The Joy Luck Club Post

"Family and honor should take priority over the rights of the individual family member." In my opinion, I find this statement in between- meaning that I feel it is both true and false because I feel that family should focus on everyone in the family and not just one person. However, if one person in the family needs help or is in major trouble then the family should pay attention or think about how they can help the certain member and the situation they are in. Then again, it depends on what the situation may be because the family member may have done something very ridiculous.

The question is "How do you think An-mei and her mother would respond to this statement?" I believe that it would be in- between with them. An-mei who cares deeply about her mother would want her to be a part of the family again. However,the rest of her family would disagree and believe it is true. They would do this because they do not see how they should pay more attention to one family memeber instead of the whole family. An-mei was young to understand the hate her family had towards the actions her mother made. As An-Mei grew up, she now realizes the importance of family and how she has to deal with the future and eventually let go of the past.

Response to Chinese Mothers post

Honestly, I found this article "Why Chinese Mothers are Superior" by Amy Chua,  interesting and shocking about the way Chinese parents are and how they treat their children. i found one interesting quote she put at the end.

Western parents try to respect their children's individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions, supporting their choices, and providing positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment. By contrast, the Chinese believe that the best way to protect their children is by preparing them for the future, letting them see what they're capable of, and arming them with skills, work habits and inner confidence that no one can ever take away.

I understand that Western parents are different from Chinese parents- every parent is no matter what race. However, I sort of don't agree that Western parents are always like that; some are hard on their kids because they want them to succeed and when their children fail, they do not always sit there and say in a clam voice, "It's okay. try harder next time." The parents would definitely be upset about the child getting a failing grade and be hard on them like how she describes the Chinese parents.

I can not really relate to the article itself so I'm not sure if she may be lying about some things of Chinese parents or not.  However, it is very interesting how the Chinese are very strict- crazy strict. I think it is crazy for them to push their kids to be their best, especially at a young age. To call their kids "lazy" is one thing, but to call them "stupid" , "wrong", or "pathetic" is going way too far. I feel that that is wrong for the author to call her kid those names because she gave up. I understand she was trying to encourage Lulu to keep playing the piano, but calling her names only brings her confidence down. Plus, the daughter is seven years old- at that time, many kids may not be sure what they want to do or may want to do other things.

In conclusion, I don't necessarily agree on what Chua says about parents, especially Western parents. However, I feel that her strategy on being a Chinese parent is not really good for the relationship between the parent and the child. The child should have at least a decent relationship with their parent and should not have to really be forced to do anything they want to do. It's sad how Chinese children have to really focus on academics and stick to Chinese traditions and are not be able to do anything fun.

Orwell Meets Egypt

There are a few connections I see between Animal Farm and the situation in Egypt itself. One connection is the rebellion of the audience. In Egypt, they were against their ruler who was unfair to them and their government. In Animal Farm, the animals were rebelling against Mr. Jones, their evil leader, also referred to as "the man". Both the people of Egypt and the animals of Animal Farm did not like the way the leaders treated them and the rules they made that were unfair.

Another connection I saw between Animal Farm and Egypt was how they looked up to people they can't trust. For instance, in Animal Farm, the animals look up to Napoleon, who is not innocent at all. He is basically another tyrant who does not show his evil side. In Egypt, they also look up to someone who is not very innocent as well (can't think of the name of the person).

Other connections between Animal Farm and the upheaval in Egypt are being under military rule. The animals had to obey the seven commandments which did not give freedom to any animal living in Animal Farm. The government and the leaders of Egypt did the same type of thing, which led to rebellion of the people. In Animal Farm, the animals were the ones who were in charge. Also, this may not seem like a big connection but both are historical events. Animal Farm talked about communism and used animals to portray the soldiers or the people living in the Soviet union or who were in the army to fight in World War II. The situation with Egypt will be a historical moment and both this and Animal Farm share significant facts and the importance of history.

Jacksonville: Animal Farm Chapter 11

Jacksonville: Animal Farm Chapter 11

http://jacksonvillef.blogspot.com/2011/02/animal-farm-chapter-11.html

Chapter 11

Jackson Follrath

Jasmine Guillot

Chapter 11

The name Animal Farm stood in distance, with its name now a past recollection; and its true significance and dream gone. Napoleon proclaimed that the farm be named Manor Farm, the prior name of the farm which was ruled by the tyrant Mr. Jones. Board by board, the name Animal Farm was removed from the entrance, removing the symbolism of the rebellion and Old Major’s teachings. Manor farm was slowly written in its place, its white paint dripping in the rain. Next, the seven commandments were reduced to only one; “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” A sense of acceptance washed over the animals; Animal Farm was over.

Napoleon walked out. Two hooves arrogantly walked forward; he really had become a human. Behind him, two humans walked out, both wearing a smug look on their face. 

“Thank you for the business Mr. Napoleon.” The human on his right said.

Napoleon replied with the best smile a pig could muster. “It is always my pleasure gentlemen.”

Suddenly, an angry squeal erupted from his mouth. “What are you looking at animals? Get back to work!”

Hurriedly, the other animals obligated. They were all very hungry and tired. Many collapsed on the ground, whimpering and crying for food. All were forced to work until next day; Napoleon planned to trade much of the harvest tomorrow.

Napoleon saw that many animals collapsed on the ground. Again, an angry squeal was released from his mouth. This time though, a dog’s bark was heard in the background. The animals quickly got to their feet, but it was too late. Viciously, the dog jumped on one of the goats and started biting it. Blood was splattered on the ground.

 It was very silent in the background that wind could be heard rushing through ancient evergreens, a stream that was splashing along a sandy bank, and baby birds who were asking for food.

    “Get to work now!”, Napoleon scream.
    “No!” and with that the animals flung themselves upon Napoleon. Shrieks of pain could be heard from amidst the movement. After continuous blows, Napoleon was pronounced dead.
    In unison, the animals triumphantly yelled “For Animal Farm!” Napoleon was dead and they were free at last.

The animals stared at Napoleon's cold and still body in complete silence and awe. None of them could say anything; they were too overwhelmed with what they did. Then all of a sudden, Walter, the old pig, spoke up and said,

“Well are you guys just going to stand here and look at it or help get rid of it?”

The rest of the animals looked at him as if he said something stupid. Walter looked back at them, as they did not move.  

“Don’t look at me! Clover, place your head under his back and pick him up; goats, go under him and lay his legs on top of you; other pigs, help me pick up his feet.”

The animals did what Walter said and picked him up gracefully. The animals saw the lake across the farm and decided to throw him in there. They carried his dead body until they reached the lake and threw him in there. As they saw Napoleon’s body all the way down in the lake, the animals wondered what they were going to do next now they do not have to take orders from anyone anymore.

As the animals gathered back to the farm, they now realized that they no longer have to take orders or be part of a monarchy. The animals decided to keep Animal Farm, but not as a place to make the animals slaves but for the animals to make plans so that there would not be another tyrant trying to take over. Their new leader was Clover, the older horse who set the rules fair for this group of animals and for the next generations.