Literary Analysis - Macbeth

As children, we should all recall the well-known fable The Story of King Midas.  King Midas possessed a grant from the satyr Silenus, a consolidation of a man and a goat, giving him the ability to produce gold by the sense of touch.  Fascinated by his ability, he touched random objects out of pleasure like furniture, documents and clothes.  Later, he became miserable because his dinner transformed into gold after handling his meal.  In result, the King proceeded to bed starved, but he was careless because the more palpable objects he touched, the richer he became.  All of a sudden, when his daughter embraced him, she transformed into gold.  In the final analysis, King Midas pleaded to the god Dionyssus that he did not desire to be wealthy anymore; he simply wished to acquire his daughter back.  Hence, Dionyssus changed all back to reality.  Although the King illustrated minor discrepancies towards Macbeth, the essential lesson of the fable described greedy arbitrations, characterizing the persona of Macbeth in the play Macbeth.  Since the decision of killing astonished Macbeth, he certainly learned from his greed the hard way: death.  In context of death in the play, the grisly arbitrations presented in Macbeth foreshadowed perseverance, humane incessancy, fate, and free will.

Macbeth, the advocate of ambition, became involved with all of the slaughters in every scene of Macbeth, or as one would utter, “the Scottish play.”  During the exposition, the three witches granted Macbeth their prophecy: he will be king.  Overwhelmed with the prophecy, Macbeth plotted to kill King Duncan due to his impatience.  After the murder, Macbeth caused Malcolm and Donalbain to flee from him for safety.  As the climax progressed, Banquo, a dear friend of Macbeth, suspected him of executing Duncan for position.  Immediately, he sent assassins to slay Banquo and Fleance, his son that escaped the catastrophe, because of sovereignty issues.  Meanwhile, Macbeth, his greed of slaughter increasing, also referred more assassins to exterminate the family of Macduff.  Macduff discovered the loss of his family, his grief affecting his arbitrations.  Macduff, his pursuit to kill Macbeth, the man responsible for massacring his family and corrupting Scotland, formed a militia with Malcolm and Siward. Macduff finally confronted Macbeth, and they both fought to their death against each other.  Macduff slew Macbeth, resulting in the crowning of Malcolm, the new King of Scotland.  In consideration, the iniquities of Macbeth instigated him into bottling up his ambitions, clogging up until the bottle exploded into the hands of death.

People persevere… or… life continued despite major conflicts.  In Act 3, Scene 1, lines 5-6 ofMacbeth, Banquo stated, “…but that myself should be the root and father of many kings.”  In brief, Banquo delineated ambition in the quote, for his necessity to rule all of Scotland made him ravenous for perseverance.  His arrogance emitted in the beginning of Act 3 because as he acknowledged the quote, he thought more about becoming king, yearning the throne.  In Act 3, Scene 1, lines 57-58 ofMacbeth, Macbeth noted, “…he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor to act in safety.”  Macbeth, the main character of the play, indicated how Banquo, a loyal general to the King and Scotland, exhibited suspicion about him killing Duncan to be sovereign.  His perseverance projecting uncontrollably, Banquo became disgusted by the tactics of Macbeth, so his lust caused his effort to overthrow Macbeth.  In Act 3, Scene 1, lines 69-71 of Macbeth, Macbeth cited, “…for Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind.  For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered, put rancors in the vessel of my peace…”  Macbeth, exemplifying remorse towards Duncan, rued slaying him, but Macbeth demanded for his bitterness to diminish his tranquility.  Representing how life continues, Macbeth became aware of his wretched life; therefore, he lazily allowed fate to cope with his life.  Essentially, the theme “people persevere… or… life continues despite major conflicts” portrayed the contradiction between Banquo and Macbeth, respectively.

Fate may be predetermined, but free will determined how people reach their destinies.  As mentioned in the play, Lady Macbeth was disappointed when she “[smelled] the blood still,” but she could not control her situation because “all the perfumes of Arabia [did] not sweeten [her hands]…”  Her free will choosing to commit transgressions, Lady Macbeth depicted her fatality: death.  She decided to be involved with the murders of Duncan and Banquo, so “what [went] around [came] back around” for her.  In Act 5, Scene 8, lines 19-20 of Macbeth, Macduff indicated, “…tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripp’d.”  Oddly, Shakespeare suggested that Macduff was a cesarean section baby, causing free will in the perspective of Macbeth because he expressed ignorance about the secret of Macduff and the witches’ prophecy.  His immortality could not be triggered by men born of women, yet Macduff was not born the typical way.  In Act 5, Scene 8, line 69 of Macbeth, Macduff, Malcolm, Siward and their army exclaimed, “Hail, King of Scotland!”  After the duel, Macduff declared Malcolm, the rightful heir to the throne, king.  Malcolm, his fate displaying a promise, became king by default.  By the same token, Malcom coveted slaying Macbeth, his free will bestowing his greed to restore Scotland.  Under those circumstances, the wicked, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, reaped what they sewed and the blessed, Macduff and Malcolm, popped Champagne for their pain.

