Feminism Response

The idea that Chaucer's works are sexist is taken completely out of context. Literature reflects the society it is written about, not the other way around. Following that train of thought, The Knight's Tale merely stated the way things were at the time. Classically, women were obsequious to men, especially to those they were related to or those with rank. So the fact that Emily goes against what she wants to fulfill the wishes of the men around her would not be surprising during this time period. Not only that, but by claiming this work is sexist against women implies that there are no victories for the "fairer" sex. This idea, then, would be completely unsupportable. A large occurrence that should please feminists was the victory of Venus. Venus, in essence the goddess of femininity, conquered Mars, basically the god of all things macho. What that demonstrates is Chaucer might have some women characters overcome obstacles, but in the end the female won. However, she did not win because she was a woman, but because she was right. Finally, one of his most masculine characters relied on a woman at one point. In a different story, Thesus needed aid in making his way through the Labyrinth. With the help of Princess Ariadne, Thesus was led through the Labyrinth. Obviously by having a male have such dependancy on a woman, Chaucer was not a misogynistic chauvinist.

Final Ideal Society

Something that is uphold in my ideal society is deep thought. If I were to trade any of the choices I made, that would demonstrate a lack of that quality which would make me a large hypocrite. An ideal society does not need to begin with hypocritical thinking, it needs something that has been checked and rechecked before being put into action. Besides the fact that I thought out my choices so I did not need to trade, but the choices of people were not appealing in the least. I knew of the people, but I had never met them in person. Even if I had, I did not know them long enough to know what kind of people they were. Most people chose celebrities, which I see as a large problem. Say I were to have a diva like Paris Hilton in my society of scholars. Even though she has nothing she could really add, I have a feeling she would complain about physical labor and feel that she is somehow about about everyone. My point is, no one knows how their choices would react because they do not truly know who they are, or how they would act.
My ideal society is made of Christina DeSario, Christopher Player, Michael Rossi, Scott Pero, and myself. All of the members obviously know each other, so there is a level of comfort. There is a shared personality type among all of these people. Each one is considerate, generous, intelligent, curious, driven, understanding of how a society should work, with an appropriate amount of altruism. In addition, no one has a particularly crippling disease or disorder. This way, everyone will be able towards the advancement of the society.
However, there are a few problems that might occur within this society. There is a substantial gap between our leader, Mr.Player, and everyone else. The problem here might be whomever is chosen as a successor cannot be because of age, but the leader must find some quality in one of the followers. This might bring another problem about. One follower might become jealous of the chosen successor, believing they are more worthy. This cannot be avoided no matter whom you chose, this is human nature. A final flaw might be the lack of expertize. However, there are several unique skill among those in this society. Including languages, instruments, and all basic school subjects. Luckily, due to the technology available and resources for teaching, a expertize could be given to each member, and they could study to become an expert.

Ideal Society

In this perfect society of mine, the ideals would be shared by all, Michael Rossi, Scott Pero, Christina DeSario, Mr. Player, and myself. These basic sentiments are already a part of each member’s character, so they will be easy to continue. To begin with, there would be equality. Except the one necessary leader, each member is at the same level of importance. By only allowing the one person power (because he is the eldest) and not distributing any sort of large responsibilities among the rest, the followers will not bicker among themselves whom is more important. Next we would value intelligence. Our leader is a well-rounded teacher, which is a large step in the correct direction. The rest of us each are scholarly people, who enjoy knowledge and strive for more of it. Continuing, individuality would be largely encouraged. We are such a group of diverse people; between us five languages are spoken, at least five instruments are played, and a myriad of other talents are harbored within each member. Peace would be prevalent. Luckily this would not be too large of a problem. We are all calm, level-headed people, who are typically non-violent, yet we have members who can protect us. Finally, acceptance is a must. Due to our diversity, each person has varying beliefs. However because of our level-headed nature, I am confident that each member will hear out a person’s argument.

