Honors Literature Writing #2: The Scarlet Letter

"In literature it is only the wild that attracts us. Dullness is but another name for tameness. It is the uncivilized free and wild thinking in Hamlet and The Iliad, in all scriptures and mythologies, not learned in schools, that delights us."

Choose a novel that you may initially have thought was conventional and tame but that you value for its "uncivilized free and wild thinking." Write an essay in which you explain what constitutes its "uncivilized free and wild, thinking" and how that thinking is central to the value of the work as a whole. Support your ideas with specific references to the work you choose.

The novel, Scarlet Letter, takes place in 17th century New England. It is a story about a woman named Hester Prynne who commits adultery and faces the lifelong guilt and shame that follows with it. At first glance, this book seems like a "tame" book about a woman silently living with her guilt after committing adultery. Along with many other post-Pilgrim-era and pre-20th-century-era material, it could be just another book about how women should be constricted with chastity belts, as it is the way it should be before marriage.

However, further reading into this book, you could tell that it would be a whole other story. It starts off with a prosecution: the "whore," Hester Prynne, is sentenced to 3 hours standing on a scaffold, and the rest of her life wearing a scarlet letter ("A," for Adultery) on her chest. The first few pages of this in the book even defied my initial thinking that adultery was a shushed subject, hence why chastity belts were kept under the clothing. However, my thoughts were changed even after reading the opening scene.

Another example of my pre-existing thoughts proven wrong was the outcome of adultery: Pearl, Hester's illegitimate child. Sometimes, people fail to realize that intercourse is meant for procreation. The general idea of prostitution and whoring in the 17th century was left at sex and that's all. Scarlet Letter reminded us that prostitution leads not only to prosectuion, and the subject of Pearl was a major subject in the book, without her the story would be very incomplete.

Blog #18

With the industrialization project, I learned a few writing styles and techniques that I could use for any future projects, including media saves the beach.

An example is the Lede. The Lede (or Lead) has to have the who, what, where, when, and why/how all in one or two sentences. This is important for any type of writing, since it puts the most important details first. This is important because it sums literally the entire essay to come in as little words as possible.

Blog #17

1. http://www.sdbaykeeper.org/
San Diego bay keeper.

2. http://www.sandiego.gov/water/
San Diego Water Department
The official water department of San Diego. "No Time To Waste, No Water To Waste" is their logo: They are in charge of all things that have to do with water -- obviously, including beaches -- in San Diego County.

3. http://www.sdcwa.org/
San Diego County Water Authority
Keeps the world up to date with the drought alerts in San Diego County and ways to prevent this.

1. Councilmember Sherri Lighter
http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd1/
She is part of the communities in district 1 (northern county), including a major part of the coast.

2. Councilmember President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer
In charge of communities in district 2 (middle county) near the coasts. Part of his promise is..
"To passionately.. protect our beaches and bays ... with results for the citizens of San Diego."

3. Councilmember President Ben Hueso
Is in charge of communities in district 8, the lower san diego area near tijuana. He is also in charge of what goes into the tijuana river.

Honors History Writing #2 -- fictitious William McKinely Writing

With the election year 1896 coming up, it's important to keep in mind important candidates for the election that will make a difference in America. And keep in mind, who a better candidate than Senator William McKinley himself!

William McKinley is a war veteran. He served in the civil war as a private in the 23rd regiment in his home state of Ohio. He was part of the humble Union army and won fights against countless Confederate units. After showing his bravery and leadership in battle, his superior promoted McKinley to commissary sergeant. After fearlessly fighting in the greatest war of all American history for 4 years, he immediately entered the field of Law, first by attending the Albany Law School in New York. He practiced law as a prosecuting attorney for over a decade, and was successful in nearly every case he was given.

Prove it, you may think. Well, what about when 33 miners rioted in Stark County? Their conditions were unfair and they were angry, but nonetheless they were imprisoned for rioting, for stating their opinion. Did McKinley ignore their cries for freedom? NO! He put his effort into getting all but one of them out of prison using his genius law skills. Not to mention how he selflessly refused the hard worked pay that they offered him after his generous deed.

After his huge impact on law practice everywhere, he became more involved as a natural leader in the Republican Party. He began this career by first running for governor of Ohio, which he was voted for by the majority of honest voters. He was a representative in the House of Representatives for 2 terms, the last ending a little over 5 years ago. As you can hopefully see, he has had plenty of experience in the law and political fields.

His independent and unique thoughts and takes on actions considering the people are nonetheless notable. "Cuba ought to be free and independent," humble McKinley says. "And the government should be turned over to the Cuban people." This just shows how selfless and thoughtful he is on the people's behalf: Even though he is a representative and politician, his main focus is the good and freedom of people, even for countries other than the United States of America.

In the words of Mister Future president himself, on the subject of diverse thoughts, "Our differences are policies; our agreements, principles." By this quote, he comes to believe that even the smallest of agreements or disagreements should be seen as principles; necessary, compromise. He holds true to his every word and stands by what he says.

Vote Senator William McKinley, 1896, for a better America. We need Senator William McKinley in the oval office!

Blog 16 -- MSB Stuffs and things

Brent Springer
Brent's idea was to create a documentary for the project. He included a website, surfermag, to further expand knowledge of environmental issues at the beach.
What i learned from this is that there are pros of sewage spills. I'm not too sure as to what these are, but I guess he can enlihten me more on this.
http://bspringer-brent.blogspot.com/

Daniel Mahmud
Daniel's idea was to have a slideshow. The slideshow consists of photography from different points of the beach. This is a diverse take on the project, as it takes on a perspective from all points.
http://dannyfletcherharchesterunited.blogspot.com/

Marcus Alexander'

Marcus thought that a photo essay was a good idea for the project. He uses last year's Junior Yoselin Lopez's project as an example: She took many photos and did an essay explaining each. From this I learned that it's good to take previous junior's ideas and recreate them to the point where it's original, but not copying it all.
http://maalexander.blogspot.com/

Blog #15 -- Possible MSB Products

An idea for a final product would be a large painting depicting acidification and pollution affecting the marine life.

I couldn't find a painting depicting how pollution affected marine life, but I found a detailed picture of painted marinelife. This is sort of the idea I have: a main object in front of a detailed background, the main idea in front of trivial things. In this case, I could have an animal or a group of animals living in the ocean, while in another part of the picture I could have a depiction of how animals are being affected by pollution.

Another idea I have for a final product would be a photoshopped image of pollutants in marinelife.

Like in this picture, it has plastics and other marine pollutants arranged in the picture to make it look like a species in the ocean. This satirical image packs a punch, and sends a message. It's a clever concept, albeit my 2nd option for this project.

Blog #14 MSB Questions and Resources

"What is the main problem concerning marinelife and beaches?"

1. When did this problem become apparent?
2. What can we do to help?
3. Why is this the most urgent concern?

Acidification -- http://www.aibs.org/washington-watch/washington_watch_2007_11.html
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/acidification-of-the-sea-is-the-biggest-threat-to-marine-animal-life_10077712.html
Pollution -- http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/outdoors/20071013-9999-1s13outdoors.html
Overfishing -- http://www.ecoearth.info/shared/reader/welcome.aspx?linkid=106433