Against School Essay Example for Free

Against School Essay Against School Gattos opinion on school is extremely intense and straight forward. For the most part I agree with his standing point on the subject of schooling. I agree with his arguments of how we have become a society that completely relies on technology to keep us from being bored, and this notion teaches us to be absent minded rather than creative. I also agree that keeping kids â€Å"locked up† in a building for about seven hours a day gives us no room to grow individually and learn from life experiences. Not only are students the ones in jeopardy because of this confined structure, but the teachers are as well. It’s almost like this narrow minded school system we abide by is just a dark cloud that hovers over us and imprints this idea that there is no other way to do things. When you think about it, school closely resembles what prison is made out to be. A bunch of unhappy people who would rather be anywhere but there. This is NOT what education should be about. We should enjoy learning, not think of it as a chore or something to get over with so that we can move on to the next thing in life. Which is what? More work? We need to focus on training our brains to engage in activities, enjoy the moment, be curious, and to discover new wonders, not new worksheets. I remember being a kid, gazing out the window on a car ride home, letting my imagination run wild, as fast as the car was going. Now whenever I drive for long periods of time, I lean over to look at what my little brother is doing. He’s constantly staring at some sort of computer screen. I even attempt having a conversation with him, asking him if he has any homework he needs help with but all I get in return is the same absent- minded response that I receive every day after school, â€Å"Nope, I already did my homework at school. † I’m always worried that he’s not getting an education, but instead is just receiving a â€Å"schooling†. He never seems engaged in his homework, but is more interested in what video game he can play as soon as he’s done. What ever happened to picking up a book and actually exercising the brain to imagine impossible things such as dragons and fairies? Does the board of education honestly think that they are tricking everyone into thinking that you will learn better off of a simple worksheet rather than actually going out and doing hands on interactions? Why do they restrict us? It’s almost like they emphasis conformity. It’s such a contradicting setting, school is. They put so much pressure on us to be individual and be completely yourself, yet they don’t allow us freedom to do so. I think we all stay so indifferent to the subject that it’s only getting worse. And the more we stay indifferent about it, the more the problem will escalate. It’s a vicious cycle that has to be stopped.

Comparing Excess in Morrison’s Sula and Ginsberg’s Howl Essay -- compa

Application of Excess in Morrison’s Sula and Ginsberg’s Howl  Ã‚  Ã‚   In William Blake’s Marriage of Heaven and Hell, he declares that "the road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom†¦Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained." These beliefs are reiterated and expanded upon in both Toni Morrison’s novel Sula and Allen Ginsberg’s epic poem Howl. Both authors challenge the conception of socially imposed boundaries, which suppress the absolute freedom of thought and action, by venerating the human characteristic of excess. Instead of abiding by the social norms of the general cultural animosity towards excess, Morrison and Ginsberg use this vilified "attribute" as a means to transcend the aforementioned boundaries that have hampered intellectual growth and the liberation of the self. The fact that both authors are of minority backgrounds compounds the acuteness of oppressiveness that both have experienced in their lives and allows us to draw parallels between their beliefs and how they chal lenge such despotism. Morrison’s Sula deals with the novel’s namesake’s journey to follow the road less traveled, and to escape the throes of a perceived life of perpetual imprisonment of the self that has engulfed most of the women of her time. The most obvious trait that resides in all aspects of Sula’s character is that of excess. She wages a one-woman war against society’s prescribed boundaries with an arsenal of excessive behavior and actions. The prospects of a fixed life of marriage and childbearing, which is the envy and ultimate objective for women of her age in Bottom, is unappealing and an altogether putrid existence to her. In order to understand the complex infrastructure of Sula’s character... ... electrified out of the coma by our own souls’ airplanes roaring over the roof they’ve come to drop angelic bombs the hospital illuminates itself imaginary walls collapse O skinny legions run outside O starry-spangled shock of mercy the eternal war is here O victory forget your underwear we’re free"(111). Freedom is what Morrison and Ginsberg strive for in their respective works of Sula and Howl. Both authors implement the use of excessive behavior, deemed heretical to the social standards of the day, in order to transcend its boundaries and achieve self-actualization. Morrison and Ginsberg in effect countermand the adage of "conform or die" into that of "conform and die." Works Cited Ginsberg, Allen. Howl: Original Draft Facsimile, Transcript, and Variant Versions. Ed. Barry Miles. New York: Viking, 1986. Morrison, Toni. Sula. 1973. New York: Plume, 1982.

