Keeping the Characters Nameless

One of the main things that our group talked about was the fact that the characters in The Road were kept nameless. They were only referred to as the man and the boy. For a while I have been thinking about why the author would do this. I think that if he gave the characters names it would have distracted us from the main purpose of the novel. The purpose being to understand the father and the son's relationship with each other and how they dealt with the situation that they are in. Maybe because they don't have names we can connect with the characters more because certain names are associated with certain personalities. All of this is speculation of course and I'd be very interested in talking to Cormac McCarthy to see what he has to say on this topic.

What is your fire?

While the father and his son are on their journey along the road it is often mentioned that they are carrying the fire. This "fire" is what keeps them going. It motivates them and helps them keep going. What is my fire? What helps motivate me? If you had asked me this at the beginning of high school I would probably say food. I have such a vast love for food that I would do almost anything for it. But now that I am somewhat more mature I would say that my future is my fire. If I mess up now it could greatly affect how I am in the future. I might not get the job I want and I might not be the kind of person that I would want to be. I try to think about this everyday and when I face  a hard decision. Always remember your fire and pass it on to someone before it burns out.

What would you do to survive?

If an apocalyptic situation ever stared me right in the face I might pee my pants a little bit. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't go to the ends of the Earth to survive it. Being only 18 there is nothing more important to me on this planet than my own life. So if it came down to the apocalypse I would do anything to survive. In the book the Road the father refuses to be like other survivors and eat humans. Therefore both he and his son are in an almost constant state of starvation. While cannibalism is a bit extreme if it helps you survive in times like these I say that you go for it. The man was already sick and by hardly eating he made it worse. He eventually died and abandoned his son on this apocalyptic Earth. So when it comes down to it I would do anything to survive.

Open Letter

Parents.

At this point, I’m sorry to say, your relationship with your child is simple. Either you know him or her, or you don’t. If you are of the latter, I know that doesn’t seem fair, considering all the hard work, time, effort and money you probably put into raising your kid. But it isn’t your fault. At least, it isn’t all your fault. Sometimes, kids and their parents just don’t connect. However, if you are of the first group, as I hope most parents believe they are, there is still something more you should know.

There comes a time when you being his parent is no longer a good enough reason for your child to tell you everything. No matter how good of a relationship you think you have with your son or daughter, I can assure you that there are things he or she doesn’t share with you. This might not be because they distrust you or dislike you, or because they’re doing bad and shameful things behind your back. Sometimes, kids don’t tell you things simply because they don’t want to. Maybe they know you’ll react a certain way, or interfere with something they are determined to accomplish, or that you will be quick to judge because of your perpetually removed point of view. Either way, your child will only tell you things when they decide they should, whenever they feel comfortable enough to let you into their world.

When your child reaches this point, which he will, whether it is in high school, after college, or in 2^nd grade, you have to let yourself come to terms with the fact that your relationship with him has changed. In fact, your job as a parent has always been changing, and it will continue to change. Relationships aren’t static; they’re living things, and they’re affected by circumstance. They need to be cared for and tended to, and sometimes, even the most carefully nurtured relationships can break apart. People can’t be defined by people. People can outgrow each other. It isn’t something to fear or dread. It’s just how things are.

Anyways, parents. When all is said and done, you have to trust yourself. You have to trust that you did your job; that your child has stored away all of your love, wisdom and warnings, and will now be able to go on and live what they choose as a meaningful and fulfilling life. Maybe one day, they’ll give you grandkids that don’t tell either of you everything.

Oh, one more thing. We truly do love you. Thanks for everything.

-Your Kids

Civic Duties

There are many things/duties that every citizen of the nation are required to do such as pay taxes, vote and follow the numerous laws. There are many people who have no problem doing these things without questioning them at all. I am one of those people. While I may not agree with it all I feel that there is no other way to live happily in this country without doing these things. If you dont agree with paying taxes well that sucks because if you don't they will send you to jail. I'm not saying that by doing these things that I am a good citizen because I certainly don't think I am. I just choose to follow the basic civic duties so I can get on with my life while not being bothered by the government or anybody else.

Is Poverty a Choice?

I do believe that poverty is a choice. People may say that some things are out of your control but I do not feel this way. I feel that as human beings we are in control of every choice we make and everything that we do with our lives. Sometimes the choices we make may lead to a life of poverty. We might make the mistake of having one too many children or marrying  and having kids with someone who is unfit to raise them. Both of these things could lead to a life of poverty and whose fault are they? They are your own fault. Life doesn't always turn out the way we want it to and there are a lot of people out there who are jerks. But it ultimately comes down to the decisions you make that lead to the way your life turns out. That is why I believe that poverty is indeed a choice.

