Romeo's act of rashness

     The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a comedy, yet a tragedy at the same time where many themes are put to place. You could say each character has their own role and story to them that connects each other in a certain. Although, Romeo's say of true love can be questioned. His love with Juliet can just be a placebo for his heart break and betrayal from his break up with Rosaline, his former fair maiden. I believe that Romeo isn't truly in love with Juliet, but rather is acting out of rashness in order to forget Rosaline. 
     Romeo truly isn't in love, but is forcing himself to think and feel like he's in love as an act to get over Rosalind without knowing it. "One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun," (1.3.99-100)  In other words Romeo is saying that there's no match or anyone greater than Rosaline who can match up to what she was. He believes that he will never again fall in love, that is until he sees Juliet. He stays in astonishment and quickly falls for her. In (2.3.48-49) it states, "with Rosaline? No. I have forgot that name and that names woe." This shows how he's practically tricking himself into believing he's over Rosaline. But also his rashness towards Juliet since he's falling for her for her looks rather than her personality and is rushing into a relationship I think both of them are not ready for.
     In addition, Frair Lawrence states, "Wisely and slow. They stumble those that run fast." (2.4.101) This shows his doubt about Romeo's decisions and is worrying about what's going to happen next. This gives off a type of dark mood foreshadowing a tragedy that's going to upraise. And Romeo states,"O let us hence. I stand on sudden haste." (2.3.100) This shows how he's not thinking about the consequences or what could happen, but rather is rushing into a marriage I think no one's ready for. This is another example about his rashness and not being true love.
     Overall, Romeo isn't truly in love with Rosaline, but rather is caught in a placebo in order to get over Rosaline. He falls head over heels for Juliet's beauty rather than for her personality and then wants to rush into marriage. In my opinion that's a rash teenage decision brought upon the feeling of not wanting to be alone or heart broken again. And he's just using Juliet as a rebound to Rosaline without noticing it or questioning his actions towards his decisions. So, I strongly stand in saying that Romeo isn't truly in love, but rather his love being an act of his youthful rash behavior towards his real feelings. 

Zeitoun by:Dave Eggers

     " Zeitoun," by Dave Eggers is a true story based on a family caught between America's worst disaster and response to post 9/11. Zeitoun coming from Syrian descendant is targeted and labeled as a menace to society and a threat to the community. Although his family and him are penetrated by Katrina his hopes are never gone. He faces many crucial racial discrimination's not only on him, but on his company, Zeitoun A.Painting Contractor LLC. "Zeitoun" averts the message on ones ethnicity is unappreciated by society because of the actions done.
      Society can be very harsh at times and be very crucial  on ones color. For example, "They would call for an estimate and ask Kathy, 'Zeitoun, where's that name come from? Where is he from? And Kathy would say, 'Oh he's Syrian.' Then after a long pause or a shorter one, they would say, 'oh, okay, never mind.' It was rare, but not rare enough."(pg.37) This shows how society isn't valuing the great skills Zeitoun has just because of his race. But also just because of being Syrian descendant he's depicted as a worthless supremacist person. This is also showing how a certain ethnicity of one will determine the kind of opportunities they will face.
      Further more, society can be very biased towards a certain race. For example, "I don't like these men, she said, 'What's wrong with'em?' Kathy asked. 'They're swarthy,' she said. 'I only want white people working on my house. She said it like she was choosing a kind of dressing for her salad."(pg. 36) This is showing society's unappreciative towards a certain ethnicity with the mind set of one being superior and better than the other. Sometimes one race will receive greater benefits or pay based on their color.
      Moreover, Zeitoun involves more than one social action within it. But a major one can be expressed throughout some hardships of Zeitoun's everyday life. Racism. Society can be looked upon an ignorance built upon the ideal of racism. With Zeitoun you can experience all the heartfelt challenges one felt with the impact of Katrina and post 9/11.

     

Are Drones The Innovative Success To The Future?

     "Invasion of the Drones", by Patricia Smith talks about the good and the bad being brought to light on drones. Not only the nation, but society is questioning how helpful these innovative advancements actually are. So far drones have arisen questions about the loss of privacy with them being used as spy cams, as well as questioning the violation against the Fourth Amendment. People have also been questioning the real safety behind their usage and software whether being a bother to society or a help to this nation. But not only the privacy and safety of people have been questioned, but warfare too is becoming a big conflict the nation is tackling. Smith is presenting this idea of loss of privacy as a key purpose.
     Patricia Smith uses a variety of crafts to make her article come to life. She uses short stories within her article to make it more authoritative and easier to relate to. For example she states, "In fact, it was a drone, hired by a real estate agent to take aerial photos of the property next door to her house. Lingard was later horrified to discover a picture the drone had taken showing her mostly naked body in billboard real estate ads." She retells this short story to get her point clearly across the article and to show the loss of privacy these drones are causing. In my opinion these are problems we as a society can face in the future which is why she included it.
     In response to what I read this makes me think about new ways the NSA could be watching and intervening with our everyday lives. Or ways it can cause harms to our nation such as, terrorists planning out an attack plan. Or what if the programming system malfunctions causing major chaos putting people's safety at risk. But overall, I think that with every new advancement there are these flaws that come along with it. Though, drones are an innovative way to help our society such as, law enforcement's with search and rescue situations, yet experts worry about other possibilities. Yet, I believe that technology isn't always the most reliable source.

