Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 27, 2008
Journal #33 Kate Chopin
Quote:
"How Mademoiselle Reisz would have laughed, perhaps sneered, if she knew!'And and call yourself an artist! What pretensions..."(Chopin 625).
Summary:
As Edna is about to die she has a multitude of thoughts going through her head. She thinks about her husband and children but most importantly she thinks about how Mademoiselle Reisz was right; she is the wounded bird.
Response:
Mademoiselle puts Edna in check by telling her that their is o use to her being pretentious. As I argued before I felt that Edna was trying to hard at reversing her gender role. Mademoiselle Reisz puts it perfectly by telling Edna earlier in the novel that she should not claim have qualities that she does not have. For example she begins to draw even though she is not a great artist. As I said before she is doing to many things at once. Few people see the hazard of what Edna is doing as does Mademoiselle Reisz. What I found strange about this novel is that it is not your typical romance novel. It does not have a happy ending where Edna and Robert form a loving relationship that lasts forever. Rather it ends with Robert telling Edna that they cannot be together and Edna committing suicide. This form of realism really helps give the novel a lot more depth and character. This novel acts as a textbook definition of what realism is, it exposes the harsh realities of the real world and it does not end with a cookie cutter happy ending. The ending is very dark and dismal. Although you could also argue that the ending serves as an ultimate expression of freedom. Edna's suicide frees her form all the problems and dilemmas that plague people in the real world. This novel serves as a tale of what can happen when a person falls in love with someone that is out of their reach. Ultimately Edna' affair is what kills her. I do want to point out how all of this may not fall completely on the shoulders of Edna. What if her husband had actually cared for her and not had went to the club every night. What if he would have actually shown his beautiful wife some affection. Would she still have strayed from her marriage or would she have lived happily ever after? Of course if she had lived happily ever after this would not have made for such a deep and great novel.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Overestimating her strength
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 27, 2008
Journal# 32 Kate Chopin
Quote:
"...overestimating her strength. She wanted to swim far out where no woman had swam before"(Chopin 556).
Summary:
Edna after taking many swimming lessons from everybody has finally overcome her fear of swimming and is swimming by herself. For the first time she is swimming without the aid of anybody.
Response:
I have to say that I have mixed feelings about Edna in, "The Awakening". I first I am glad that she is able to awaken to these new feelings and expressions as she has never been able to before but at the same time I feel she is trying to hard. What I mean by this is that she seems to be trying to get everybody's attention just a bit to hard. During the Victorian times that Edna lived in she is very much oppressed and expected to maintain her role in society. Her role is that of a mother. She is not expected to sway at all from this role. Throughout this novel we are confronted with gender roles, in particular female roles, that are set in stone. For example the woman are expected to stay faithful to their husbands and take care of their children and household. the men on the other hand are almost encouraged to have sex outside of the marriage. I personally do not fell this is right but I did grow up in a much different time than that of Chopin's novel. Edna begins to flirt with just about every young male character in the novel, while her husband continues to visit the "clubs". This newly found sexual freedom that Edna has found helps her open up in other parts of her life. She begins to take on painting, gambling and rebels against her husband. While all this is great for freeing Edna from her oppression it seems like she is trying to do way to much all at once. All of these awakenings follow up one after another. All leading to her eventual suicide. I am not saying that she should have accepted her role in society rather Edna should not have had her "hands in so many cookie jars". The one thing I do have to respect Edna for is her ability to see what her gender role was and to completely change it. She reminds me of Sylvia as the Geranium. At the beginning of the novel she is wilted and dying, by the end she has come full circle and has blossomed(although in this case the Geranium perishes).
English 48B
February 27, 2008
Journal# 32 Kate Chopin
Quote:
"...overestimating her strength. She wanted to swim far out where no woman had swam before"(Chopin 556).
Summary:
Edna after taking many swimming lessons from everybody has finally overcome her fear of swimming and is swimming by herself. For the first time she is swimming without the aid of anybody.
Response:
I have to say that I have mixed feelings about Edna in, "The Awakening". I first I am glad that she is able to awaken to these new feelings and expressions as she has never been able to before but at the same time I feel she is trying to hard. What I mean by this is that she seems to be trying to get everybody's attention just a bit to hard. During the Victorian times that Edna lived in she is very much oppressed and expected to maintain her role in society. Her role is that of a mother. She is not expected to sway at all from this role. Throughout this novel we are confronted with gender roles, in particular female roles, that are set in stone. For example the woman are expected to stay faithful to their husbands and take care of their children and household. the men on the other hand are almost encouraged to have sex outside of the marriage. I personally do not fell this is right but I did grow up in a much different time than that of Chopin's novel. Edna begins to flirt with just about every young male character in the novel, while her husband continues to visit the "clubs". This newly found sexual freedom that Edna has found helps her open up in other parts of her life. She begins to take on painting, gambling and rebels against her husband. While all this is great for freeing Edna from her oppression it seems like she is trying to do way to much all at once. All of these awakenings follow up one after another. All leading to her eventual suicide. I am not saying that she should have accepted her role in society rather Edna should not have had her "hands in so many cookie jars". The one thing I do have to respect Edna for is her ability to see what her gender role was and to completely change it. She reminds me of Sylvia as the Geranium. At the beginning of the novel she is wilted and dying, by the end she has come full circle and has blossomed(although in this case the Geranium perishes).
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Her first crush
Gustavo Quntero
English 48B
February 26, 2008
Journal #31 Sarah Orne Jewett
Quote:
"...Sylvia still watched the young man with loving admiration. She had never seen anybody so charming and delightful; the woman's heart, asleep in the child, was vaguely thrilled by the dream of love"(Jewett 526).
Summary:
Sylvia is overcoming her fear of people and has developed a crush on the young hunter.
Response:
This is the turning point for the novel and for Sylvia. She is overcoming her fear of people and has a crush on the hunter. This is a huge step for Sylvia especially considering that just a day earlier she was deathly afraid of the young hunter. The part I find a little strange is how Sylvia can find a man that is so crass and demanding as charming. When he first met Sylvia he basically demanded that she find him room and board. He also came off very aggressive to Sylvia grandmother. I do not know why she finds this man charming. Maybe she finds him charming because he is a very masculine man. Sylvia has never had any interaction with anyone let alone a man. This is why she develops this crush on him. His masculinity overwhelms her and she has feelings for him. It's as if the city she grew up in, repressed her so much that she was never able to develop feelings for the opposite sex. In the quote it says, "the woman's heart, asleep in the child", is ever important because Sylvia is craving affection. I almost think that she fantasizes about being swept off her feet by a knight on a horse. The typical fantasy that girls about her age fantasize about involves the princess and the knight. Now that she is not oppressed by the factory town she is free to explore the feelings of love and affection. I do not think that she is in love because she is to young to know what love is. Crush is the perfect description for what Sylvia feels for the young hunter because she is just beginning to express herself affectionatly and sexually. She has not yet fully matured sexually, although at the end of this story I think that Sylvia finds herself closer to full maturity.