Malcolm X

A lot has been going on in this book that I have been reading. The stuff that stands out most to me is this whole Yacub's theory foney baloney nonsense. It is understood amongst many scientists that the original people came from Africa or Pangea. As the continents shifted and people began to live in different climates their skin colors started to change. Eventually we ended up with all of the different colors that we have today. The theory is right in saying that the first people on earth were black. This evil scientist crap just blows my mind. It's even more ridiculous than scientology. I understand that throughout history the "white man" has belittled other races at times and has been the cause of many issues, but so have other races. To think that the overall purpose of the "white man" is to be devilish is just silly. There has been genocide in Africa and in Asia that the "white man" has had nothing to do with. It is too general of a statement to accuse the "white man" as being devilish and generalization is one of my pet peeves. People have the right to believe in whatever they want to and I don't want to get into my views on organized religion, but believing that another race is there to make your lives miserable? Doesn't that just seem like a potential cause of trouble? You cannot live your life full of hatred. You eventually have to look for a truce or a way to work things out.

Is King still King?

Every third Monday in January we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day but is the king is still king? Of course he is. Just because we don’t celebrate him with rituals and decorations like Christmas, Halloween, or Thanksgiving he has lost any significance. The fact that he is one of the 3 people with a national holiday shows his significance.  

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was a hero of modern American liberalism and arguably the greatest spokesman for the civil rights movement, which successfully protested against racial discrimination in federal and state law.  Thanks to African American civil rights movement, the Civil Rights Act was passed; banning discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in employment practices and public accommodations and the voting rights of all people were protected and restored.

Many people would argue that he has lost significance because we don’t honor him but I believe that that when that descendants of those who were discriminated against vote or further themselves academically, they honor the wishes of Martin Luther King Jr. and this has happened and is continuing to happen. 

What It's Like

One of my favorite songs to listen to is What It's Like by Everlast. The group Everlast was at first a semi-popular rap trio. They had I think only one hit song in the 90's and I cant' even remember what it was called so it must be irrelevant. When they released their new album titled Whitey Ford sings the Blues it caused many people to go into a state of shock. It was a very depressing and bluesy album that nobody saw coming. The most powerful song from this album is What It's Like. This song talks about how many people look down on others. The first example is of a businessman passing by a hobo and cursing him out for being poor. The second is about a girl who got pregnant from a dude that left her and how she was taking heat for going to get an abortion. The third is about a boy who was desperate for money who got involved in drugs and ended up dead. The moral of these stories is that we have no idea what these people are going through. We have never taken a single step in their shoes. We don't know what it's like.

Alone/Solitude

At some point in everybody's life they have either been completely alone or felt the need to be. Being alone every once in a while is a necessary thing, in my opinion, to be able to think clearly and function properly. I remember the time when I was in Italy during the summer of 2007. I was having a bad day with my parents and before leaving to go visit the Colosseum we got into an argument. I angered them so much that they left without me, leaving me, a 12 year old boy, alone in an Italian hotel. Being unable to understand anything that was on TV I decided to try and make my way to the Colosseum and meet up with my family. I grabbed a map from the front desk of the hotel and set off.
I soon realized that while traveling by myself I noticed a much greater amount of detail. When walking about with my parents I become too focused on not wanting to be seen with them and not on the beautiful architecture of Rome. Even though I only had a vague idea of where I was headed I was in the best mood that I had been on the entire trip. I was finally able to think clearly and I realized what an amazing country Italy really is.
As I continued to travel I became lost and since I was unable to communicate with the locals I just kept walking. I eventually stumbled upon a group of tourists and asked for directions. Imagine my surprise when I learned that I had actually wandered off the map. Normally this would freak me out, but after realizing that I need to enjoy everything around me I laugh and ask them to point me in the right direction. I soon was approached by a police officer who asked me my name. I gave it to him and he said that my parents had reported me missing. He then took me to the police station where they were happily/angrily waiting. While I got in loads of trouble for my wandering it remains to be one of the best experiences of my life. It taught me to take in my surroundings and to appreciate everything that I have.