"THE MAZE RUNNER"

        Over time their is this tension of resistance either by society, a group of people, or a form of government. "The Maze Runner," by James Dashner involves the power of two groups and the tension between them. The runners and the creators have this way of lifestyle were one either benefits the other or destroys them. Thomas and the runners have been now fighting for their freedom and their escape of their hectic studies being tested on them. The tension of power and resistance between the runners and the creators makes this perseverance to keep going and never give up. It makes a theme were fear is just another reason to try harder.
       The fear of death is what pushes and motivates the runners to try harder. For example, the loss of runners throughout the past gives them this mentality that if they don't start acting now then they'll all get killed. " I wasn't here, but I heard that the kid who volunteered to do it had only gone down about ten feet when something swooshed through the air and cut him clean in half."(pg.51) This shows the brutality against these two groups or societies and the fear being attached to the runners. Another example would be when Thomas came face to face with a griever and almost got killed. "It stared right at me, it's arm ready to attack and kill."(pg.198) This shows this fear caught in Thomas's eyes, scaring him for the rest of his life. And in some cases people could relate to death as just another reason to enjoy life even more.
       Further more another thing to fear that makes them try harder is brainwash. For example, "If Chuck was right, he'd just discovered a link to the rest of the boys. A common pattern to their memory washes."(pg.16) They are fearing to crack and get into the creators mind set of what they are to be. This shows the creators trying to brainwash the runners into turning them in their image and who they want them to be. But why do they leave their first names only and not anything else? Could this be a way of a strategic plan to destroy them. Another example would be, "Chuck, what if we're all criminals? I mean-what if we're murders or something?"(pg.63) This is showing the runners brainwashing affect on them. And they are fighting back not forget who they are or what they're planing. This brainwashing is trying to intercept their plans on destroying the creators, but they are too fearing for the worst.
       Overall, this idea of fear being another reason to try harder can also connect to others in the real world. Being feared of death can empower others to enjoy life and value every moment. And this power of two groups and the tension between them can be seen all over life. Like a teacher having more power than a student, or the government having more power over society. Although, the power of tension and resistance is what also makes perseverance in a group or person.


     

"Forest Gate" by Peter Akinti

     Many people say death is another thing to fear. But others say it's a way to be reborn. In this case it's a way to be reborn and escape reality. In the book, "Forest Gate," by Peter Akinti the main character's brother, Ashvin, committed suicide as a way to escape "this cruel harsh world." Ashvin had been bullied and mistreated and couldn't handle the amount he was receiving at school and in society. The idea of war, bullying, and racism is substantially present throughout the book.

     People may have a sort of challenge or difficulty that is troubling or worrying that may have to do with a social issue. For example,"The memory of my father returning home stopped playing in my head but the sound of gun fire went on and on, haunting me."(3) This is showing the scarce memory of his father involved with the military. And the memory of his father's death's back in Somalia. As well as war being a social issue presented here. But for many people this is their reality everyday where there is no escape for them.Another example would be, "Somalia had been through fifteen years of war."(3) This, for Ashvin, was a major problem since crime swept the streets. Gangs, drugs, and violence filled the streets during the war, creating havoc. And in many places people do live through war and suffer the consequences it causes. Like families living in refugees in the middle east or kids who fight in wars. Or others who believe they are living in a war whether with themselves or in society.

     Another aspect has to do with bullying causing a person to feel depression or loneliness. An example would be,"The Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary describes people with bipolar disorder as being under the darkest of clouds."(3) In other words, people with bipolar disorder feel depression and alone. And in many cases people have bipolar disorder were they get bullied for it making their lives a whole lot harder. Although, not only people with bipolar disorder may feel under the darkest of clouds, but regular people as well. And the reason for this may be because of bullying at school, at home, or in society. And this, relating to Ashvin, was the one of the causes towards his decisions on committing suicide. Further more, another example would be,"He wanted to be a doctor once but he had lived with real pain."(2) In other words, Ashvin has lived through a rough horrible life filled with grief and regrets. Although, the pain he's feeling isn't physically, but mentally.  The pain is filled with the death of his father, the racism society has on him, and the bullying he's faced. And many people do suffer from not only physical, but mental pain too.