Free will stimulated the perpetual nature of life.  In Act 5, Scene 1, lines 60-62 of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth affirmed, “To bed, to bed; there’s knocking at the gate.  Come, come, come, come, give me your hand.  What’s done cannot be undone.  To bed, to bed, to bed.”  Suspecting her daunting distress by her repetition, Lady Macbeth tried to escape from her dilemma by resting, her free will, but she demonstrated ignorance about sleep being the cousin of death.  Lady Macbeth assumingly died sleeping, her death inferred as a suicide later on in Act 5.  She understood that her paranoia monopolized her, so all she could truly hope for in her life was sorrow and persistence due to her cruel misconducts.  In Act 5, Scene 5, lines 52-53 and 57 of Macbeth, Macbeth announced, “If this which he avouches does appear, there is nor flying hence nor tarrying here… at least we’ll die with harness on our back.”  Macbeth summarized free will by his mind-set of no turning back because “[his army would either] stand united or fall divided.”  Despite the outcomes of the battle, Macbeth insisted that life would continue whether if the avenue depicts adventure or appall.  On the whole, even though Lady Macbeth and Macbeth consequently suffered in the play, they accepted the concept of life and its continuity.

Predetermined perseverance decisively generated fate.  In Act 3, Scene 1, lines 156-157 ofMacbeth, Macbeth signified, “It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul’s flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight.”  In support of malevolence, Macbeth hired executioners to execute Banquo, displaying his perseverance due to the efficient organization of the crime.  Since he lived a life of murder, Macbeth, his fatality predicting the anticlimactic end of “the Scottish play,” truly died a victim of murder.  In Act 3, Scene 5, lines 28-31 of Macbeth, Hecate, the queen of the witches, clarified, “…as by the strength of their illusion shall draw him on to his confusion.  He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear his hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace, and fear.”  Hecate, epitomizing perseverance in granting Macbeth his death certificate, hinted the beguiling witches’ palter towards Macbeth throughout the entire play.  Considering his “immortality,” Macbeth assumed that the witches’ sided with him against Banquo because Banquo perceived to be “lesser than Macbeth…” in the witches’ perspectives.  Consequently, since Macbeth destroyed Banquo, the witches indirectly sought revenge against Macbeth, altering their prophecy to where the fate of Macbeth was death, symbolizing the character of genies and their equivocations.  Overall, the haughtiness of Macbeth hitched him a ride in a Hearse, perceiving how deadly ambition can become in life.                                 
     Ultimately, the analysis of these prominent themes permeated throughout the entire play because death was inevitable in Macbeth.  In Act 1, Scene 5, lines 72-73 and Act 4, Scene 1, lines 168-170 ofMacbeth, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth respectively declared, “…you shall put this night’s great business into my dispatch… his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.  No boasting like a fool; this deed I’ll do before this purpose cool.”  Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, the dynamic duo of deadly decisions, persevered to kill anybody and everybody that stood in their way of the throne, including the family of Duncan and Macduff.  Comprehending their vicious atrocities, the couple, lusting power and pride, continued their obligation to these crimes, even though Macbeth was sovereign.  In Act 2, Scene 2, lines 46-47 of Macbeth, Macbeth implied, “Sleep no more!  Macbeth doth Murder sleep”—the innocent sleep…”  Generally, Macbeth, a murderer, never slept after his horrific deed because when he forced Duncan into rest (eternally), the spirit of Duncan, along with the spirit of Banquo, surely haunted Macbeth throughout the whole play, screening the bittersweet nature of fatality.  The free will of Macbeth determined to destroy Duncan, the King of Scotland at the time;therefore, Macbeth was destined to repent his misdemeanors because he not only murdered once, but he also committed massacres up to five times in the play!  In summary, death connoted perseverance, humane incessancy, fate, and free will in Macbeth, one of the famous tragedies scripted by Shakespeare.
     In essence, what causes death?  Sure, perseverance, humane incessancy, fate, and free will appear to be satisfying characteristics, but signifying these factors maliciously guides one to a pernicious pathway of foulness, the boulevard Macbeth traveled endlessly.  “As he was valiant, I honour him. But as he was ambitious, I slew him.”  According to Shakespeare, despite the negativity directed towards Macbeth, the former Thane of Glamis and Cawdor, Macbeth happened to be a heroic and faithful soldier to his country and king, yet his prophecy altered his morals, introducing how his name must be edited from “Macbeth” to “Macdeath.”