I Know This Means Something

I believe that everything in life has a meaning and that everything that happens, happens for a reason. One night while I was sleeping I had a dream that the bus would come 5 minutes earlier than it normally did. When I woke up I didn't know what to think of it. After all it was only a dream. I then remembered that everything in life has a meaning so I hurried through my morning routine and got to the bus stop 7 minutes early. Sure enough the bus arrived 5 minutes earlier than it normally did. It may be that I can see into the future, but it proves that everything has a meaning. When I got home that day from school I learned that my dog had thrown up all over the floor that morning when I normally would have been home. Thanks to my premonition I was able to miss that unfortunate event and I didn't have to clean it up.

What I Am Thankful For

This is the week of Thanksgiving, so saying who we are thankful for is appropriate. If there is one person in fifth period Philosophy In Literature that I am thankful for, it would be Artem Potemkin. Why? I have known Artem for four years and have never had a real class with him until this year. He seemed like a cool person so I was naturally happy that I had a class with him. In class, I can always count on him to make a joke or make me laugh. What he adds to the discussion everyday is very well spoken and well thought out. He is a very deep thinker and I respect that. Also whenever we have to break into groups for classwork, I know that there is someone who I can listen to and write down what he says without even looking at the questions. Even though you throw the the occasional insult my way and tell me that I'll be putting my glasses in two pockets I still enjoy your sense of humor. So, thanks Artem for being a cool person and making fifth period Philosophy In Literature better.

Voltaire and Camus would vote for...

I honestly think that Voltaire and Camus would not participate in any kind of political affair. They would simply sit back and enjoy the madness that occurs so they can satirize it in the future. They view government as a comical thing, not something that necessarily has to be respected, so why vote? Why take part in such an unreasonable thing? Voltaire satirizes the government in Candide especially when talking about the six kings. The kings serve as an extended mockery of the arrogance of the aristocracy. Although they believe they are naturally endowed with the right to power, they continually lose power through wars and political upheaval.As far as Camus goes he doesn't satirize government necessarily he just shows it from the point of view of a man who just doesn't really care that much. While both gentlemen are extremely intelligent beings I do not believe that either one of them would vote in a political election if they had the chance to.

Our Stranger Meaning

In class we are reading a book called the Stranger. The main character is a man named Mersault. He does not seem to care about much that goes on life. For example, at the beginning of the book his mother dies and he doesn't even know how old she is. He doesn't even cry at her funeral. He is a very strange man to say the least. However does he represent our stranger meaning? Is Mersault actually normal while we are the ones who are weird? Being normal is not something that can be defined. Everybody is normal and yet nobody is normal. We all have our own little quirks that make us just as weird as anybody else. So is what Mersault does normal? I think that it is. For him it is normal. Normality is just something that is perceived and it is different for everyone. So in a way this is our stranger meaning. We all have a little weirdness in us and we will all make questionable choices. I think Mersault represents our stranger meaning.

Candide's Punishments, Do They Fit the Crime?

Candide was naive and innocent but these are the only things he was truly guilty of in the beginning. He was taught the world he lived in was the best of possible worlds only to be nearly destroyed by it. Why? Pangloss, the man who was supposed to teach and inform Candide to the best of his ability, taught him an act considered an unforgivable crime, something that only led to his banishment and the beginning of his suffering,.  After his banishment, he nearly had his skin flayed from his body for "deserting" the army of another nation.

Candide, like his namesake, is innocent. He is like a child really. Children don't understand the cruelty, suffering and corruption of the world. This can cause them to be manipulated, abused, and suffer in an unforgiving and challenging world. If a child imitated what he saw his teacher do or followed the teachings of those more experienced, should he be banished? It's pretty extreme right? This also applies to when Candide was forced to run the gauntlet, a punishement where a line of men strike him with weapons. He simply went for a walk and it was declared desertion. Desertion is punishable by either execution or the gauntlet.

The people in the world Candide lives in practice their beliefs to the most extreme. Instead of simply accepting that maybe everyone may not have the same ideas and beliefs they do or even know of them, they punish them with the most harsh or extreme sentences imaginable.

How Do I Know What I Know?

How do I know what I know? Rene Descartes altered the course of philosophy by raising this question. Descartes’ method of doubt questioned beliefs, both scientific and religious, that could be known with utter certainty. Descartes was able to show most of our, scientific, mathematical, religious, and everyday beliefs really cannot stand up to that kind of assessment.  

This systematic doubt brought an issue that philosopher would debate upon for decades to come. Do we learn about the nature of things, through our physical senses or by logic or reasoning? A great philosopher by the name of Immanuel Kant tried to resolve this issue. He argued that we in fact never have understanding of reality but only of things as they appear to us, and that the mind itself supplies the form in which we know appearances.