English 48B
February 26, 2008
Journal #31 Sarah Orne Jewett
Quote:
"...Sylvia still watched the young man with loving admiration. She had never seen anybody so charming and delightful; the woman's heart, asleep in the child, was vaguely thrilled by the dream of love"(Jewett 526).
Summary:
Sylvia is overcoming her fear of people and has developed a crush on the young hunter.
Response:
This is the turning point for the novel and for Sylvia. She is overcoming her fear of people and has a crush on the hunter. This is a huge step for Sylvia especially considering that just a day earlier she was deathly afraid of the young hunter. The part I find a little strange is how Sylvia can find a man that is so crass and demanding as charming. When he first met Sylvia he basically demanded that she find him room and board. He also came off very aggressive to Sylvia grandmother. I do not know why she finds this man charming. Maybe she finds him charming because he is a very masculine man. Sylvia has never had any interaction with anyone let alone a man. This is why she develops this crush on him. His masculinity overwhelms her and she has feelings for him. It's as if the city she grew up in, repressed her so much that she was never able to develop feelings for the opposite sex. In the quote it says, "the woman's heart, asleep in the child", is ever important because Sylvia is craving affection. I almost think that she fantasizes about being swept off her feet by a knight on a horse. The typical fantasy that girls about her age fantasize about involves the princess and the knight. Now that she is not oppressed by the factory town she is free to explore the feelings of love and affection. I do not think that she is in love because she is to young to know what love is. Crush is the perfect description for what Sylvia feels for the young hunter because she is just beginning to express herself affectionatly and sexually. She has not yet fully matured sexually, although at the end of this story I think that Sylvia finds herself closer to full maturity.
Young Sylvia
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 26, 2008
Journal #30 Sarah Orne Jewett
Quote:
"She did not dare to look boldly at the tall young man, who carried a gun over his shoulder, but she came out of her bush and again followed the cow, while he walked alongside"(Jewett 523).
Summary:
After Sylvia and the hunter have met for the first time, hunter demands for place to stay and for food. Sylvia takes him to her grandmothers house.
Response:
Here we see the first encounter between the hunter and Sylvia. Sylvia, deathly afraid of the young man, jumps into the bush with her cow at the sound of his whistle. The young man introduces himself and demands that Sylvia take him to a place for lodging and food. I found this quote to be important because it introduces us to a very defining trait that Sylvia shows. Since she is so shy and afraid of people she is always described as following people around. Here she is following the cow as she brings the man to her house. She never seems to lead the way. Later on on the story Sylvia is following the man around like a little dog. I think that this action says a lot about who Sylvia really is. She lacks so much confidence and self esteem that she can not even bring herself to walk in front of anybody and lead the way. She is always following behind someones footsteps. Here she finds herself not even able to lead the cow, her only friend. This story is a tale of growing up and sexual maturing. The contrast between Sylvia in the beginning of the story and the end is a stark difference. By the end of the story she finds herself with a confidence that she has never had before. This confidence is the most important thing that could have happened to Sylvia because it breaks her from the shy little girl into a a more mature girl with a new found confidence. The oppression and isolation that Sylvia experienced while in the factory town is completely rid of by the time that she spends among the rural country, it's animals and the unimposing environment.
English 48B
February 26, 2008
Journal #30 Sarah Orne Jewett
Quote:
"She did not dare to look boldly at the tall young man, who carried a gun over his shoulder, but she came out of her bush and again followed the cow, while he walked alongside"(Jewett 523).
Summary:
After Sylvia and the hunter have met for the first time, hunter demands for place to stay and for food. Sylvia takes him to her grandmothers house.
Response:
Here we see the first encounter between the hunter and Sylvia. Sylvia, deathly afraid of the young man, jumps into the bush with her cow at the sound of his whistle. The young man introduces himself and demands that Sylvia take him to a place for lodging and food. I found this quote to be important because it introduces us to a very defining trait that Sylvia shows. Since she is so shy and afraid of people she is always described as following people around. Here she is following the cow as she brings the man to her house. She never seems to lead the way. Later on on the story Sylvia is following the man around like a little dog. I think that this action says a lot about who Sylvia really is. She lacks so much confidence and self esteem that she can not even bring herself to walk in front of anybody and lead the way. She is always following behind someones footsteps. Here she finds herself not even able to lead the cow, her only friend. This story is a tale of growing up and sexual maturing. The contrast between Sylvia in the beginning of the story and the end is a stark difference. By the end of the story she finds herself with a confidence that she has never had before. This confidence is the most important thing that could have happened to Sylvia because it breaks her from the shy little girl into a a more mature girl with a new found confidence. The oppression and isolation that Sylvia experienced while in the factory town is completely rid of by the time that she spends among the rural country, it's animals and the unimposing environment.
Don't be afraid
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 26, 2008
Journal #29 Sarah Orne Jewett
Quote:
"Afraid of folks,'they said! I guess she won't be troubled no great with 'em up to the old place"(Jewett 523).
Summary:
Mrs. Tilley is commenting on the personality trait that Sylvia exhibits. Sylvia is a lonely little girl that is very shy around people.
Response:
Mrs Tilley mentions a character trait that is essential to knowing Sylvia on a deep level. Sylvia is a young girl, pre-teens, that is very afraid of people. She has grown up most of her life in a factory town during that industrial revolution. She is a girl that has no friends and is secluded form the rest of society. All of this helps mold Sylvia into the animal loving, Nature enthusiast that she exhibits later in the short story. This character trait of hers is important to understanding Sylvia because it lays down the foundation for the crush that she later has on the Heron hunter. Sylvia is isolated from all types of people because of where she grows up in. In "life in the iron Mills", by Rebecca Harding Davis the scene of the city is set up as a very dismal one. The pollution casts a black and gloomy shadow over the city that prevents any sun from shining on the workers. In this type of town where all the people work 24/7 there is no time allotted for children to grow and experience friendships. I believe that this is the very same type of environment that Sylvia grows up in. This is what causes her to be deathly afraid of people. She has no interaction with anyone so she does not know how to open herself up to other people. Sylvia says,"...this was a beautiful place to live in, and she never wished to go home". When she is taken away form the factory city she is on the path to discovering who she really is. The environment that she grew up in serves as a catalyst for her love of the environment later in the story. As we read on, Sylvia transforms from the wilted and dying Geranium, to one that is in full blossom and lively.