Current Connection: 2.1

In a recent article by Ben Brumfield and Dana Ford, news reporters for CNN, the worldwide leader in news, entitled "Lost in the Wilderness: 72-Year-Old Man Survives 19 Days, Eating Lizards, Squirrel," Ben Brumfield and Dana Ford interprets Gene Penaflor's decision when he was lost, in the accident, and rescued.

As stated in the article, Brumfield and Ford notes, "They had split up at their base camp, walking over separate ridges, and were going to meet up down the path a few hours later for lunch. Penaflor never showed."  Concluding from his decision, Penaflor, the 72-year-old man, was not aware of the "consequences" the future bestowed upon him.  He definitely did not desire this predicament to happen, but he sure paid the price for being alone at an anonymous residence.

Evidently, the text quotes, "Instead, Penaflor focused on small game, foraged for algae in a stream and drank water from a creek. To stay dry, he crouched under a fallen tree, and to keep warm, he made a fire and packed dry leaves and grass around his body."  Penaflor, struggling for survival, understood that he was troubled from the situation because after his accident, he was at a disadvantage; he was predictably concussed.  Even though he did not seek luxury in his appetite, his decision to digest the disgusting food aided to his will for survival in the wretched Mendocino National Forest, located in northern California.

In the passage, the article indicates, "A hunter called the sheriff's office in the morning, saying he and his large group of friends could hear a man crying for help from down in a valley."  Penaflor constructed this decision in order to be saved from the wilderness, signalling a siren of help.  In support of his decision-making process, he also chose to do what he could to eat, drink, and most importantly, live!

In my perspective, I perceive my relationship within the article because when I was ten years old,  I was lost during a hiking trip in Boy Scouts.  As related to the text, this passage affiliates to the novel The Swiss Family Robinson because of the will to survive treacherous conditions, depicting the conflict man vs. nature.  In displaying a worldwide view, one must take great knowledge and decision-making to not only survive nature, but to survive humanity.  Uniquely humanity is a link of chains; all of the chains linked together are different by length, size, weight, or color whereas the chains accommodate similarities because all of the chains are chains.

In the final analysis, our decision-making process affects our culture, emotions, and reasoning by the different circumstances life positions us, people, in because Ralph Waldo Emerson conveys, "once [we] make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen."

• Appositives
• Participles
• Compound Sentence
• Metaphor

Work Cited

Brumfield, Ben, and Dana Ford. "Lost in the Wilderness: 72-Year-Old Man Survives 19 Days,                     Eating Lizards, Squirrel." CNN. 14 Oct. 2013. Web. 17 Oct. 2013.

Current Connection: 1.2

In a recent article by Stephen Ceasar, a writer for The Los Angeles Times, entitled "Glendale District Says Social Media Monitoring is for Student Safety," Ceasar confirms 1) why students are being monitored 2) how this circumstance will aid the facility and 3) the restraints and cautions of the program.

In the article, Ceasar states, "the district last year hired Hermosa Beach-based Geo Listening to piece together the cyber tidbits of its 14,000 or so middle and high school students. The effort, for which the district is paying $40,500, is aimed at unearthing the earliest signs of bullying and self-harm."  In relation to every other school facility, these institutions stress about safety and security towards the children.  Logically, education would eventually perish in this situation because the students’ state of mind will portray apprehension about being mistreated rather than progress and prosperity in education to accumulate success.

Young Cho, left, here with Hoover High classmate Christopher Chung.

For example, Ceasar also claims, “when [the analysts finds] posts they think should spur an intervention or anything that violates schools' student codes of conduct, the company alerts the campus.”  With this awareness displayed, the analysts and school faculty members also accentuate on the fact that students, the heart of the school, could potentially hurt themselves physically and mentally by the harsh, irrelevant comments exhibited in social networking.  As stated before, the environment of schools factor off of social networking now at days; the abhorrent remarks resonate through the pupil, affecting their performance in academics, depicting how education can become secondary in their priorities because all the pupil will worry about is being victimized in bullying.

