What I Like About This Class

I think one of the main things that I like about this class is its relatively small size. Instead of having a class that jams around thirty kids in a classroom, our English 2 (Honors) class is small, composed of only nine individual students.

In my belief, there are probably only two subjects where a small class is crucial to advance the learning of students: English and Math. I believe this because in math class, students are generally at different levels, and it is the duty of the instructor to teach the students so that all of them can understand the difficult concepts of mathematics. With a large class, the questions and concerns of each individual cannot be met; moreover, the teacher can only answer questions that will benefit the common good, but not the questions of the individual student. With a small class, discussions, questions, and concerns can be addressed without inconvenience to the teacher, and the students can benefit immensely from it.
Similarly, the same concept applies to a literature class. In addition, if the class is advanced, then an important activity that can help enforce literary analysis is group discussion. With a small class, group discussions can be carried out with maintained order, and I believe that with a smaller class the thoughts and ideas of each individual is of more worth and can be pondered more deeply upon. In contrast, with a large class discussions are difficult to direct, and the amount of information an individual student can share is limited.
This is why I like the fact that our class is small; group discussions and individual concerns can be addressed directly.

I also like how the class atmosphere is light and airy, and though we may touch on serious topics, there is still a relaxed atmosphere. This is also enforced by Mr. McCool's constant stream of jokes, some good and some quite cold.

What I Don’t Like About This Class

Here is your chance. Try to think of all the things you don’t like about Honors High School English 2 class. Try putting them in order by what you like least. Then, explain why you don’t like it. Try to be specific and give advice on how things could be better.

So I am supposed to write 200 words concerning my negative thoughts surrounding my English class? Easier said than done. However I guess there are a few points that I would like to address...

First off, I would like to refer to the English class that I had last year (just for the sake of this assignment, I'm not comparing it to the English Honors class here). We not only analyzed novels and short stories, but we also watched video clips, listened to audio tracks, and studied artworks that were pertaining to the theme at hand. This wide range of media that we analyzed contributed greatly to my knowledge of literary analysis, finding themes, and observing symbolism, meaning, motivation, and truths (just to name a few). I think that in our class we have only studied short stories and novels so far, and it would be nice if we had a video clip or two sometime to analyze accordingly to the topic at hand.

Also branching from my first point, I hope that we will soon be able to study dramas and myths, because they are at the heart of understanding themes, symbolism, and literary analysis in general. I think we could read some harder forms of literature in this class as well - Shakespeare, maybe; Poe, or Charles Dickens. I loved reading classical literature not only because of the challenges in reading the text, but because these classical writings included many deep themes and symbols that we often discussed openly during class last year, which I realize we haven't been doing, at least, not yet.

I also feel as if we are using technology very often for almost all of our assignments. While this is not a bad thing, I think that there might be a slight overuse of technology for schoolwork. Journal assignments, essays, presentations - these can be done on a computer, no problem. However I feel as if we should do a little more writing for our assignments as well, you know, with pen and paper. I think that an excess use of technology not only hinders our thinking progress, but it also, well, kills my eyes.

Man, I hope Mr. McCool won't kill us after reading our critiques tomorrow...

Buddhist Doctrine

Siddhartha does not follow this doctrine, but he experiences it. 
1) Life is suffering. 
2) Suffering is caused by ignorance and attachment. 
3) Suffering is ended by overcoming ignorance and attachment. 
4) The path to the suppression of suffering is The Noble Eightfold Path which is made up of right: views, intentions , speech, actions , livelihood, effort, mindedness, and contemplation 
What are your views on Buddhist doctrine? Do you think it is correct? Would it be useful to apply to your own life? What other doctrines have you heard 

My views on Buddhist doctrine? Well, I don't follow these doctrines but I acknowledge their principles and wholeheartedly respect those who follow such doctrines for their passion, self-denial, and aim for self-righteousness. I believe that the Buddhists are on the right track of searching for salvation. They acknowledge that life is suffering, and they seek ways to circumvent suffering, encouraging good deeds, and deep meditation. I also respect and applaud the efforts of Buddhism to self-denial of human nature. However I cannot accept Buddhist philosophy because of the contradicting ideals I believe in. Buddhist doctrines focus on the cleansing of suffering through deeds; in other words, actions committed within one's own power. I don't believe that humanity has the motivation or the ability to be perfect in their paths of life, no matter how much meditation one does. The inability of human nature to exceed expectations is the basis for almost all religions because it acknowledges the fact that we cannot accomplish it on our own. Buddhism, however, requires one to overcome suffering by one's own ability (in addition, even if one did possess the strength to become completely sinless and pure, he would have so much pride, self-satisfaction, and self-righteousness that he would look upon others with disdain. It is an aspect of human nature to do so, as seen with the example of the Pharisees or the Jews in the old times). Standards like these cannot be met; nirvana cannot be achieved on a person's own ability. In addition, I believe suffering is necessary in life to obtain experience and to gain wisdom; one who has experienced no suffering has yet to grow.

