s house to see that Pieter was the right choice for her. It is true that we cannot really choose who our hurt will beat faster for, so I can imagine how hard this situation for Griet was. Probably, she was right in saying to Pieter she was too young to think in marriage, but when Vermeer sees her hair she thinks there is nothing precious to hide anymore. So it was the moment that she realized she was becoming a woman.
Even though, I know this book is a fiction, after reading it I could imagine Vermeer having a real muse posing for one of his most famous paintings. Griet is a great character, full of interesting thoughts that were not always welcome when she shared with her parents or Maria Thins. However, Vermeer seems to be the only one who appreciated Griet’s observations about his paintings or general things that were happing in their lives.
One Sunday, when Griet went home her parents tell her that she smells like linseed oil, she doesn’t tell them it is because she has spent a lot of her time at the attic helping Vermeer. Instead she tells about the new painting, van Ruijven with a flute. Vermeer is not happy with van Ruijven’s request of having a painting with Griet, but he agrees to paint her alone. When Griet comes to the studio Vermeer has problems in finding the right pose for Griet because he doesn’t want to paint her as a maid, but just like the Griet he had meet at her house. Vermeer also thinks Griet should take off her cap, but she refuses the request. Instead, she finds a cloth that she uses to wrap her head and hide all her hair. It is a secret painting, only Maria Thins, van Ruijven and van Leeuwenhoek, but Griet suspects that Cornelia might know too. One day, while Vermeer was painting Griet he notices that something is missing, but he cannot really figure out what it is. However, Griet knows right away what Vermeer will ask her when he sees Catharina’s pearl earring. Griet doesn’t want to wear the earring, but Vermeer convinces her saying the earring will bring the light and complete the painting. Cornelia sees when her father finishes Griet’s painting, so when her mother comes to back home she takes her to the studio and shows her the painting. Catharina is very upset and asks Cornelia to call Vermeer at Guild. Maria Thins, Catharina and Vermeer are at the studio discussing the situation, until Griet is called to joy them. At first, Catharina accuses Griet for stilling her pearl earring, but Catharina knows what really upsets her is not the earrings. So she tries to destroy the painting, but Vermeer is faster and holds Catharina’s hand. Griet just leaves the house and run as fast as she can without looking back. A few years later, Tanneke comes to Meat Hall where Griet now married to Pieter works with his stall, to ask her to come to her mistress house. Griet is not really sure if she should go, but she decides to accept Catharina’s request. When she gets to the house Catharina and van Leeuwenhoek are waiting for her, and for her surprise Vermeer in his will request that the pearl earrings go to Griet. At first, she doesn’t want to take them, but Catharina insists and Griet accepts. She doesn’t know how to explain to Pieter about the earring so she sells them and she will tell him that the money is from Vermeer’s to set the debt they had with Pieter, the father. Although, the extra coins she will keep in a secret place and never spend it.
PART I LIKED
When Catharina figures out Vermeer painted Griet, she gets very upset and asks Cornelia to call Vermeer home. The whole situation is very dramatic, but Griet seems calm and keeps doing her house chorus. Catharina tries to destroy the painting, but Vermeer stops her before she causes any damage or even hurt herself (page 215). I like this moment because as a reader I am on Griet’s side and I want to see her having a happy ending. So when she walks away from the house without looking back, it gave me hope that she will be happy with Pieter.
CONFUSING PART
On page 214, Catharina asks Vermeer why he never painted her or any of the children, and he answers that they are not part of this world. Why does he mean with this answer?
QUESTIONS
Why is so important for Griet to hide her hair?
On page 186, van Leeuwenhoek says Griet to be careful and remain herself, but she doesn’t understand what he means with this. So he says to Griet that the women in Vermeer’s paintings get trapped in his world and they can get lost there. What does he mean with women getting trapped in Vermeer’s world?
INTERPRETATION
I think Griet had to go through all the drama at Vermeer’s house to see that Pieter was the right choice for her. It is true that we cannot really choose who our hurt will beat faster for, so I can imagine how hard this situation for Griet was. Probably, she was right in saying to Pieter she was too young to think in marriage, but when Vermeer sees her hair she thinks there is nothing precious to hide anymore. So it was the moment that she realized she was becoming a woman.
Even though, I know this book is a fiction, after reading it I could imagine Vermeer having a real muse posing for one of his most famous paintings. Griet is a great character, full of interesting thoughts that were not always welcome when she shared with her parents or Maria Thins. However, Vermeer seems to be the only one who appreciated Griet’s observations about his paintings or general things that were happing in their lives.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Reader's response - "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (p.110-169)
SUMMARY:
Griet is really happy for sleeping in the attic because during the night she can go downstairs to the studio and admiring Vermeer’s painting while everybody is asleep. Tanneke and Cornelia still don’t like Griet, so her life in the house is not getting any easier. Pieter, the son, starts going to Griet family’s church almost every Sunday, so her parents see that Pieter is a good man for Griet; even though, she thinks she is too young to think in marriage. One day, Griet’s parents invite Pieter for dinner and he accepts the invitation. After dinner Griet walks with him until the end of the street, and in an alley she lets Pieter kisses her. Vermeer finishes the bakery’s daughter painting and starts a new one, van Ruijven’s wife. Lately, Griet has spent more time in the attic and studio, even when van Ruijven’s wife comes for her painting. When van Ruijven’s wife cannot make it, Griet poses for Vermeer where she is supposed to be sitting. Everything seems to be fine at Papists’, until Cornelia switches her mother’s tortoiseshell combs for Griet grandmother’s combs; which are very similar to each other and, makes Catharina sees that the combs is missing. Griet asks for help to Vermeer, who somehow shows that Cornelia was the one who switched the combs. Now, it is clear that Griet has Vermeer’s support in the house what impresses Maria Thins, who says that a maid never had caused so much trouble before. There is a gossip at the market hall that Vermeer will paint Griet with van Ruijven, what worries Griet because her mother and Pieter hear about it, too. So Griet talks to Maria Thins about the gossip and she says to Griet do not worry about it because she will take care of it. Until, one morning Vermeer calls Griet to the studio and asks her to sit down on a chair already positioned by him. At first, she doesn’t know what Vermeer wants, but when he asks her to look at him she realizes what is happening; Vermeer is going to paint Griet.
PART I LIKED:
When Griet lets Pieter, the son, kiss her for the first time at the alley (p.121). Even though, it doesn’t sound romantic because Griet is more interested in Vermeer, I still believe she will end up with Pieter.
CONFUSING PART:
After the kiss Pieter tries to take off Griet’s cap to see her hair, but Griet moves away from Pieter. According to Griet the reason she keeps her hair inside the cap it is because she doesn’t have enough money to dress her hair. However, I believe there is another reason why she keeps her hair completely hidden. On page 122 the last sentence, Griet says “so that there would be no trace of that Griet.” Who is this other Griet that she is referring to?
QUESTIONS:
On page 152-153, van Ruijven and his wife are invited to have dinner at Vermeer’s, in order to celebrate the finishing of the painting. Maria Thins knows that van Ruijven is interested in Griet, yet she says to Tanneke that Griet will help her to serve the dinner. It looks like a recipe for disaster, so why Maria Thins decides to put Griet to serve the dinner with van Ruijven being one of the guests?
Vermeer reveals to Griet that he used to be Protestant before getting married (p.140). Why does he do this confession to Griet? Is he trying to show some kind of affection towards Griet?
INTERPRETATION:
Now, Griet is feeling the pressure of her family in getting marry to the “right” man because she is about to turn seventeen. Even though, she knows Pieter would be a better choice she is still debating her feelings towards Vermeer. Plus, if it wasn’t enough being in this situation, Griet caught also van Ruijven’s attention. I have to agree with Maria Thins, how come a simple maid can cause so much trouble? Griet is not only popular with the male party, but some of the women from Vermeer’s house do not like Griet; Catharina, Cornelia and Tanneke seem to be jealous of her, so they try to make Griet’s life very difficult at the house. However, if Griet chooses Pieter, she might have a better life without being underestimated because she is just a maid; she would be only Griet, maybe Griet – the butcher’s wife.
Griet is really happy for sleeping in the attic because during the night she can go downstairs to the studio and admiring Vermeer’s painting while everybody is asleep. Tanneke and Cornelia still don’t like Griet, so her life in the house is not getting any easier. Pieter, the son, starts going to Griet family’s church almost every Sunday, so her parents see that Pieter is a good man for Griet; even though, she thinks she is too young to think in marriage. One day, Griet’s parents invite Pieter for dinner and he accepts the invitation. After dinner Griet walks with him until the end of the street, and in an alley she lets Pieter kisses her. Vermeer finishes the bakery’s daughter painting and starts a new one, van Ruijven’s wife. Lately, Griet has spent more time in the attic and studio, even when van Ruijven’s wife comes for her painting. When van Ruijven’s wife cannot make it, Griet poses for Vermeer where she is supposed to be sitting. Everything seems to be fine at Papists’, until Cornelia switches her mother’s tortoiseshell combs for Griet grandmother’s combs; which are very similar to each other and, makes Catharina sees that the combs is missing. Griet asks for help to Vermeer, who somehow shows that Cornelia was the one who switched the combs. Now, it is clear that Griet has Vermeer’s support in the house what impresses Maria Thins, who says that a maid never had caused so much trouble before. There is a gossip at the market hall that Vermeer will paint Griet with van Ruijven, what worries Griet because her mother and Pieter hear about it, too. So Griet talks to Maria Thins about the gossip and she says to Griet do not worry about it because she will take care of it. Until, one morning Vermeer calls Griet to the studio and asks her to sit down on a chair already positioned by him. At first, she doesn’t know what Vermeer wants, but when he asks her to look at him she realizes what is happening; Vermeer is going to paint Griet.
PART I LIKED:
When Griet lets Pieter, the son, kiss her for the first time at the alley (p.121). Even though, it doesn’t sound romantic because Griet is more interested in Vermeer, I still believe she will end up with Pieter.
CONFUSING PART:
After the kiss Pieter tries to take off Griet’s cap to see her hair, but Griet moves away from Pieter. According to Griet the reason she keeps her hair inside the cap it is because she doesn’t have enough money to dress her hair. However, I believe there is another reason why she keeps her hair completely hidden. On page 122 the last sentence, Griet says “so that there would be no trace of that Griet.” Who is this other Griet that she is referring to?
QUESTIONS:
On page 152-153, van Ruijven and his wife are invited to have dinner at Vermeer’s, in order to celebrate the finishing of the painting. Maria Thins knows that van Ruijven is interested in Griet, yet she says to Tanneke that Griet will help her to serve the dinner. It looks like a recipe for disaster, so why Maria Thins decides to put Griet to serve the dinner with van Ruijven being one of the guests?
Vermeer reveals to Griet that he used to be Protestant before getting married (p.140). Why does he do this confession to Griet? Is he trying to show some kind of affection towards Griet?
INTERPRETATION:
Now, Griet is feeling the pressure of her family in getting marry to the “right” man because she is about to turn seventeen. Even though, she knows Pieter would be a better choice she is still debating her feelings towards Vermeer. Plus, if it wasn’t enough being in this situation, Griet caught also van Ruijven’s attention. I have to agree with Maria Thins, how come a simple maid can cause so much trouble? Griet is not only popular with the male party, but some of the women from Vermeer’s house do not like Griet; Catharina, Cornelia and Tanneke seem to be jealous of her, so they try to make Griet’s life very difficult at the house. However, if Griet chooses Pieter, she might have a better life without being underestimated because she is just a maid; she would be only Griet, maybe Griet – the butcher’s wife.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Quote from "Girl with a Pearl Earring"
“The only color he did not allow me to handle was ultramarine. Lapis lazuli was so expensive, and the process of extracting a pure blue from the stone so difficult, that he worked with it himself” (p.108).
