Is it really necessary for ruthless criminals to be sentenced to execution? There are many viewpoints on this topic, but in the execution of tropman, by Ivan Turgenev, it is seen as an unnecessary and even barbaric act. In mr. Turgenevs essay about a convicted mans execution, it is easy to see how he feels about the situation. The way he describes the whole night easily makes the reader want to take up his side of the argument. He is reluctant to even go to the execution at first, and I thought it was interesting how he kept feeling the burden of guilt come up throughout the execution process.
He presents the situation in a somewhat subjective tone, but for the most part his examinations were correct. The crowd was getting hyped for no reason. Turgenev is able to show how simple the humanPsyche becomes when there is a chance to see something that is a rare opportunity. Many people came to this execution, but only the front few could even see... I thought this was an interesting point because so often humans will do un natural things to say they were part of something big. Turgenevs inclusion of this analysis greatly helps his critique against capital punishment.
However his subjective tone does take away from his argument in the long run. He keeps talking about the cons of the execution and how barbaric everyone acts just to be there, but not once mentions the pros of the execution. This may be because tropman was young and perhaps innocent, but every essay needs to look at the counter argument and try to acknowledge it.This essay is talking about an execution a long time ago, making me feel that it's analyzations are not necessarily true about people in modern times. Nowadays the criminals on death row are put to execution for much worse crimes, but they are not a public event. I believe the only fuel Turgenev had for his argument was the fact that the crowd acted so differently than normal humans would. If the people had gathered respectfully and watched the execution quietly take place, this would be a totally different story.
I remember last year we had a debate on whether capital punishment was justified or not, and my view on the topic was picked for me. Now that I can choose for myself, I realize how hard of a decision it is. There are people that deserve to be executed, but we as humans do not have the right to simply take another life. Like ghandi said "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." I think that simply because of the way he describes the event, I am going to side with Turgenev on this argument. Capital punishment is one injustice that should not exist.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, October 15, 2010
Movies! (Blog 12)
Great movies consist of a few key elements. They all have memorable characters and an engaging story. The cream of the crop can stand the test of time, and often are influential to a generation. Favorite movies can vary, but usually all of them meet the above mentioned criteria. Some of my favorites are:
-inception
-Avatar
-The Dark Knight
-Shutter island
-Star wars
-inception
-Avatar
-The Dark Knight
-Shutter island
-Star wars
Metacognitive Q's on definition essay
Culminating Writers Profile
1. I feel I am expecting more from myself now that I have seen how to write proper essays. All the info is there for me, now I just need to start writing better.
2. I want to say my strengths are writing opening paragraphs and giving good anecdotes. I try to give a good sized opener to set the tone of the essay, then give good stories to enforce that feeling.
3. Concluding is definitely my weakness. I've tried to start giving a broader perspective to strengthen the conclusion but I still feel my conclusions are weak.
Evaluating your writing process
1. I'd definitely go back to the king herod story!
2. My peers said I had not very many examples of fear, so when I went back I found it simple to find a couple examples, personally and in general.
3. I had trouble, as always, with my conclusion. I couldn't find the right way to bring the whole essay together so it may have seemed a little loose.
Evaluating your writing process
1. The adding of the king herd story was the easiest. I was told to add a few examples of fear and that immediately sprung into my mind.
2. I had trouble understanding this Q, but I guess I could say my narrative elements came in when...?
3. My best success came when connecting to the audience with my introduction story.
Being Honest with Self
1. Just starting was the most intimidating part for me, but looking at the examples was what helped me the most.
2. I'm not sure which text?
3. The interesting stories or personal anecdotes. That is how I started.
4.I came up with a better conclusion than my original because garret showed me a simple thing to change, which actually impacted the effectiveness of the conclusion.
5. I see myself improving, but still not perfect.
1. I feel I am expecting more from myself now that I have seen how to write proper essays. All the info is there for me, now I just need to start writing better.
2. I want to say my strengths are writing opening paragraphs and giving good anecdotes. I try to give a good sized opener to set the tone of the essay, then give good stories to enforce that feeling.
3. Concluding is definitely my weakness. I've tried to start giving a broader perspective to strengthen the conclusion but I still feel my conclusions are weak.