In addition, Ceasar says, “students say the policing of their posts has stirred debate on campuses. Some are angry about what they see as an intrusion.”  To support my claim on the restraints and cautions of the program, as children, they will obviously disagree with the occurrence because of the invasion of privacy outside of school.  Ethologically, I must convey that the officials are enforcing this program because of educational purposes in an obvious perspective; they realize that this overwhelming social networking world is affecting the education of our generation of students.

Individually, this article reminds me of my Oral Communications Speech on Cyber Bullying because my speech emphasized on how cyber bullying affected people, education, and life generally.  In a textual view, this article consolidates with television documentaries I used to watch due to the fact that those shows would always mention bullying and education; most of the time, when I hear about bullying, nine times out of ten, I will hear about education as a followup after the discussion of bullying.  Globally, social networking, the satanic world of the Internet, is basically bullying because now at days, people do not ever have positive statements to quote on the Internet, so the predicaments downgrade peoples’ self-esteem.  In conclusion, as long as these victims are in school, education will be the last aspect they ponder on.

All in all, according to Caroline Kennedy, “the extent that we are all educated and informed, we will be more equipped to deal with issues that tend to divide us.”

Current Connection: 1.1

In a recent article by Ethan Hauser, a writer for The New York Times, entitled "Milestones In Science Education," Ethan Hauser outlines the advancements and revisions of how we, humans of the world, learn science, deriving from 1) the 1860s-1870s 2) 1893 and 3) the 1940s.

Froebel Blocks

From the perspective of the "1860s-1870s -- Teaching With Toys" section of the article by Ethan Hauser, the excerpt quotes, "early American education takes many cues from older systems in Europe, particularly their emphasis on so-called project-based learning."  In support of my claim on the advancements of science, the paragraph further recalls how when we were infants. We used building blocks in reference towards modern architectural and scientific computational practices. To express revision, up to this day, as a senior in high school, I just simply complete worksheets and read books in order to gain knowledge about science rather than emancipate my adolescent side, which is inevitably "funner."

Charles William Eliot

As can be seen from the "1893 -- Classes for Changing Times," Mr. Hauser reports how "the National Education Association, through its Committee of Ten, issues a report that, in part, recommends the expansion of science education in elementary and secondary schools."  While exemplifying scientific advancements, the proposition of the laboratory in Harvard by Charles Eliot would not make Harvard, the top-ranked school in America, be where the facility resides without a laboratory. In significance of my revision remark, the fact that expansion is being portrayed in the midst of elementary and secondary schools prognosticates that the change will become profitable for scientific awareness.

The "Spitfire"

Truly being imitated from the "1940s -- Science On The Home Front" piece of the text, Hauser indicates how, "...in 1942 the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company [sponsored] its first Science Talent Search, a national fair now known as the Intel Science Talent Search that awards scholarship money for independent science projects by high school students." Citing my declaration on scientific advancements, practicing science more than the average classroom assignments exhibits the interest level in the students when they comprehend science, demonstrating how science advances.  In relation to the revision, everybody nationwide conducts science fairs annually, which positively stimulates the mind to becoming a better interpreter in not only the science world alone, but also in reality.

Personally, this article reminds me of my father honestly. With his twenty-five of experiencing how substantial science is in one's life, he constantly preaches about science and how amazing and important the topic is just like this article does! In a text perspective, this article connects to those dull science videos I had to watch in Junior High avidly; the videos always stressed on how science is vital and constructive in the world.  In a worldwide standard, science is organized knowledge because as long as people can acquire the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject, than everybody in the world can certainly speak the same language: Science!

In the final analysis, science is symbolic towards success, the key to a wonderful life, because the subject alone answers to what extent do schools fulfill the goals of an education.

Narrative Techniques: Nehemiah Bruiz

I require people to perceive the true side of me, Peter Okolo: the abstract, illustrious side.  With my visual sketches applicable to one's inner animate being, the morals I paint express my idea like a child sobbing because her mommy did not buy her that dollar candy bar at the checkout area in the convenient store.  Typically, some humans will notice the vivid images coming from my heart while I draw out my literature as if I were the legendary M.C. Escher, sculpting the future and revolutionizing advanced writing.  As stated, writing is beyond cliché, so I decided to artistically compose my scripts with trademark metal forceps, making my heart and soul bleed through my writings like I portrayed the prodigious Pablo Picasso, engaged to the beautiful Mona Lisa.  While my plausibility styles effect upon my scriptures, one will be guaranteed to distinguish my writings compared to old-fashioned texts.  In conclusion, these factors will most definitely be presented as I sculpt my short story.

