15:1 Water for Elephants

Sara Gruen's novel, Water for Elephants, is a surprisingly captivating story. The author uses literary frames to descibe Jacob Jankowski's life of the past and present. I first decided to read the novel upon coming across it in a thrift store, when I remembered how interesting the movie trailer seemed, though the goal of movie trailers is to make a story look exciting, in order to attract viewers. I figured I would give the book a shot, as it would be good for me to read anyway. I'm glad I made this decision.

Based on Gruen's findings during extensive circus research, the characters and the plot come together to make a high-action, awe-striking story. The story is filled with murder, greed, love, and passion. I believe the novel could be classified as a bildungsfoman, as Jacob is transformed from a vetrinary student to a man, built by his experiences with the circus. 

It might not be the most appropriate book, and I could see reasons why it might not be the book for everyone, but it is definitely one of my favorites now. The novel combined all the commponents I look for in a story, and did not disappoint. If you love action, adventure, romance, and mystery, all with surprising plot twists, this book is for you. 

13:2 Nelson Mandela

  Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. He would grow up to be perhaps one of the greatest leaders of civil rights movements in the world. Mandela and what he fought for can be related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Both men had been discriminated against and imprisoned for taking action, but neither man resorted to violence as a means to solve conflicts. Mandela is revered by people all over the world for his determination, strength, and standing up for what is right.

            Apartheid South Africa separated the blacks from the whites, discriminating against blacks similar to Jim Crow laws in the southern parts of the United States. Mandela’s father died when Nelson was young, but he grew hearing stories of great ancestors fighting the apartheid. This is how Mandela became involved with the fight for civil rights. He began studying law and working with the African National Congress. Mandela then developed the ANC Youth League and worked on more radical-based programs for the organization. He was often in and out of imprisonment from leaving the country illegally and working against the government with the ANC, which was banned. Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison, missing his mother’s and son’s funerals. One imprisonment was for gathering protesters and workers to go on strike. He received a life sentence after his famous “Speech from the Dock” in 1964, in which he declared, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

            After the ban on the ANC was released, Mandela was free from imprisonment. He then won a Nobel Peace Prize, voted for the first time, and was elected the first president of democratic South Africa. Mandela’s later life included starting the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Nelson Mandela Foundation, and Mandela Rhodes Foundation; writing books about himself; working with the Fifa World Cup; meeting with the First Lady and her daughters; and spending much time with his family (as well as in the hospital). His age caught up with him, ending with his death on December 5, 2013. Mandela, then 95, proved to be a true activist and voice for the victims of the discrimination in apartheid South Africa. Not only did he never give up, but Mandela also did not resort to violence, which happens with so many passionate people. Mandela will forever be remembered as the face of democratic South Africa as well as racial equality and social justice.

            

13:1 man's best friend

They're always by your side; know when you're hurt; would do anything for you. 

Dogs are magnificent creatures. Not only are they loyal, but lovable, intelligent, and caring.  From my experiences as well as observing other dogs, I know they really are man's best friend. It's too bad not everyone sees them this way. 

Watching the documentary Babies, several very patient and tolerant dogs, as well as other animals, come into play. The babies climb on them, pull on them, and do all sorts of obnoxious things. But the dogs remain calm. There are then shots of the animals and babies lying together, implying that the dogs care for and protect the children. 

My neighbors with four boys, aged 2 to 6, have a very gentle dog as well. She is never harsh around the children and doesn't react when they run into her or mess with her. She seems to understand that the boys need to be cared for, though she loves playing fetch and getting the parents' attention to herself. 

My dog, too, is very gentle and tolerant, and always has been. He's a smaller breed, but still bug enough to not get crushed by us laying on him. We got him with my brother was two, and gas pretty much been a pillow ever since. He has never bitten anyone and tolerates nearly everything. He's not too keen of being picked up, but he'll even remain calm when we give him baths. He is an amazing family dog- low key but will play if you want, and very gentle, even with little ones. 

I saw a very touching story online from a veterinarian. The doctor said he received a call that a dog wasn't doing well, and the best option would be to put the dog down. The family wanted their six year old son to be there as well. So the doctor went to the family's house and calmly laid the dog to rest. Everyone suspected that the child did not understand what was going on. However, the child then spoke up with the message that the purpose of life is to learn to love one another and be happy, so dogs have shorter lives because they already do that. 

All of these stories compile my love of dogs and why I agree that they are man's, woman's, and child's best friends. 

10:1 pastoral to sublime

History really does repeat itself. By examining cultural and literary trends, we can see reoccurring themes throughout time. One such example is the Enlightenment period followed by the Romantic period, similar to the 1950s compared to the 60s. In the first of each set of periods, people were very traditional and science-based. The subsequent periods involved people rebelling against the accepted culture and turning toward the appreciation of sublime nature and awesome thoughts.

