Ethical vs. Unethical Decisions in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

     People make mistakes everyday in their lives. Ranging from messing up a math problem, taking the wrong turn or telling someone something you shouldn't have. The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare is one of the world's best known devastating love stories. It tells the tale of two feuding families in Verona, Italy and how their two teenage children manage to find love within all the hate. However with the families anger comes death and the two lovers end their own life to be with each other. This story shows how everyone make bad decisions in their lives but sometimes we could have avoided it if we had thought it through and kept in mind our morals. In Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence is the priest that marries Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence is one of the few characters that knew about their relationship from the beginning and Romeo's previous relationship with Rosaline. I believe that Friar Lawrence's decision to marry Romeo and Juliet was unethical.

     I believe that Friar Lawrence's decision two marry Romeo and Juliet for many reasons. One reason was because Romeo has always come to to confide in Friar Lawrence whenever he was in need of guidance and because he trusted him. Because of this Friar Lawrence should have lived up to Romeo's expectation of him as a mentor and warned Romeo of the consequence of his marriage because they are still only children even if they do truly love each other. In addition when Romeo first comes to Friar Lawrence with his proposal this is his reaction, "Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear so soon forgotten?" This shows his skepticism towards Romeo's true judgement of love and how he might change his mind about Juliet like with Rosaline. Also it the story he says, " In one respect I'll your assistant be, for this alliance  may no happy be prove to turn household's rancor to pure love." This shows that he will only marry them not because he thinks they love each other but because he believes that it might end the hatred between their families which will in the end also improve the Friar's life and side in the fight. 

     In conclusion, Friar Lawrence acted unethically because even though he may have had some good intentions by ending the feud between the families, but he still took advantage of the naive Romeo and Juliet which ended in tragedy. I believe that he acted impulsively and did not consider the consequences this risky marriage could have. When he married them he knew of their histories and age and didn't even believe they were truly in love and only thought of the fact that is could end the fight. However this clearly did not end well even though the families made peace many lives were lost along the way. This shows how in life you should not always act on impulse and instead consider the possible outcomes of your decisions before it ends up negatively impacting your life and the lives of those close to you.

Social Commentary and Human Relationship Themes in The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters

Feminism: noun

"the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men."

     In 1866 Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the American Equal Rights Association with the goal of suffrage for all. 1869- the women's rights movement splits into two main groups: the  "radical" New York-based National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) and the more conservative Boston based American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA). 1890- under Elizabeth Cady Stanton's leadership The NWSA and the AWSA are combined again to form the  National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).  Women everywhere are fighting for the growing movement and take what is rightfully theirs.

1.      Its 1900 and  headstrong, teen, suffragist Olivia Mead's life is about to take an unexpected turn when the mysterious, young magician Monsieur Henri Reverie comes to Oregon. After her mother left her as a child to escape to the freedoms of New York City, Olivia was left to live under the strict rule of her anti-suffrage father, Dr. Mead. In a quest to keep Olivia from becoming like her mother, and keeping her as a "proper young lady", Dr. Mead seeks out Henri to hypnotize the rebelliousness out of her. However Henri has other plans and secretly gives the Olivia the ability to see others "as they truly are". With this ,Olivia makes a horrific discovery that people are not always what they seem, and many appear to be "monsters"... Including her father. 
2.      The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters is a coming of age story of a teen suffragist and how her whole perspective of the world changes in, quite literally, the blink of an eye. She learns about not depending on what others think of you to lead your life and how someone should never be judged right away because no one is almost ever what they really seem. Through Henri and his sister Genevieve's heartbreaking story she learns the importance of family, blood related or not. 
3.      I ride my bike everywhere it is my main source of transportation when the weather is nice. I wear jeans or shorts any where I go without a second thought. In the book Olivia dreams about a pair of women's bicycle bloomers she saw one day in a shop, but her father forbids her to own something so "improper". The women in this time period lives revolve around what men proper and are thought of a social pariahs if they act otherwise. But as Olivia's visions become more extreme and her father more and more rigid, she begins to break free from societies standards and does what she believes is right.
4.      In the book you learn that Henri and Genevieve are orphans and Henri is paying for his sister's cancer treatment. It is estimated that about 153 million children in the world have lost one or both parents. These children range from infants to teenagers and are not all in orphanages or adoption centers but left in the streets to fend for themselves. Henri's story is a small representation of what many children's lives are like in the world.