This quote refers to the moment Griet becomes Vermeer’s assistant. He teaches her to grid colors from bones, white lead, madder and massicot. However, the color ultramarine is the only one Vermeer doesn’t let Griet do it. The stone that the blue color is extracted from it is very expensive and the process of extracting a pure blue it is also difficult. While Griet is helping Vermeer, she feels very happy because it is the moment she can spend with him side by side in the attic.
This quote refers to the moment Griet becomes Vermeer’s assistant. He teaches her to grid colors from bones, white lead, madder and massicot. However, the color ultramarine is the only one Vermeer doesn’t let Griet do it. The stone that the blue color is extracted from it is very expensive and the process of extracting a pure blue it is also difficult. While Griet is helping Vermeer, she feels very happy because it is the moment she can spend with him side by side in the attic.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Composition #6
Power Blind People
It is part of our history to fight for power, and wars are the perfect example of how men have done it for centuries. In the past we didn’t have the money that we use it today, so the commercial transactions were made through exchanges of different goods and even lands. A man to be considered powerful had to have properties, such as, land or animals. However, physical strength could also bring power because it was used as a threat when people refused to do was demanded of them. So kings, in order to keep their power, went to war; besides it was another way to expand their kingdom. During our history it is not surprising when we hear that some kings abused their power, torturing or killing anyone who was against them. Kings were like Gods because they were the highest representation of authority. Nowadays, it has not changed much. Politicians and police officers have used their authority for their own benefit, and the poor citizens are the ones who have suffered the most.
I have seen many injustices in my country, Brazil. I think because we are a third-world country, justice often doesn’t happen for the poor ones. So that’s why police officers have used their authority to humiliate people, get money or even sexually abuse women. The Brazilian government is always trying to create new transit laws, in order to collect more money from the citizens through tickets.
Once we had to have in the car a first aid kit with very specific items. One day, my father got stopped by a police officer who asked for the first aid kit, so my father showed the one he just had gotten a few days before. However, the police officer said that one item was missing, but my father didn’t know which one because he thought the kit was complete. So instead of giving a ticket to my father the police officer asked for some money. My father is an honest man, so he said the ticket would be better. Of course, the police officer wasn’t happy because he was expecting to get some money for his own pocket. I guess he wanted to show my father that next time it would be better for him just to give the money because the police officer gave two tickets to my father; the second one for no reason at all.
Power sometimes can blind people, making them selfish because they are focusing only on how to increase their power. They don’t see what is happening around them and abusing their authority becomes part of what they are. We cannot deny having power and seeing that people respect us for it brings a good feeling. However, the moment that people don’t want to be around us or fear us, I believe it is the moment the power we have is too much. We have seen in our past how bad it can get when people abuse their power; wars where many people died for one person’s ambition. I know it is hard not to get blind with power, but maybe it is part of our nature always looking for more. Although, I rather believe people can learn from their mistakes and, hopefully in the future we will be living in a better world.
It is part of our history to fight for power, and wars are the perfect example of how men have done it for centuries. In the past we didn’t have the money that we use it today, so the commercial transactions were made through exchanges of different goods and even lands. A man to be considered powerful had to have properties, such as, land or animals. However, physical strength could also bring power because it was used as a threat when people refused to do was demanded of them. So kings, in order to keep their power, went to war; besides it was another way to expand their kingdom. During our history it is not surprising when we hear that some kings abused their power, torturing or killing anyone who was against them. Kings were like Gods because they were the highest representation of authority. Nowadays, it has not changed much. Politicians and police officers have used their authority for their own benefit, and the poor citizens are the ones who have suffered the most.
I have seen many injustices in my country, Brazil. I think because we are a third-world country, justice often doesn’t happen for the poor ones. So that’s why police officers have used their authority to humiliate people, get money or even sexually abuse women. The Brazilian government is always trying to create new transit laws, in order to collect more money from the citizens through tickets.
Once we had to have in the car a first aid kit with very specific items. One day, my father got stopped by a police officer who asked for the first aid kit, so my father showed the one he just had gotten a few days before. However, the police officer said that one item was missing, but my father didn’t know which one because he thought the kit was complete. So instead of giving a ticket to my father the police officer asked for some money. My father is an honest man, so he said the ticket would be better. Of course, the police officer wasn’t happy because he was expecting to get some money for his own pocket. I guess he wanted to show my father that next time it would be better for him just to give the money because the police officer gave two tickets to my father; the second one for no reason at all.
Power sometimes can blind people, making them selfish because they are focusing only on how to increase their power. They don’t see what is happening around them and abusing their authority becomes part of what they are. We cannot deny having power and seeing that people respect us for it brings a good feeling. However, the moment that people don’t want to be around us or fear us, I believe it is the moment the power we have is too much. We have seen in our past how bad it can get when people abuse their power; wars where many people died for one person’s ambition. I know it is hard not to get blind with power, but maybe it is part of our nature always looking for more. Although, I rather believe people can learn from their mistakes and, hopefully in the future we will be living in a better world.
Composition #5 revision 2
Should I Stay or Should I Go
The US is a new country compared to some nations from Asia or the Mideast, which are rich in old customs and beliefs. For this reason, many immigrants have had difficulty balancing their ancestors’ traditions with the new American customs when they decide to live in the US. As we know we cannot choose the family we are born in. Consequently, sometimes it is very hard to accept their old traditions that they have been following for generations. Personally, I haven’t had problems in adapting to American customs, but I have met people who have struggled to keep some of their family traditions.
First, I know it is not easy to leave our mother country and start a new life in a country with a different language and customs. However, sometimes it is not a choice that we make out of our for free will, rather it is a chance to escape from an authoritative government or a family that deprives us from free speech. This was one of the reasons my friend left her country, India. Her family was suffocating her with all the family and Indian traditions.
She used to live in India with her parents and two older siblings, a brother and sister. She knew since she was very young that her family and parents would decide her future for her by choosing her husband. It might sound-out dated talking about arranged marriage today, but my friend said it still happens in some families; unfortunately her family was one of them. This happened to her older sister and brother; both of them had no choice of who they would spend the rest of their lives with. I think because they were a wealthy family, they didn’t want to see their children falling in love with a lower social class person. They thought keeping this old custom of arranging marriage would be the best way to avoid mixed social classes.
When my friend finished high-school her parents were looking for a husband, but she asked them if she could go to college; it was her excuse to her parents that with a college degree she would get a better husband. She didn’t want to be like her sister, married to a man who wasn’t making her happy, so she had to try to extend as much as she could the time before her arranged marriage. My friend managed to finish college without being bothered by her parents, but now with no more college excuse she would have to accept her parent’s plan. Then she got a job offer in the US because she had the highest grades during college. Of course, my friend’s parents were not happy and they tried to rush a wedding without her knowledge. My friend figured out their plan and she was disappointed in them because they didn’t consider their daughter’s feelings. So she took the job. When she told her parents she was moving to the US, they didn’t say anything. They just left the room saying a few minutes later that they had only two children now.
Since that day, she has only spoken to her sister, but not her parents or the rest of the family. I think my friend’s sister is proud of her for having the strength to fight against a very traditional custom; something my friend’s sister didn’t’ have.
When my friend told me her story I couldn’t believe it. At first, I thought she was joking because it just sounded like a movie, but she said it has happened to some of her friends too. She said there are a few women who have the strength to leave their family and live with a person they choose, or the strength to just move to another country and start a new life. She misses her family, but the idea of having a child growing up without a choice, just like her sister, gave her the strength to break free from this old tradition. My friend doesn’t regret having walked away from her out-dated family. Plus, she hopes her children can understand and appreciate the freedom they have living in the US; something she didn’t have with her parents.
The US is a new country compared to some nations from Asia or the Mideast, which are rich in old customs and beliefs. For this reason, many immigrants have had difficulty balancing their ancestors’ traditions with the new American customs when they decide to live in the US. As we know we cannot choose the family we are born in. Consequently, sometimes it is very hard to accept their old traditions that they have been following for generations. Personally, I haven’t had problems in adapting to American customs, but I have met people who have struggled to keep some of their family traditions.
First, I know it is not easy to leave our mother country and start a new life in a country with a different language and customs. However, sometimes it is not a choice that we make out of our for free will, rather it is a chance to escape from an authoritative government or a family that deprives us from free speech. This was one of the reasons my friend left her country, India. Her family was suffocating her with all the family and Indian traditions.
She used to live in India with her parents and two older siblings, a brother and sister. She knew since she was very young that her family and parents would decide her future for her by choosing her husband. It might sound-out dated talking about arranged marriage today, but my friend said it still happens in some families; unfortunately her family was one of them. This happened to her older sister and brother; both of them had no choice of who they would spend the rest of their lives with. I think because they were a wealthy family, they didn’t want to see their children falling in love with a lower social class person. They thought keeping this old custom of arranging marriage would be the best way to avoid mixed social classes.
When my friend finished high-school her parents were looking for a husband, but she asked them if she could go to college; it was her excuse to her parents that with a college degree she would get a better husband. She didn’t want to be like her sister, married to a man who wasn’t making her happy, so she had to try to extend as much as she could the time before her arranged marriage. My friend managed to finish college without being bothered by her parents, but now with no more college excuse she would have to accept her parent’s plan. Then she got a job offer in the US because she had the highest grades during college. Of course, my friend’s parents were not happy and they tried to rush a wedding without her knowledge. My friend figured out their plan and she was disappointed in them because they didn’t consider their daughter’s feelings. So she took the job. When she told her parents she was moving to the US, they didn’t say anything. They just left the room saying a few minutes later that they had only two children now.
Since that day, she has only spoken to her sister, but not her parents or the rest of the family. I think my friend’s sister is proud of her for having the strength to fight against a very traditional custom; something my friend’s sister didn’t’ have.
When my friend told me her story I couldn’t believe it. At first, I thought she was joking because it just sounded like a movie, but she said it has happened to some of her friends too. She said there are a few women who have the strength to leave their family and live with a person they choose, or the strength to just move to another country and start a new life. She misses her family, but the idea of having a child growing up without a choice, just like her sister, gave her the strength to break free from this old tradition. My friend doesn’t regret having walked away from her out-dated family. Plus, she hopes her children can understand and appreciate the freedom they have living in the US; something she didn’t have with her parents.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Reader's response - "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (p.67-110)
Summary:
Griet goes to the tile factory to tell her brother, Fran, about Agnes’s sickness, and he is surprised that nobody has told him before. Finally, the quarantine leaves and Griet can go home and see her family; unfortunately, Agnes dies. Maria Thins and Tanneke knowing about Agnes act kindly towards her for few days, but Catharina is still the same about Griet. After the sixth child of Catharina and Vermeer was born, Franciscus, Griet and Tanneke start preparing the house for the birth feast. During the party van Ruijven suggests to Vermeer to paint Griet, but nothing is decided. One day, while Griet is cleaning the windows of the studio, Vermeer sees how the light comes through the cleaned windows; on the next morning he starts a new painting, the baker’s daughter. Vermeer decides to teach Griet how to make the colors and about the process of painting. Plus, Griet starts running errands for Vermeer, but everything is a secret from the others. So because of these extra tasks, Griet gives excuses that she is sick or need to sew at her bedroom because of the better light. Tanneke complains she cannot sleep because of the baby, so Vermeer suggests moving Griet to the attic and Tanneke to Griet’s bedroom. Even though, the idea might sound strange Catharina and Maria Thins accept the suggestion. One day Maria Thins looking for Griet goes to the attic, and she finds out Griet is assisting Vermeer with his painting. At first, she seems upset, but she realizes with Griet’s help Vermeer can paint faster. She doesn’t anything, but she seems to agree in keeping the secret from Catharina.