Essential Question #4 (Group 1)

The poem Invictus by William Henley would make for a fantastic introduction into Beowulf. The similarities between the two texts highlight the most prevalent themes in both works, bringing them to the forefront for literary analysis. In the first stanza, the theme is gratuity to god for the strength in the narrator's soul. By simply reading this line, and understanding Beowulf as a character, it would be blind of me to not see the connection. Beowulf's constant gratitude to god, proclaiming his glory, and dedicating all his feats to the lord most high, is capture perfectly in the final line of this stanza: "I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul". The next stanza demonstrates the strength of this soul in Beowulf and the narrator; "My head is bloody, but unbowed". This portrays the human qualities of the speaker, while also showing the extraordinary ability to remain strong, and not give up what it is the narrator believes in. In the third stanza, I notice some forces being cited that could very well be adapted to fit the epic of Beowulf. Can one not envision the evil Grendel and his mother when reading the line, "Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the Horror of the shade". Put simply, on the outskirts of this kingdom, that is saturated in paganism, is the demon hiding in the shadows. The proceeding line is once again demonstrating Beowulf and the narrator's courage: "And yet the menace of the years finds, and shall find, me unafraid. Finally, in the last stanza, we get the perfect way to sum up how Beowulf lives, and how he explain how all those in Heorot should: "I am the master of my fate". At first that may seem to say that he control his destiny, and he does, but notice the word choice of "fate". He realizes there is something beyond his control, yet he can have hope for a more desirable ending if he pleasing the being in charge: god.

Essential Question #3

Wealtheow is used as the prime example of the expected composure for women of the time period of Beowulf. Wealtheow is a hostess, serving everyone in the mead hall. As shown in the footnote, her name means "foreign slave". Wealtheow was dependendent on other, especially men. As seen in lines 618 through 620; "[Wealtheow] thanked God that her wish was granted that she might depend on some warrior for help against such attacks". Delving deeper into that one line, notice Wealtheow takes comfort in the fact that she can depend on someone. From this we can notice that women of this period have been brainwashed into believing their own worthlessness. She does not resent the fact that she can do nothing; she only revels in that there is someone who has come to her rescue from which she cannot escape herself. The subservient queen uncharacteristically interacts with commoners. Or perhaps, because she lacks a Y-chromosome, this would not be uncharacteristic. The manliest of commoners would be on the same level as Queen Wealtheow simply because of the substitution of estrogen for testoterone in her genetic recipe. On the lighter side of this period of male chauvinism, Wealtheow is able to act as the bond of the community; offering the mead cup to all, she links the young and old, poor and wealthy, women and man.

Essential#2

Every hero has social obligations set far above those they protect. Being the proverbial "top dog" comes with its own set of rules and regulations. First, a hero must do everything for the greater good. While this may sound easy enough, a hero might have to choose between two evils; choosing between good and bad, or bad and worse is amateur work. Which leads to another characteristic; a hero must be cunning and have good decision-making skills. They must understand how each of their actions will affect future events and choices they will have to make. In addition, a hero must understand that by accepting their role, they must be prepared at any point to make the ultimate sacrifice of themself. Not only that, but protection is a must, and they must live up to what they have made themself out to be. Finally, a hero must do what is right not because of what they will gain, but because it is what they should--they must--do.

Outliers 1&2

Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
May 25, 2010
Outliers Ch. 1&2

Although it may not be a lot, I have received some crucial advantages. I was raised by my parents to do my best; working hard meant more to them than the best grade I could receive. Luckily, I was always a student of higher intelligence, and exceeded my classmates in my work. As established in Outliers, this got me special attention from teachers. Some people might take the praise from parents and teachers as leeway to slack off, but not me. I was so scared that I might fail those who had so much faith in me; I always had the drive to be the best.
Along my academic career, I have had a few things tracking my success. One was the constant butting-in of my aunt; her intent was pure, but her methods were tainted. She herself is a teacher, and she confused me with one of her students. Another was again the paranoia and competition. I was never going to let the sacrifice my parents made by paying to send me to private school go to waste (and some of that drive was to completely surpass those who took that luxury for granted). And I would NEVER let anyone I did not like get better grades than me; spite seemed to get me pretty far.
Over the years, I watched my grades improve in certain subjects I never cared for (history), and ones I actually struggled with (5th grade history, 5th grade math, and penmanship). I always made sure to keep my grades up so I had nothing to worry about outside of school. As difficult as I make this sound, at my school it required little effort on my part.
Unfortunately, I got too used to this life style; I was so used to barely doing anything and being top dog. When I got to high school, I received a rude awakening to real competition. Regrettably, I dropped status. Although, I don’t beat myself up about it because those student above me deserve to be there and actually work to be there.
However, being in an Advanced Placement course has provided me with the exact kind of challenge I need. Having constant assignments that require actual concentration, thought, and academic prowess, I bettered my study habits and my intelligence. Not only in English, but by being (literally) forced to take an Advanced Placement course in US History I learned what I am truly capable of.