I however also believe that suffering is only released when one releases hold of worldly values, such as emotional attachment. I also strongly agree with the point of ignorance contributing to suffering. Too many people of the world, from multiple religions and various mindsets, contain themselves to a particular viewpoint through which they see the world. As a result many are ignorant and disrespectful of others. Buddhism finds a way through this by accepting and respecting all people and their beliefs.

These ideals are applicable to my life. I believe that one should devote oneself to possessing righteous actions and attitudes, and to accept and observe all people without ignorance or disdain. I also believe in contemplation and meditation. I respect the Buddhist ideals of seeking enlightenment and salvation through righteousness. I live alongside Taoists, Buddhists, and basic ancestral worshipers in Taiwan, and I also engage in their religious activities alongside my family, such as the ritual of burning paper money.

However, I have come and learned to believe in the Christian doctrines and to accept the religion as truth. I wish for no judgment to be passed on me for my beliefs, and I have chosen my path, just as Siddhartha chose his, because I my heart was touched in its logic, its philosophy, and ideals. I have experienced the doctrines of Taoism (which in a sense is related to Buddhism), Islam, and many different Christian factions in my life, and I respect and acknowledge them all, with no prejudice towards them.

Why Be a Prodigy?

What are the reasons for the mother wanting her daughter to excel? What motivates Jing-Mei to try to fulfill expectations?

I believe there a few reasons why Jing-Mei's mother wants her daughter to excel. Since her mother immigrated from China to escape oppression, she views America as a true land of opportunity, able to do practically anything. To take advantage of this she wants her daughter to find and/or develop a talent that can be further developed. This is the large, overlaying reason. Another more subtle reason is the fact that she may be trying to live her life through her daughter's. Because she never experienced the opportunity to develop talents, when she sees Jing-Mei's opportunity to do so, she pushes her daughter to grasp the experiences because she wants the best for her, and because she wishes to re-live her life through her daughter. In addition, in context to the story's background, her mother was part of the Joy Luck Club. In the club, the mothers would compete against one another based on their chil(ren)'s accomplishments, and after Linda continues to brag about her daughter Waverly's exemplary chess skills, she may feel a little threatened. As a result, if Jing-Mei excels, then she can be able to brag about her daughter as well.

Some of these reasons are acceptable, while others are not.

Jing-Mei wishes to succeed because she had it in her mind that she could one day become famous, if she found the right skill to develop. She also believed that when she did become famous, she could in essence become "perfect," and she would be accepted and loved by her parents. Unfortunately, after continual failure, this motivation slowly diminished.

Do my parents push me? How do I react?

My parents have been extremely good to me. They created a safe and secure environment for my childhood, and put their time and effort into raising and teaching me, and allowing me to go to an American school for my entire educational career. They work hard to make money, and work even harder so that I may have a successful future career and life. Though this probably is an obligation, I can perceive effort wherever it is found, and I see much effort here. As a result it is my obligation to respect my parents, honor their decisions, and aim towards a prosperous future (though I have to admit, too many a time I fall short of expectations).

The general expectations of my parents are good grades, a high SAT score, an admittance into a reputable college, and major in medicine. They also expect moral behavior and a socially adept person. I honor their expectations because 1) they are what I expect to do anyways and 2) I respect their decisions and know that it is for the best. I admit my grades falter, I procrastinate, and swear occasionally (alright, pretty often), but now I think about it I do hope to accomplish these goals. 

When I was younger, I took a few music lessons, as well as swimming. They all started out okay, but it always wasn't long before I started complaining, whining, and refusing. Soon all the classes were dropped.

I think back now and realize that I probably should not have quit so soon (but I have to admit, I don't have a single ounce of musical talent within me). This goes for all the things that I refused to do, because in the end I usually realize that it was for my own good that I was sent to the classes (speaking of which this summer I was sent to a school to study Chinese, which I initially disliked, but later I realized that it significantly improved my Chinese reading abilities).

As a result I have come to the knowledge that my parents know what is best for me, and are not like Mei-Ling's parents. They know I have limits, and I can sit down and discuss concerns with them to work things out. I submit to them and do not argue, but will reason with them.

The Influence of Others

People come and go in our lives, and we will meet some with different personalities and distinct character traits that will leave an influence on our life, either positively or negatively. However, which influence has a bigger impact on our lives; negative influences, or positive influences?