Part I Liked:
After giving birth to Franciscus, Catharina remained in her bedroom while the maids are preparing the house, cleaning and cooking for the birth feast. On page 80, Tanneke makes a funny comment about her mistress. Catharina would like to have the house spotless every day, so Tanneke calls her “queen of the bedcovers;” she behaves like a queen but spend most of the time in her bed.
Confusing Part:
On page 77, when Franciscus was born Griet makes an observation about Vermeer, “He looked proud and embarrassed.” Vermeer has already five children, so why Griet thinks he looks embarrassed?
Questions:
Cornelia seems to be nice to Griet when they are in front of people, but if she sees a chance to be mean to Griet she doesn’t waste it. Why is Cornelia so mean to Griet? Is she still upset to Griet abput the slap in the face she got from Griet? (p.22)
During the birth feast van Ruijven sort of harasses Griet, and Vermeer doesn’t do anything to help her. However, Pieter the butcher sees what it is happening and asks her another glass of wine, making her to move way from van Ruijven (p.83). Why does Pieter do that? Maybe he knows his son is interested in Griet. So is he watching her for his son?
Interpretation:
I think it is very interesting to see how Griet is growing as a woman. Now she sees Vermeer with different eyes. He is not just any painter that hired her to be a maid of his house and clean his studio. Griet sees Vermeer as a talent painter, who has seen something more on her than just another maid. Pieter, the butcher’s son, is also interested in Griet. Even though, she is aware that Pieter has expectation in his eyes, Griet still pretend not to know his intentions.
Griet goes to the tile factory to tell her brother, Fran, about Agnes’s sickness, and he is surprised that nobody has told him before. Finally, the quarantine leaves and Griet can go home and see her family; unfortunately, Agnes dies. Maria Thins and Tanneke knowing about Agnes act kindly towards her for few days, but Catharina is still the same about Griet. After the sixth child of Catharina and Vermeer was born, Franciscus, Griet and Tanneke start preparing the house for the birth feast. During the party van Ruijven suggests to Vermeer to paint Griet, but nothing is decided. One day, while Griet is cleaning the windows of the studio, Vermeer sees how the light comes through the cleaned windows; on the next morning he starts a new painting, the baker’s daughter. Vermeer decides to teach Griet how to make the colors and about the process of painting. Plus, Griet starts running errands for Vermeer, but everything is a secret from the others. So because of these extra tasks, Griet gives excuses that she is sick or need to sew at her bedroom because of the better light. Tanneke complains she cannot sleep because of the baby, so Vermeer suggests moving Griet to the attic and Tanneke to Griet’s bedroom. Even though, the idea might sound strange Catharina and Maria Thins accept the suggestion. One day Maria Thins looking for Griet goes to the attic, and she finds out Griet is assisting Vermeer with his painting. At first, she seems upset, but she realizes with Griet’s help Vermeer can paint faster. She doesn’t anything, but she seems to agree in keeping the secret from Catharina.
Part I Liked:
After giving birth to Franciscus, Catharina remained in her bedroom while the maids are preparing the house, cleaning and cooking for the birth feast. On page 80, Tanneke makes a funny comment about her mistress. Catharina would like to have the house spotless every day, so Tanneke calls her “queen of the bedcovers;” she behaves like a queen but spend most of the time in her bed.
Confusing Part:
On page 77, when Franciscus was born Griet makes an observation about Vermeer, “He looked proud and embarrassed.” Vermeer has already five children, so why Griet thinks he looks embarrassed?
Questions:
Cornelia seems to be nice to Griet when they are in front of people, but if she sees a chance to be mean to Griet she doesn’t waste it. Why is Cornelia so mean to Griet? Is she still upset to Griet abput the slap in the face she got from Griet? (p.22)
During the birth feast van Ruijven sort of harasses Griet, and Vermeer doesn’t do anything to help her. However, Pieter the butcher sees what it is happening and asks her another glass of wine, making her to move way from van Ruijven (p.83). Why does Pieter do that? Maybe he knows his son is interested in Griet. So is he watching her for his son?
Interpretation:
I think it is very interesting to see how Griet is growing as a woman. Now she sees Vermeer with different eyes. He is not just any painter that hired her to be a maid of his house and clean his studio. Griet sees Vermeer as a talent painter, who has seen something more on her than just another maid. Pieter, the butcher’s son, is also interested in Griet. Even though, she is aware that Pieter has expectation in his eyes, Griet still pretend not to know his intentions.
Composition #5
Should I stay or should I go
The US is a new country compared to some nations from Asia or the Mideast, which are rich in old customs and beliefs. For this reason, many immigrants have had difficulty to balance their ancestors’ traditions with the new American customs, when they decide to live in the US. As we know we cannot choose the family we were born in. Consequently, sometimes it is very hard to accept their old traditions that they have been following for generations. Personally, I haven’t have problems in adapting to American customs, but I have met people who have struggled to keep some of their family traditions.
First, I know it is not easy to leave our mother country and start a new life in a country with a different language and customs. However, sometimes it is not a choice that we make for free will, but it is a chance to escape from an authoritative government or a family that deprive us from free speech. It was one of the reasons my friend left her country, India. Her family was suffocating her with all the family and Indian traditions.
She used to live in India with her parents and two older siblings, a brother and sister. She knew since she was very young that her family and parents would decide her future for her by choosing her husband. It might sound out dated talking about arranged marriage today, but my friend said is still happens in some families, unfortunately her family was one of them. This happened to her older sister and brother; both of them had no choice of who they would spend the rest of their lives with. I think because they were a wealthy family, so they didn’t want to see their children falling in love with a lower social class person. They thought keeping this old custom of arranging marriage would be the best way to avoid mixed social classes.
When she finished high-school her parents were looking for a husband, but she asked them if she could go to college; it was her excuse to her parents that with a college degree she would get a better husband. She didn’t want to be like her sister, married to a man who wasn’t making her happy, so she had to try to extend as much as she could the arranged marriage. My friend managed to finish college without being bothered by her parents, but now with no more college excuse she would have to accept her parent’s plan. However, she got a job offer in the US because she had the highest grades during college. Of course, my friend’s parents were not happy and they tried to hush a wedding without her knowledge. My friend figured out their plan and she was disappointed in them because they didn’t consider their daughter’s feelings. So she took the job. When she told her parents she was moving to the US, they didn’t say anything. They just left the room saying a few minutes later that they had only two children now.
Since that day, she has only spoken to her sister, but not her parents or the rest of the family. I think my friend’s sister is proud of her for having the strength to fight against a very traditional custom; something my friend’s sister didn’t’ have.
When my friend told me her story I couldn’t believe it. At first, I thought she was joking because it just sounded like a movie, but she said it has happened to some of her friends too. Although, she said there are a few women who have the strength to leave their family and live with a person they chose, or just move to another country and start a new life. She misses her family, but the idea of having a child growing up without a choice, just like her sister, have the strength to break free from this old tradition. My friend doesn’t regret for having walked away from her out dated family. Plus, she hopes her children can understand and appreciate the freedom they have living in the US; something she didn’t have with her parents.
The US is a new country compared to some nations from Asia or the Mideast, which are rich in old customs and beliefs. For this reason, many immigrants have had difficulty to balance their ancestors’ traditions with the new American customs, when they decide to live in the US. As we know we cannot choose the family we were born in. Consequently, sometimes it is very hard to accept their old traditions that they have been following for generations. Personally, I haven’t have problems in adapting to American customs, but I have met people who have struggled to keep some of their family traditions.
First, I know it is not easy to leave our mother country and start a new life in a country with a different language and customs. However, sometimes it is not a choice that we make for free will, but it is a chance to escape from an authoritative government or a family that deprive us from free speech. It was one of the reasons my friend left her country, India. Her family was suffocating her with all the family and Indian traditions.
She used to live in India with her parents and two older siblings, a brother and sister. She knew since she was very young that her family and parents would decide her future for her by choosing her husband. It might sound out dated talking about arranged marriage today, but my friend said is still happens in some families, unfortunately her family was one of them. This happened to her older sister and brother; both of them had no choice of who they would spend the rest of their lives with. I think because they were a wealthy family, so they didn’t want to see their children falling in love with a lower social class person. They thought keeping this old custom of arranging marriage would be the best way to avoid mixed social classes.
When she finished high-school her parents were looking for a husband, but she asked them if she could go to college; it was her excuse to her parents that with a college degree she would get a better husband. She didn’t want to be like her sister, married to a man who wasn’t making her happy, so she had to try to extend as much as she could the arranged marriage. My friend managed to finish college without being bothered by her parents, but now with no more college excuse she would have to accept her parent’s plan. However, she got a job offer in the US because she had the highest grades during college. Of course, my friend’s parents were not happy and they tried to hush a wedding without her knowledge. My friend figured out their plan and she was disappointed in them because they didn’t consider their daughter’s feelings. So she took the job. When she told her parents she was moving to the US, they didn’t say anything. They just left the room saying a few minutes later that they had only two children now.
Since that day, she has only spoken to her sister, but not her parents or the rest of the family. I think my friend’s sister is proud of her for having the strength to fight against a very traditional custom; something my friend’s sister didn’t’ have.
When my friend told me her story I couldn’t believe it. At first, I thought she was joking because it just sounded like a movie, but she said it has happened to some of her friends too. Although, she said there are a few women who have the strength to leave their family and live with a person they chose, or just move to another country and start a new life. She misses her family, but the idea of having a child growing up without a choice, just like her sister, have the strength to break free from this old tradition. My friend doesn’t regret for having walked away from her out dated family. Plus, she hopes her children can understand and appreciate the freedom they have living in the US; something she didn’t have with her parents.
Composition #4 - revision 2
Life is too short just to live it just for you
It Takes Two to Make Right is a song from the 80’s that summarizes my idea of love relationships. As the song says we need two people to make a relationship, but to make it right is the hardest part because finding the ideal partner is not easy as find the perfect bag to match with our favorite dress. So that’s why we have to keep trying during our whole life until we find not the perfect partner, but the one that will make us happy even with all his flaws. All the good and bad experiences help us to learn about ourselves and what we want in a partner. Just like any other person, I have had happy and some sad relationships that have helped me to understand what is good for me, but also appreciate small moments; life is a combination of special moments and different experiences. My last relationship taught me a lot about self-respect. Even though, we were together for only one year, I think it was enough for me to see how wrong I was about him in many different aspects.
First, we met through my aunt who set us up on a blind date. Everything went well on our first night out. We talked about different subjects during our delicious dinner, and I have to confess I was impressed that we had so many preferences in common. After this night, we started spending more time together doing simple things, like going to the movies, picking up groceries at the local market and even laundry. I might say it was love at first sight because I think we really connected.
The following months I met some of his friends and his two brothers; including his identical twin brother. He also met some of my friends, but we were still very reserved about making the relationship public; I think it was more because of his family. Even though, I am not a religious person, it was still a delicate subject because his family was Muslim and very traditional. I should have expected that our relationship wouldn’t be easy, especially when a family has a very strong beliefs and values. My family believes if I am happy it doesn’t matter with whom or weather he has a different religion, nationality or race. However, for him, his family still had strong influences on his choices.