English 48B
February 26, 2008
Journal #29 Sarah Orne Jewett
Quote:
"Afraid of folks,'they said! I guess she won't be troubled no great with 'em up to the old place"(Jewett 523).
Summary:
Mrs. Tilley is commenting on the personality trait that Sylvia exhibits. Sylvia is a lonely little girl that is very shy around people.
Response:
Mrs Tilley mentions a character trait that is essential to knowing Sylvia on a deep level. Sylvia is a young girl, pre-teens, that is very afraid of people. She has grown up most of her life in a factory town during that industrial revolution. She is a girl that has no friends and is secluded form the rest of society. All of this helps mold Sylvia into the animal loving, Nature enthusiast that she exhibits later in the short story. This character trait of hers is important to understanding Sylvia because it lays down the foundation for the crush that she later has on the Heron hunter. Sylvia is isolated from all types of people because of where she grows up in. In "life in the iron Mills", by Rebecca Harding Davis the scene of the city is set up as a very dismal one. The pollution casts a black and gloomy shadow over the city that prevents any sun from shining on the workers. In this type of town where all the people work 24/7 there is no time allotted for children to grow and experience friendships. I believe that this is the very same type of environment that Sylvia grows up in. This is what causes her to be deathly afraid of people. She has no interaction with anyone so she does not know how to open herself up to other people. Sylvia says,"...this was a beautiful place to live in, and she never wished to go home". When she is taken away form the factory city she is on the path to discovering who she really is. The environment that she grew up in serves as a catalyst for her love of the environment later in the story. As we read on, Sylvia transforms from the wilted and dying Geranium, to one that is in full blossom and lively.
Friday, February 22, 2008
What a relief
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 22, 2008
Journal #28 Stephen Crane
Quote:
"...drowning must really be a comfortable arrangement, a cessation of hostilities accompanied by a large degree of relief, and he was glad for it, for the main thing in his mind for some moments had been horror of the temporary agony. He did not wish to be hurt"(Crane 1015).
Summary:
Death by drowning is being described as a huge relief, after enduring the rowing and fighting against the waves to get land.
Response:
After our discussion, in class, on Wednesday Scott ended the lecture with the final Crane stage being about love, courage, trust and community. I do not completely agree with this interpretation but I can see how Scott arrived to it. Scott along with another student interpreted the story about the courage the crew showed by sticking together in the face of death. I however see the ending different. I get more the impression that the crew,"could then be interpreters", because they have just been enlightened to the awesome strength of their environment. In other words they became aware that they have no say in their world. They are at the mercy of nature and the environment. They become interpreters in the sense that they respect their environment and are very aware of its tremendous power. They now posses the ability to read mother nature and interpret what she is trying to say. They are no longer the egotistical humans they once were, they know that everything is not about them. They to will feel the wrath of their environment regardless of how good or bad they are.
The environment has a power that few realize. Take for example hurricane Katrina. No one would ever have thought that a hurricane would reach inland with that much force. The devastation from this hurricane is still being felt and seen three years later. It's our environment keeping us in check and sending us a warning. It's telling us that we need to treat our environment better. It also serves as a message that we are not in control of our fates. At any will we can be wiped off the planet. The environment controls our fate not us.
English 48B
February 22, 2008
Journal #28 Stephen Crane
Quote:
"...drowning must really be a comfortable arrangement, a cessation of hostilities accompanied by a large degree of relief, and he was glad for it, for the main thing in his mind for some moments had been horror of the temporary agony. He did not wish to be hurt"(Crane 1015).
Summary:
Death by drowning is being described as a huge relief, after enduring the rowing and fighting against the waves to get land.
Response:
After our discussion, in class, on Wednesday Scott ended the lecture with the final Crane stage being about love, courage, trust and community. I do not completely agree with this interpretation but I can see how Scott arrived to it. Scott along with another student interpreted the story about the courage the crew showed by sticking together in the face of death. I however see the ending different. I get more the impression that the crew,"could then be interpreters", because they have just been enlightened to the awesome strength of their environment. In other words they became aware that they have no say in their world. They are at the mercy of nature and the environment. They become interpreters in the sense that they respect their environment and are very aware of its tremendous power. They now posses the ability to read mother nature and interpret what she is trying to say. They are no longer the egotistical humans they once were, they know that everything is not about them. They to will feel the wrath of their environment regardless of how good or bad they are.
The environment has a power that few realize. Take for example hurricane Katrina. No one would ever have thought that a hurricane would reach inland with that much force. The devastation from this hurricane is still being felt and seen three years later. It's our environment keeping us in check and sending us a warning. It's telling us that we need to treat our environment better. It also serves as a message that we are not in control of our fates. At any will we can be wiped off the planet. The environment controls our fate not us.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Temple but no bricks
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 21, 2008
Journal #27 Stephen Crane
Quote:
"...he at first wishes to throw bricks at the temple, and he hates deeply the fact that there are no bricks and no temples"(Crane 1011).
Summary:
This is another stage in Crane's stage's. This is the stage where one wants to curse the gods but there is nothing to curse.
Response:
Naturalism is how the environment shapes a humans actions and reactions and in the case of the doomed ship crew the environment serves exactly this purpose. After they have prayed for salvation they find themselves staring death in the face. They complain about how unjust it is for them to have rowed so long and be within eyesight of land only not be able to make it to land. These men think they are better then the sea. The sea is what holds the power over the lives of these men. While trying to row their way to land they are thrown all over the place by the strong currents of the sea. This is when the men get upset, they want to vent their anger on the sea for fighting against their progress. The only problem is what are they supposed to do if the very thing keeping them from the land has no physical form. They want to get mad at something that has no physical shape. I chose this quote because of the deep philosophical roots that these problem conjures up. How do you hurt something that has no feeling? This reminds me of any time I am having trouble fixing my car and things are not going as I please. I then become frustrated and hit whatever part of my car I am working on. What if an inatimite object could feel pain? Would I hit the part of my car knowing that it felt pain? The Crane stages prove to be very complex when they are broken down and looked at individually.
English 48B
February 21, 2008
Journal #27 Stephen Crane
Quote:
"...he at first wishes to throw bricks at the temple, and he hates deeply the fact that there are no bricks and no temples"(Crane 1011).