It is in my opinion that negative influences will tend to impact us more, and as pessimistic as this idea sounds, I have a reason for my belief. First off, I will need to explain a certain law of nature. In essence, all things work towards disorder, and order cannot be achieved without putting effort or energy into making it so. I believe this law works the same way for human behavior. The reason it is so hard for humans to stay moral and righteous is because it requires constant energy and conscious thought. It is much easier to become the ill-mannered of society because it requires less energy. It isn't socially acceptable, but it is much simpler. It is so much easier to change for the worse than for the good, because it takes less work.
Therefore, when those who are mild-mannered are mismatched with people who's ways are twisted and sinful, they often become less and less focused on doing the right thing, instead picking off on bad habits.

However, I have learned through observation and personal experience that a positive influence tends to have a much more powerful affect than that of a negative influence (despite my views, I still believe that light can overcome the darkness). Interacting with people who have made a difference is a real motivator and a powerful catalyst for change. However, what I realized is that those who continue to make a positive impact on the world are often forgotten, left out, or simply neglected, because one does not truly realize the depth of their deeds. Negative influences tend to stand out more, and I believe this is because ideals such as rebellion and potential conflict are more appealing to human nature.
Unfortunately when one does experience an impact from the positive influence of a person and wish to make a change, it is usually short lived as reluctance soon sets in, making one too lazy to carry out the work necessary.

Despite these tendencies, I believe positive impacts are powerful in the long run; one may fall short of standards and fall behind, but everyone stumbles sometime, and it is up to the determination of the individual to work towards becoming an upright person.

Can Bad Be Good?

It is human nature to avoid pain, suffering, and negative experiences; we shoot for the best possible outcomes, and when hardships and trials come, many stumble, fall, or give in to life's persistent demands of sacrifice. But despite the initial pain that hardships bring, can negative experiences have a good influence on life? I think so.

In the Bible, James writes about suffering temptations and trials. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers," he says, "whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4) James states the fact that the temptations that entice us towards sin, and the trials that trip us during life, must take place so we can gain strength and wisdom to learn to overcome them. It is through this gradual process of construction of the mind that we can become mature, steadfast, and righteous. Through trials we learn hardships, so we learn endurance and perseverance, and so that we can gain the experiences of life. 


On a more secular note, negative experiences may also aid to our emotional growth. " Many young people experience the joys of infatuation ("puppy love"), the mixed feelings which music songwriters love to write about, that brings about pleasure to the senses. However, the couple in "love" will sooner or later end their relationship, and pain will set it. This process is at the time a negative experience, and some may not be able to stand the pressure, giving in to suicide or depression. The same thing applies to those who are truly fond of a specific person. However in one of Alfred Lord Tennyson's poems, he writes that it is "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." He was right; after the natural grieving process, we are able to use the events for our benefit, as we gain experience, wisdom, and rational thinking. Infatuated teens will learn to steer clear of such irrational emotions; heartbroken men and women learn to move on. Though the processes may be painful, in the long run it aids to our wisdom and understanding of life.


In essence, negative experiences aid to one's wisdom and understanding, and encourages perseverance, endurance, and faith in religion. The processes are grueling and painful, and some succumb to the darkness. But the light at the end of the tunnel is that the experience is short lived and will pass, and that these experiences are for us to look back to, realize the mistakes or hardships that have occurred, and apply our newfound knowledge in our current life. I recognize that this may not apply to all negative experiences, but it is true for a number of them.

Character Traits and Conflict

8) Mama is portrayed in the story to being a simple countrywoman living on a farm, and her character traits reinforce this identity. Mama seems to enjoy the environment in which she lives, and does not possess negative feelings towards the country in which she lives. Mama is also viewed to be tough, realistic, a "big-boned woman with rough, man working hands," (117) and is extremely hardworking, traits that may have evolved out of living on a farm, where a survival is only guarenteed through labor. As a result, she can kill livestock mercilessly and works hard from day to night, once "knocking a bull calf srraight in the brain between its eyes with a sledgehammer, and had the meat hung up to chill before nightfall," (118) which needless to say is quite an onerous task. Mama is also shown to be very perceptive, able to see though Maggie's personality and Dee's thoughts and feelings, a motherly instinct. She is also seen to be concerned about their lack of family unity. In addition, Mama does not give too much concern about her outwards appearance; however, she does wish that she has a more pleasant figure, an appearance that would please Dee.
Mama is also shown to be traditional. She does not approve of the contemporary ideals that Dee lusts after, and is disgusted by modern culture, portrayed when Dee attempts to teach her knowledge, "forcing words, lies, other folks' habits, whole lives upon us two, sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her [Dee]." (118) She is also very practical and realistic, as portrayed with her feelings towards the quilt. To her the quilt symbolizes a personal sediment, as it was her mother who made it, and wishes to put it to a practical appliance.
However, Mama is also shown to be reasonably open towards others. This is shown when Dee comes to visit. Despite the fact that Mama probably possesses some disapproval of Dee's appearance and personality, she does not openly voice her discontent, but quietly goes along with it.These are some of Mama's character traits as revealed in the story.