In a basic manner, honestly, I can affirm that creating my “short story character” may have been the most stress-free part so far.  The procedure was quite amusing like relaxing on a Wednesday night, watching Kevin Hart commit comical crimes because of all the laughter, killing his audience mercilessly. Listing characteristics can also be included in the simplicity of the project too!  Although the assignment was not entertaining like developing Nehemiah Bruiz, my “short story character,” I found the assignment acceptable to perform as if the assignment was a calm, protective family, blessing a criminal, deceiving family because the woman and man from the families love each other.  On the point of a reward, the evaluation within myself has impacted me because knowing that my grade reflects my work, contributing with my “art,” I push myself to strive for excellence like a true Pioneer would do.

As challenge drew his sword to battle me, I noticed that the fight was going to be difficult.  Proportionally, the ratio of effortful to elementary happens to be vastly broad; I comprehend how much EVERY other assignment besides the creation of Nehemiah and the character listing is strictly problematic.  Truthfully, I declare this for that reason because of how much thought bestowed onto the assignments.  Additionally, the frustrating parts about the assignments were knowing if the assignments were done correctly because on occasions, I would doubt my work due to the fact that I was unsure if the assignment was appealing to the teacher like when someone fancies a movie star, bossing around her assistant about what color M&M’s are supposed to be in her immense punch bowl in which the Nile River could not even reach the radius of the spherical object.

There was no other gracious gentleman out in the country of X like Nehemiah Bruiz, an admirable god that would pull chairs out, open car doors, place his cloak on the wet puddle upon the rainy curb, and remark on sweet, unforgettable comments, preferably an ideal man for the ladies because of the mannerism he displayed.  His long, golden-red hair complemented his glossy, deep-hued blue eyes as if the sky and the ocean were not enough to compare the appearance of the sapphire icons.  Professionally, the “sweetheart’s” occupation happens to be a construction worker, suppliers that would check out the gorgeous women strolling by to go to work, smoking vigorously every minute of the day while the steaming Sun beat them up despite the fact that they were hauling heavy equipment as they were completing their day job.  Together with his adoration of crosswords, his love for his son means the world to him like newlyweds exchanging their romantic vows to each other in the life-changing moment: marriage.

As the short story enfolds, one will envision “Peter-angelo,” the poetic illustrator whose artistry imbues through his arteries.  I chiseled down my beloved character as a reality figure for my audience to relate to like kids and the childhood idols they would constantly talk about, act like, and praise.  In brief, while simplicity and frustration plays a role in my short story, those factors will aid my paper to become a masterpiece, affecting my overall grade for the last quarter and the second semester positively and leaving my eleventh grade career successful.

CC#4: Police Seek Motive in Deadly Vegas Strip Attack

In a current article by Ken Ritter, a writer for the Associated Press, entitled "Police Seek Motive in Deadly Vegas Strip Attack," Ken Ritter informs how 1) the attack occurred 2) how people reacted to this horrific incident and 3) how brutal the attack was.

"The Las Vegas Strip became a scene of deadly violence early Thursday when someone in a black Range Rover opened fire on a Maserati at a stoplight, sending it crashing into a taxi that burst into flames..."  The incident occurred at four o'clock in the morning.  With the information I read, I understood that the Maserati wrecked into the cab, bursting into flames and a person in the Range Rover started firing at the Maserati at a stoplight, concluding four other cars crashing into the Maserati and the taxi.

"When you're out at 4 a.m., nothing good's going to happen."  This quote came from Jeff Martin.  He wanted to pass through the intersection where the incident occurred, assuming that he was going to a casino or an activity he planned early on his vacation or stay in Las Vegas.  The thirty-three year old man from Columbus, Ohio stated that in a city like Las Vegas, a city known for such crimes, incidents, activities, etc., obviously there will not be any magical, awesome event that would benefit anyone at that time happening in those hours of the day.

"...leaving three people dead and at least six injured."  The "Vegas Strip Attack" left all these victims dead, including the driver and passenger in the taxi cab, the driver and passenger in the Maserati (the passenger was shot,) four other miscellaneous vehicles, and more in counting.  The attack was so brutal that not only was there yellow caution tape blocking off access to the area around the intersection, the whole road system involved during the incident was closed off for most of the day!