What do I think of all this? Even before I took this class, I often wondered about my and others’ perceptions of reality. I used to think what if my entire life was a dream or a hallucination? How do I know if the things around me even exist and do they exist to others? It’s really terrifying to think about and I believe that the phrase ignorance is bliss truly sums up what I think about it. Would you want to know if you were a brain in a jar or would you rather continue believing that you are an organism who actually interacts with his environment?  We would say a scenario like that is highly improbable but how do we know?

Modern Gadfly

The word gadfly is defined as a person who persistently annoys or provokes others with criThe word gThe word gadfly is defined as a person who persistently annoys or provokes others with criticism, schemes, ideas, demands, requests, etc and as a constantly irritating or harassing person. During the 400s B.C., Socrates was known being a gadfly or an annoyance. His innovative way of asking questions regularly times forced people to think outside of their comfort zone. He was often times a bother to those he questioned. It came to a point when Socrates was arrested and sentenced to death for his continual questioning of the ideals and views of the people in power. In my lifetime, I do not think that anyone can be classified as a gadfly, or modern day Socrates. To my knowledge, no one has been such a nuisance to society like Socrates. Not once have I ever turned on the news and heard about one person constantly hassling people in public places in the name of education or philosophy. Today, if someone wants to question the beliefs of position of power, like the government, they do so with a group of people, striking or petitioning is very common. Seldom have I heard of someone who went on strike against the US government alone, or someone who would give up his/her own life because they wanted to ask questions. Socrates is a one-of-a-kind man. His methods and ideals about life are ones that can not be duplicated. He is the original philosopher.
       I do not agree that the unexamined life is not worth living. I don't think you necessarily need to examine your life all that much to the fullest extent. I think you can live life without a purpose or goal of getting a certain job or doing something you always wanted to do. I think everyone stops and question their life once in awhile but no one will really philosophise about it and really think about it hard. There are things you have been doing your whole life that you haven't really examined because it’s unimportant so you don't think about it. But there are also things that you don't examine and you should. I think that most people do examine their life at one point in theirs lives as they're maturing and getting older. For example when you are senior in high school and you have to decide what college you have to go to, that is sort of examining your life because you have to decide what college would be best for what you want to study, if you already. I would imagine that when I get into college and start going to school I would find myself examining my life more because if sometimes I wouldn't want to do homework or if I got sick of school I would remind myself why I'm there and what I'm doing or trying to accomplish. I already do that in high school. Some days ill just want to relax and not think about school but I know that ill regret not doing that homework assignment so I get myself to do it. In the end i believe everyone examines their life even when they're not thinking about it. But as a whole the unexamined life is worth living.

fined as a person who persistently annoys or provokes others with criticism, schemes, ideas, demands, requests, etc and as a constantly irritating or harassing person. During the 400s B.C., Socrates was known being a gadfly or an annoyance. His innovative way of asking questions regularly times forced people to think outside of their comfort zone. He was often times a bother to those he questioned. It came to a point when Socrates was arrested and sentenced to death for his continual questioning of the ideals and views of the people in power. In my lifetime, I do not think that anyone can be classified as a gadfly, or modern day Socrates. To my knowledge, no one has been such a nuisance to society like Socrates. Not once have I ever turned on the news and heard about one person constantly hassling people in public places in the name of education or philosophy. Today, if someone wants to question the beliefs of position of power, like the government, they do so with a group of people, striking or petitioning is very common. Seldom have I heard of someone who went on strike against the US government alone, or someone who would give up his/her own life because they wanted to ask questions. Socrates is a one-of-a-kind man. His methods and ideals about life are ones that can not be duplicated. He is the original philosopher.ticism, schemes, ideas, demands, requests, etc and as a constantly irritating or harassing person. During the 400s B.C., Socrates was known being a gadfly or an annoyance. His innovative way of asking questions regularly times forced people to think outside of their comfort zone. He was often times a bother to those he questioned. It came to a point when Socrates was arrested and sentenced to death for his continual questioning of the ideals and views of the people in power. In my lifetime, I do not think that anyone can be classified as a gadfly, or modern day Socrates. To my knowledge, no one has been such a nuisance to society like Socrates. Not once have I ever turned on the news and heard about one person constantly hassling people in public places in the name of education or philosophy. Today, if someone wants to question the beliefs of position of power, like the government, they do so with a group of people, striking or petitioning is very common. Seldom have I heard of someone who went on strike against the US government alone, or someone who would give up his/her own life because they wanted to ask questions. Socrates is a one-of-a-kind man. His methods and ideals about life are ones that can not be duplicated. He is the original philosopher.