Summary:
This is another stage in Crane's stage's. This is the stage where one wants to curse the gods but there is nothing to curse.
Response:
Naturalism is how the environment shapes a humans actions and reactions and in the case of the doomed ship crew the environment serves exactly this purpose. After they have prayed for salvation they find themselves staring death in the face. They complain about how unjust it is for them to have rowed so long and be within eyesight of land only not be able to make it to land. These men think they are better then the sea. The sea is what holds the power over the lives of these men. While trying to row their way to land they are thrown all over the place by the strong currents of the sea. This is when the men get upset, they want to vent their anger on the sea for fighting against their progress. The only problem is what are they supposed to do if the very thing keeping them from the land has no physical form. They want to get mad at something that has no physical shape. I chose this quote because of the deep philosophical roots that these problem conjures up. How do you hurt something that has no feeling? This reminds me of any time I am having trouble fixing my car and things are not going as I please. I then become frustrated and hit whatever part of my car I am working on. What if an inatimite object could feel pain? Would I hit the part of my car knowing that it felt pain? The Crane stages prove to be very complex when they are broken down and looked at individually.
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 21, 2008
Journal #26 Stephen Crane
Quote:
"Often they came very close and stared at the men with black bead-like eyes. At these times they were uncanny and sinister in their unblinking scrutiny, and the men hooted angrily at them, telling them to be gone"( Crane 1002).
Summary:
The seagulls are trying to tell the crew of the doomed ship that they should never have sailed in these conditions. Mother nature seems like she is getting the last laugh. These men decide to set sail into the impending weather and they expect to come back without a scratch. I love how Crane has the Seagulls glaring at the men. It's like the seagulls are saying, " Just what do you idiots think you are doing?" What do the men do? They yell at the seagulls to leave them alone. It is humans at their dumbest;There's a huge storm, oh well, we'll survive. This really makes you take a step back and wonder just how clever are we as a species.
Aside form the fact that these men have decided to continue sail in the terrible weather the seagulls have a omniscient quality to them. With their black sinister eyes they are telling the crew that they will perish for thinking they can overcome Mother Nature. It's as if the hand of the mighty sea god has slapped them in the face and saying, "Just what do you think you are doing"? "Go back to land where you belong". Of course the crew just gets mad at the birds because they think they are being mocked. Little does the crew know that the environment will teach them a lesson.
English 48B
February 21, 2008
Journal #26 Stephen Crane
Quote:
"Often they came very close and stared at the men with black bead-like eyes. At these times they were uncanny and sinister in their unblinking scrutiny, and the men hooted angrily at them, telling them to be gone"( Crane 1002).
Summary:
The seagulls are trying to tell the crew of the doomed ship that they should never have sailed in these conditions. Mother nature seems like she is getting the last laugh. These men decide to set sail into the impending weather and they expect to come back without a scratch. I love how Crane has the Seagulls glaring at the men. It's like the seagulls are saying, " Just what do you idiots think you are doing?" What do the men do? They yell at the seagulls to leave them alone. It is humans at their dumbest;There's a huge storm, oh well, we'll survive. This really makes you take a step back and wonder just how clever are we as a species.
Aside form the fact that these men have decided to continue sail in the terrible weather the seagulls have a omniscient quality to them. With their black sinister eyes they are telling the crew that they will perish for thinking they can overcome Mother Nature. It's as if the hand of the mighty sea god has slapped them in the face and saying, "Just what do you think you are doing"? "Go back to land where you belong". Of course the crew just gets mad at the birds because they think they are being mocked. Little does the crew know that the environment will teach them a lesson.
The Crane Stages
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 21, 2008
Journal #25 Stephen Crane
Quote:
"These waves were most wrongfully and barbarously abrupt and tall, and each froth-top was a problem n small oat navigation"(Crane 1000).
Summary:
The narrator is describing the size and power of the storm and the waves that the Captain and the crew is confronted with.
Response:
As we discussed in class on Wednesday this story evolves into separate stages. The above quote is an example of the early stages of the "Crane Stages". As the captain and his crew face the giant storm they all quickly realize that they are in the midst of a life and death survival situation. Early in the "Crane stages" is the stage where an individual curses the gods. Why is this happening to me? This question is posed as one confronts the survival situation they are in. It is crass and egotistic for a human to think that nothing bad should happen to them. What we fail to realize as humans, on this planet, is that we are not in control; Mother nature is. We cannot control the weather,earthquakes, tsunamis, nor the winds. So just how realistic is if for us to think that nothing bad happens to the good person. Such is the case for the crew on the ship. They all initially feel as if this should not be happening to them. This should be happening to another crew. Their justify this by asking why this would happen to a crew that has traveled so far on the sea and are within eyesight of land. As Scott said, " How hideous to die within sight of land". Is this not the first reaction that we would all jump to. For example if you have your car broken into or you use your wallet and find out that someone is using your credit card your first reaction is, Why me? Humans must think that nothing will bad will ever happen to us and that we are in control of our environment. What we do not realize is that bad things will happen to good people and we are not on control of our environment. as the story progresses we will see the rest of the stages that humans go through in a life and death situation.
English 48B
February 21, 2008
Journal #25 Stephen Crane
Quote:
"These waves were most wrongfully and barbarously abrupt and tall, and each froth-top was a problem n small oat navigation"(Crane 1000).
Summary:
The narrator is describing the size and power of the storm and the waves that the Captain and the crew is confronted with.
Response:
As we discussed in class on Wednesday this story evolves into separate stages. The above quote is an example of the early stages of the "Crane Stages". As the captain and his crew face the giant storm they all quickly realize that they are in the midst of a life and death survival situation. Early in the "Crane stages" is the stage where an individual curses the gods. Why is this happening to me? This question is posed as one confronts the survival situation they are in. It is crass and egotistic for a human to think that nothing bad should happen to them. What we fail to realize as humans, on this planet, is that we are not in control; Mother nature is. We cannot control the weather,earthquakes, tsunamis, nor the winds. So just how realistic is if for us to think that nothing bad happens to the good person. Such is the case for the crew on the ship. They all initially feel as if this should not be happening to them. This should be happening to another crew. Their justify this by asking why this would happen to a crew that has traveled so far on the sea and are within eyesight of land. As Scott said, " How hideous to die within sight of land". Is this not the first reaction that we would all jump to. For example if you have your car broken into or you use your wallet and find out that someone is using your credit card your first reaction is, Why me? Humans must think that nothing will bad will ever happen to us and that we are in control of our environment. What we do not realize is that bad things will happen to good people and we are not on control of our environment. as the story progresses we will see the rest of the stages that humans go through in a life and death situation.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Booker T. and W.E.B.
