Wednesday, 18 March 2015
Spring Break
Over spring break, I mainly just enjoyed relaxing and enjoying my freedom, even though I had homework. I went to two different malls and my sister and I took care of our family friend's animals because they were out of town. They have two rabbits, a pony, chickens, a fish, and a dog. I went to grapevine to spend the night at a friends house and went to the movies. On the last days of spring break, I went to church, took the SAT and worked on homework.
Sunday, 22 February 2015
Influential Leader
Cabraile Cooksey is the one of the most influential leaders that I have ever had. She continues to strive for the best, and her mindset is that she aspires higher, "because she can." Ever since I have known her she has taught me and pushed me to be the best that I could be, academically, socially, physically, and spiritually. She has surpassed everybody's expectations and continues to rise higher.
I think that he means what he says he means. Mr. Keating thinks that the things the human race lives for are beauty, romance and love, and that is why we write poetry, because poetry is about those things. He was trying to teach the boys that even though they were all studying to become doctors, layers, engineers, and businessmen those were not the only things to live for. I agree with him to a certain extent, that those are not the things that we live for but I do not think that we just live for beauty, romance, and love. I think that poetry is really cool and it can be clever. It is like telling a story but in a different, unique way.
I think that it is very important to look at things from another perspective so that you can get a better understanding of a situation. I believe that Mr. Keating's point is a very valid one. One time my twin sister got a bee sting and was crying and I had had a bee sting before and it hadn't hurt that badly to me, so I did not understand why she was crying. Instead of questioning her about her tears, instead I comforted her and helped her take out the bee sting, because I put myself in her shoes.
I do not know the "verse" that I will leave behind when I die, none of us know, but I hope that my verse has something to do with spreading the gospel of Christ and the good news that his name represents.
I think that he means what he says he means. Mr. Keating thinks that the things the human race lives for are beauty, romance and love, and that is why we write poetry, because poetry is about those things. He was trying to teach the boys that even though they were all studying to become doctors, layers, engineers, and businessmen those were not the only things to live for. I agree with him to a certain extent, that those are not the things that we live for but I do not think that we just live for beauty, romance, and love. I think that poetry is really cool and it can be clever. It is like telling a story but in a different, unique way.
I think that it is very important to look at things from another perspective so that you can get a better understanding of a situation. I believe that Mr. Keating's point is a very valid one. One time my twin sister got a bee sting and was crying and I had had a bee sting before and it hadn't hurt that badly to me, so I did not understand why she was crying. Instead of questioning her about her tears, instead I comforted her and helped her take out the bee sting, because I put myself in her shoes.
I do not know the "verse" that I will leave behind when I die, none of us know, but I hope that my verse has something to do with spreading the gospel of Christ and the good news that his name represents.
Friday, 20 February 2015
Influential Leader
I do not think that Neil was changed in any way because of Mr.Keating. He was depressed because of the choke hold that his father had on him, and I think that Neil would have killed himself otherwise. If anything, Mr.Keating prolonged his life by teaching him to live for what he truly wanted to do.
I think that Todd was the bravest of the Dead Poets boys because he overcame his fear of public speaking, and he was nice to Mr.Keating when nobody else was. He also stayed strong when Neil died. I think that Neil was the coward. Even though his father was pressuring him to do things that he did not want to do, he could have tried telling his father. I think that committing suicide is one of the most cowardly things that you could do.
I think that Neil somehow commandeered the poetry book, because Mr. Keating's passion was to teach the boys at school and I don't think that he would have done anything to jeopardize his career. I do not think that Mr. Keating gave the book to Neil. Neil showed traits of rebelliousness and I think that taking the poetry book from somewhere is something that he would do.
I think that Todd was the bravest of the Dead Poets boys because he overcame his fear of public speaking, and he was nice to Mr.Keating when nobody else was. He also stayed strong when Neil died. I think that Neil was the coward. Even though his father was pressuring him to do things that he did not want to do, he could have tried telling his father. I think that committing suicide is one of the most cowardly things that you could do.
I think that Neil somehow commandeered the poetry book, because Mr. Keating's passion was to teach the boys at school and I don't think that he would have done anything to jeopardize his career. I do not think that Mr. Keating gave the book to Neil. Neil showed traits of rebelliousness and I think that taking the poetry book from somewhere is something that he would do.
Thursday, 19 February 2015
Carpe Diem
I consider Dead Poets Society's central theme to be Carpe Diem, or seize the day. The first lesson that Mr. Keating has with his students is about Carpe Diem. He wants them to make their lives extraordinary, to do something different and bold. Some of the students take this statement in a way that Mr. Keating did not intend for them to take it in. Charlie Dalton insulted the principal at their school and got in trouble, all in the name of Carpe Diem. However, there were benefits to Mr. Keating's lesson. Todd Anderson learned how to make a statement and stick up for himself and Knox Overstreet overcame his fear of talking to the girl that he loved. Carpe Diem is a running theme in this film that is referenced many times and thought of as both good and bad things. I think that the author and director of this story were trying to make a statement about doing something out of the norm, and being extraordinary. They were trying to tell their audience that it is okay to follow their dreams, and highly encouraged by them.
Follow up Character Questions
1. In the film "Dead Poets Society", Todd came in as a shy individual. His roommate Neil was a very outgoing character and he pushed Todd to come out of his shell. Mr. Keating also aided Neil in that task by forcing Todd to come out in class and share his opinion of things. In the beginning of the movie Todd would never have stood on his desk like he did at the end of the movie.
2. Neil's father is a static character. In the beginning of the movie he tries to control Neil and Neil's future. Through the movie Neil's father is mentioned and Neil hides certain things from him because he know that his dad will be upset at him. At the end of the movie Neil's father wants someone to blame for Neil's death, and is still stubborn and controlling.