     Moreover, society also plays a big roll in ones life. For example,"'No drugs, eh? What do we have here then, the last of the Lord's black disciples?'"(39) This shows the stereotypes society thinks of Ashvin and his brother as well the "crooks" they are based off their skin color. In accordance to the conversation with the cops they were stop and frisked based on their ethnicity showing the racism they face in society. In some cases, this may happen to people and they find it annoying and racist. But to Ashvin he finds it as a problem society is facing and wants to find peace towards it. Another example would be when he was standing at the edge of the building,. "At 11:57 p.m, they were quiet as they emptied their minds, as they tried to forget life, to blend with their frail place in the universe."(10) This shows Ashvin finding his peace in the world or the peace he thinks is right. And some people may feel breakable and vulnerable towards their self-esteem.

     Overall, death isn't just another thing to fear nor the right thing to do if unhappy with life. I feel that suicide is a major problem people face for the wrong reasons. And not just teens, but people of all ages can connect to suicide as well as bullying. I find Akinti writing about injustice problems society is facing today. But "Forest Gate," shows to appreciate what you have and not take things for granted.

Svalbard, The Perfect Town?

        "No Job? Get Lost!" by Andrew Higgins talks about a remote quiet town called, Svalbard, Norway, were unemployment is illegal. It is said to be, "a very quiet and law-abiding society." The reason for this has to do with the geography and climate Svalbard has to offer. The government says that banning homelessness  and unemployment-a problem plaguing much of Europe-is meant to ensure that none of Svalbard's nearly 3,000 residents freezes to death. Higgins is trying to convey that the idea of making unemployment illegal is to prevent poverty, leading to a crime-free society.

        Higgins uses imagery as a type of craft to depict the "pureness" of Svalbard and the residents living in it. For example, he states, "Residents regularly leave their car and snowmobile keys in the ignition and don't bother locking their front doors. Coffee shop patrons leave their computers unattended, never worrying they might get stolen." This shows the residents trust throughout the community as well as the low crime rate recorded. Higgins is trying to make the reader feel comfortable and safe with Svalbard. This example is showing the goodness of Svalbard, but secluding the bad parts about it.

         After reading, "No Job? Get Lost!" by Andrew Higgins I realized how the "perfect" town isn't considered by the unemployment rate, but by the crimes being done. A part that struck out to me was that the police enforce a rule that anybody moving outside the city limits of Longyearbyen must carry a weapon and know how to use it. The reason for this is that me, living in New York, find it peculiar that the police enforce instead of ban the usage of guns. Although the ideal of this "perfect" society sounds good, it also sounds pretty boring as if you're living in this Utopian society. I, on the other hand prefer living were I am and wouldn't like to change that even if it's not "perfect."

Darkness Too Visible

      The article "Darkness Too Visible," by Megan Cox Gurdon published on The Wall Street Journal talks around the issue about challenged and banned books. The author expresses her ideas through the eyes of a 46 year old mother of three named Amy Freeman who stood recently in the young adult section of her local Barnes and Nobles, in Bethesda, Md. She said, "Hundreds of Lurid and dramatic covers stood on the racks before her, she felt 'nothing' not a thing, that I could imagine giving my daughter?" So how dark is contemporary fiction for teens? Gurdon believes that contemporary fiction should be banned and restricted to adolescences.
       Gurdon uses imagery as a type of craft to visualize contemporary fiction. She states, "teen fiction can be like a hall of fun house mirrors, constantly reflecting back hideously distorted portrayals of what is life." This depicts the imagery of fiction being horrendous and gives the idea of fiction portraying negative and dark topics on what life is. This example provides the expressively negative impact of fiction to teens. The statement introduces the negative point of view on fiction, but secludes the positive view of fiction on teens such as, preparing them for life because life isn't easy and these fiction books being ridiculed by many, actually help to prepare a teen to conquer any obstacle that gets in their way later on in their adult hood.
        Overall, personally I disagree with the bias being presented by Megan Cox Gurdon on books being banned based on their language and content. I think that teens shouldn't be restricted on what they can't and cannot read because overall what matters is that they have a great time enjoying the book they're reading. I realized that certain books that are challenged are based on different criteria they each contain such as content, language, and imagery. There was a statement that stood out to me and that was, "There are a course of expectations, but a careless young reader-or one who seeks out to depravity-will find himself surrounded by images not of joy or beauty but of damage, brutality and losses of the most horrendous kinds." The reason this stood out to me was because they don't state the positive message being presented here such as preparing teens on obstacles they will be presented on later in life. So how dark is contemporary fiction? It's up to you to decide.