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 14, 2008
Journal #24 Question #2(Midterm)
Quote:
"Speak soft, and try your little plan,
But as for me, i'll be a man"(Randall 1969).
Summary:
The above quote explains Du Bois' views on civil politics.
Response:
Who is the braver man? A good question to pose with and easy answer(in my opinion). Du Bois was the braver man. He was the braver man because he spoke out against racial equality. He did not accept his place in society. He challenged it. I love the last stanza in the poem that has Du Bois disagreeing with Booker T. This is exactly what he was about. Many kudos and praise to the man who had a voice and fought for equal rights. He did not want his race to feel inferior. He wanted equality. Little did he know that he was laying the brick work for generations of black leaders. I completely agree with Du Bois. He has the best approach towards making the races equal. If you are dormant and quiet, as Booker T. suggests, than everybody will step all over you. Why would you accept that you are an inferior race? This makes no sense to me. I really feel that Du Bois was on the right track of civil equality by speaking out against injustice. With all this said you have to take a look at why Du Bois felt this way. Unlike Booker T. he was not born into slavery rather he was educated and middle class. He had many more opportunities than Booker T. did. This is how he got his big voice. He was not afraid of controversy and backlash because it was not in his character. Two drastically different man with two drastically different points of view. It makes you wonder how different America would be if these two men were alive today preaching their points of view.
English 48B
February 14, 2008
Journal #24 Question #2(Midterm)
Quote:
"Speak soft, and try your little plan,
But as for me, i'll be a man"(Randall 1969).
Summary:
The above quote explains Du Bois' views on civil politics.
Response:
Who is the braver man? A good question to pose with and easy answer(in my opinion). Du Bois was the braver man. He was the braver man because he spoke out against racial equality. He did not accept his place in society. He challenged it. I love the last stanza in the poem that has Du Bois disagreeing with Booker T. This is exactly what he was about. Many kudos and praise to the man who had a voice and fought for equal rights. He did not want his race to feel inferior. He wanted equality. Little did he know that he was laying the brick work for generations of black leaders. I completely agree with Du Bois. He has the best approach towards making the races equal. If you are dormant and quiet, as Booker T. suggests, than everybody will step all over you. Why would you accept that you are an inferior race? This makes no sense to me. I really feel that Du Bois was on the right track of civil equality by speaking out against injustice. With all this said you have to take a look at why Du Bois felt this way. Unlike Booker T. he was not born into slavery rather he was educated and middle class. He had many more opportunities than Booker T. did. This is how he got his big voice. He was not afraid of controversy and backlash because it was not in his character. Two drastically different man with two drastically different points of view. It makes you wonder how different America would be if these two men were alive today preaching their points of view.
Booker T. and W.E.B.
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 14, 2008
Journal #23 Question #2(Midterm)
Quote:
"Just keep your mouths shut, do not grouse,
But work, and save, and buy a house"(Randall 1969).
Summary:
The poet Dudley Randall is comparing and contrasting the two drastically different political styles of Booker T. and W.E.B.
Response:
First I want to comment on how well Randall breaks down the main differences between the two black rights activists. We all know that Booker T. was in favor of accepting the black persons role in society and educating oneself. Whereas Du Bois was in favor of speaking out against social injustices and actively engaging people about these injustices. If you did not know anything about these two men all you would have to do is read this poem and you would instantly know the two positions that these black men were on. Booker T. was a more quiet man who did not like conflict. He favored improving oneself by becoming educated in the industrial sector. Booker T. saw what the black slaves were good at and told them to embrace it. This he argued was for the better because it was self improvement. This idea stems from the fact that Booker T. was born into slavery. Being a slave Booker T. was not granted many opportunities but when they presented themselves he took complete and full advantage of them. In the above quote he says to mind your own business, work and buy a house. What a timid way to view the struggle of race relations. I have argued before that I do not agree with Booker T's politics but understand where he is coming from. Booker T was just much to accepting of his role in society. This really bothers me. What if Martin Luther King Jr had accepted that blacks were inferior? Would they have the same civil rights they do now? Possibly, but they surly would have taken much longer to achieve.
English 48B
February 14, 2008
Journal #23 Question #2(Midterm)
Quote:
"Just keep your mouths shut, do not grouse,
But work, and save, and buy a house"(Randall 1969).
Summary:
The poet Dudley Randall is comparing and contrasting the two drastically different political styles of Booker T. and W.E.B.
Response:
First I want to comment on how well Randall breaks down the main differences between the two black rights activists. We all know that Booker T. was in favor of accepting the black persons role in society and educating oneself. Whereas Du Bois was in favor of speaking out against social injustices and actively engaging people about these injustices. If you did not know anything about these two men all you would have to do is read this poem and you would instantly know the two positions that these black men were on. Booker T. was a more quiet man who did not like conflict. He favored improving oneself by becoming educated in the industrial sector. Booker T. saw what the black slaves were good at and told them to embrace it. This he argued was for the better because it was self improvement. This idea stems from the fact that Booker T. was born into slavery. Being a slave Booker T. was not granted many opportunities but when they presented themselves he took complete and full advantage of them. In the above quote he says to mind your own business, work and buy a house. What a timid way to view the struggle of race relations. I have argued before that I do not agree with Booker T's politics but understand where he is coming from. Booker T was just much to accepting of his role in society. This really bothers me. What if Martin Luther King Jr had accepted that blacks were inferior? Would they have the same civil rights they do now? Possibly, but they surly would have taken much longer to achieve.
Irony in Ruiz de Burton
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 14, 2008
Journal #22 Ruiz de Burton
Quote:
"Only let us out in time to bring the milch cows home,before night comes on,'said old Miller,dryly.
'Exactly , we want to look after our cows, too'"(Ruiz de Burton 95).
Summary:
The newly granted land owners have come to the estate of Don Mariano to discuss the the land and cattle situation.
