Reflecting: Alchemist Essay and Julius Caesar Essay

Reflecting on ones self

In my essays, I think my writing provides appropriate ideas and content. An example of this is that I have a clear and focused topic while writing. I know what I am thinking about, and I efficiently put that into words. While writing, I try to develop my ideas to their full potential so the readers are able to understand what I am talking about, and that the writing makes sense. "The Alchemist" was a difficult book to read and understand. I had to make sure that I fully understood it before others reading my essay could understand it. I feel I did a good job communicating the main ideas of the book so even though a person may have not read the book, they could still understand what it was about. I think I could improve on explaining how my quotations relate to the main idea. Sometimes I get a little caught up in a specific point, that I forget to link it back to the main idea. I should work on this because otherwise a person may be confused on the message I am trying to get across.

In my essays my writing is quite organized. My paragraphs are in order and it is easy to follow along. The reader does not have to look back up at my thesis statement to see what I am writing about; it is clear in the paragraphs. All my body paragraphs begin with a topic sentence which gives the readers knowledge on what I am talking about. I also do not end my body paragraphs without a conclusion or transition sentence. Including a conclusion sentence helps sum up the message/idea of the paragraph, and a transition sentence helps link to the next paragraph.Even though I include a concluding or transition sentence, I still find I could improve on them. I feel I occasionally just repeat my topic sentence, and it doesn't flow. Also, my transition sentences don't always help with the transitioning. In "The Alchemist" essay, I did a good job on my transiting sentences, but on my "Julius Caesar" essay, mine were not so good. This is probably because I had more time to work on the Alchemist essay, then the other one.

I think I have grown as a writer as the year has gone by, yet, I do not think that reflects in my Julius Caesar essay. This is because in "the Alchemist" essay I had a longer time to work on it. This way I could develop my ideas and content more and I could look over it without the stress of time. Also, the teachers helped me read through it and they helped me reflect on what I could improve on. I prefer when I have someone to guide me through the steps because I enjoy peoples feedback. When given only about 80 minutes to write an essay, I found it harder to put everything that I was feeling on paper. If I had been given more time I could have deepened my writing which would have improved it greatly.

An SLR that I think help crafts an essay is Communicating Effectively. The reader needs to know what the topic is about. They shouldn't have to ask questions about things they are confused about. In order for this to happen, the writer needs to understand the topic well, so that they can write their knowledge clearly on paper. When communicating, the writer also need to make sure it makes sense and is in order so that it is easy to read by everyone. Communicating effectively is essential to writing an interesting, well crafted essay.

Antony : A revenge seeker

“ Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.” Pg 124. This shows that Antony, one of the main characters of Julius Caesar, is angry with the conspirators for assassinating Caesar. He is foreshowing that something bad will happen, such as war, as a result of Caesars death. Not only was his friend killed, but his role model, and so Antony wants to keep Caesar’s spirit alive, by getting back at the conspirators. Two motivators that drove Antony to avenge Caesars death was his loyalty to Caesar, and the revenge he wanted for his death against the conspirators. Antony was willing to do anything in his might, to make sure, that what the conspirators did was revenged.

Antony was a man fond of sports, fast living, and plenty of company, but above them all, he was very loyal to Caesar. This is because he was Caesars good friend, and he stuck by Caesar through wars, hardships, and times of need. Caesar treated Antony well, and loved him for all that he did; meaning Antony was willing to do anything for him. Antony was a man Caesar could trust with his words, and could turn to him as a friend when he needed something. As a result of Antony’s love of Caesar, Antony offered Caesar the crown three times when Caesar had returned from his victory over Pompey. As Caesar was addressing the crowd, Antony offered it to him, yet Caesar refused, more slowly each time the crown was offered. “I saw Mark Antony offer him the crown…then he offered it again…And then he offered it a third time.” Pg 42 Antony wanted Caesar to be crowned King, because he was dedicated to Caesar, and he thought he would be a good King. Antony was so loyal that he would offer it to him as many times as possible. No matter what Caesar did, Antony was willing to do anything for him. As much as Caesar wanted to be King too, he had to reject the crown because he couldn’t ruin his public image of not wanting power. Antony is so devoted to Caesar that he would rather die by him, than live another day without him. An example of this is when Antony sees the conspirators have killed Caesar, he begs Brutus to kill him to. “I shall not find myself so apt to die: No place would please me so, no mean of death, As here by Caesar.’ Pg 116, line 160 – 163 This means that there is no place he would rather die, then by the side of the one he adored, Caesar. This emphasizes Antony’s loyalty to Caesar, because it describes how much Antony loved him, that he would want to die by him. Antony is devastated and distraught about his death, because this was his friend, and the person he looked up too. He doesn’t want to see what will happen after his death, because he has no life other than Caesar. Antony’s loyalty to Caesar is what motivates him to want revenge against the conspirators for killing Caesar.

