Tag Archives: Group B Post

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Invisible Man

Invisible Man, written by Ralph Ellison, is a very interesting story. In the reading we were given, there seemed to be a lot going on with the narrator. Not knowing information at all and jumping into the last five pages, there were some things that were very clear and some that were confusing. It was very clear that the narrator was trying to escape something or someone and his name was not known What was very interesting was the narrator’s attachment to his briefcase and what he did with the papers inside of it. Before the narrator jumped into the black hole, he was very hesitant of giving anyone his briefcase, but when he was inside, he burned it to make light.

What it seems like Ellison is trying to show the reader through the narrator’s actions is the struggles African Americans had during this time period. In this time period, African Americans were segregated from whites and were not seen as equals. Throughout this time, African Americans were not really seen as humans and did not get any respect. The narrator of the story was only mentioned as “he” or “the black man”. This represents the racism that was going on during this time. In addition, Ellison is trying to show the narrators wanting to forget his past life and wants to live without segregation.

 

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Judy Syfers’ “Why I Want a Wife”

In this essay, Judy Syfers humorously writes about what is expected of wives by their husbands. She expresses her dissatisfaction with the stereotyping of the expectations of a wife in society. For example, the last line in her essay is, “My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?” The sarcasm that she uses here shows her frustration with the social norms of the role of a wife.

Throughout her essay, she explains why she herself would want a wife. She would want one because a wife would conveniently take care of her wants and needs without any questions or opposition. Near the end of the essay, her argument gets more intense when she states that she would want a wife that would be solely responsible for any children so she can be free to do what she wishes. She also states that she wants the freedom to easily replace a wife with another if she isn’t satisfied. The way the author approaches her argument shows her anger towards the idea of treating a wife as though she has no personal opinions and has the sole role of looking after the husband and the children.

I’ve noticed that the essay was written in 1971 which was during the Feminist Movement in the 1960s and 1970s. It was a time when women started fighting for equal rights as men and I believe that this essay was written to get the point across that women aren’t a convenient babysitter to keep around and that they shouldn’t be treated as if they do not have any other purposes other than completing the traditional tasks of a wife. She also implied that she would want the same rights as men to go to school and have a job instead of being tied down to housework and babysitting.

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Legalizing Drugs by Vidal

According to Gore Vidal, drugs are to be available to people and sold in stores. He thinks that pot is good for you and is not a “big time drug”. Most of Vidal’s statements are arrogant and untruthful. He even admitted that he has tried every drug on the street. No wonder he is writing a persuasive essay on why drugs should be legalized. In addition, Vidal states that the government will lose money if marijuana and other drugs were legalized. I disagree with all of Vidal’s points and don’t think that we should legalize harmful and sometimes deadly drugs (such as heroine). According to a new government study, through the last decade, heroin-related deaths remained more common in New York than opioid painkiller-related deaths. In 2013, heroin overdose caused 6.2 deaths per 100,000 New Yorkers, the highest rate in a decade. To sum up, drugs should not be legalized and nobody should ever do heroin.

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Drugs: Case For Legalizing Marijuana

In this article, Gorge Vidal is describing his view on the legalization of marijuana and other drugs. Vidal believes that all drugs should be legalized throughout the United States and should have all the good and bad effects listed on the packaging. In addition, Vidal believes that drugs should be legalized because every man has the right to do what they want with their body. By legalizing drugs, Vidal believes that there will be an end to addiction of drugs in the United States. He also states that some people won’t stop being addicts, but they choose to stay addicted to the drug just like a man may choose to kill himself. When I read this article, I was very annoyed at Vidal. I completely disagree with is reasoning for legalizing drugs. First off, if drugs were to be legalized throughout the United States, why would there be a need to list the good and bad effects? If you are choosing to take the drug, you SHOULD know what it can do to your body. Secondly, just because he did not become addicted to some of the drugs he had done, does not mean that no on else can become addicted. His “experiment” is not valid so he cannot say that no one else will become addicted because he did not. Vidal’s argument is not valid and very dumb. This article just proves why marijuana and other drugs should not be legalized. If Vidal really was for legalization, I would come up with a better argument with facts and better information.

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Massachusetts General Court , January 9, 1961 (JFK)

At the beginning of his speech, John F. Kennedy immediately grabs the attention and support of the audience. He speaks about his origins in Massachusetts, and the credit he owes to the states and its people. JFK states, “For fourteen years I have placed my confidence in the citizens of Massachusetts.” This statement gives the people a sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as arousing their curiosity. After gaining their trust, JFK refers to John Winthrop’s “City Upon a Hill” in order to inform how the eyes of all people are watching them and they, the people of the United States, must be a shining light. JFK’s opening statements help him to ease into the part of the speech where he begins to speak about, very subtly, the problems of their government and the items that need to be addressed. I find it very interesting how John F. Kennedy lists out the issues at hand with questions. He asks the people if they were men of “courage”, “judgment”, “integrity”, and “dedication”. Listing out the issues using a question format helps to get the audience and even myself to think about them. JFK then leaves the audience with closing remarks that again gain the support of the audience. In stating that those qualities mentioned before are the qualities the state of Massachusetts already has he appeals to the people. These last remarks set a standard for the upcoming presidency of John F. Kennedy.

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Reagan’s City Upon a Hill

In John Winthrop’s “City Upon a Hill”, he describes the new location, in New England as being better than anywhere else.  People will come together and will attain a brotherly affection. Winthrop illustrates how God will be on their side and the eyes of all people will be upon them. He felt that his people were divine and above others. President Ronald Reagan referred back to the “City Upon a Hill” during his first Conservative Political Action Conference. Reagan also believed in a divine plan for the United States, similar to Winthrop and New England.  Reagan later explains how living in America helped him, and how he outlived the life expectancy from when he was born with the help of the thousands of doctors and hospitals we have. Reagan took Winthrop’s speech and adapted it to the current time period, giving examples of how we are “A City Upon a Hill.” Ronald Reagan gave examples of statistics of how many people own televisions, cars, refrigerators, and other things we are able to take for granted.  He ends his speech with another reference to Winthrop by saying that we are “the last best hope of man on earth.” I wonder why Reagan decided to incorporate Winthrop’s speech from 1630 into his speech in 1974. I found it interesting that after reading both, how different both speakers described the same main point- that we were superior. Winthrop used God as his main focus, while Reagan used the great things America had to describe how we were better than other places.

 

 

 

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Ronald Reagan’s Farewell Speech

In President Reagan’s modest yet powerful farewell speech, it seems as though he wanted to convey a sense of pride on how America overcame the challenges it faced and became stronger and freer than before. He talked about how America started small but evolved to be a model nation to nations around the world. He also talked about how the citizens contributed and helped America to be the way it is today. I find it interesting how he referred to John Winthrop’s speech even though it was spoken well over 300 years ago. John Winthrop arrived at America seeking freedom and prosperity. In Winthrop’s speech, he talked about how in order to succeed, they would have to unite and work together towards a common goal. As I read this, I questioned about President Reagan’s choice. Why did he choose this speech of all other great speeches in the past? What was he trying to tell the audience? When President Reagan refers back to this speech, I realized why. He wanted to show that America accomplished what they sought out to do when they first set foot on this land and that was freedom and prosperity. I thought this reference helped support President Reagan’s views on how far America advanced and was effective in giving the audience a feeling of optimism and pride. It helped the audience see the extent that the nation grew over time and how they contributed to the success of the nation without knowing. At the same time, they were given a positive feeling of America being able to overcome any challenge thrown its way as it did in the past.