In my perspective, I can relate to this article because when I was in Nigeria, I was like one of the four miscellaneous cars that wrecked into a barbarous event like the "Vegas Strip Attack."  Thankfully, I am still here today because that occurrence was pretty nasty.  Textually, this reminded me of the movie Notorious; during the last scene of the movie, the Notorious B.I.G. approached a stoplight when the car on his right approached and opened fire at the green Chevy Suburban, where Biggie was murdered with the windows rolled down in the night coming back from a party at 12:30 in the morning in the luminous city of Los Angeles, California, the city of Angels.  Globally, tragic events like the "Vegas Strip Attack" sadly happen everywhere.  These circumstances even happen in other countries, knowing that they are worse internationally because of my presence in another country besides the United States of America!  Tragedies like these challenge our American Dream; if we as Americans continue shooting at each other and causing all this violence to one another, then our American Dream to become a better nation will never be fulfilled.

With such crimes like this happening now at days, the "Vegas Strip Attack" marks as one of the most disgusting incidents that have occurred this year.

Jesus Piece

Game does not play games. Comparatively, he is like a movie; the lyrical contents in his music portrays images and indirect sounds in my head.  With his music suffering over the years, Game came back with a number one, highly anticipated studio album entitled Jesus Piece.  His spiritual side talked and walked with me while I studied the album.  Now, everywhere I go, I have to have my earphones plugged into one of his thirteen tracks on the album.

Game, a Compton-based rapper, went spiritual on me with this album.  Without delay, Game switched over to a different approach of his music.  Instead of rapping about drugs, gangs, and violence, he decided to leave that scene of music on his fifth album.  Stereotypically, one would think that he would continue rapping about those topics, but with a wife and three children, he had to travel down a different road with his music.

I was at All-Region Clinic in Jonesboro when we stopped to eat at the Turtle Creek Mall.  My tradition is buying studio albums due to my love of CD's.  I went to Target and saw the album Jesus Piece and I knew I had to buy it immediately.  With this intention, for $11.99, I bought the thirteen-track disk without regrets.  Significantly, I cannot believe $11.99 changed my life!

                                                                    


This album is dedicated to Game's late older brother, Jevon Danell Taylor.  He got shot over a dispute with a female; he was only twenty-one.  Over time, controversy leaked out when angry fans were offended by the set album art, effecting the units sold of Jesus Piece.  As a result, the album's artwork was the picture of his brother, while the controversial one became the deluxe edition artwork.

The tracks of Jesus Piece compose spiritual content, referring to the Grace of God and Jesus Christ.  To point out, he went so spiritual on this album, he won a gospel award for it! Really?!  If one knew Game, one would know that he is not capable of writing gospel music.  In brief, all thirteen tracks soothed my senses with his flow of lyrics and the charisma presented in his fifth album.

In the final analysis, the reason why I bought this album was for the positive comments and ratings of Game's work.  I am so honored to own a masterpiece like no other.  I could listen to this album a billion times because the production of Jesus Piece was genius. Although the album did not successfully sell as many units intended, I am proud to say that Jesus Piece is my favorite studio album of all time.

• similie
• metaphor
• hyperbole

CC#3: Ireland Pledges €4.7m For Syria

In a current article by Genevieve Carbery, an Irish Times news writer, entitled "Ireland Pledges €4.7m For Syria," Genevieve Carbery educates how 1) the Syrian government needs to stop fighting in the name of humanity, 2) how money plays a contribution to other countries and 3) how many people need humanitarian help.

"I appeal to all sides and particularly the Syrian government, to stop killing... in the name of humanity, stop the killing, stop the violence."  In summary, Mr. Costello stated at least 60,000 people had been killed since the violence begun in 2011...; the world body warned earlier this week by saying that without more money, it would not be able to help millions of Syrians.  With all these soldiers dying, the expenses would be more and they would need more humanitarian help...

"The contribution was made at a UN donor conference in Kuwait today seeking pledges of $1.5 billion of aid."  Additionally, Ireland pledged €4.7 million to help fund humanitarian efforts for millions of Syria affected by nearly two years of conflict.  All of the donations will support the provision of the life saving humanitarian supplies and essential services...

"...with 2 million people displaced and 4 million Syrians in need of immediate humanitarian assistance."  All of these people really needed humanitarian help because the donations brought the State's total contribution to the relief effort in the region to over €7 million.  Syrians are sheltering 700,000 registered refugees with another five hundred million dollars to bankroll humanitarian work for four million Syrians inside the country."

Personally, I can connect this article to myself because I have donated money to Nigeria before.  They were in need of supplies at a time, so I heartly made a contribution to stop the struggle.  Relating to another text, the article connects with "The Good Samarian" story in the Bible.  The man got help from the Samarian, expressing how Ireland assisted Syria financially.  Globally, the countries of the world are having to help each other with money as friends to help fund militia, weapons, and/or possibly the government!  This situation can connect to the American Dream because if we aid other countries like Ireland did Syria, then we can become a better nation, including the opportunity of peace with other nations in the world too!