     In conclusion, Olivia learns that there will always be a standard for everything in life but the best way to thrive is to do what you believe is right and to accept those who are different because everyone is fighting for a cause, common or not. Olivia's struggles in society shocked me, but made me realize that society now is still not completely accepting women as equals. In many third-world countries girls are still not allowed to go to school, something Olivia was able to do in the early 1900s, let alone vote. Even in America, where women make up almost half the workforce and receive more college and graduate degrees than men, women continue to receive less pay than men. According to a study done in 2013 women earn, on average, 78 cents to every dollar a man makes, creating a gender wage gap of 22%. In America, where it claims everyone is created equal, why are women still discriminated against? 

     Olivia's story, though it takes place over 100 years ago, still rings true in a large amount of society. I believe the author wants the reader to realize that Olivia's story is still being written around them and for them to help write the end of her story because the fight for women's rights is still on.

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Non-Fiction Reading Response: Cross Dressers of the Civil War

    "Hundreds of women disguised themselves as men to fight on both sides- a century and a half before the ban on women in combat was lifted." "Cross Dressers of the Civil War" by Veronica Majerol is about the many women that hid their gender and fought alongside men during the Civil War. These women fought for many different reasons such as: to receive equal rights, because they were disguised as men they had much more freedom, money, to be with family, and the chance to fight for what they believed was right. During the war some were caught but many were not and fought the whole war. All of them had an impact on war and history. These women risked everything to be a part in what is now an important event in society.

     This article is a small glimpse into the history of women and war, but it is clear to see that women have all but play a small role in history itself. Throughout many years women in America have played a large role in war. Women were second class citizens in the 1800s. They couldn't vote in most states, and they had limited property rights and educational and job opportunities. Working class and immigrant women had it particularly hard. "The army was no harder than the life they were already living," says DeAnne Blanton of the National Archives in Washington, D.C. "and they were going to make a lot more money." the women who fought in the war performed their jobs very well. They served on average, for 16 months; 11 percent dies in battle or from disease, and 15 percent suffered injuries, They kept up with the male soldiers and sometimes surpassed them, with 14 percent of the women receiving promotions, compared to the 10 percent of the men. Throughout the many years after women kept on participating in wars in non-combat and combat wars. It was not until 2013 that the ban on women serving in combat was lifted. This symbolized not only a milestone in women's rights but also a belated acknowledgement of the military role women played in the Civil War.

     In conclusion I agree with the author that women have had a large impact on history and the wars in America. From this article I have learned about the struggles women faced in the past; being forced to stay at home and act like "respectable" women. Throughout history there were a lot of injustices towards women and there still are. Women have strived to receive equality for many years, when others doubted them. However there is still inequalities women are still payed, on average, less then men among other things. America has always claimed to be the place where dreams come true and everyone is equal, but can that really be true when we have so many things in history and society proving this otherwise? Overall, I believe that the author uses many craft choices and details to prove her point and show the importance of women in war and history.

Fiction Reading Response: Tension of Power and Resistance in Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

     “I'm not staring. I'm observing. . . . And what do you observe? . . . A brave young woman who has always fought for what was right, even when it was unpopular.” Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran is a book about twin orphans from the royal family in Egypt are taken to Rome in chains when Octavian conquers Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian's family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave-rebellion, and by the longings deep within their hearts. Throughout the story Selene, her brother Alexander, and many other characters are swept up in a storm of rebellion and power. In the book I learned that people will do anything to stay in power and go to extremes to show that, I also learned that people will do anything to protect the one they love and to protect what they believe in.