Children’s Literature II: Young Adult Literature Essay

47, written by Walter Mosley, is the story of a 14 year old slave who lives on a cotton plantation in Georgia. 47 has lived in the house and barn all his life, thus giving him a clouded vision of what slave life is really like. One day he is relocated to the slave chambers where his universe is turned upside down. 47 meets a presumably runaway slave, named Tall John who in all reality is an extraterrestrial. Through their friendship Tall John teaches 47 all about freedom and his world. Through the text we are given a chance to find a new experience with the world of slave history, African American folklore, and science fiction. After researching articles the main focus of discussion is the unique combining of the slave narrative with the science fiction. Slavery is still a very touchy subject. Whites do not want to relive the horrid treatment that they put upon the slaves and slaves do not want to read and learn about the harm done to their ancestors. Walter Mosley chose to write this story to convey the story of slavery from a first person narrative but also to put a spin on it so that it wouldn’t be so depressing. The text has some amazing, out of this world gadgets and healing devices but I am even more compelled to think that the truth it brings to light is an even more powerful thing. As Hazel Rochman stated I have to fully agree, â€Å"slavery is the most unbelievable part of this whole story†. In â€Å"Conversations with Walter Mosley† by Owen Edward Brady we read that Walter Mosley’s novels are filled with â€Å"folk archetypes†. In 47 we are able to see the full l ist of archetypes being fulfilled. The archetypal seeker could be Tall John leaving his planet to come to earth to find 47. It could also be 47 leaving the big house to end up in the slave quarters. The Junex verses the Senex could be the conflict between Pritchard and 47. The Orphan could be Tall John, 47, 84’s children, or any other slaves that were torn away from their families. The Caregiver could be Mama Flore, Mud Albert, or Champ Noland. The Sage in the text is Tall John from beyond Africa. Friends are Tall John and 47. Lovers are Tall John and 84, Mama Flore and Mud Albert, 47’s parents. Warriors and Heroes are Mama Flore, Mud Albert, and Champ Noland. Villains are Mr. Stewart, Pike, and Calash. Rulers are portrayed to be Mr. Tobias and the whites. The Trickster in 47 is Tall John. He uses many different tricks be them for good or bad. The pros and cons of 47 are hard to distinguish. If you were to use this text in a secondary setting you would need to get the administrator’s and parent’s permission. The cons of using this text in a secondary setting are that the text has some brutal hardships that the slaves had to endure. Language, rape, torture, kidnapping, and slavery are some of the cons that might not be appropriate for a less mature audience. The pros of the text are astounding. The story points out so many truths about slavery, and the pains that it places upon each generation. 47 takes a huge stance against slavery and thus takes a stand against racial prejudices. â€Å"Neither master nor nigger be† are powerful words that ring true for 47, finally. 20 Minute Writing Assignment – Think about Tall John’s â€Å"yellow bag of tricks† and think back through the text. What are some items that should have been in his bag? You can create / design a new item or think of something that could have been there that could have helped them along their journey. Works Cited Mosley, Walter, and Owen Edward Brady. Conversations with Walter Mosley. Jackson: University of Mississippi, 2011. Print. Mosley, Walter. 47. New York: Little, Brown, 2006. Print. Rochman, Hazel. â€Å"Walter Mosley Literature.† Walter Mosley Literature. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2013.

Phrasal Verbs With Look for English Learners

There are a number of phrasal verbs and phrasal verb expressions with the verb look.  If you are unfamiliar with phrasal verbs, this guide to what are phrasal verbs explains everything. Teachers can use this introducing phrasal verbs lesson plan to help students become more familiar with phrasal verbs and start building phrasal verb vocabulary. Finally, there are a wide variety of phrasal verb resources on the site to help you learn new phrasal verbs. Learning Phrasal Verbs with Look Read this story about a man who looked up his friend Peter. You will notice that the story is full of phrasal verbs and expressions with look. Try to read the story a few times to understand how the various phrasal verbs with look are used. Following the story, you will also find all the phrasal verbs with look put into categories with definitions and example sentences taken from the story. Looking Up Peter in Seattle Last week I was in Seattle and I remembered that my friend Peter had recently moved there. I looked up his name in the telephone book, called, but got the answering machine. Luckily, I finally found him at work. He was looking at a picture on his desk, and I swear he looked like the famous actor Harrison Ford! I know Peter looked up to Harrison Ford, but I was a little surprised to see that he had become a look-alike! I said Look lively! and he raised his eyes and looked me up and down. Hello! if it isnt my old friend Ken!, Peter said. With that, he got up, looked me up and down and shook my hand. I must admit, Peter didnt look his age in the slightest. In fact, he looked as if he was ten years older! I looked him straight in the eye and said, Well, I was in town and thought Id look in on you to see how youre doing in Seattle. How have you been? Peter responded that he was fine, but that he was also on the look out for a new cat. Looking over at the picture, I noticed that it was of a cat. Yes, he sighed, I didnt really look after my first cat very well. It ran away. Im sorry to hear that, I said. We talked for a while and decided to go out for a coffee. We were at a Starbucks when a beautiful woman walked into the Cafe. Peter quickly looked the other way. Whos she?, I asked. Nobody, just someone who looks down their nose at me. Just then somebody shouted Look out! Peter jumped up and pushed the woman hard. At first, she looked daggers at him. Then, realizing what had happened, she noticed that because Peter had been looking lively, she hadnt slipped on a ice coffee drink that was all over the floor. Im glad I looked Peter up, it certainly was an interesting day... Phrasal Verbs with Look Finding Someone or Something Look up: look for information in a reference bookI looked up his name in the telephone book, called, but got the answering machine.to find someoneIm glad I looked Peter up, it certainly was an interesting day. Look in on someone: visit someone at their home or place of work, check up on someoneI was in town and thought Id look in on you to see how youre doing in Seattle. Be on the look out for: Trying to find something or someone, interested in purchasing something Look up to someone: respect or admire someoneI know Peter looked up to Harrison Ford. Look someone up and down: Examine someone carefully, look at someone very carefully, often with disdainWith that, he got up, looked me up and down and shook my hand. Look someone straight in the eye Look at someone with seriousnessI looked him straight in the eye... Expressions of Looking at People or Things Look over at: To look in the direction of somethingLooking over at the picture, I noticed that it was of a cat. Look the other way: Look away from something that you see, not notice something on purposePeter quickly looked the other way. Look down your nose on/at someone: Feel superior to someone...someone who looks down their nose at me. Look daggers at someone: Look with hatred or intense dislike at someoneAt first, she looked daggers at him. Look after: Take care of something or someoneI didnt really look after my first cat very well. It ran away. Appearances Look like: Be similar in physical appearance... he looked like the famous actor Harrison Ford! Look your age: Appear to be your actual age (someone can look older, or younger than their age)I must admit, Peter didnt look his age in the slightest. Warnings Look out!: Be carefulLook out! Look lively!: Pay attention...she noticed that because Peter had been looking lively, she hadnt slipped on a ice coffee drink...