Genevieve Carbery educates how Syria struggles through the war humanly and financially, looking for and finding a helping hand to get them through the tough situation they happen to be in.

BR#1: Slam! - Walter Dean Myers

"Basketball is my thing. I can hoop. Case closed."  Greg "Slam" Harris, the main character, started out in the book on how his prodigious skills on the court represents his life.  Walter Dean Myers's Slam! symbolizes the connection of Slam himself and me.

What can I say about this book? The novel's theme shows one how life is more than a basketball game; life is a game itself.  "Slam! will fly off the shelves into the hands of basketball fans, and will give them a lot more than a game."  The Voice of the Youth Advocates describes how this book will give one a broader perspective of life in the book, rather than a simple, fictional book on a ball player. With many athletes reading sports books, Walter Dean Myers aspires them at the same time by putting the content of life in the novel too.  "A Harlem teenager learns how to apply the will he has to win at hoops to other parts of his life in this vivid, fluent story..."  Kirkus Reviews summarizes how Slam's game can be distributed personally, not physically.  While never doubting himself on the court, he applies the will he has to win at hoops to other parts of his life to "portray the dream of a Harlem teenager."  "Myers has a neat trick of making the reader see the world through Slam's streetwise, life-naive eyes....The conclusion is hopeful, and the basketball scenes are tough."  Metaphorically, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books compares Slam's hoodlum-like struggle in his life with the quote stated.  As described in the quote, the basketball scenes are tough; the quote also analyzes that life can be tough too, just like times in a basketball game.

"Slam's game is like his temper---hard and fast."  Walter Dean Myers makes me believe in him as a person because of the trials and tribulations Slam has to go through. Anybody can come to a common ground with this character because of all the reality-like sections he faces in the novel.  "With me it's not like playing a game, it's like the only time I'm being for real."  I like how Slam's dedication to what he loves makes him conscience of his character.   His seriousness of the game delineates himself throughout the book.  "That's the word and I know it the same way I know my tag, Slam. Yeah, that's it. Slam."  If he was not a bit cocky and confident, the novel would be depressing.  Feeling influenced by the book, the way Myers scripts his literature and draws out Slam assembles the book to be a phenomenon.

"It's hard to compare [great things] to [things in general.]"  Since the novel to me exemplifies sensation, I can closely relate this novel to Myers other classic, The Beast; "...with the connections and situations teenagers face today," the novel glistens to The Beast with real-life scenarios, creating the bond with Slam!.  Currently, this book relates to events and issues in life generally; even though the novel was copyrighted in 1996, seventeen years later, the essence of the novel still reflects among humans today.  Personally, this book develops a connection with me because I admire track; when I eventually "go one-on-one with my own future, I [arguably] will not have the crowd chanting my name, sprinting down the straightaway to the finish line..."

I recommend this novel to anyone and everyone due to the fact that with any position and problem one has, the book will permeate one's life just by reading the book.  Because of the life-changing magic the novel presented to me, I can conclude that Slam! is an astonishing piece of literature towards everyone who read the amazing novel.

"What Is Your American Dream?" Essay

    

The Notorious B.I.G. tells us that "no dream is too big. The sky is the limit."  The famous, deceased, diamond-selling rapper quoted this because everyone dreams.  Whether the dream happens to be an eight-hour sleeping fantasy of one's celebrity crush or a vision of becoming the President of the United States of America, dreams apply to everyone.  As a citizen of this nation, I see quite a few "ups and downs" going on in our nation.  To take into consideration, would one prefer more high times or low times?  In my perspective, I would LOVE to have more good, "up" times in our nation, making this LOVE a dream.  My universal dream towards America, the patriotic palace of the best nation in the world, is to revive peace among the people socially and personally.

Socially, to gain national peace for the fulfillment of my dream, we need to acknowledge "the rules" in order to be more tolerant and polite to each other.  "...And that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things..."  For instance, our Founding Fathers created the Declaration of Independence not only to become an independent country from the King, but also to create a peaceful nation.  After the independence of this country, we, the fifty states, were responsible to develop peace among each other.  "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."  While comprehending this statement closely, I concluded that the roots of all the components in the Preamble to the United States Constitution redirects to peace.  If the thought of peace was not considered, the United States Constitution would simply be feckless.  With establishing peace in a society, if we do not abide to the important documents that our Founding Fathers composed or tolerate people politely in general, my dream of national peace would become a nightmare.