He started getting very busy with work and friends. There was always something happening to mess up our plans, so I noticed I wasn’t a priority in his life. Constantly, he was disappointing me or making me wait for hours without a call. Consequently, I started feeling angry, sad and lonely. Then we stopped spending time together because of our busy schedules.
During the last month I was feeling miserable, not eating or sleeping. Plus I was in a bad mood almost every day. I was disappointed because we had had such a good start. He was very romantic and loving, always saying how great and beautiful I was. Plus, he was already planning our future with children and everything else. Now, I think he was just saying it without really meaning it.
I think he noticed how unhappy I was. So one day, we sat down to talk and we decided that I would be better off with another person; someone who would make me a priority. He never physically hurt me or raised his voice, but because he was very quiet during the last months, I think it hurt me more. His silence was making me think I was the one doing something wrong and he didn’t want to be with me.
This last relationship made me realize that I need to believe more in myself; self-respect is very important. Even though, I knew I deserved someone better I didn’t want to believe that it was happening; probably, because I thought I wouldn’t have the strength to let him go and move on. Life is too short, we cannot live in the past, so instead we should take all the experiences we have been through and add to our life baggage. Then at the end of our life, when we are very old, we can look to all of these and just smile without regret the bad relationships. Although, we didn’t end up together I think being with him was a good experience, and I will always remember the happy moments we had.
It Takes Two to Make Right is a song from the 80’s that summarizes my idea of love relationships. As the song says we need two people to make a relationship, but to make it right is the hardest part because finding the ideal partner is not easy as find the perfect bag to match with our favorite dress. So that’s why we have to keep trying during our whole life until we find not the perfect partner, but the one that will make us happy even with all his flaws. All the good and bad experiences help us to learn about ourselves and what we want in a partner. Just like any other person, I have had happy and some sad relationships that have helped me to understand what is good for me, but also appreciate small moments; life is a combination of special moments and different experiences. My last relationship taught me a lot about self-respect. Even though, we were together for only one year, I think it was enough for me to see how wrong I was about him in many different aspects.
First, we met through my aunt who set us up on a blind date. Everything went well on our first night out. We talked about different subjects during our delicious dinner, and I have to confess I was impressed that we had so many preferences in common. After this night, we started spending more time together doing simple things, like going to the movies, picking up groceries at the local market and even laundry. I might say it was love at first sight because I think we really connected.
The following months I met some of his friends and his two brothers; including his identical twin brother. He also met some of my friends, but we were still very reserved about making the relationship public; I think it was more because of his family. Even though, I am not a religious person, it was still a delicate subject because his family was Muslim and very traditional. I should have expected that our relationship wouldn’t be easy, especially when a family has a very strong beliefs and values. My family believes if I am happy it doesn’t matter with whom or weather he has a different religion, nationality or race. However, for him, his family still had strong influences on his choices.
He started getting very busy with work and friends. There was always something happening to mess up our plans, so I noticed I wasn’t a priority in his life. Constantly, he was disappointing me or making me wait for hours without a call. Consequently, I started feeling angry, sad and lonely. Then we stopped spending time together because of our busy schedules.
During the last month I was feeling miserable, not eating or sleeping. Plus I was in a bad mood almost every day. I was disappointed because we had had such a good start. He was very romantic and loving, always saying how great and beautiful I was. Plus, he was already planning our future with children and everything else. Now, I think he was just saying it without really meaning it.
I think he noticed how unhappy I was. So one day, we sat down to talk and we decided that I would be better off with another person; someone who would make me a priority. He never physically hurt me or raised his voice, but because he was very quiet during the last months, I think it hurt me more. His silence was making me think I was the one doing something wrong and he didn’t want to be with me.
This last relationship made me realize that I need to believe more in myself; self-respect is very important. Even though, I knew I deserved someone better I didn’t want to believe that it was happening; probably, because I thought I wouldn’t have the strength to let him go and move on. Life is too short, we cannot live in the past, so instead we should take all the experiences we have been through and add to our life baggage. Then at the end of our life, when we are very old, we can look to all of these and just smile without regret the bad relationships. Although, we didn’t end up together I think being with him was a good experience, and I will always remember the happy moments we had.
Composition #3 - revision 2
Brilliant, but irresponsible
Most of our everyday conflicts mold us into what we are today. I can’t remember any big conflict that I had or was involved in, but I remember my father telling some conflicts he had with his siblings, especially his older brother, Milton. They always had small conflicts; I guess that is part of growing up with siblings of different ages. However, when both of them were adults, Milton’s behavior started to affect his relationship with the rest of the family. I believe my father is what he is today because of this unstable relationship with Milton, and also his older brother’s relationship towards the family.
When my father tells stories about his childhood, I am little confused about my father’s feelings towards his older brother. I remember he used to tell me and my brother how great Milton was in the school. He wasn’t only a good student, but also very talented in many different sports, especially, basketball. However, he was very irresponsible; always cutting classes or getting into fights. My father’s family thought Milton would change when he moved to another city to attend one of the best colleges of the state, but he didn’t change.
My father believes Milton never appreciated the efforts the whole family did to pay his college expenses. After he graduated he decided not to go back home, but to get married to one of the girls he dated during college. Finally, my father’s family thought he had learned to be more responsible, but again Milton disappointed his family and my father. On his wedding day Milton called my father asking for money to buy his own wedding suit, and again my father had to help him. In addition, the whole family saw the bride for the first time when she was walking down the aisle of the church. After the wedding, Milton never called his parents to ask if they needed anything or just to know how they were. He called a couple of times just to ask for money, and when my father learned about these calls, he told Milton to never call again if it was the only reason he was calling his parents. It was a hard decision for my father, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Milton was a grown up man who should be helping his old parents, instead of taking money from them.
The conflict happened before I was even born, so I don’t really remember my uncle. I have seen only pictures when he was still living with my grandparents. My father tells me that Milton came to visit us a few times after I was born, but I was too young to remember. I can’t say I miss him because I never had a real chance to meet him. It is sad because he has a twenty-year old son who my father’s family had only one chance to meet; the boy was about five year old at that time.
I believe the conflict between my father and his brother made my father a better son to my grandparents. Milton wasn’t there for them, so my father became the “older” son taking all the responsibility to ensure his parents had everything they needed. My father visits his parents every weekend or if he cannot make it, he at least calls to see if they need anything. Today, I see how my grandparents rely on my father because they always ask him before making any decision about anything. Plus, I believe I have learned a lot from my father’s conflicts with his family, even though he doesn’t talk much about it. Furthermore, he has shown me how important it is to have a good relationship with the family, and also a family we can rely on.
Most of our everyday conflicts mold us into what we are today. I can’t remember any big conflict that I had or was involved in, but I remember my father telling some conflicts he had with his siblings, especially his older brother, Milton. They always had small conflicts; I guess that is part of growing up with siblings of different ages. However, when both of them were adults, Milton’s behavior started to affect his relationship with the rest of the family. I believe my father is what he is today because of this unstable relationship with Milton, and also his older brother’s relationship towards the family.
When my father tells stories about his childhood, I am little confused about my father’s feelings towards his older brother. I remember he used to tell me and my brother how great Milton was in the school. He wasn’t only a good student, but also very talented in many different sports, especially, basketball. However, he was very irresponsible; always cutting classes or getting into fights. My father’s family thought Milton would change when he moved to another city to attend one of the best colleges of the state, but he didn’t change.
My father believes Milton never appreciated the efforts the whole family did to pay his college expenses. After he graduated he decided not to go back home, but to get married to one of the girls he dated during college. Finally, my father’s family thought he had learned to be more responsible, but again Milton disappointed his family and my father. On his wedding day Milton called my father asking for money to buy his own wedding suit, and again my father had to help him. In addition, the whole family saw the bride for the first time when she was walking down the aisle of the church. After the wedding, Milton never called his parents to ask if they needed anything or just to know how they were. He called a couple of times just to ask for money, and when my father learned about these calls, he told Milton to never call again if it was the only reason he was calling his parents. It was a hard decision for my father, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Milton was a grown up man who should be helping his old parents, instead of taking money from them.
The conflict happened before I was even born, so I don’t really remember my uncle. I have seen only pictures when he was still living with my grandparents. My father tells me that Milton came to visit us a few times after I was born, but I was too young to remember. I can’t say I miss him because I never had a real chance to meet him. It is sad because he has a twenty-year old son who my father’s family had only one chance to meet; the boy was about five year old at that time.
I believe the conflict between my father and his brother made my father a better son to my grandparents. Milton wasn’t there for them, so my father became the “older” son taking all the responsibility to ensure his parents had everything they needed. My father visits his parents every weekend or if he cannot make it, he at least calls to see if they need anything. Today, I see how my grandparents rely on my father because they always ask him before making any decision about anything. Plus, I believe I have learned a lot from my father’s conflicts with his family, even though he doesn’t talk much about it. Furthermore, he has shown me how important it is to have a good relationship with the family, and also a family we can rely on.
Monday, November 8, 2010
LAB - A Modern Problem essay (partial)
Jane and Michael are not different from any other modern couple. They are facing one of the most common problems; family responsibility or career. Jane wants to pursue a career that she went to college for, but Michael believes their three year old twin girls are not ready to be without their mother most of the day. Even though, they have their own arguments the girls are the most important in this discussion. So they should consider both sides’ arguments, in order to come up with a final decision that will make the whole family happy.
Jane’s first argument is about her career. She believes being out of the job market for too long and not being up dated with her professional will not help her to get a good job. Plus, Jane thinks she will spend at least more thirty years working, so she wants to find the best job available. Jane even found a convenient and affordable daycare center for the girls. However, a very important argument is that Jane believes she is not being a good mother because psychologically she needs to be around adults. As a result, she is often impatient and very strict with the girls.
Michael’s strongest argument is the girls are too young to be left all day in a daycare. He believes is Jane’s responsibility to be with the children at home until they reach the age to go to a fulltime school. Even though, is not a strong argument as Jane’s; Michael cannot understand why she wants to get out of the house because going to work every day can be boring too. In addition, he thinks the extra money Jane would be bringing home is not necessary; although he agrees it would be nice.
I believe Jane has stronger arguments because they are better supported with examples. However, Michael’s point of view about the girl’s age is also valid; something that Jane doesn’t mention. I can see both of them love their children and they are trying to keep the family together and happy, but
Jane’s first argument is about her career. She believes being out of the job market for too long and not being up dated with her professional will not help her to get a good job. Plus, Jane thinks she will spend at least more thirty years working, so she wants to find the best job available. Jane even found a convenient and affordable daycare center for the girls. However, a very important argument is that Jane believes she is not being a good mother because psychologically she needs to be around adults. As a result, she is often impatient and very strict with the girls.
Michael’s strongest argument is the girls are too young to be left all day in a daycare. He believes is Jane’s responsibility to be with the children at home until they reach the age to go to a fulltime school. Even though, is not a strong argument as Jane’s; Michael cannot understand why she wants to get out of the house because going to work every day can be boring too. In addition, he thinks the extra money Jane would be bringing home is not necessary; although he agrees it would be nice.