9) Mama experiences a few conflicts in this story, some small and others larger. One of the conflicts is Dee's behavioral change and her negative relationship with the rest of her family, including Mama. This is not necessarily resolved in the story, but the story is implied to end as Mama recognizes the differences between her and her daughter and might think the issue over. A second overarching conflict is Maggie's timidity. Because of a disastrous fire on their home, Maggie was covered with burn scars that damaged her self-esteem, and as a result is quiet and shy. This conflict is somewhat resolved by the end of the story; Maggie displays a certain wisdom regarding the quilts that gives Mama a revelation about her personality, and Maggie also gives a genuine smile as Dee is about to leave (though the cause of it is uncertain), leaving room for speculation that she might be on the road of breaking free of her timidity.
Another important conflict in the story, which is a branch-off from the first conflict mentioned, is the conflict that sparks between Dee's and Mama's perception of heritage, that is not exactly resolved, but left at a peace as Dee leaves.

Literary Focus

6) Maggie and Dee both have conflicting ideals concerning the quilt, and their feelings and actions demonstrate aspects of their personality. Dee wished to possess the quilt for its representation of her heritage and cultural background. She wished to place it on display, exhibiting her materialistic personality, and in addition it was only recently when she had the craving to preserve heritage, further demonstrating her obsession with fad and contemporary culture. In addition, Dee's falsely sweet tone of voice as she asks Mama for the quilts, and the shock when Mama refuses, reveals that she is not used to being turned down, and when Mama notes that they will be saved for Maggie, Dee's genuine shock continues to convey her arrogance and a sense of superiority she possesses over the rest of her family. Maggie, however, tells Mama that Dee can have the quilts. This exhibits her feelings of submission, reproachfulness, and inferiority (despite the fact that she probably does indeed want the quilts, she is willing to hand them over to Dee). This point is significant because Maggie understands the true intrinsic value of the quilt; not its general display of African-American heritage, but the quilt contains a personal sentimental value, as a reminder of a specific person of the past (her Grandma Dee). She is able to remember her grandmother without the quilt, she says. In this event, Maggie reveals her innocent personality, but at the same time reveals a wisdom that Dee does not understand.

7) The irony of Dee's sudden interest in heritage is that her past actions are in direct conflict with her beliefs in the story. Since a child, Dee wished to escape the uncivilized rural South where she lived. She did all she could to turn herself into someone else, ultimately leaving her home and her life, reinventing herself, and becoming in touch with the contemporary world. So why does she have a sudden fascination in her heritage, which she had neglected only a short while ago? I believe it is because of her obsession with wanting to be contemporary and keeping up with civilization and with fad. During the 1960s, when this story is set, the Civil Rights Movement of the African Americans was taking place. African Americans remembered their oppressed history, and there was an upward surge of pride because their history. To keep up with this new event, Dee has invested her devotion into her heritage once again (despite her contemporary appearance and materialistic approaches). This is why she wants to have the churn and the quilts.

Read with a Purpose

The idea of family heritage is the source of conflict in the story "Everyday Use." The two characters, Mama and her daughter, Dee, have different interpretations of heritage, which thus leads to conflict. Dee is portrayed as materialistic woman, and represents the idealist side of a spectrum. Throughout her life she has lusted for more than she had, and is implied to have a desire to leave her family behind to search for better. As a result, she worked hard, went to the city and integrated into the contemporary culture of the day. However, as the 1960s rolled by and the Civil Rights Movement was spurred, African Americans became increasingly proud of their long and oppressed history; and as Dee is obsessed with trend, and caught in superficial and ostentatious lifestyles, she realizes her pride of her heritage. As a result, Dee wished to possess the old quilts not for any practical use, but to put on display, to claim pride of her background (ironic, since in reality, she probably has little or no real pride in her ethnics).

Mama is on the other side of the spectrum from Dee. She has lived on a farm all her life, and as a result she is practical, simple, hardworking, and frugal. What she sees in the quilts is not so much the intrinsic value of its historical value. Instead, to Mama the quilts represent her culture and heritage, in which she valued the functionality, as well as personal sediments (as it reminded her of Grandma Dee).