Once Antony overcomes his shock and sadness over Caesars death, his previous feelings turn to extreme anger. Antony is furious that Caesar is dead, and so he is bloodthirsty for revenge, meaning he is willing to do anything to get back at the conspirators. Antony is motivated this way because Caesar was his friend, and role model and he loved him so much. His is angry that this deed had to happen at all, because he didn’t think Caesar had too much power. Antony in fact wanted Caesar to have more power by becoming a king. Once Antony discovers that the conspirators killed Caesar, he tells Brutus and the others, that he will follow them and respect what they did, if only they give him an explanation of why they had to kill him. Brutus agrees and tells him his explanation is so worthy that he would have Caesars brother on his side. In Antony’s soliloquy however, he swears that conflict will cumber all parts of Italy as a result of Caesars death. He also foreshadows war and destruction over the conspirators. “ A curse shall light up upon the limbs of men; Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy.” Pg 124, line 262-264. This means that war will occur all over Italy, due to the conspirators killing Caesar. Antony is so blinded by his anger towards the conspirators that he is willing to do anything in order to get back at them. Caesar was his everything, and the conspirators took that away, and so Antony wants to destroy the conspirators too. Once Antony swears he wants revenge, his next step is to get the common people on his side too. After Brutus has convinced the crowd with his explanation on why he killed Caesar, Brutus allows Antony to speak at Caesars funeral too. Antony’s goal here is to get the crowd back on his side, so they will turn on the conspirators. In Antony’s speech, he is very clever on how he goes about convincing the crowd. He never says Brutus was wrong, he let’s the crowd make their own decision on that. He also shows the common people the wounds on Caesars dead body, so they can see for themselves, the horrible act the conspirators did. "Look, in this place ran Cassisus' dagger through. See what a rent the envious Casca made" pg 141 line 173-174. Instead of what Brutus wanted the murder to look like (a dish fit for the gods), Antony and the crowd perceive it in the complete opposite direction; a dish fit for the hounds. Antony shows the people these wounds, because he is enraged at what the conspirators did, and he is trying to motivate the crows to be angry to. If he gets them on his side, he is able to avenge Caesars death more easily. He doesn’t care what he does, he just wants revenge. Antony loves Caesar, and since he does so, he wants to take vengeance for his death, no matter what harm he inflicts.

Antony’s conflict is that he wants to seek revenge against the conspirators for what they did to Caesar. The result of him wanting revenge eventually leads to a civil war against the conspirators. Antony’s motivation to have revenge is the loyalty and love he has towards his friend, Caesar, and the revenge he wants towards the conspirators. These two motivators resulted in Antony being bloodthirsty, and vengeful because Caesar was all that he lived for, and it killed him to see him powerless, lying on the floor, dead. Antony, in fact, did achieve his goal of revenge because he caused a Civil war to strike out, which killed Brutus, Cassius, and the other conspirators. Since he won the war, he also was in power with two other men, Octavius, and Lepidus. I believe that Antony achieving his goal was neither noble nor worthy. Even though he did achieve what he set out for, the way he achieved it wasn’t right. He was willing to start a Civil war in order to kill the conspirators. He also put a black dot next to all the names of the people he wanted to kill, which included relatives of his, and relatives of others he knew. Plus, he also gained power in the end, which he may have wanted all along. Antony wanted revenge for what the conspirators did to Caesar, and he did achieve this goal, yet, the ways he achieved it was not noble or worthy.

Collage Reflection - The Lost boys of Sudan

My collage reflects the journey of the Lost boys. It shows the pain and devastation they felt, but also the happiness, and love for their country and their future. Below are some of the SLR's that I have used in my collage about the Lost Boys of Sudan.