     In the book Cleopatra is willing to destroy everything to protect it from being defiled. For example, in the book when the Romans enter Alexandria she prepares for the Mausoleum to be burned along with all the Egyptian treasures. She is so against the Roman beliefs she will do anything to protect her culture from the roman ways because she believes they are not worthy. In addition when the Romans enter the palace Cleopatra commits suicide. This shows she will do anything to be free of the shame and despair being taken to a country that goes against everything she believes in that she would take her own life.

     In the book Octavian does everything possible to stay in power. For example, when Octavian returns from Egypt he learns that his nephew would have been a candidate for replacing him if he did not return. When he hear this he has his own nephew murdered. This shows that he will not even risk having a chance of anyone being a threat to him in the future that he would kill members of his own family who have not done anything yet "just to be safe". Also, when someone attempts to assassinate Octavian during a play, under the guidance of a rebel who goes by The Red Eagle, Octavian stops the grain dole to the city as punishment. This shows that he is willing to starve his own, whole, city because of what one person attempted to do.

     In conclusion power and resistance are important themes in the book. Through the book it demonstrates how unstable the world is and how people are so desperate for power. On the other hand it also shows how people are willing to stand up for whats right no matter what. I believe that people can learn alot from this book because is has many important lessons on how to recognize when power is being abused and how resist it. The characters in Cleopatra's Daughter teach us what it takes to survive in a world where everyone is fighting to be in control.

     

Fiction Reading Response: Tension of Power and Resistance in the Book March by Geraldine Brooks

     “I recognized the tokens of the time, because I had lived through just such another uneasy season, when every day was tainted by the foul breath of a fear that could not be faced forthrightly, yet could not be ignored.” Tension of power and resistance plays a large role in the book March by Geraldine Brooks. The story is about the characters from Little Women's father and his life starting from when he was eighteen all the way through the Civil War. Throughout the book I learned that the world is a very complicated and unstable place and people are always going to be fighting for power. The best thing to do is to act on what you believe is just. 

     In the book Mr.March and Marmee enlist in many power struggles with their own being. For example, when Mr. March first goes to war he has an affair with a newly freed slave named Grace. Even though he believes he has feelings for her he asks his commander to relocate him to a different troop. Mr. March makes a sacrifice and puts his family before himself and does what he believes is right no matter how painful. Another example is how Marmee helps escaping slaves on the underground railroad even though she could be harshly punished. Marmee puts her life at risk to do what she thinks is right. Even though she has no personal connection to the slaves she helps them because she believes that everyone is equal. This shows that one person can have multiple struggles that they face in their lives but the persevere until the believe that justice has been done and as little people will get hurt.

     In the book there are broader power struggles as well. For example half of the book in "present day" (for Mr. March) during this time he is fighting in the Civil War. The war is an example of a real power struggle that took place here in America. The war happened because the North and the South had different beliefs on how the country should be run and its principles. The war was a back and forth struggle everyone fighting to be the the one who is right. this shows that fighting is not always the best way and it causes more damage that repairing the conflict. Another example is during this slave escapees would use a network of abolitionists and safe houses to flee to the north called the Underground Railroad. Also a real life example of a power struggle the slaves would escape their masters knowing the risk and try to find a better life for themselves. If the slaves got caught and sent back many of them would try to escape again and embark on the long hard journey in search for their freedom. This shows that the slaves were fighting the South in a less obvious way, slowly weakening the place that they used to call home in exchange for something that they had long hoped for and deserved. And this opportunity made them fight with all that they had. 