I believe Jane has stronger arguments because they are better supported with examples. However, Michael’s point of view about the girl’s age is also valid; something that Jane doesn’t mention. I can see both of them love their children and they are trying to keep the family together and happy, but
Friday, November 5, 2010
Reader's response - "Girl with a Pearl Earring"
SUMMARY
Griet is a sixteen year old girl, who lives in a simple house with her parents and two siblings; younger sister and an older brother. They do not have much, especially after Griet’s father accident at the tile factory, where he used to work before losing his sight. For this reason, Griet’s father gets a job for Griet, as a maid in a wealthy family outside their province to help financially her family; it means she will have to live with them and come home only on Sundays. When she gets to her new family’s house, she meets the six children of Catharina and the painter, Johannes van Vermeer. On her first day, Tanneke, the older maid, shows her the house and explain some of the house chorus; cooking, laundry, ironing, sewing and cleaning. Besides all the work inside of the house, Griet will also have to go to the Market Square for groceries and to Meat Hall for meat and fish from Pieter, the butcher. Even though, Griet was hired to help Tanneke she also has a very specific task; she is the only one allowed to clean the painter’s studio, which makes Tanneke jealous. Griet does not see much her master at the house; he is always busy at the studio painting or at the Guild. House work seems endless and Griet feels little lonely in the house, but on Sundays she goes home and tells everything about the Vermeer’s to her family. When she learns about a plague in her province through Pieter the son, she wishes to go home. However, her master’s family makes her stay with them because they worry Griet might infect the family. Few days later, Pieter the son tells Griet her sister, Agnes, is very ill. She cannot do much about her sister, so she thanks Pieter for let her know about Agnes. When she looks at Pieter’s eyes she sees kindness, but also expectation; something that she had feared.
THE PART I LIKED
When Griet goes home after her first week at Vermeer’s, from page 45 to 48, she is very excited in seeing her family again. Agnes, her younger sister, is so happy in having Griet back that she can’t stop asking Griet about her new life at Vermeer’s. Although, Griet’s parents are glad in seeing her, they are worried about how much work she has been doing; Griet’s father holds her hands and feels how rough and worn they are. I like this moment because while I was reading I could feel Griet’s happiness and her family’s in being together after six days apart. However, my favorite part of this reunion is when Griet is describing to her father the new painting her master is working on. The fact her father cannot see, after a work accident, makes her work harder in describe an image using words. Griet describes it so well that her father can feel through Griet’s words that being in Vermeer’s studio is the best part about her new life; even though, she does not answer her father when he asks, it is clear Griet’s answer.
THE PART I FOUND CONFUSING
When Griet and Maria Thins are at Vermeer’s studio looking the painting in process of van Ruijven’s wife (page 36). It is the first time Griet sees one of the Vermeer’s painting and wishes to be the woman from the painting; wears the mantle and the pearls. Plus, she whishes to know who painted van Ruijven’s wife, which I think it is confusing because she knows Vermeer is the painter; she has been cleaning his studio and living at the same house with him and his family. So I wonder why she thinks about meeting the man who painted Ruijven’s wife.
QUESTIONS
- Why did van Ruijven buy the painting of Tanneke pouring milk? She is just a maid and she is not even his maid, but van Vermeer’s.
- I wonder why Griet is the only one allowed to clean van Vermeer’s studio. She is the newest of the maids in the house, so I think would make more sense if any of the ones who has been working for longer time would do the job. However, why do they trust more in a new maid?
INTERPRETATION
I think this story is not only about the relationship between muse, Griet, and painter, van Vermeer, but It is also about the process of becoming a woman. Griet is used to have the protection of her parents and people of her province, so the moment she leaves them to live with van Vermeer’s family in another province, she feels vulnerable. This is when Griet starts feeling the real world through Tanneke’s jealousy and Pieter’s desire; she is not naïve anymore.
Griet is a sixteen year old girl, who lives in a simple house with her parents and two siblings; younger sister and an older brother. They do not have much, especially after Griet’s father accident at the tile factory, where he used to work before losing his sight. For this reason, Griet’s father gets a job for Griet, as a maid in a wealthy family outside their province to help financially her family; it means she will have to live with them and come home only on Sundays. When she gets to her new family’s house, she meets the six children of Catharina and the painter, Johannes van Vermeer. On her first day, Tanneke, the older maid, shows her the house and explain some of the house chorus; cooking, laundry, ironing, sewing and cleaning. Besides all the work inside of the house, Griet will also have to go to the Market Square for groceries and to Meat Hall for meat and fish from Pieter, the butcher. Even though, Griet was hired to help Tanneke she also has a very specific task; she is the only one allowed to clean the painter’s studio, which makes Tanneke jealous. Griet does not see much her master at the house; he is always busy at the studio painting or at the Guild. House work seems endless and Griet feels little lonely in the house, but on Sundays she goes home and tells everything about the Vermeer’s to her family. When she learns about a plague in her province through Pieter the son, she wishes to go home. However, her master’s family makes her stay with them because they worry Griet might infect the family. Few days later, Pieter the son tells Griet her sister, Agnes, is very ill. She cannot do much about her sister, so she thanks Pieter for let her know about Agnes. When she looks at Pieter’s eyes she sees kindness, but also expectation; something that she had feared.
THE PART I LIKED
When Griet goes home after her first week at Vermeer’s, from page 45 to 48, she is very excited in seeing her family again. Agnes, her younger sister, is so happy in having Griet back that she can’t stop asking Griet about her new life at Vermeer’s. Although, Griet’s parents are glad in seeing her, they are worried about how much work she has been doing; Griet’s father holds her hands and feels how rough and worn they are. I like this moment because while I was reading I could feel Griet’s happiness and her family’s in being together after six days apart. However, my favorite part of this reunion is when Griet is describing to her father the new painting her master is working on. The fact her father cannot see, after a work accident, makes her work harder in describe an image using words. Griet describes it so well that her father can feel through Griet’s words that being in Vermeer’s studio is the best part about her new life; even though, she does not answer her father when he asks, it is clear Griet’s answer.
THE PART I FOUND CONFUSING
When Griet and Maria Thins are at Vermeer’s studio looking the painting in process of van Ruijven’s wife (page 36). It is the first time Griet sees one of the Vermeer’s painting and wishes to be the woman from the painting; wears the mantle and the pearls. Plus, she whishes to know who painted van Ruijven’s wife, which I think it is confusing because she knows Vermeer is the painter; she has been cleaning his studio and living at the same house with him and his family. So I wonder why she thinks about meeting the man who painted Ruijven’s wife.
QUESTIONS
- Why did van Ruijven buy the painting of Tanneke pouring milk? She is just a maid and she is not even his maid, but van Vermeer’s.
- I wonder why Griet is the only one allowed to clean van Vermeer’s studio. She is the newest of the maids in the house, so I think would make more sense if any of the ones who has been working for longer time would do the job. However, why do they trust more in a new maid?
INTERPRETATION
I think this story is not only about the relationship between muse, Griet, and painter, van Vermeer, but It is also about the process of becoming a woman. Griet is used to have the protection of her parents and people of her province, so the moment she leaves them to live with van Vermeer’s family in another province, she feels vulnerable. This is when Griet starts feeling the real world through Tanneke’s jealousy and Pieter’s desire; she is not naïve anymore.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Reader's response - "One of These Days"
SUMMARY:
Aurelio Escobar, a skinny dentist without degree, has a poor office with crumbling ceiling and a dusty spider web with spider’s eggs and dead insects, where he opens at six o’clock. He has an eleven year old son, who interrupts his father’s concentration saying the Mayor wants to see him. At first, the dentist lies saying he is not there, but the Mayor says to Aurelio’s son he knows the dentist is there because he can hear Aurelio in the office. The Mayor threats the dentist saying if he doesn’t help him, he is going to shoot the dentist. Without hurrying, Aurelio prepares all the instruments to remove the Mayor’s lower wisdom tooth; without anesthesia because the Mayor has an abscess. After the procedure is done, Mayor says to send the bill and Aurelio asks if he should send to him or to the town. Mayor leaves without answering the dentist’s question. So after closing the door, through the screen the Mayor answers the question saying it is the same thing if Aurelio sends the bill to him or to the town.
PART I LIKED:
When the dentist, Aurelio Escovar, says, “Tell him to come and shoot me,” referring to the Mayor’s threat; if Aurelio doesn’t take the Mayor’s tooth out the Mayor is going to shoot him. First, it sounds funny for me; almost like if they were in the school, and the Mayor is the big boy who likes to bully the weak and skinny boys, like Aurelio. However, the dentist is not scared of the Mayor’s threat because he has a revolver in one of the table drawers. Plus, it also seems that Aurelio is not afraid of the fact it is the Mayor who is threatening him; for example, “Without hurrying, with an extremely tranquil movement…”
PART I FOUND CONFUSING:
I couldn’t find a part that was confusing, but I think there are many different interpretations in this story. I think the fact it is a short story, the writer just present us some ideas that, probably, he wants us to discuss. He doesn’t give us the full idea or the reason he wrote the story, so it is up to us to give our own interpretation.
QUESTIONS:
First, Aurelio tried to tell the Mayor he wasn’t in the office, but the Mayor tells to Aurelio’s son he can hear the dentist. Why did the dentist lie?
Aurelio seems not to be afraid of the Mayor, a military man who seems to be violent and unethical. Why is Aurelio not afraid of the Mayor?
INTERPRETATION:
I think Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote this story to show us that even living in an authoritative government, where the citizens are constantly afraid to express their opinions, a simple man from work class can have his revenge. The Mayor is a military man, who thinks he can get anything he wants at anytime; he uses his power to get respect from the citizens. However, Aurelio is not like the rest of the people, he is not afraid to say No to the Mayor. Even though, at first he lies to the Mayor saying he is not in the office, I think at the moment Aurelio sees the Mayor needs him, he sees a chance to revenge. It is not only a personal revenge, when the Mayor threats to shoot the dentist, but it is also revenge from the dead ones; Aurelio says “Now you [Mayor] will pay for our twenty dead men.” Although, the dentist cannot bring back the dead men, at least, he can make the Mayor suffer; feel the terrible pain of extracting a wisdom tooth without any anesthesia. I think if we follow this interpretation, it also would explain the title of the story; one of these days the tyrant will pay for the injustices, one of these days the citizens who have been suffering for years will have a change to revenge. Aurelio knows the Mayor doesn’t care about being a good leader, but he still asks to the Mayor who he should send the bill to; the Mayor says it doesn’t matter if it is to him or to the town, proving he is unethical man who uses the town’s money for personal expenses.
Aurelio Escobar, a skinny dentist without degree, has a poor office with crumbling ceiling and a dusty spider web with spider’s eggs and dead insects, where he opens at six o’clock. He has an eleven year old son, who interrupts his father’s concentration saying the Mayor wants to see him. At first, the dentist lies saying he is not there, but the Mayor says to Aurelio’s son he knows the dentist is there because he can hear Aurelio in the office. The Mayor threats the dentist saying if he doesn’t help him, he is going to shoot the dentist. Without hurrying, Aurelio prepares all the instruments to remove the Mayor’s lower wisdom tooth; without anesthesia because the Mayor has an abscess. After the procedure is done, Mayor says to send the bill and Aurelio asks if he should send to him or to the town. Mayor leaves without answering the dentist’s question. So after closing the door, through the screen the Mayor answers the question saying it is the same thing if Aurelio sends the bill to him or to the town.