In the Enlightenment period, we see Shakepeare's works and John  Milton's Paradise Lost. The 19th century then begins the Romantic period and the pursuit of the unknown. Works such as "Kubla Khan" and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The focus shifts to the inability of science and sublime nature. Authors react against logic, and fill their works with emotion and passion. 

A century later, the 1950s bring conservative views and traditional family values. The next decade is then full of activists, drugs, and rebelling against the "man." More people speak out against societal problems such as environmental issues and civil rights. We see a turn from traditional to relaxed styles of thinking and living. 

These shifts in culture have reoccurred once, I wonder when thoughts will shift again.  

9:2 'tis the season

"I Want a Hippopotomaus for Chiristmas" is on the radio, houses are decorated with beautiful lights, and stores are filled with holiday supplies. Too bad it's only November. 

Christmas is my favorite holiday, yes, but Thanksgiving still deserves to be appreciated and celebrated. The meanings of these two holidays seems to get more lost  each year. Everyone seems to focus on Christmas and getting good deals on gifts than anything else. There of course are outliers and people who really do respect each holiday and the meaning behind them, but the country runs on money, unfortunately. 

Last November, I was excited for Christmas and I watched the Hallmark movies and listened to the songs once they started playing. This year, though, I feel Christmas has gotten out of hand, and not in a way that would be great- more giving, a sense of togetherness in the community- but trying to get people to buy more. Black Friday in itself is strange to me: let's give thanks for everything one day, and the next, let's trampled each other and do whatever it takes to get a good deal. However, stores are now having sale days even the week before Thanksgiving and staying open on the holiday as well. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to stay home for the holiday. Some people not celebrate, and that's perfectly respectable, but employees shouldn't have to chose between staying home with family or their paycheck on Thanksgiving day. It's a day to spend time with each other, and give thanks, as strange as that may sound, given the name. But in most cases, the holiday is about food and football, which is disappointing to me. 

I wish more people, and especially business owners, respected each holiday in itself. Thanksgiving is lost in the Black Friday chaos, where the meaning of Christmas goes with it. Christmas is my favorite holiday because of the weather, the stories, the wonder and excitement of children, and the giving and helping natures people seem to pick up around this time. If more people focused even a little big more on the meaning of the holidays and not depending their happiness on material items, then each holiday would be respected, and I would be happy. 

9:1 act 5:scene 2

Act 5 Scene 1 of Hamlet- let's just say, it gets pretty crazy. Why everyone has to die in the end? I don't know. But it happens. Poor Horatio is the only survivor, needing to carry on in honor of Hamlet. 

Leading up to this climatic ending, Ophelia was the only one dead, besides Old Hamlet, of course. The last scene portrays the brutal deaths of 6 people within a matter of pages. Laertes and Hamlet duel. Gertrude sees Hamlet winning, so raises a toast in celebration, poisoning herself. Hamlet is then wounded and in turn wounds Laertes. Before he dies, Laertes proclaims that Claudius was responsible for setting everything up. Hamlet then turns the sword on Claudius, then falls. Right after all this, English ambassadors enter, speaking of the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet had sent replacement letters to the king of England, with orders to kill these two instead of Hamlet. That brings the total to 6 deaths, which is why the play is considered a tragedy. 

Perhaps everyone "deserved" to die, though the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are debatable. These two characters do not seem to have minds of their own. They are ordered to watch Hamlet by the king, so they do. They are also Hamlet's old friends, so they continue to be so. Do they deserve to be killed for following orders? That seems a little harsh, even if they should have thought for themselves. If you look through Hamlet's point of view, however, he didn't necessarily know Rosencrantz and Guildenstern didn't know what message they were carrying. They were simply carrying out an order from the king, who would likely have told them it was to protect Hamlet. Because Hamlet knew they were transporting a death sentence, he thought he had been betrayed by his old friends. Who wouldn't be upset? However, death still seems a harsh punishment. Did they deserve to die? The world may never know...

8:2 oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt...

"Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,thaw, and resolve itself into a dew, or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon 'gainst self slaughter!" Strong words. 

Hamlet begins his first soliloquy with these words, enlightening the audience to just how upset he is. He has right to be upset as well: his beloved father is dead, Denmark has lost a great king, and his mother has remarried- to his late father's brother. Who wouldn't be upset?

Hamlet goes on to describe the world as useless and compares it to an unweeded garden. A world where the negatives and ugliness overpower the beauty and worth. He cannot believe the brevity since his father's passing, and the apathy everyone else seems to feel about the matter. Hamlet knows his father was a great king and a wonderful husband. The more his parents were together, the more they wanted to be together. Yet here his mother is  married to her brother-in-law, when her funeral shoes had not even worn. The tears on her face were not yet dried. Hamlet curses women, giving offence to them more than calling them weak: "Frailty- thy name is woman!" He says that not only are women weak, but they are the epitome of weakness. He says that an animal- a common beast, would have mourned longer for its mate than his mother did for Old Hamlet. Hamlet swears none of this is good, and no good could or will come of it all. However. Though it breaks his heart, he has to remain quiet.