Evaluating your writing process
1. I'd definitely go back to the king herod story!
2. My peers said I had not very many examples of fear, so when I went back I found it simple to find a couple examples, personally and in general.
3. I had trouble, as always, with my conclusion. I couldn't find the right way to bring the whole essay together so it may have seemed a little loose.
Evaluating your writing process
1. The adding of the king herd story was the easiest. I was told to add a few examples of fear and that immediately sprung into my mind.
2. I had trouble understanding this Q, but I guess I could say my narrative elements came in when...?
3. My best success came when connecting to the audience with my introduction story.
Being Honest with Self
1. Just starting was the most intimidating part for me, but looking at the examples was what helped me the most.
2. I'm not sure which text?
3. The interesting stories or personal anecdotes. That is how I started.
4.I came up with a better conclusion than my original because garret showed me a simple thing to change, which actually impacted the effectiveness of the conclusion.
5. I see myself improving, but still not perfect.
"Nobodiness" (blog10)
Nobodiness is a term that is somewhat difficult to describe. To people that are "somebody", or a person of social status in high school, a nobody would be the "loner" or just the weird kid that always sits by himself. Nobodies are never of any importance to popular kids, but why are they nobodies in the first place?
To an actual "nobody" they may or may not choose to be that nobody. If they choose to do so, they often distance themselves from people, or refrain from making friends, for unknown reasons. A nobody's motives are really their own, but they usually hide themselves for fear of ridicule or a previous scarring experience. When they don't choose to be that nobody they usually just lack the social skills to fit in, often fading into the background, becoming a "nobody"
To an actual "nobody" they may or may not choose to be that nobody. If they choose to do so, they often distance themselves from people, or refrain from making friends, for unknown reasons. A nobody's motives are really their own, but they usually hide themselves for fear of ridicule or a previous scarring experience. When they don't choose to be that nobody they usually just lack the social skills to fit in, often fading into the background, becoming a "nobody"
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesdays With Morrie (blog 9)
I know it's cliche, but Tuesdays with more really showed how you shouldn't waste your life running after material things. Just examining mitch's early life shows you can be successful, but not happy. The book made me want to strive to be less materialistic. There were too many life lessons that were overall enlightening, but I really liked their talks about age and our culture.
Monday, September 6, 2010
I WAS a Cripple (Blog 8)
I know I chose the most generic word from the whole essay, but I realized this is very powerful. My sophomore year I broke my collarbone playing football. When I returned to the practices to help Out, I found the word cripple being tossed around a lot when I was nearby. Just the sound of the word cripple made me feel helpless... The saddest part is that I was.
Cripple- a person or animal that is partially or totally unable to use one or more limbs; a lame or disabled person or animal. When I looked up this definition online, it said "sometimes offensive". people don't realize the hurt words can sometimes cause. When I was "crippled" it bothered me when someone had to say that out loud like I didn't realize I was already disabled. But I guess people said it to just tell it like it is. Like in our discussion, sometimes it helps to tell the truth like it is, instead of sugarcoating it. When I was healed fully, I was so relieved. Not only of pain, but of humiliation. I always remember the pain of what it felt like to be called a cripple. So though I try to make things as real as possible, I make sure to handle injured people with care, and to never toss the word cripple around them
Cripple- a person or animal that is partially or totally unable to use one or more limbs; a lame or disabled person or animal. When I looked up this definition online, it said "sometimes offensive". people don't realize the hurt words can sometimes cause. When I was "crippled" it bothered me when someone had to say that out loud like I didn't realize I was already disabled. But I guess people said it to just tell it like it is. Like in our discussion, sometimes it helps to tell the truth like it is, instead of sugarcoating it. When I was healed fully, I was so relieved. Not only of pain, but of humiliation. I always remember the pain of what it felt like to be called a cripple. So though I try to make things as real as possible, I make sure to handle injured people with care, and to never toss the word cripple around them
Two similar but different things (blog 4)
Football and war. I never thought of it until now but these two events are very alike. Now even though they are totally different there are a few common things they share. Both have winners and losers. Oddly enough both share rules of engagement. In wartime soldiers are given uniforms to represent their factions. The same with football: players are given uniforms to show what team they represent. Lastly, they both engage in fighting. These all may be different kinds of fighting, or different uniforms, but the fact remains that though they are different events, football and war are strangely similar.
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