PART I LIKED:
When the dentist, Aurelio Escovar, says, “Tell him to come and shoot me,” referring to the Mayor’s threat; if Aurelio doesn’t take the Mayor’s tooth out the Mayor is going to shoot him. First, it sounds funny for me; almost like if they were in the school, and the Mayor is the big boy who likes to bully the weak and skinny boys, like Aurelio. However, the dentist is not scared of the Mayor’s threat because he has a revolver in one of the table drawers. Plus, it also seems that Aurelio is not afraid of the fact it is the Mayor who is threatening him; for example, “Without hurrying, with an extremely tranquil movement…”
PART I FOUND CONFUSING:
I couldn’t find a part that was confusing, but I think there are many different interpretations in this story. I think the fact it is a short story, the writer just present us some ideas that, probably, he wants us to discuss. He doesn’t give us the full idea or the reason he wrote the story, so it is up to us to give our own interpretation.
QUESTIONS:
First, Aurelio tried to tell the Mayor he wasn’t in the office, but the Mayor tells to Aurelio’s son he can hear the dentist. Why did the dentist lie?
Aurelio seems not to be afraid of the Mayor, a military man who seems to be violent and unethical. Why is Aurelio not afraid of the Mayor?
INTERPRETATION:
I think Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote this story to show us that even living in an authoritative government, where the citizens are constantly afraid to express their opinions, a simple man from work class can have his revenge. The Mayor is a military man, who thinks he can get anything he wants at anytime; he uses his power to get respect from the citizens. However, Aurelio is not like the rest of the people, he is not afraid to say No to the Mayor. Even though, at first he lies to the Mayor saying he is not in the office, I think at the moment Aurelio sees the Mayor needs him, he sees a chance to revenge. It is not only a personal revenge, when the Mayor threats to shoot the dentist, but it is also revenge from the dead ones; Aurelio says “Now you [Mayor] will pay for our twenty dead men.” Although, the dentist cannot bring back the dead men, at least, he can make the Mayor suffer; feel the terrible pain of extracting a wisdom tooth without any anesthesia. I think if we follow this interpretation, it also would explain the title of the story; one of these days the tyrant will pay for the injustices, one of these days the citizens who have been suffering for years will have a change to revenge. Aurelio knows the Mayor doesn’t care about being a good leader, but he still asks to the Mayor who he should send the bill to; the Mayor says it doesn’t matter if it is to him or to the town, proving he is unethical man who uses the town’s money for personal expenses.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Composition #4
Life is too short to live it just for you
"It Takes Two to Make Right" is a song from 80’s that summarizes my idea of love relationships. As the song says we need two people to make a relationship, but to make it right is the hardest part because we cannot just got to a store and buy the ideal partner; like we do with clothes. So that’s why we have our whole life to find not the perfect partner, but the one that will make us happy even with all his flaws. All the good and bad experiences help us to learn about ourselves and what we want in a partner. Just like any other person, I have had happy and some sad relationships that have helped me to understand what is good for me, but also appreciate small moments; life is a combination of special moments and different experiences. My last relationship taught me a lot about self respect. Even though, we were together for only one year, I think it was enough for me to see how wrong I was about him in many different aspects.
First, we met through my aunt who set us up on a blind date. Everything went well on our first night out. We talked about different subjects during our delicious dinner, and I have to confess I was impressed that we had so many preferences in common. After this night, we started spending more time together doing simple things, such as, going to the movies, picking up groceries at the local market and even laundry. I might say it was love at first sight because I think we really connected.
The following months I met some of his friends and his two brothers; including his identical twin brother. He also met some of my friends, but we were still very reserved about making the relationship public; I think it was more because of his family. Even though, I am not a religious person, it was still a delicate subject because his family was Muslim and very traditional. I should have expected that our relationship wouldn’t be easy, especially when a family has a very strong beliefs and values. My family believes if I am happy it doesn’t matter with whom; if he has a different religion, nationality or race. However, for him, his family still had strong influences on his choices.
He started getting very busy with work and friends. There was always something happening to mess up our plans, so I noticed I wasn’t a priority in his life. Constantly, he was disappointing me or making me wait for hours without a call. Consequently, I started feeling angry, sad and lonely. Then we stopped spending time together because of our busy schedules.
During the last month I was feeling miserable; not eating or sleeping, plus I was in a bad mood almost every day. Also, I was disappointed because we had had such a good start. He was very romantic and loving, always saying how great and beautiful I was. Plus, he was already planning our future with children and everything else. Now, I think he was just saying it without really meaning it.
I think he noticed how unhappy I was. So one day, we sat down to talk and we decided that I would be better off with another person; someone who would make me a priority. He never physically hurt me or raised his voice, but because he was very quiet during the last months, I think it hurt me more. His silence was making me think I was the one doing something wrong and he didn’t want to be with me.
This last relationship made me realize that I need to believe more in myself; self respect is very important. Even though, I knew I deserved someone better I didn’t want to believe that it was happening; probably, because I thought I wouldn’t have the strength to let him go and move on. Life is too short, we cannot live in the past so instead we should take all the experiences we have been through and add to our life baggage. Then at the end of our life, when we are very old, we can look to all of these and just smile without regret the bad relationships. Although, we didn’t end up together I think being with him was a good experience, and I will always remember the happy moments we had.
"It Takes Two to Make Right" is a song from 80’s that summarizes my idea of love relationships. As the song says we need two people to make a relationship, but to make it right is the hardest part because we cannot just got to a store and buy the ideal partner; like we do with clothes. So that’s why we have our whole life to find not the perfect partner, but the one that will make us happy even with all his flaws. All the good and bad experiences help us to learn about ourselves and what we want in a partner. Just like any other person, I have had happy and some sad relationships that have helped me to understand what is good for me, but also appreciate small moments; life is a combination of special moments and different experiences. My last relationship taught me a lot about self respect. Even though, we were together for only one year, I think it was enough for me to see how wrong I was about him in many different aspects.
First, we met through my aunt who set us up on a blind date. Everything went well on our first night out. We talked about different subjects during our delicious dinner, and I have to confess I was impressed that we had so many preferences in common. After this night, we started spending more time together doing simple things, such as, going to the movies, picking up groceries at the local market and even laundry. I might say it was love at first sight because I think we really connected.
The following months I met some of his friends and his two brothers; including his identical twin brother. He also met some of my friends, but we were still very reserved about making the relationship public; I think it was more because of his family. Even though, I am not a religious person, it was still a delicate subject because his family was Muslim and very traditional. I should have expected that our relationship wouldn’t be easy, especially when a family has a very strong beliefs and values. My family believes if I am happy it doesn’t matter with whom; if he has a different religion, nationality or race. However, for him, his family still had strong influences on his choices.
He started getting very busy with work and friends. There was always something happening to mess up our plans, so I noticed I wasn’t a priority in his life. Constantly, he was disappointing me or making me wait for hours without a call. Consequently, I started feeling angry, sad and lonely. Then we stopped spending time together because of our busy schedules.
During the last month I was feeling miserable; not eating or sleeping, plus I was in a bad mood almost every day. Also, I was disappointed because we had had such a good start. He was very romantic and loving, always saying how great and beautiful I was. Plus, he was already planning our future with children and everything else. Now, I think he was just saying it without really meaning it.
I think he noticed how unhappy I was. So one day, we sat down to talk and we decided that I would be better off with another person; someone who would make me a priority. He never physically hurt me or raised his voice, but because he was very quiet during the last months, I think it hurt me more. His silence was making me think I was the one doing something wrong and he didn’t want to be with me.
This last relationship made me realize that I need to believe more in myself; self respect is very important. Even though, I knew I deserved someone better I didn’t want to believe that it was happening; probably, because I thought I wouldn’t have the strength to let him go and move on. Life is too short, we cannot live in the past so instead we should take all the experiences we have been through and add to our life baggage. Then at the end of our life, when we are very old, we can look to all of these and just smile without regret the bad relationships. Although, we didn’t end up together I think being with him was a good experience, and I will always remember the happy moments we had.
Composition #3 - Revision
Brilliant, but irresponsable
Most of our everyday conflicts mold us into what we are today. I can’t remember any big conflict that I had or I was involved in, but I remember my father telling some conflicts he had with his siblings, especially his older brother, Milton. They always had small conflicts; I guess that is part of growing up with siblings of different ages. However, when both of them were adults Milton’s behavior started to affect his relationship with the rest of the family. I believe my father is what he is today because of this instable relationship with Milton, and also his older brother’s relationship towards the family.
When my father tells stories about his childhood, I am little confused about my father’s feelings towards his older brother. I remember he used to tell me and my brother how great Milton was in the school. He wasn’t only a good student, but also very talented in many different sports, especially, basketball. However, he was very irresponsible; always cutting classes or getting into fights. My father’s family thought Milton would change when he moved to another city to attend one of the best colleges of the state, but he didn’t change.
My father believes Milton never appreciated the efforts the whole family did to pay his college expenses. After he graduated he decided not to go back home, but to get married to one of the girls he dated during college. Finally, my father’s family thought he had learned to be more responsible, but again Milton disappointed his family and my father. On his wedding day Milton called my father asking for money to buy his own wedding suit, and again my father had to help him. In addition, the whole family saw the bride for the first time when she was walking down the aisle of the church. After the wedding, Milton never called his parents to ask if they needed anything or just to know how they were. He called a couple of times just to ask for money, and when my father learned about these calls, he told Milton to never call again if it was the only reason he was calling his parents. It was a hard decision for my father, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Milton was a grown up man who should be helping his old parents, instead of taking money from them.
The conflict happened before I was even born, so I don’t really remember my uncle. I have seen only pictures when he was still living with my grandparents. My father tells me that Milton came to visit us a few times after I was born, but I was too young to remember. I can’t say I miss him because I never had a real chance to meet him. It is sad because he has a twenty year old son who my father’s family had only one chance to meet; the boy was about five year old.
I believe the conflict between my father and his brother made my father a better son to my grandparents. Milton wasn’t there for them, so my father became the “older” son taking all the responsibility to ensure his parents had everything they needed. My father visits his parents every weekend or if he cannot make it, he at least calls to see if they need anything. Today, I see how my grandparents rely on my father because they always ask him before making any decision about anything. Plus, I believe I have learned a lot from my father’s conflicts with his family; even though he doesn’t talk much about it. Furthermore, he has shown me how important it is to have a good relationship with the family, and also a family we can rely on.
Most of our everyday conflicts mold us into what we are today. I can’t remember any big conflict that I had or I was involved in, but I remember my father telling some conflicts he had with his siblings, especially his older brother, Milton. They always had small conflicts; I guess that is part of growing up with siblings of different ages. However, when both of them were adults Milton’s behavior started to affect his relationship with the rest of the family. I believe my father is what he is today because of this instable relationship with Milton, and also his older brother’s relationship towards the family.
When my father tells stories about his childhood, I am little confused about my father’s feelings towards his older brother. I remember he used to tell me and my brother how great Milton was in the school. He wasn’t only a good student, but also very talented in many different sports, especially, basketball. However, he was very irresponsible; always cutting classes or getting into fights. My father’s family thought Milton would change when he moved to another city to attend one of the best colleges of the state, but he didn’t change.
My father believes Milton never appreciated the efforts the whole family did to pay his college expenses. After he graduated he decided not to go back home, but to get married to one of the girls he dated during college. Finally, my father’s family thought he had learned to be more responsible, but again Milton disappointed his family and my father. On his wedding day Milton called my father asking for money to buy his own wedding suit, and again my father had to help him. In addition, the whole family saw the bride for the first time when she was walking down the aisle of the church. After the wedding, Milton never called his parents to ask if they needed anything or just to know how they were. He called a couple of times just to ask for money, and when my father learned about these calls, he told Milton to never call again if it was the only reason he was calling his parents. It was a hard decision for my father, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Milton was a grown up man who should be helping his old parents, instead of taking money from them.