Think Creatively

One of the parts in my collage that I thought I had thought creatively in was the centerpiece. In the center there is a hand drawn fire, above which are 4 doves flying out of. I thought this was creative because through symbolism I have created a deep meaning. The fire represents the destruction the Lost boys have faced. But the doves flying out, represent that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. They show that through everything that has happened to them, hope and peace will come and save them. I have also made the biggest dove stand out more by pasting it on cardboard. This helps me emphasize the importance of peace with the Lost boys. I also have it flying off the page which means freedom of the Lost boys.

Another part of my collage that I thought was quite creative was how I showed my 6 word memoir. I included quite a lot of small pieces of paper with words on it in my collage, and I didn't want my memoir to get lost in all of it, so to solve this I put it on cardboard which made it pop out. This way it was obvious what the main message was that I was trying to get across, and the viewers could easily tell that these words were somewhat important to the journey of the Lost boys.

Reason Critically

I used the images and text to highlight my understanding of the Lost boys plight by carefully picking images and words that I thought was extremely important. I made sure that I understood the message behind every picture so I could fully decide whether or not it applied to the Lost boys. An example of this is on the left had side. There is a woman carrying a rifle with a child on her back. I chose this image carefully to show how the Dinka tribe had to be so aware of everything happening around them, that they had to carry guns in order to protect themselves and their families. I also chose short words and phrases that highlighted what was happening, and how the Lost boys felt. I chose to use small words because then it creates more meaning and importance to the viewers. I wanted to include not only images of the war in the boys home, Sudan, but also the challenges and achievements they faced in their whole journey, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and America.

Communicate Effectively

My collage effectively communicates the Lost boys plight because I made sure their journey was in order so the viewers had an easy time telling what happened along the way. It starts at the top left, where Sudan was a country of peace, and as it works its way down, war is introduced and devastation is evident through the images and the words. As it moves to the right I effectively show how the boys entered Ethiopia, and sought refuge in Kenya. On the right bottom side it shows the challenges and the daily life of the boys in America, but as it moves upward it begins to show hope and how the boys are working together in order to help themselves.

Live Ethically

My collage provoked empathy in the viewer because I showed images that are hard to look at because of their sadness and emotion. Through my images and my text I want the viewers to be aware about how horrible the Lost boys situation is. However, I don't want the viewers to think the boys are a lost cause so they shouldn't help because it's too late. Instead, I included images of hope and how people could help through denotations etc. This shows the people reading my collage that there are ways to help, and that the Lost boys DO need your help.

Through the SLR's I have created a collage that shows what the Lost boys journey has been all about.

America Isn't Always Heaven.

"The Lost Boys" were a group of boys, and a few girls, who were forced to flee their country of Sudan. Due to wars in Sudan, these children had to leave their tribe (The Dinka tribe), and their family in order to avoid the "bullets falling from the sky". After years of surviving under harsh conditions, the Lost boys arrived in Kenya, where they sought asylum in a refugee camp. Years later, 4,000 Dinka boys were chosen to migrate to the United States, where they believed they would have a better life.

One of these 4,000 boys was Peter, and the documentary, "The Lost boys of Sudan" follows his journey of migration. He migrated to Houston, Texas , yet he found life extremely difficult and not like the heaven he thought he was entering. One difficulty he faced was entering into a city life. He was not fluent in the language, and he found it difficult to understand others,and for others to understand him. He was also not used to the food, and so he kept on eating and eating. Peter overcame this language barrier, by speaking to his other fellow friends in not only his home language but in English too.

Another difficulty he faced was the prejudice culture of America. Not only was he a completely different color then the white Americans, but he was also much darker then the African Americans. People assumed he would hurt them, and steal from them, which he didn't want to do at all. People also assumed that they were lazy and that he wouldn't succeed. An example of this is when his counselor told him that he didn't have to take the test which was for a 4 year collage, because Peter would probably only go to the community collage. This shows that the counselor didn't believe he was good enough to make it into a 4 year collage. Peter, however, surprised the counselor, but already having the biography he had to have written for the collage, and was prepared for the test. The counselor also found Peters biography "too sad" to read. This shows he is oblivious to the fact that Peter had to live through all that he wrote about.

Another example of Peter getting shown prejudice is when the ESL teacher asks Peter a question which he can't answer. The question is, What would you do if you had 1 million dollars. This is a question which well off people like us have difficulty answering but for a refugee? its impossible to answer. The ESL teacher is not showing respect to his culture, because he is in a situation where a million dollars is out of the question.

A final example of racism against peter is at his job. The manager says that since he is African, and since he is used to the hot sun, he should be able to work outside all day. Peter is angry at this, because just because he is African, doesn't mean he should work out in the sun.