Response:
The new landowners have just acquired new land from Mexico and they have come to Don Mariano's estate to tell him to get out of the cattle business. The irony is how the landowners are complaining about the cattle yet they are so worried about bringing their cattle back to their pasture before it is to late. This helped shape the publics opinion by showing just how unlogical the demands of the new land owners were. It also played into the emotions of the public opinion by showing how demanding the new land owners were to the current land owners. After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo much of Mexico's land was given to the government of America. Here is where the problem lay, you were expecting people who had been living on and working the land for hundreds of years to give up land that was their's overnight. I can just imagine just how much of a issue this must of caused. Of course public opinion did not care about the Spanish and Mexican landowners, public opinion expected the Spanish and Mexican's to hand over the land unconditionally. What Ruiz de Burton did to sway public opinion was to point out the ironies and hypocrisies of the white people. In the above quote the white people have come to complain to Don Mariano abou t how his cattle have destroyed their crop.At the same time they are so worried about their cattle. You can not have it both ways. Either you want to raise cattle or you want to raise grain( which is what they propose Don Mariano does). Their is also another big irony that I forgot to point put, Don Mariano proposes they grow fruit bearing trees and plants instead of grain but the white's are so stuck on growing grains. Don Mariano proves to be the smarter of the three because the county of San Diego later in the states life becomes known for an excellent place to grow oranges and grapes just as Don Mariano had suggested.
English 48B
February 14, 2008
Journal #22 Ruiz de Burton
Quote:
"Only let us out in time to bring the milch cows home,before night comes on,'said old Miller,dryly.
'Exactly , we want to look after our cows, too'"(Ruiz de Burton 95).
Summary:
The newly granted land owners have come to the estate of Don Mariano to discuss the the land and cattle situation.
Response:
The new landowners have just acquired new land from Mexico and they have come to Don Mariano's estate to tell him to get out of the cattle business. The irony is how the landowners are complaining about the cattle yet they are so worried about bringing their cattle back to their pasture before it is to late. This helped shape the publics opinion by showing just how unlogical the demands of the new land owners were. It also played into the emotions of the public opinion by showing how demanding the new land owners were to the current land owners. After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo much of Mexico's land was given to the government of America. Here is where the problem lay, you were expecting people who had been living on and working the land for hundreds of years to give up land that was their's overnight. I can just imagine just how much of a issue this must of caused. Of course public opinion did not care about the Spanish and Mexican landowners, public opinion expected the Spanish and Mexican's to hand over the land unconditionally. What Ruiz de Burton did to sway public opinion was to point out the ironies and hypocrisies of the white people. In the above quote the white people have come to complain to Don Mariano abou t how his cattle have destroyed their crop.At the same time they are so worried about their cattle. You can not have it both ways. Either you want to raise cattle or you want to raise grain( which is what they propose Don Mariano does). Their is also another big irony that I forgot to point put, Don Mariano proposes they grow fruit bearing trees and plants instead of grain but the white's are so stuck on growing grains. Don Mariano proves to be the smarter of the three because the county of San Diego later in the states life becomes known for an excellent place to grow oranges and grapes just as Don Mariano had suggested.
The irony in,"Life among the Piutes".
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 14, 2008
Journal #21 Winnemucca
Quote:
"You call my people bloodseeking. My people did not seek to kill them, nor did they steal their horses,-no,no,far from it.During the winter my people helped them"(Winnemucca 504).
Summary:
Winnemucca is defending her people by showing how the whites are the "savages", not the Native Americans.
Response:
The irony behind the above quote is that the real savages are the white people themselves, not the Native Americans. When the European's came and saw the way the Native American communities lives and ate they titled them all savages or beasts. The Europeans could not have been more grosely wrong. The Native Americans were the much more civilized of the were societies. They knew how to plant and harvest their land, they knew how to hunt efficiently and their general hgeine was of a much higher standard. The European's are the real savages because they never bathed, enslaved people and killed and ran the Native Americans off their land. This irony that Winnemucca brings up helps sway the public opinion because it shows just how brutal and barbaric the Europeans were compared to the Native Americans. I just find it hard to believe that the Native Americans would have to defend themselves against such ugly name calling.A lot of times, especially in the winter,if the Native American's had not taken care of the Whites than many of them would have perished. The whites would have perished because they did not know how to work the land or how to build shelters in the cold enviroment. This helps to shape the public's opinion by pointing out who the real "savage" was. Although I do think that it took the public a long time to accept this new view of the Native American.
English 48B
February 14, 2008
Journal #21 Winnemucca
Quote:
"You call my people bloodseeking. My people did not seek to kill them, nor did they steal their horses,-no,no,far from it.During the winter my people helped them"(Winnemucca 504).
Summary:
Winnemucca is defending her people by showing how the whites are the "savages", not the Native Americans.
Response:
The irony behind the above quote is that the real savages are the white people themselves, not the Native Americans. When the European's came and saw the way the Native American communities lives and ate they titled them all savages or beasts. The Europeans could not have been more grosely wrong. The Native Americans were the much more civilized of the were societies. They knew how to plant and harvest their land, they knew how to hunt efficiently and their general hgeine was of a much higher standard. The European's are the real savages because they never bathed, enslaved people and killed and ran the Native Americans off their land. This irony that Winnemucca brings up helps sway the public opinion because it shows just how brutal and barbaric the Europeans were compared to the Native Americans. I just find it hard to believe that the Native Americans would have to defend themselves against such ugly name calling.A lot of times, especially in the winter,if the Native American's had not taken care of the Whites than many of them would have perished. The whites would have perished because they did not know how to work the land or how to build shelters in the cold enviroment. This helps to shape the public's opinion by pointing out who the real "savage" was. Although I do think that it took the public a long time to accept this new view of the Native American.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 8, 2008
Journal #20 Booker T. Washington
Quote:
"...so in the future, in our humble way, we shall stand by you with a devotion that no foreigner can approach, ready to lay down our lives, if need be, in defence of yours"(Washington 681).
Summary:
This quote is from a speech that Washington gave at the Atlanta exposition, as a representative of the Negro race.
Response:
I have to give a lot of respect to a man that was so humble. I say this because of the above quote. Washington, as a representative of the black race, says that they they are willing to die for their masters. This I do not doubt. I really believe that almost all slaves would unconditionally do anything for their masters. You almost have to take a step back and see just how devoted and how strong the African Americans were. The cruelty they faced and the terrible laws they faced and they still remain so loyal. This speaks volumes for the character of the under appreciated and held down slave. It goes to show just how great out society would have been if the problem of slavery never existed. You have to reach out your hand and give these people a lot of sympathy for what their race has had to endure. These are very powerful words that Washington is speaking at the Atlanta exposition. I think that by saying how devoted the African Americans are, he is actually helping his race by showing their humbleness. Washington reminds me of Martin Luther King Jr. They both used compassion and humbleness to spread their words and ideals. This later worked by just taking a look at what King Jr. was able to accomplish in the civil rights struggle. From looking back at what Washington and Du Bois wrote I can say that I have earned a greater deal of respect and knowledge of these two men. At first I did not agree with Washington's philosophy but I can now say that I respect what he did and his humbleness.