The conflict happened before I was even born, so I don’t really remember my uncle. I have seen only pictures when he was still living with my grandparents. My father tells me that Milton came to visit us a few times after I was born, but I was too young to remember. I can’t say I miss him because I never had a real chance to meet him. It is sad because he has a twenty year old son who my father’s family had only one chance to meet; the boy was about five year old.
I believe the conflict between my father and his brother made my father a better son to my grandparents. Milton wasn’t there for them, so my father became the “older” son taking all the responsibility to ensure his parents had everything they needed. My father visits his parents every weekend or if he cannot make it, he at least calls to see if they need anything. Today, I see how my grandparents rely on my father because they always ask him before making any decision about anything. Plus, I believe I have learned a lot from my father’s conflicts with his family; even though he doesn’t talk much about it. Furthermore, he has shown me how important it is to have a good relationship with the family, and also a family we can rely on.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Reader's response: "The Lottery".
SUMMARY:
A bright sun is shining while the residents of a village gather, at 10 a.m. on June 27, in the square between the post office and the bank for the annual lottery. More than 300 of them are awaiting the arrival of Mr. Summers and the black wooden box; from which everyone will draw a folded slip of paper. Adults chat while children play a game in which of them have to gather stones.
Over the years, the lottery rules and paraphernalia remained the same except for minor changes; wood chips were replaced by the slips of paper. However, the rule for the winner remains the same; whoever gets the piece of paper with a block dot.
After Mr. Summers shows up with the black box, he sets it down and prepares for the drawing. A housewife, Mrs. Tessie Hutchinson, arrives late telling to Mrs. Delacroix she forgot what day it was, only remembering when she noticed her children had left the house. While each of villagers are drawing a folded slip of paper from the black box, some of them are talking about all different subjects; some villages are talking about giving up the lottery or some villagers wish the process was faster. They don’t open the folded slip of paper until everyone has drawn. When the big moment arrives, it is Tessie Hutchinson who has the paper with the black dot. Even though she is saying the draw wasn’t fair, the rest of the village pick up the stones; previously collected and arranged by the children at the beginning of the draw, and stones her.
THE PART I LIKED:
The part when Old Man Warner talks to Mr. Adams about the north village thinking to give up the lottery. It’s ironic because Old Man Warner doesn’t agree in giving up the lottery, saying “…Next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves….There’s always been a lottery” and to the people who wants to give up the lottery he says, “Pack of crazy fools.” However, what they are all doing is as primitive as going back to live in caves. How come throwing stones to people is it acceptable?
THE PART I FOUND CONFUSED:
The whole story is little confusing, until the reason why the whole village are getting together is revealed to the reader; towards the end of the story. The only information we know until this moment is that people from all different ages are gathering in the square for some kind of lottery.
QUESTIONS:
Why do they do this kind of lottery?
Why are children involved with this lottery? I wonder if one of the young children had been picked they would throw the stones without any hesitation. During the story we can see all the adults want to make sure all the children are present at the draw.
After the revelation who would be getting stones thrown at. Why Mr. Hutchinson did not plea for his wife?
INTERPRETATION:
One of the interpretations for this story would be a comparison to people who are afraid of changes. They rather live in an old, sometimes, barbarian way of life than change it. People of this village have this “tradition” of throwing stones to a person who is selected by a lottery. Even though, the word lottery brings the idea that someone will get a prize, in this story the “prize” doesn’t seem to be a good one; actually, very painful.
A bright sun is shining while the residents of a village gather, at 10 a.m. on June 27, in the square between the post office and the bank for the annual lottery. More than 300 of them are awaiting the arrival of Mr. Summers and the black wooden box; from which everyone will draw a folded slip of paper. Adults chat while children play a game in which of them have to gather stones.
Over the years, the lottery rules and paraphernalia remained the same except for minor changes; wood chips were replaced by the slips of paper. However, the rule for the winner remains the same; whoever gets the piece of paper with a block dot.
After Mr. Summers shows up with the black box, he sets it down and prepares for the drawing. A housewife, Mrs. Tessie Hutchinson, arrives late telling to Mrs. Delacroix she forgot what day it was, only remembering when she noticed her children had left the house. While each of villagers are drawing a folded slip of paper from the black box, some of them are talking about all different subjects; some villages are talking about giving up the lottery or some villagers wish the process was faster. They don’t open the folded slip of paper until everyone has drawn. When the big moment arrives, it is Tessie Hutchinson who has the paper with the black dot. Even though she is saying the draw wasn’t fair, the rest of the village pick up the stones; previously collected and arranged by the children at the beginning of the draw, and stones her.
THE PART I LIKED:
The part when Old Man Warner talks to Mr. Adams about the north village thinking to give up the lottery. It’s ironic because Old Man Warner doesn’t agree in giving up the lottery, saying “…Next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves….There’s always been a lottery” and to the people who wants to give up the lottery he says, “Pack of crazy fools.” However, what they are all doing is as primitive as going back to live in caves. How come throwing stones to people is it acceptable?
THE PART I FOUND CONFUSED:
The whole story is little confusing, until the reason why the whole village are getting together is revealed to the reader; towards the end of the story. The only information we know until this moment is that people from all different ages are gathering in the square for some kind of lottery.
QUESTIONS:
Why do they do this kind of lottery?
Why are children involved with this lottery? I wonder if one of the young children had been picked they would throw the stones without any hesitation. During the story we can see all the adults want to make sure all the children are present at the draw.
After the revelation who would be getting stones thrown at. Why Mr. Hutchinson did not plea for his wife?
INTERPRETATION:
One of the interpretations for this story would be a comparison to people who are afraid of changes. They rather live in an old, sometimes, barbarian way of life than change it. People of this village have this “tradition” of throwing stones to a person who is selected by a lottery. Even though, the word lottery brings the idea that someone will get a prize, in this story the “prize” doesn’t seem to be a good one; actually, very painful.
Composition #3
Brilliant, but irresponsible
Most of our everyday conflicts mold us in what we are today. I can’t remember any big conflict that I had or I was involved in, but I remember my father telling some conflicts he had with his siblings, especially his older brother, Milton. They always had small conflicts; I guess is part of growing up with siblings of different ages. However, when both of them were adults Milton’s behavior started to affect his relationship with the rest of the family. I believe my father is what he is today because of this instable relationship with Milton, and also his older brother’s relationship towards to the family.
When my father tells stories about his childhood, I am little confused about my father’s feelings towards his older brother. I remember he used to tell me and to my brother how great Milton was in the school. He wasn’t only good student, but also very talent in many different sports; especially, basketball. However, he was very irresponsible; always cutting classes or getting into fights. My father’s family thought Milton would change when he moved to another city to attend one of the best colleges of the state, but he didn’t change.
My father believes Milton never appreciated the efforts the whole family did to pay his college expenses. After he graduated he decided not to go back home, but to get married to one of the girls he dated during college. Finally, my father’s family thought he had learned to be more responsible, but again Milton disappointed my father and his family. On his wedding day he called my father asking money to buy his own wedding suit, and again my father had to help him. In addition, the whole family saw the bride for the first time when she was walking in the aisle of the church. After the wedding, Milton had never called his parents to ask if they need anything or just to know how they were. He called couple of times just to ask money, and when my father learned about these calls he told Milton to never call again if it was the only reason he was calling his parents. It was a hard decision for my father, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Milton was a grown up man who should be helping his old parents, instead of taking money from them.
The conflict happened before I was even born, so I don’t really remember my uncle. I have seen only pictures when he was still living with my grandparents. My father tells me that Milton came to visit us few times after I was born, but I was too young to remember. I can’t say I miss him because I never had a real chance to meet him. It is sad because he has a twenty year old boy that my father’s family had only one chance to meet him; the boy was about five year old.
I believe the conflict between my father and his brother made him a better son to my grandparents. Milton wasn’t there for them, so my father became the “older” son taking all the responsibilities to make sure his parents had everything they needed. My father visits his parents every weekend or if he cannot make it, he at least calls to see if they need anything. Today, I see how my grandparents rely on my father because they always ask him before making any decision about anything. Plus, I believe I have learned a lot with my father’s conflicts with his family; even though he doesn’t talk much about it. Furthermore, he has shown me how important is having a good relationship with the family, but also a family we can rely on them.
Most of our everyday conflicts mold us in what we are today. I can’t remember any big conflict that I had or I was involved in, but I remember my father telling some conflicts he had with his siblings, especially his older brother, Milton. They always had small conflicts; I guess is part of growing up with siblings of different ages. However, when both of them were adults Milton’s behavior started to affect his relationship with the rest of the family. I believe my father is what he is today because of this instable relationship with Milton, and also his older brother’s relationship towards to the family.
When my father tells stories about his childhood, I am little confused about my father’s feelings towards his older brother. I remember he used to tell me and to my brother how great Milton was in the school. He wasn’t only good student, but also very talent in many different sports; especially, basketball. However, he was very irresponsible; always cutting classes or getting into fights. My father’s family thought Milton would change when he moved to another city to attend one of the best colleges of the state, but he didn’t change.
My father believes Milton never appreciated the efforts the whole family did to pay his college expenses. After he graduated he decided not to go back home, but to get married to one of the girls he dated during college. Finally, my father’s family thought he had learned to be more responsible, but again Milton disappointed my father and his family. On his wedding day he called my father asking money to buy his own wedding suit, and again my father had to help him. In addition, the whole family saw the bride for the first time when she was walking in the aisle of the church. After the wedding, Milton had never called his parents to ask if they need anything or just to know how they were. He called couple of times just to ask money, and when my father learned about these calls he told Milton to never call again if it was the only reason he was calling his parents. It was a hard decision for my father, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Milton was a grown up man who should be helping his old parents, instead of taking money from them.
The conflict happened before I was even born, so I don’t really remember my uncle. I have seen only pictures when he was still living with my grandparents. My father tells me that Milton came to visit us few times after I was born, but I was too young to remember. I can’t say I miss him because I never had a real chance to meet him. It is sad because he has a twenty year old boy that my father’s family had only one chance to meet him; the boy was about five year old.
I believe the conflict between my father and his brother made him a better son to my grandparents. Milton wasn’t there for them, so my father became the “older” son taking all the responsibilities to make sure his parents had everything they needed. My father visits his parents every weekend or if he cannot make it, he at least calls to see if they need anything. Today, I see how my grandparents rely on my father because they always ask him before making any decision about anything. Plus, I believe I have learned a lot with my father’s conflicts with his family; even though he doesn’t talk much about it. Furthermore, he has shown me how important is having a good relationship with the family, but also a family we can rely on them.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
A Chip of Glass Ruby
Summary:
After reading the short story, A Chip of Glass Ruby, we learn Mrs. Bamjee is the protagonist. She is very dedicated to her family; husband and nine children. However, she also believes something should be done to protect the minorities of her country, South Africa, against the authoritarian government. Consequently, she gets arrested for helping the activists because she holds the duplicate machine, which it is used to make copies of leaflets against government. While Mrs. Bamjee is in jail, her older daughter who is pregnant takes cares of the rest of her younger siblings. Mr. Bamjee keeps his routine of waking up early in the morning to sell fruits and vegetables. So far he cannot understand why his wife wants to help the “blacks”, how he refers to the natives. However, towards the end of the story on Mr. Bamjee’s birthday, Girlie, the older daughter, answers her stepfather’s question that her mother remembers everything and nobody is left out.