Peter overcomes this racism by just keep motoring forward. He sets goals out for himself, which he is determined to achieve, and so he is able to deal with this racism. Even though he feels poor compared to everyone else, he keeps on going, and is willing to learn new ways if it means achieving his goals.

A final difficulty Peter faces while in America is trying to manage all his time and money efficiently, so he can send some money back to Kenya. Peter wanted to come to America so he could gain an education, yet he is torn between looking after himself, and looking after his family. Peters schedule is jammed packed; he has to manage school, his food, his job, and his homework. His sister complains that he doesn't call enough, or send money enough. Peter wants an education so badly, that is why he moved to Kansas, but he wants to help his family. He absorbs the American culture and it is hard to remember the people he is meant to be helping too ( his family). Peter overcomes this by promising his sister that he will try to send more money, even if this means he has less. He also focus on what is important to him, his education, and so he tries hard in school so that migrating is worth it. Peter also tries out for the basketball team because that is what he loves to do, and he wants to also have some fun.

Peter is willing to slide into the culture of the Americans, yet he finds it hard to because of the language barrier, the racism he faces, and the fact that he has to still send money back to Africa.

Julius Caesar - Duet Acting

Context

Caesar has just returned from his victory against Pompey. The Romans and Caesar himself are parading throughout the streets, when Brutus, a nobleman, leaves the precession. Cassius, a friend of Brutus, joins him. Cassius tries to convince Brutus to be the leader of a conspiracy against Caesar. Brutus loves Caesar as a friend, but doesn't agree with how he runs Rome. Brutus is unsure whether is should join Cassius, and kill Caesar in order to make Rome a Republic, or not do anything at all.

Significance

The significance of the passage is that this is when Cassius tries to manipulates Brutus into joining the conspiracy to kill Caesar. Brutus is at war with himself because he loves Caesar, but he wants to save Rome from a monarchy. Brutus is giving the opportunity to save what his ancestors fight for; a republic. This dialogue is the beginning of secrets, death, and war.

Passage - Pg 28 Lines 25-129

Cassius: Will you go see the order of the course?

Brutus: Not I.

Cassius: I pray you, do

Brutus: I am not gamesome: I do lack some part

Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.

Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;

I'll leave you

Cassius: Brutus, I do observe you now of late:

I have not from your eyes that gentleness

And show of love as I was wont to have.

You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand

Over your friend that loves you.

Brutus: Cassius,

Be not deceiv'd: If I have veil'd my look,

I turn the trouble of my countenance

Merely upon myself. Vexed I am

Of late with passions of some difference,

Conceptions only proper to myself,

Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours;

But let not therefore my good friends be grieve'd -

Among which number, Cassius, be you one -

Nor construe any further my neglect,

Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,

Forgets the shows of love to other men.

Cassius: Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion;

By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried

Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.

Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?

Brutus: No, Cassius; for the eyes sees not itself

But by reflection, by some other things

Cassius: 'Tis just;

And it is very much lamented, Brutus,

That you have no such mirrors as will turn

Your hidden worthiness into you eye,

That you might see your shadow. I have heard,

Where many of the best respect in Rome,

Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus,

And groaning underneath this age's yoke,

Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes.

Brutus: Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,

That you would have me seek into myself

For that which is not in me?

Cassius

Therefore,good Brutus, be prepar'd to hear;

And since you know you cannot see yourself

So well as by reflection,I,your glass,

Will modestly discover to yourself

That of yourself which you yet know not of.

And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus:

Were I a common laughter, or did use

To stale with ordinary oaths my love

To every new protester;if you know

That I do fawn on men and hug them hard,

And after scandal them;or if you know

That i profess myself in banqueting

To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.

(Flourish and shout)

Brutus: What means this shouting? I do fear the people

Choose Caesar for their king.

Cassius
Ay, do you fear it?
Then must I think you would not have it so.

Brutus: I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well

But wherefore do you hold me here so long?

What is it that you would impart to me?

If it be aught toward the general good,

Set honour in one eye, and death i'th' other,

And I will look on both indifferently;

For let the gods so speed me as I love

This name of honour more then I fear death.