English 48B
February 8, 2008
Journal #20 Booker T. Washington
Quote:
"...so in the future, in our humble way, we shall stand by you with a devotion that no foreigner can approach, ready to lay down our lives, if need be, in defence of yours"(Washington 681).
Summary:
This quote is from a speech that Washington gave at the Atlanta exposition, as a representative of the Negro race.
Response:
I have to give a lot of respect to a man that was so humble. I say this because of the above quote. Washington, as a representative of the black race, says that they they are willing to die for their masters. This I do not doubt. I really believe that almost all slaves would unconditionally do anything for their masters. You almost have to take a step back and see just how devoted and how strong the African Americans were. The cruelty they faced and the terrible laws they faced and they still remain so loyal. This speaks volumes for the character of the under appreciated and held down slave. It goes to show just how great out society would have been if the problem of slavery never existed. You have to reach out your hand and give these people a lot of sympathy for what their race has had to endure. These are very powerful words that Washington is speaking at the Atlanta exposition. I think that by saying how devoted the African Americans are, he is actually helping his race by showing their humbleness. Washington reminds me of Martin Luther King Jr. They both used compassion and humbleness to spread their words and ideals. This later worked by just taking a look at what King Jr. was able to accomplish in the civil rights struggle. From looking back at what Washington and Du Bois wrote I can say that I have earned a greater deal of respect and knowledge of these two men. At first I did not agree with Washington's philosophy but I can now say that I respect what he did and his humbleness.
The docile Washington
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 8, 2008
Journal #19
Quote:
As a rule, not only did the members of my race entertain no feelings of bitterness against the whites before and during the war, but there are many instances of Negroes tenderly caring for their former masters..."(Washington 670).
Summary:
Washington is describing how the slaves acted during and after the civil war.
Response:
After my previous two blog entries bashing Booker T. Washington I came to a big realization about Washington. I came to the conclusion that the reason he preached the submissive philosophy is because of how he grew up. Washington grew up into slavery while Du Bois grew up in a middle class family. Obviously Du Bois had a lot more opportunities than did Washington. I believe this is what helped shaped the two mne we read about this week. I think that the reason Washington was so submissive is because this is the natural attitude of the slave. A slave really has no options as to what living condition he is put into. The slave has almost no control over what he or she does or says. So what better way to improve your situation than by accepting who you are and trying to make yourself stronger. Washington was a firm believer in self-teaching and the agriculture business. Slaves were the people that tended and harvested the crops for the white people. There was no better way for the slave to improve himself/herself than focusing on what they did best. Now I do not completely agree with this but I can definitely see where Washington's point of view came from. On the other hand it was much easier for Du Bois to be the outspoken when you come from an economically better background. I think that when it came down to it and I was a slave during the civil war era I would have chosen Washington's philosophy because it was more low key and not as intrusive as what Du Bois preached.
English 48B
February 8, 2008
Journal #19
Quote:
As a rule, not only did the members of my race entertain no feelings of bitterness against the whites before and during the war, but there are many instances of Negroes tenderly caring for their former masters..."(Washington 670).
Summary:
Washington is describing how the slaves acted during and after the civil war.
Response:
After my previous two blog entries bashing Booker T. Washington I came to a big realization about Washington. I came to the conclusion that the reason he preached the submissive philosophy is because of how he grew up. Washington grew up into slavery while Du Bois grew up in a middle class family. Obviously Du Bois had a lot more opportunities than did Washington. I believe this is what helped shaped the two mne we read about this week. I think that the reason Washington was so submissive is because this is the natural attitude of the slave. A slave really has no options as to what living condition he is put into. The slave has almost no control over what he or she does or says. So what better way to improve your situation than by accepting who you are and trying to make yourself stronger. Washington was a firm believer in self-teaching and the agriculture business. Slaves were the people that tended and harvested the crops for the white people. There was no better way for the slave to improve himself/herself than focusing on what they did best. Now I do not completely agree with this but I can definitely see where Washington's point of view came from. On the other hand it was much easier for Du Bois to be the outspoken when you come from an economically better background. I think that when it came down to it and I was a slave during the civil war era I would have chosen Washington's philosophy because it was more low key and not as intrusive as what Du Bois preached.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Washington's backwards ideals
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 7, 2008
Journal #18 W.E.B Du Bois
Quote:
"Mr Washington distinctly asks that black people give up, at least for the present, three things,-
First, political power,
Second, insistence on civil rights,
Third, higher education of Negro youth,-"(Du Bois 906).
Summary:
Du Bois is summarizing the philosophy that Booker T. Washington advocated.
Response:
The submissive route is not the way to go when approaching civil rights. I am now further convinced that Washington was completely satisfied with being labeled an inferior person. This is definitely the wrong way to approach civil rights. In my previous blog entry I wanted to give Washington the benefit of the doubt by saying that he was not a coward, but Du Bois sums him up pretty well. He was absolutely afraid of the white communities backlash. To me I can see who the braver man was, Du Bois. Du Bois really wanted to see his race achieve racial equality. While Washington just seemed to tell all blacks to mind their business and not speak out against the wrongs. This just seems completely backwards of what a race trying to achieve freedom and equality would want to do. It would not surprise me if Du Bois had a much larger following than Washington. The above quote just shows me all steps backwards that would be made if Washington's followers, followed and applied his advice. He wanted people to give up critical things that would help the African American's quest for equality. How can a group of people give up their political voice, their future's education and their civil rights and expect to get anywhere with their struggle. I just see way to many flaws with Washington's politics. As I have said before I hate to sound like I am bashing Washington but to me his ideals just make absolutely no sense.
English 48B
February 7, 2008
Journal #18 W.E.B Du Bois
Quote:
"Mr Washington distinctly asks that black people give up, at least for the present, three things,-
First, political power,
Second, insistence on civil rights,
Third, higher education of Negro youth,-"(Du Bois 906).
Summary:
Du Bois is summarizing the philosophy that Booker T. Washington advocated.
Response:
The submissive route is not the way to go when approaching civil rights. I am now further convinced that Washington was completely satisfied with being labeled an inferior person. This is definitely the wrong way to approach civil rights. In my previous blog entry I wanted to give Washington the benefit of the doubt by saying that he was not a coward, but Du Bois sums him up pretty well. He was absolutely afraid of the white communities backlash. To me I can see who the braver man was, Du Bois. Du Bois really wanted to see his race achieve racial equality. While Washington just seemed to tell all blacks to mind their business and not speak out against the wrongs. This just seems completely backwards of what a race trying to achieve freedom and equality would want to do. It would not surprise me if Du Bois had a much larger following than Washington. The above quote just shows me all steps backwards that would be made if Washington's followers, followed and applied his advice. He wanted people to give up critical things that would help the African American's quest for equality. How can a group of people give up their political voice, their future's education and their civil rights and expect to get anywhere with their struggle. I just see way to many flaws with Washington's politics. As I have said before I hate to sound like I am bashing Washington but to me his ideals just make absolutely no sense.