Dee accuses Mama of not understanding her heritage because of just this. They possess directly opposite viewpoints on heritage and culture, Dee taking up the idealist end, and Mama the realist end. Dee is unable to see eye-to-eye with her mother, because she has become so upbeat and contemporary, and does not realize that her lifestyle has evolved and become different from her mother's lifestyle, which is much more practical and personal. As a result, she is unable to understand her mother's philosophy of "heritage."

Reading Focus Quick Check

1) Mama notes how Dee always desired more than what she possessed, which set her apart from . As Mama states on page 118, "Dee wanted nice things." The things she desired were obviously greater than Mama, a simple country farmer, could afford, and it would not have mattered if Mama had those luxuries anyways, since they would be of little pragmatic application in her life. The main thing that sets Dee apart from Mama is her desire for something better, for luxury, where Mama is more practical. Dee is also different from Maggie in her elegance, figure, and stature. She has more confidence and ambition, and is not timorous like Maggie.

2) Maggie would have put the quilt to a practical use; actually using it for covers at night. Dee, however, would have desired to put the quilt on display, as a symbol of her heritage. I find it slightly ironic that Dee is proud of her heritage, as she has become so contemporary, and her real faith and pride in her heritage is quite superficial and lacks true value to her life.

3) The story's title is "Everyday Use." This is significant because it recognizes the contrast between Dee (or "Wangero," as she is now called) and Mama. Dee desired wealth and luxury, and believed heritage was for display because of its price value. Mama believed more of pragmatic and practical living. She did not take price value into account when she examined the quilt for herself. She saw the intrinsic value behind the quilts; that they were good bed covers. The title displays the contrast between the mother and daughter.

Character Traits and Making Inferences

Maggie is described to be low in confidence and esteem, partly because of the ugly burns that cover her arms and legs that particularly stand out to others. Her petite structure and apparently average looks are in complete contrast to her expressive, persistent, elegant sister Dee, who Maggie worships, yet seems to be intimidated of. One word to describe Maggie would be timorous.

In reference to the paragraphs that come before, I can infer that the narrator is the mother of Maggie and Dee. I drew this conclusion because the narrator mentions a talk show where children embrace and reunite with their parents to show appreciation, and mentions a dream she had in relation to this talk show, where Dee apparently reunited with her. I would doubt that another sister would dream of such an occurrance, which leads me to make the connection that it is a parent who feels slightly cut off from her child(ren). In addition, the narrator able to observe Maggie and Dee's personalities with perception; in most stories, it is the older, wiser, or those with higher status who are able to look down and observe another's motives and feelings.

How Does Heritage Contribute to Character?

• Race, ethnicity
• Lifestyle
• traditions
• celebrations, festivities
• religious ideals
• songs, folk tales, etc
• foods
• values

In its essence and most generic conclusion, a person's historical background contributes greatly to the personality and traits of a character. Apart from skin color, the geographical origins of one's ancestors are probably the most important factors in determining the person a character is, as these origins paved the way for their culture and lifestyle, which is passed down as heritage to a character. This heritage that is passed down is usually the generic structure of a character's personality. For instance, the native Hakka people of Taiwan have lived in the rural countryside along the mountains for generations. Because in the past they lived their lives as simple farmers with limited resources, they practiced extreme frugality. This is why Hakka people are generally more independent and seemingly tightfisted; this is not a stereotype, but aspects of their culture that have been passed down for generations. In addition, as they worked in the fields on the mountain slopes, they would often sing "field songs," songs they sang to pass time. These songs are integrated into their culture, and their culture is obviously different from that of the Chinese mainlanders who fled to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War.

Probably a better example of heritage contributing to culture would be my ancestry from Chinese mainlanders. Traditional Chinese families emphasized hard work, family respect traditional lifestyles, and if possible, education. This was due to their geographical origins; hard work was necessary for survival, and family was considered of most value. Granted, as time pasts values may diminish and become of little importance, but some still play prominent roles regardless of time period. As more Chinese advanced from the lower to middle class, on the whole, most still tried to implement the need of hard work and good education in their lives. This is probably why there is common stereotype for Chinese people; that they are hardworking in their studies.

What must be noted is that one's character cannot be entirely judged on heritage. Heritage can be a major factor in the personality of a person, but it is never the whole story. When one relies on heritage to judge a person's character, they become stereotypical and may emphasize negative racial and/or cultural distinctions, which I do not approve of. In conclusion, heritage is be important to character and gives that person undeniable characteristics, but it does not display the entire personality of that person.