Cassius:

I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
As well as I do know your outward favour.
Well,honour is the subject of my story.
I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life; but for my single self,
I had as lief not be as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself.
I was born free as Caesar; so were you;
We both have fed as well, and we can both
Endure the winter's cold as well as he:
For once, upon a raw and gusty day,
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
Caesar said to me,'Dar'st thou, Cassius, now
Leap in with me into this angry flood,
And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word,
Accoutred as I was, I plunged in
And bade him follow; so indeed he did
The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside
And stemming it with hearts of controversy.
But ere we could arrive the point propos'd
Caesar cried, 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink.'
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
Did i the tired Caesar. And this man
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature, and must bend his body
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
he had a fever when he was in Spain,
And when the fit was on him, I did mark
How he did shake; 'tis true, this god did shake;
His coward lips did from their colour fly,
And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
Did lose his lustre; I did hear him groan;
Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans
Mark him and write speeches in their books,
Alas, it cried, 'Give me some drink, Titinius,'
As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me
A man of such feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world,
And bear the palm alone.

The School of Athens - Raphael

In 'The School of Athens', painted by Raphael, he mirrors society by including important elements of the Renaissance era. The Renaissance was all about the 'rebirth' of lost knowledge. Instead of just listening to the Church's ideas, people started to question, observe, and experiment for themselves. Through their humanist ideas, many discoveries were made which helped progress human kind. In this painting two important elements are shown, which helps mirror what the Renaissance was like at that time. The first one is the Interest in writing and Literature. On the left side of the painting people such as Pythagoras of Samos and Heraclitus are writing and reading. This shows that through this time people started to want to write down their ideas, so that others could learn from it. Ideas could be spread all over Europe due to writing in books, and when the printing press was invented, ideas could spread even faster. On the right hand side of the painting you can see two people holding up celestial globes. Beneath them, you can also see a man with a compass, marking something out. These two things mirror

society at the time because people were starting to get interested in science. The globe shows that people were observing the sky and space, and wanted to find out what was up there. Inventions like the telescope greatly helped these scientists in their finds, which helped create a better understanding of what the universes looks like. The compass also shows peoples knowledge in maths and science, and how they want to find out how things work, or why they are like that. Raphael wanted to mirror society while painting 'The School of Athens', so that people then and now, can fully appreciate what the Renaissance was all about.

If I was apart of the painting 'The School of Athens' I would be the statue Apollo. Apollo was known as the sun god and was have meant to be talented in many things such as music, poetry, the fine arts and healing. He was the son of Zeus and was the twin of Artemis. In the painting, he is on Plato's side ; the side which believes in the spiritual world. I feel that I am like Apollo because I also believe that there is something else, other then this world. Even though Apollo was meant to have been cruel and arrogant, he was also was meant to have loved to entertain with his lyre, and he enjoyed teaching mortals how to play it. I love to entertain also and I find joy in doing it. I also enjoy teaching my friends how to do something. One of his motto's was "Know yourself". I strongly believe in this statement because I feel that no matter what other people say to you, you still have to be true to yourself and know what you are able to do within yourself. Apollo was meant to also be an overachiever at times, because at 4 days old, he killed that snake which bothered his mother during giving birth. He was also a favorite god on Mount Olympus. Not that I always like this, but I am also an overachiever. I have to do well, and I always have so much on. Apollo had the ability to heal, and when someone is sad or hurt, I also feel that I can cheer them up, and help them keep going. On the con tray, he also had the ability to bring ill-health. Even though I can't do this, when I am angry, I can get extremely angry, and sometimes I will say/do things I wish I hadn't.

Da Vinci : A true Renaissance man

The Renaissance was all about 'rebirth' and rediscovery. People at that time were finding lost knowledge from the Ancient Roman and Greek empires. They were inspired by them and started to question what they had learnt previously. Instead of reading from ancient books, people started to experiment themselves and Leonardo Da Vinci was no exception. Da Vinci wanted to go beyond what other people had, and he based all his findings on his experiments and observations. He always carried a notebook with him to jot down his ideas and drawings, which were exceptionally precise, detailed, and to scale. Leonardo was curious of everything and was always either painting, sculpting, studying science, singing and playing instruments, or inventing. One of his favorite hobbies was studying the flight of birds. He loved and researched aerodynamics and even drew some amazing machines which would allow a human to fly. Leonardo thought ahead more than anyone else in his time and because of this he was the first person to ever think of a tank, hot air balloon, helicopter, and many other inventions that weren't made until much later on. This undeniably shows that Leonardo Da Vinci was a true Renaissance man.