Author Archives: laura.wronowski

In compairing Asian Literature with One Thousand and One Nights, which era allows women to play more of an important role to their society?

Machiavelli vs. Economics

A recent article in the NY Times discussed Republican economists trying to brainstorm ways for a budget reduction that were ultimately not sufficient enough to put into effect. “…[T]he policy document that House Republicans released… was criticized for its vagueness; it largely avoided specific proposals that might anger voters.” (NY Times B3). The proposals from the Republicans were said to be for “practical advice” and that “Their situation is not comparable to that of the Republicans who took control of Congress in 1994” said Tony Fratto, strategist. Unfortunately this attempt to fix our economy must be re-sought in much greater detail.

In relation to this article, Machiavelli tried to fix Italy’s economy but similarly failed at his attempt. His effort was done by writing the Prince a letter to convince him to step down and have someone else take over (Machiavelli being that someone else). Machiavelli acted as a nationalist by adding in numerous compliments to trick the Prince into his idea. His plan was to cunningly express a change that was desperately needed for Italy. “…[T]o honor a new prince, and if there is the material that might afford one who is wise and ingenious the occasion to give it a form that would bring honor to him and good to all the people of Italy…” (B 253).

Works Cited

 Chan, Sewell. “Economic Policy? More listen to Conservatives” New York Times. 01 December 2010, New York ed.: The New York Times Business Day B3 Print.

So these are the three questions our group came up with.

Please add or comment anything you think might help the question help us!!

1.) Describe how the character’s personalities differ from Polytheism (The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey) to Monotheism (Genesis and The Book of Job).

2.) Agree or disagree that Gilgamesh learns his lessons of hybris where Odysseus never does.

3.) Explain how the stories of Genesis and The Epic of Gilgamesh demonstrate that men are in charge and also have power structure.

 Laura Wronowski

Odysseus and President Sebastian Pinera

 The Odyssey is a story that involves a leader named Odysseus who has many responsibilities to own up to.  Sometimes these responsibilities involved making decisions that were not always beneficial for everyone. In Book 12 of The Odyssey, the goddess Circe warns Odysseus that he will have a hard decision to make while heading back to Ithaca. It was either have six men eaten by the monster Scylla or lose the whole ship by the deadly Charybdis gulping Odysseus and his crew down. Both of these scenarios are not pleasant but as leader, Odysseus knew he was forced to chose one. Circe explained to Odysseus that “No, hug Scylla’s crag—sail on past her—top speed! Better by far to lose six men and keep your ship than lose your entire crew.” (A434)

 A similar story to Book 12 of The Odyssey is found in the NY Times. “Trapped 68 Days, First Chilean Miners Taste Freedom” (NY Times) resembles how the President of Chile, Sebastian Pinera, demonstrated the same responsibility of tough decision making that Odysseus had to make. For months Chilean miners were trapped underground. It was on August 5^th when this horrible accident occurred and Mr. Pinera was forced to decide the next step. The choices were spend millions of dollars of the countries money to try and rescue the miners (even though they were not 100% sure there were any survivors) or not try to rescue them and possibly lose the next election vote due to wasting money. Similarly, these were very hard to chose from but Mr. Pinera chose to rescue the miners, regardless of the spending that was necessary. The article mentions that “It has involved untold millions of dollars, specialists from NASA and drilling experts from a dozen or so countries…” The equipment and strategic planning involved were very costly to Chile as well.

 The best result for everyone is the most important decision to choose. Regardless of the consequences, Odysseus and Mr. Pinera ultimately knew what choice to make and this illustrated a true quality in their leadership.

Works Cited

 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/world/americas/14chile.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

 Barrionuevo, Alexei; Romero Simon. “Trapped 68 Days, First Chilean Miners   Taste Freedom”. New York Times 13 October 2010, New York ed.: The New York Times International A1 and A8. Print.

The Book of Job Blog

The Book of Job teaches us that wisdom is meaningless and some things in life are just not for us to understand. Typically, some stories follow Aesop’s fables that are full of morals. This is not the case in The Book of Job, for it is actually an anti-wisdom story. This story is about a righteous, faithful, person who has been tested to see if appreciates his fortunes and if he truly deserves them. “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil?” (A158) The LORD allows Satan to test Job, knowing that Job has strong faith and truly does appreciate and deserve his fortune.

 In The Book of Job, although Job was tested by losing his herd, servants, camels, treasures and family he still showed appreciation for his blessings and remained faithful. Job was even tested a second time to see if he truly deserved his fortunes. “So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD, and afflicted Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” (A159).

China shows that they appreciate their fortunes however they are not doing a good job in showing that they deserve them.  “In barely a decade, the Chinese economy has created at least 117 billionaires…” (NY Times), but the article also states, “The China Reform Foundation, an economic research group based in Beijing, estimated last month that about $870 billion in corrupt gray money was being hidden by the wealthiest 10 percent of China’s population.” This is entirely opposite from Job and creates a huge difference between the two stories.

 Works Cited

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/world/asia/24china.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

Wines, Michael. “In China, Attitudes on Generosity Are Tested”. New York Times.  24 September 2010, New York ed.: The New York Times International A4 Print.

Laura Wronowski

 “In Military Cutbacks, Gates and His Russian Counterpart Share Common Ground”

This article resembles The Epic of Gilgamesh in many ways. The first is regarding the unfamiliarity Mr. Serdyukov had with their military and the unfamiliarity Enkidu had with being humanlike. The New York Times stated that “…Mr. Serdyukov… had more experience in the furniture industry than with the military…” The Epic of Gilgamesh said “Enkidu knew nothing about eating bread for food, and of drinking beer he had not been taught.” (A97)

Also, both Serdyukov and Enkidu face powerful opponents almost all alone. The article mentions how only Serdyukov is against the entire Russian Military for cutbacks in spending.  “That which Serdyukov is doing is a challenge to the Russian military culture as a whole, the culture that is based upon the idea of a mass-mobilization army starting with Peter the Great.”  (NY Times) In The Epic of Gilgamesh Enkidu killed the Bull of Heaven and stands up for Gilgamesh because Ishtar was upset that Gilgamesh slandered her. Enkidu is faced alone with the powerful Ishtar and said “If I could only get at you I would do the same to you! I would drape his innards over your arms!” (A110)

Works Cited

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/world/europe/15military.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

Schwirtz, Michael; Shanker Thom. “In Military Cutbacks, Gates and His Russian Counterpart Share Common Ground”. New York Times 15 September 2010, New York ed.: The New York Times International A13. Print.