Double Consciousness
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 7, 2008
Journal #17 W.E.B. Du Bois
Quote:
"...an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder"( Du Bois 896).
Summary:
Du Bois is explaining his idea of the African American's "double consciousness". This is the idea that the black person will always have an inner struggle between his African roots and his current situation in America.
Response:
Du Bois was a strong advocator for standing up and fighting for the rights of the African Americans. Unlike Booker T. Washington he did not want to accept his place as a inferior person in the white community. I completely agree with Du Bois and his philosophy. To me it seems that Washington, although with good intentions, did not want to see any type of confrontation therefore he preached the more submissive philosophy. This type of philosophy, to me, does not seem like the type that will cause and changes to happen. It feels like he was almost saying that he agreed with the labels that were put onto blacks by the white people. In order to advance a race and to improve their situation you need a voice that will challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that are placed on them. I am not trying to bash what Washington did, but what Du Bois said and preached took more courage and bravado.Du Bois's philosophy behind race relations reminds me of the Beastie boy's song,"You've got to fight for your right to party!". In the song they advocate for speaking out against what is fair and unjust(in their case partying) so that their message is heard. Du Bois's message tried to do this. He also helped strengthen the black race by reminding them of their culture and heritage. He made sure that all his followers knew where they came from; Africa.
English 48B
February 7, 2008
Journal #17 W.E.B. Du Bois
Quote:
"...an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder"( Du Bois 896).
Summary:
Du Bois is explaining his idea of the African American's "double consciousness". This is the idea that the black person will always have an inner struggle between his African roots and his current situation in America.
Response:
Du Bois was a strong advocator for standing up and fighting for the rights of the African Americans. Unlike Booker T. Washington he did not want to accept his place as a inferior person in the white community. I completely agree with Du Bois and his philosophy. To me it seems that Washington, although with good intentions, did not want to see any type of confrontation therefore he preached the more submissive philosophy. This type of philosophy, to me, does not seem like the type that will cause and changes to happen. It feels like he was almost saying that he agreed with the labels that were put onto blacks by the white people. In order to advance a race and to improve their situation you need a voice that will challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that are placed on them. I am not trying to bash what Washington did, but what Du Bois said and preached took more courage and bravado.Du Bois's philosophy behind race relations reminds me of the Beastie boy's song,"You've got to fight for your right to party!". In the song they advocate for speaking out against what is fair and unjust(in their case partying) so that their message is heard. Du Bois's message tried to do this. He also helped strengthen the black race by reminding them of their culture and heritage. He made sure that all his followers knew where they came from; Africa.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Whose land is it?
Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 1, 2008
Journal #16 Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton
Quote:
"...shall be governed by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; the law of the nations; the laws, usages, and customs of the government form which the claim is derived..."(Ruiz de Burton 93).
Summary:
Ruiz de Burton is telling the reader where and how the Untied States was able to get it's newly acquired land.
Response:
The reason I chose the above quote is because it is the closest one I could find on what I wanted to write this journal entry about. If I run onto another tangent than I apologize. I have always felt a inner struggle between the American culture and the Mexican culture. The reason being is because both my mother and my father were born in Durango, Mexico. I was born in California. From very early on I have never really known which side to embrace more. At times I want to embrace my Mexican Heritage because of my parents roots, yet the closest I have ever been to my parents homeland in Tijuana or Mexicali, Mexico( which does not really count as being Mexico). On the other hand I was born in the United States and here I have been given opportunities and education that I would have never seen If I was born on my parents ranch. The reason I bring this up is because after reading a little of Ruiz de Burton's introduction, I get the sense that she also has a similar conflict. She is a Mexican -American,like myself, in the midst of a land transformation. It must have been an extremely difficult time for the Spanish and Mexicans to have to give huge lots of their land overnight. This has been an question that has plaugued me ever since I first learned about the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; How different would California and it's surrounding states be if Mexico was able to defeat the Americans and keeps the land that it ultimately gave up? This goes back to my inner struggle, especially when I consider many legislation going on.
Take for example the border situation, part of me says let them in because they want to work and make money buy another part says that if we let all Mexican immigrants in than the California will become overcrowded and its resources and money will fade quickly. I find it so hard to put my foot down for either side. It's an issue that I have learned to deal with by sort of ignoring it. I know that this is the wrong way to approach it but it's how I have dealt with issues concerning American and Mexican relations.
English 48B
February 1, 2008
Journal #16 Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton
Quote:
"...shall be governed by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; the law of the nations; the laws, usages, and customs of the government form which the claim is derived..."(Ruiz de Burton 93).
Summary:
Ruiz de Burton is telling the reader where and how the Untied States was able to get it's newly acquired land.
Response:
The reason I chose the above quote is because it is the closest one I could find on what I wanted to write this journal entry about. If I run onto another tangent than I apologize. I have always felt a inner struggle between the American culture and the Mexican culture. The reason being is because both my mother and my father were born in Durango, Mexico. I was born in California. From very early on I have never really known which side to embrace more. At times I want to embrace my Mexican Heritage because of my parents roots, yet the closest I have ever been to my parents homeland in Tijuana or Mexicali, Mexico( which does not really count as being Mexico). On the other hand I was born in the United States and here I have been given opportunities and education that I would have never seen If I was born on my parents ranch. The reason I bring this up is because after reading a little of Ruiz de Burton's introduction, I get the sense that she also has a similar conflict. She is a Mexican -American,like myself, in the midst of a land transformation. It must have been an extremely difficult time for the Spanish and Mexicans to have to give huge lots of their land overnight. This has been an question that has plaugued me ever since I first learned about the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; How different would California and it's surrounding states be if Mexico was able to defeat the Americans and keeps the land that it ultimately gave up? This goes back to my inner struggle, especially when I consider many legislation going on.
Take for example the border situation, part of me says let them in because they want to work and make money buy another part says that if we let all Mexican immigrants in than the California will become overcrowded and its resources and money will fade quickly. I find it so hard to put my foot down for either side. It's an issue that I have learned to deal with by sort of ignoring it. I know that this is the wrong way to approach it but it's how I have dealt with issues concerning American and Mexican relations.