Personally, to gain national peace for the fulfillment of my dream, we need to individually build our character to the pinnacle of our lives.  "Nobody can bring [one] peace but [oneself.]"  This powerful quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson means that as long as people are nice to one, their approach to peace towards one is not as important unless one happens to be at peace with oneself.  To build character, inner-peace must be a prerequisite before the construction begins.  "Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves."  Word from William Hazlitt, the quote indirectly states that if one poses cruelty to others, basically, one poses cruelty to themselves. For example, if one judges a person negatively, one primarily judges themselves because the concept of peace is not present; if one does not treat other people the way they want to be treated, character-building will definitely be difficult, especially if one wants peace in their character.  The Peace Pilgrims tell us that "when [one] finds peace with [oneself,] [one] becomes the kind of person who can live at peace with others."  With establishing peace in one's persona, if we do not consider inner-peace within our character, my dream of national peace would not only be an issue, but possibly, a failure towards the country.

Without any peace, our nation would be corrupt.  Dreaming national peace, we should strive to assemble peace socially and personally.  God shaped this world to be peaceful.  While America struggles on that, if we all apply peace to each other socially and personally, my dream of national peace will be accomplished, making the achievement an "up" to everyone in the country and myself.

CC#2: Flu, Whooping Cough and Vomiting Virus: What's Going On?

In a current article by Rachael Rettner, a MyHealthNewsDaily staff writer, entitled "Flu, Whooping Cough and Vomiting Virus: What's Going On?," Rachael Rettner describes how 1) vaccines can play a vital role to overcome the outbreaks 2) how seriously and badly any of the viruses affect the people and that 3) there is no relations within the diseases.

"...As more people get vaccinated against them, and more perfect vaccines are developed, rates of these illnesses are expected to go down."  Dr. Andy Pavia says this about the outbreaks.  "They are both vaccine-preventable diseases."  "...Since 2012, higher numbers of people have presumably developed immunity to the virus after being infected."

"Cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, have been on the rise in recent years, and in 2012, the numbers of illnesses soared to more than 41,000 --- more than any other year since 1955."  The vaccines made back then did not protect the people as well until today; "the early start to this year's season, as well as the particular strains in circulation, may be reasons why more people are sick this year."

"As far as we know, they're completely coincidental and separate."  Dr. Andy Pavia mentions the uncertainty of all the outbreaks occurring at once.  Even though quite a few Americans are getting sick, the diseases are not all influencing their queasy attitudes simultaneously.  "Despite the seeming inundation of illness, experts say there is no connection between the three outbreaks, or any reason why all would be happening now."

I personally can connect this to myself because I was affected by the flu when I was in middle school.  I received yearly shot now and the vaccine has helped me overcome the disease.  In the Bible, people were impinged by the Ten Deadly Plagues in the book of Exodus.  Worldwide, everybody interacts with diseases in general whether   it is a common cold or cancer.

Rachael Rettner describes how we should not confuse the fact that all of the outbreaks have a special relationship and how the situation has not shown forth in such a horrible in over fifty years.

CC#1: Gunmen Kill 10 In Remote Northwest Nigeria: Police

In a current article by Rueters, an international news agency, entitled "Gunmen Kill 10 In Remote Northwest Nigeria: Police," Rueters informs 1) where the attack was located 2) how the Islamist insurgency was at fault 3) who the possible gunmen were.

"There was an attack in these villages in Zamfara and people were killed."  Specifically in Kaduna, Nigeria, Zamfara was the setting of "the raiding in two neighbouring villages."  The neighbouring villages, Makera and Usu, had around 10 deaths reported by the local police.

"Analysts say the insurgency has also brought a breakdown of law and order across the north, creating opportunities for armed gangs and ethnic militias with scores to settle."  By forming such policies, the insurgency is shown to be vulnerable, giving chances for ANYONE to come through, including robbers and criminals.  They tried to focus on the insurgency was "northeastern Borno state and surrounding areas, but a military crackdown this year has pushed it into several states further south and west, including Zamfara."

"[Hassan Usman Talba] said the prime suspects were gangs of Fulani herdsman but that police were still investigating."  The Fulani herdsmen "led to decades of conflict with farming communities across central and northern Nigeria that often erupts into violence."  They assume it was them due to all of the trouble and chaos inflicted in the area; the police first did not suspect anybody, but they decided to lean towards the Fulani herdsmen.

I can become an active participant in my learning by taking more interest into what goes on in a country where my roots are linked to.  I can take responsibility for my learning by routinely logging on to news websites to read such current events happening in our world.

Rueters informs how this article is one of the pieces of reported Nigerian killings happening in a weekly basis.