3. Mr. Keating is a very colorful character. He is passionate about teaching and wants the students to be creative. I think that he was changed by his experience shown thought the movie, because the death of one of his beloved students changed him.
4. Todd Anderson was crippled by the fear of public speaking and doing things that were "out of the norm." His major traits are that he is shy but loyal, and he sees everything. I think that Todd does overcome his fear, because at the end of the movie he shows a great deal of maturing and outgoing improvement.
Neil Perry was an outgoing individual who wanted to make people happy, and personally took Todd Anderson under his wing. The fear that Affects Neil is that he is afraid of his father. Neil's dad was very controlling and Neil did not want to do any of the things that his dad was forcing him to do, school wise and career wise. He did not overcome his fear, instead he eliminated himself so that he would not have to deal with hid dad's demands.
Knox Overstreet was a levelheaded individual who turned out to be very daring. He was afraid of going after a girl that he loved because she was already taken. However, after hearing Mr. Keating's speech about Carpe Diem, he went after her. Knox did overcome his fear.
Charlie (Newanda) Dalton always seemed like a very obnoxious character. Through the movie he does dumb things to get kicked out of school, expose the "Dead Poets Society" and get in trouble. He blames all of his actions on Mr. Keating's Carpe Diem, but I think it was because he either wanted attention or he was insecure. I do not think that he overcame his problems, and in the end leaves the school.
2. Neil's father is a static character. In the beginning of the movie he tries to control Neil and Neil's future. Through the movie Neil's father is mentioned and Neil hides certain things from him because he know that his dad will be upset at him. At the end of the movie Neil's father wants someone to blame for Neil's death, and is still stubborn and controlling.
3. Mr. Keating is a very colorful character. He is passionate about teaching and wants the students to be creative. I think that he was changed by his experience shown thought the movie, because the death of one of his beloved students changed him.
4. Todd Anderson was crippled by the fear of public speaking and doing things that were "out of the norm." His major traits are that he is shy but loyal, and he sees everything. I think that Todd does overcome his fear, because at the end of the movie he shows a great deal of maturing and outgoing improvement.
Neil Perry was an outgoing individual who wanted to make people happy, and personally took Todd Anderson under his wing. The fear that Affects Neil is that he is afraid of his father. Neil's dad was very controlling and Neil did not want to do any of the things that his dad was forcing him to do, school wise and career wise. He did not overcome his fear, instead he eliminated himself so that he would not have to deal with hid dad's demands.
Knox Overstreet was a levelheaded individual who turned out to be very daring. He was afraid of going after a girl that he loved because she was already taken. However, after hearing Mr. Keating's speech about Carpe Diem, he went after her. Knox did overcome his fear.
Charlie (Newanda) Dalton always seemed like a very obnoxious character. Through the movie he does dumb things to get kicked out of school, expose the "Dead Poets Society" and get in trouble. He blames all of his actions on Mr. Keating's Carpe Diem, but I think it was because he either wanted attention or he was insecure. I do not think that he overcame his problems, and in the end leaves the school.
Monday, 2 February 2015
Mona Lisa Smile Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the role(s) of women in the 1950's. As portrayed in the movie. How are they different from the view of Catherine Watson?
The roles of women in the 1950's as portrayed in the movie are very traditional. The women were expected to get married at a young age, provide for their family by concentrating on raising their children, cooking, cleaning, and providing anything that their husband needed. Betty's mother gave the impression that the women were supposed to turn their backs when their husbands were cheating on them. Katherine Watson did not get married at a young age, had an affair with more than one person in her lifetime, did not rely on a man to provide money for her but went out to provide for herself on her own. She also came up with a different approach on teaching her students in order to challenge them and make them think. These are ways in which Katherine Watson did not fit the common roles of women in the 1950's
The roles of women in the 1950's as portrayed in the movie are very traditional. The women were expected to get married at a young age, provide for their family by concentrating on raising their children, cooking, cleaning, and providing anything that their husband needed. Betty's mother gave the impression that the women were supposed to turn their backs when their husbands were cheating on them. Katherine Watson did not get married at a young age, had an affair with more than one person in her lifetime, did not rely on a man to provide money for her but went out to provide for herself on her own. She also came up with a different approach on teaching her students in order to challenge them and make them think. These are ways in which Katherine Watson did not fit the common roles of women in the 1950's
6. The movie shows relationships of several characters. Were they acceptable in the society at that time? Why/why not?
The relationship between Katherine Watson and the French professor is not officially acceptable in their society. Women were not supposed to have sexual relationships with people who they were not married to. Also, the relationship between Katherine Watson and her students was not acceptable. She knew her students on a very personal level and at the end of the year, the college said that she could stay if she kept only a professional relationship with her colleagues and with her students.
The relationship between Katherine Watson and the French professor is not officially acceptable in their society. Women were not supposed to have sexual relationships with people who they were not married to. Also, the relationship between Katherine Watson and her students was not acceptable. She knew her students on a very personal level and at the end of the year, the college said that she could stay if she kept only a professional relationship with her colleagues and with her students.
Friday, 23 January 2015
Katherine Watson vs. Charles Dickens
Katherine Watson was a very independent person, which was abnormal in the time period and society that she lived in. While teaching at Wellesley, Katherine Watson did not teach using the same methods that so many teachers at that school used. Miss Watson taught her students to think outside of the box and to not conform to society. She taught her students things outside of the facts from the textbooks that they were not used to learning. In Charles Dickens novel "Hard Times", he writes that facts are all that students need to learn, and that facts are the only things that are going to help the children in the future. Katherine Watson's teaching style was far more personal and based on opinion than the character in Charles Dickens' novel is.
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