     I  conclusion power is a large theme that effects relationships and how the world is built. Mr. March and other characters in the book are forced to make choices that will effect the rest of their lives and the lives of the people around them. These choices make the characters grow as people and learn about how the world works and if they don't like it then they have to change it themselves. they also learn that is is sometimes best to leave some things alone. This made me think about how power is often abused in the world because people become absorbed in what only they want and not what others need. March by Geraldine Brooks shows how power struggles take part in everyone lives ranging from disagreeing with a friend to worldwide wars. throughout our lives we will have to fight for what is right and make sacrifices along the way.

Non-Fiction Article: "No Job? Get Lost!"

     The article in The New York Times Upfront Magazine, "No Job? Get Lost!" by Andrew Higgins, is about how in Svalbard, Norway unemployment is illegal. The article shows the different views of living in this type of environment in Norway and the reasons for these conditions. The author wants the reader to know that there is no perfect society, even in places like Svalbard where crime rate is low there are negative affects of living in a place where there are very few inhabitants.
     Throughout the article the author uses many crafts such as narrative, loaded words, imagery, and different perspectives. For example the author describes how fresh food is very expensive in this area for example the author talks about how a gallon of milk in Svalbard costs $27 per gallon compared with an average of about $3.70 in America. The authors uses this in a way so it creates an image of something an American can relate to so they can understand how shockingly steep the price is. In addition the author brings  up how polar bear attacks are a common occurrence in the city. It states, "Polar bear attacks regularly make front-page news. That's why nearly everyone in Svalbard owns a gun. This shows the reader how extreme the living environment is. If you have to carry a gun with you to protect yourself from polar bear attacks is it any different that carrying a gun with you to protect yourself from someone attacking you?
     In this article I learned how there is no perfect living environment and how the climate of the area you live in has a very powerful impact on the habits and ways of the society. Svalbard is safe from criminals but is so isolated other dangers that are uncommon in most areas are a daily threat there. Also Svalbard's climate is so extreme that the whole point of these laws are to keep people from freezing to death. One thing that I found suspicious about this article was that there was very little perspective from the people who actually lived there. i found this disturbing because the only way someone can really know what the living environment is like is if they can get a first person account. 

Non-Fiction Article Response: "Darkness Too Visible"

 "Darkness Too Visible" by Megan Cox Gurdon is an article about the troubling content in Young Adult Literature and why it is not appropriate for this age group.  The author is trying to prove to the readers that the themes in Young Adult books are too dark.  She wants people to think about the damage they could cause for teens as well as how it affects them.  Throughout the article she uses author’s crafts and perspectives to support her opinions on Young Adult literature.

     In the article, Ms. Gurdon used many specific craft moves and opinions to support her claim.  For example, Ms. Gurdon uses imagery to describe the view of Young Adult fiction, "if books show us the world, then fiction can be like a hall of fun-house mirrors, constantly reflecting back hideously distorted portrayals of what life is."  This shows how she uses imagery to negatively portray how Young Adult reflects the events in the world.  Ms. Gurdon also uses loaded words to show her opinion.  For example, in the text it weaves words into the article such as daring, savagely, controversial, profane, lurid and many others to stretch her point and make the books seem darker than they truly are.  In addition, Ms. Gurdon uses certain perspectives to prove her point.  For example, in the article there is a quote from a mother of teenagers that says, “nothing, not a thing, that I could imagine giving my daughter.  It was all vampires and suicide and self-mutilation, this dark, dark stuff.”  Ms. Gurdon uses this  quote to show that a mother, someone most adults can relate to, could not find a single book to buy for a simple gift, so how could teens be reading books like this on a daily basis?

     Overall, I disagree with Megan Cox Gurdon’s point of view in the article.  I believe that YA literature is important for teens to read, whether because it shows that there are people in the world that you can relate to, or to open your eyes to things that are going on in the world that you wouldn’t have otherwise known about or been expose to.  In the article I learned that YA fiction can be sometimes too mature for young readers, but it really depends on the person reading the book.  And lastly, one thing that I did not like about the article is that it uses a very biased selection of quotes.  No quote is from an actual teen, so how can people know for sure that your adult literature actually affects teens?