Part I Liked:
I like the beginning of the story, when the duplicating machine comes to the house. Even though, the children have no idea what it is, they still look excited with the new object. However, Mr. Bamjee doesn’t like having such object in the house, “A fine thing to have on the table where we eat” (page 1 line 25). It sounds sarcastic, but I think it is because he knows the machine will bring problems to her wife.
Part I found confusing:
Probably the end is the most confusing part because we don’t really know what happens to Mrs. Bamjee. If she’ll remain in prison or her husband will try to do something to help her. In addition, when Mr. Bamjee understands why he had desired his wife saying “…she was not like the others; it was there, like the fact of her belly lay between him and her daughter” (page 11 line 6), what does it mean?
Question:
In the story Mr. Bamjee seems to know his wife will get in trouble if she continuous helping the activists, so why Mr. Bamjee did not interrupt the meetings that his wife was having at home?
Interpretation:
I think one of the lessons of the story is not being afraid of our beliefs. For example, Mrs. Bamjee believes in doing the right thing and it doesn’t matter if it will cost her freedom. She wants to help the minorities of her country and her husband cannot understand why. He thinks is better ignoring what is happening around them because he knows if he does anything against to the government he might have problems with the police. However, Mrs. Bamjee is not afraid to help the activists because she knows is not fair how people, blacks and Indians, have been treated in her country.
After reading the short story, A Chip of Glass Ruby, we learn Mrs. Bamjee is the protagonist. She is very dedicated to her family; husband and nine children. However, she also believes something should be done to protect the minorities of her country, South Africa, against the authoritarian government. Consequently, she gets arrested for helping the activists because she holds the duplicate machine, which it is used to make copies of leaflets against government. While Mrs. Bamjee is in jail, her older daughter who is pregnant takes cares of the rest of her younger siblings. Mr. Bamjee keeps his routine of waking up early in the morning to sell fruits and vegetables. So far he cannot understand why his wife wants to help the “blacks”, how he refers to the natives. However, towards the end of the story on Mr. Bamjee’s birthday, Girlie, the older daughter, answers her stepfather’s question that her mother remembers everything and nobody is left out.
Part I Liked:
I like the beginning of the story, when the duplicating machine comes to the house. Even though, the children have no idea what it is, they still look excited with the new object. However, Mr. Bamjee doesn’t like having such object in the house, “A fine thing to have on the table where we eat” (page 1 line 25). It sounds sarcastic, but I think it is because he knows the machine will bring problems to her wife.
Part I found confusing:
Probably the end is the most confusing part because we don’t really know what happens to Mrs. Bamjee. If she’ll remain in prison or her husband will try to do something to help her. In addition, when Mr. Bamjee understands why he had desired his wife saying “…she was not like the others; it was there, like the fact of her belly lay between him and her daughter” (page 11 line 6), what does it mean?
Question:
In the story Mr. Bamjee seems to know his wife will get in trouble if she continuous helping the activists, so why Mr. Bamjee did not interrupt the meetings that his wife was having at home?
Interpretation:
I think one of the lessons of the story is not being afraid of our beliefs. For example, Mrs. Bamjee believes in doing the right thing and it doesn’t matter if it will cost her freedom. She wants to help the minorities of her country and her husband cannot understand why. He thinks is better ignoring what is happening around them because he knows if he does anything against to the government he might have problems with the police. However, Mrs. Bamjee is not afraid to help the activists because she knows is not fair how people, blacks and Indians, have been treated in her country.
Monday, October 4, 2010
"Twelve Angry Men" - Juror Nine
In the beginning when the other jurors were getting to know each other, juror nine was in the bathroom; so far we don’t know much about him. When he comes back to the room and notices that the others were waiting just for him to decide the verdict he only says: “Sorry” (page 10 line 27).
Further in the book, we can see juror nine is an observant, wise and quiet man; he doesn’t speak much compared to the other jurors. However, he is the first one who changes his mind and seems to be opened in listening to juror 8’s different point of view, especially when the rest of the jurors think the boy is guilty. I think he is a good juror because he tries to be fair letting people express their opinion, instead of being aggressive like some of the other jurors. For example, when juror nine says to juror ten: “Do you think you have a monopoly on the truth?”(page 13 line 24) and “I think certain things should be pointed out to this man.”(page 13 line 27). He starts supporting juror eight not because he thinks the boy is innocent, but he thinks as juror eight that they all should discuss better instead of making such an important decision about somebody’s life so quickly.
Another quote that shows us a little bit more about juror nine is when he talks about the old man who says he witnessed the murder on page 36 line 5. After he makes his point saying that maybe the witness made himself believe that he heard the boy and father fighting the night of the murder, he feels embarrassed when juror ten asks him how he knows why the old man maybe lied. Probably, he feels just like the witness; a lonely old man looking for recognition.
Further in the book, we can see juror nine is an observant, wise and quiet man; he doesn’t speak much compared to the other jurors. However, he is the first one who changes his mind and seems to be opened in listening to juror 8’s different point of view, especially when the rest of the jurors think the boy is guilty. I think he is a good juror because he tries to be fair letting people express their opinion, instead of being aggressive like some of the other jurors. For example, when juror nine says to juror ten: “Do you think you have a monopoly on the truth?”(page 13 line 24) and “I think certain things should be pointed out to this man.”(page 13 line 27). He starts supporting juror eight not because he thinks the boy is innocent, but he thinks as juror eight that they all should discuss better instead of making such an important decision about somebody’s life so quickly.
Another quote that shows us a little bit more about juror nine is when he talks about the old man who says he witnessed the murder on page 36 line 5. After he makes his point saying that maybe the witness made himself believe that he heard the boy and father fighting the night of the murder, he feels embarrassed when juror ten asks him how he knows why the old man maybe lied. Probably, he feels just like the witness; a lonely old man looking for recognition.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Summary of "Sunday In The Park"
For a couple and a three year-old son, Larry, what seems to be a delightful Sunday afternoon in the park, it turns to be an unpleasant experience when Larry is sharing the sandbox with another boy that throws sand to Larry’s face. In consequence, the family leaves the park after a steamy discussion between both little boys’ fathers embarrassing Larry’s mother who now sees how her husband is only brave to people weaker than him.
Revision of Composition 1
All we need is love
Music is very important in my life and also brings many different memories, but most of the time good and very happy ones. I think I have to blame my father who has been a music fanatic. He told me while my mother was still expecting me, he used to sing and play guitar next to my mother hoping I would be listening to him. I guess it worked because music has been presented in my life since my childhood until today.
My father was always crazy about The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. So, of course, my music background is full of English songs about love and life in general. I believe his influences made me more curious about learning the language since we were listening to bands that only sing in English I thought I should know what they were singing about.
I don’t think there is a specific song is more important because all The Beatles songs bring me different memories. For example, my family always loved road trips, so every time I hear any of their songs it reminds me of all the happy and fun times we spent traveling across the state or country. However, it also reminds me of my father, in particular, who was always singing or telling me stories about how and what he had to do to get the music albums.
Today I can’t imagine living without music. People, just don’t understand my passion for music and to help them to understand I say music is my religion. I am very glad my father passed me his passion because it helped me to be what I am today and also gave me many opportunities to meet people and places. In addition, I do believe that “All We Need Is Love” to feel happy; any kind of love is valid to help us keep moving always forward, even on those days there is no hope left.
Music is very important in my life and also brings many different memories, but most of the time good and very happy ones. I think I have to blame my father who has been a music fanatic. He told me while my mother was still expecting me, he used to sing and play guitar next to my mother hoping I would be listening to him. I guess it worked because music has been presented in my life since my childhood until today.
My father was always crazy about The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. So, of course, my music background is full of English songs about love and life in general. I believe his influences made me more curious about learning the language since we were listening to bands that only sing in English I thought I should know what they were singing about.
I don’t think there is a specific song is more important because all The Beatles songs bring me different memories. For example, my family always loved road trips, so every time I hear any of their songs it reminds me of all the happy and fun times we spent traveling across the state or country. However, it also reminds me of my father, in particular, who was always singing or telling me stories about how and what he had to do to get the music albums.
Today I can’t imagine living without music. People, just don’t understand my passion for music and to help them to understand I say music is my religion. I am very glad my father passed me his passion because it helped me to be what I am today and also gave me many opportunities to meet people and places. In addition, I do believe that “All We Need Is Love” to feel happy; any kind of love is valid to help us keep moving always forward, even on those days there is no hope left.
Revision of Composition 1
All we need is love
Music is very important in my life and also brings many different memories, but most of the time good and very happy ones. I think I have to blame my father who has been a music fanatic. He told me while my mother was still expecting me, he used to sing and play guitar next to my mother hoping I would be listening to him. I guess it worked because music has been presented in my life since my childhood until today.
My father was always crazy about The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. So, of course, my music background is full of English songs about love and life in general. I believe his influences made me more curious about learning the language since we were listening to bands that only sing in English I thought I should know what they were singing about.
I don’t think there is a specific song is more important because all The Beatles songs bring me different memories. For example, my family always loved road trips, so every time I hear any of their songs it reminds me of all the happy and fun times we spent traveling across the state or country. However, it also reminds me of my father, in particular, who was always singing or telling me stories about how and what he had to do to get the music albums.
Today I can’t imagine living without music. People, just don’t understand my passion for music and to help them to understand I say music is my religion. I am very glad my father passed me his passion because it helped me to be what I am today and also gave me many opportunities to meet people and places. In addition, I do believe that “All We Need Is Love” to feel happy; any kind of love is valid to help us keep moving always forward, even on those days there is no hope left.
Music is very important in my life and also brings many different memories, but most of the time good and very happy ones. I think I have to blame my father who has been a music fanatic. He told me while my mother was still expecting me, he used to sing and play guitar next to my mother hoping I would be listening to him. I guess it worked because music has been presented in my life since my childhood until today.
My father was always crazy about The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. So, of course, my music background is full of English songs about love and life in general. I believe his influences made me more curious about learning the language since we were listening to bands that only sing in English I thought I should know what they were singing about.
I don’t think there is a specific song is more important because all The Beatles songs bring me different memories. For example, my family always loved road trips, so every time I hear any of their songs it reminds me of all the happy and fun times we spent traveling across the state or country. However, it also reminds me of my father, in particular, who was always singing or telling me stories about how and what he had to do to get the music albums.
Today I can’t imagine living without music. People, just don’t understand my passion for music and to help them to understand I say music is my religion. I am very glad my father passed me his passion because it helped me to be what I am today and also gave me many opportunities to meet people and places. In addition, I do believe that “All We Need Is Love” to feel happy; any kind of love is valid to help us keep moving always forward, even on those days there is no hope left.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Reunion by John Cheever
My Summary:
Charlie tells us, at first, how happy was meeting his father after his parent’s divorce three years ago. However, the meeting didn’t go how expected. He had just one hour and a half until catching the next train so instead of having a good time with his father; Charlie had to fallow his drunken father from restaurant to another one. After being so disappointed that day was the last time he saw his father.
My Summary:
Charlie tells us, at first, how happy was meeting his father after his parent’s divorce three years ago. However, the meeting didn’t go how expected. He had just one hour and a half until catching the next train so instead of having a good time with his father; Charlie had to fallow his drunken father from restaurant to another one. After being so disappointed that day was the last time he saw his father.
Monday, September 20, 2010
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