September 6th, 2010
Showing compassion and understanding towards character builds the characteristics of protagonist of the story.“Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughes has two characters in the story - Luella and Roger. Roger tried to snatch Luella’s purse because he wanted ‘blue suede shoe’ but has failed, due to the toughness of Luella. She brought Roger to her house and treated him like her ‘son’ because she understood his situation and showed compassion towards Roger. Due to the compassion of Luella, he got the confidence and the supports which led him to success. At the beginning of the story, Luella says “You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong. Least I can do right now is to wash your face. Are you hungry?” - pg 2. This evidence tells that Luella treated Roger like her son to lead him to further success. She brought him to her home instead of going to the police station to teach him a lesson, and his basic needs are being cared for by preparing him a meal and making sure he looks clean. Also, 'washing his face' might be the symbolic of Roger having a new life, washing away the wrong doings that he did. Later in the story, Luella says to Roger “Eat some more, son,” and tells Roger to “...take this ten dollars and buy yourself some blue suede shoes”. Luella showed empathy by giving Roger ten dollars, trusting Roger to not steal again. Luella's trust/gesture showed Roger that luxury isn't only for rich people. As a result, it built Roger’s character and led him to the further success.
The 8 minute video of “Make a Difference Movie” is a story of Teddy Stallard on how he’s character changed after his mother died and he’s character came back to him after Ms. Thompson showed compassion towards Little boy Teddy. In first grade and second grade, he did his work neatly with the manner, was very enthusiastic, and was an excellent boy. However, after his mother’s death, he was depressed and wasn’t able to enjoy his class. He wasn’t able to get along with her friends and often slept during the class time. Ms. Thompson now realized that Teddy has changed because of sudden death of his mother and showed compassion to him, which made led him to his future success. This story of Teddy shown in the video emphasizes the claim in the first paragraph because without the teacher who showed compassion, Teddy wouldn’t have succeed in the future and became a doctor. “You can never tell what type of impact you may have on another’s life by your actions... or lack of actions” - from the movie. This evidence shows that Teddy has the hidden potential that's hidden from his heart. Also, this evidence shows that the lack of interests towards Teddy have failed him at the school, causing bad attitues to apply into his daily-life. ‘The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.’ This quote shows that, through Ms. Thompson’s understanding and compassion towards Teddy has improved in every which way and was able to become the smartest children in the class. Also, this shows that Teddy craved for the interest from someone who can support him physically and mentally for the further success so, he didn't want to lose the chance of having Mrs. Thompson on his side. “Thank you for believing in me” Teddy said. This tells that Ms. Thompson’s compassion and understanding towards Teddy actually did lead him to further success later in the future, his potential was found due to the compassion from Ms. Thompson. He wanted to thank her for compassion towards him which gave him confidence and big change in his life.
‘Showing compassion towards character, and understanding character can lead him/her to further success.’ was the main claim in the two sources - ‘Thank You Ma’am’ and ‘Make a Difference Movie’. These two sources had different settings - backgrounds, time, etc. However, the setting was also ‘similar’ in some way. The situation they had were pretty similar - the character who ‘changed’ mother has passed away or was gone and the characters became miserable. These sources tell us that everyone can be built by the compassion and understanding of other’s. Also, these sources tells that people can be always touched by other’s action towards him/ her which will lead them to further success. Everyone can be successful with the compassion and understanding of your friends, teacher and your parents. “...and just try to make a difference in someone else’s life today...”
Theme Notebook I - Betrayal can lead to vengeance.
August 16, 2010
Betrayal can lead to vengeance. Vengeance is a "punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for wrong.". Stories that relates to betrayal, have incidents where people get killed or injured as a consequence of a betrayal. 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl also has dominant theme and idea - betrayal can lead to vengeance. The main character/ protagonist in the story - Mary Maloney, was a subservent, obident, and perfectionist 'house-wife' before her 'perfect-world' - utopia shattered when she realized that husband was leaving for his occupation. Patrick Maloney - the husband betrayed his wife for his own goods but the plan scattered into pieces - just like the glasses broken into small pieces. She killed him. She smacked his head with a 'lag of lamb'. Even though readers and I thought that Mary had no power to act violently throughout her life especially infront of Patrick, because of the time setting of in the story, the role of the man and woman and the characteristic of Mary- Mary commited the crime, horrific vengeance.
There are variety forms of stories about betrayal. One of the famous story - Judas and Jesus Christ also has same dominant theme - betrayal can lead to vengeance. From the sources from google, I found out that Jesus Christ had 12 disciples, and one of them was Judas. Judas was one of the trustful disciples out of 12. However, Judas didn't want Jesus to be his lord and couldn't believe his teaches. After few months, the Romans soldiers started to threaten Jesus and his pupils to stop teach others. All 12 pupils were confident because they had their faith towards their God, but one - Judas, betrayed him. While Jesus and his pupils were hiding, Judas secretly came out from the hiding and told Romans where Jesus was located at. As a reward, he got 30 silvers. Judas betrayed Jesus, but Jesus didn't betray Judas. Unfortunately, Jesus Christ was captured and tortured. Sadly, Jesus was brutally executed This was Judas's betrayal towards Jesus Christ. Sadly, he was killed by the Romans. Then, Judas had the vengeance himself. He felt sad and regretted for his acts but it was too late. There were some guess made by professionals that he suicided because he felt shamed for betraying Jesus, and guiltiness in his heart. He had vengeance in himself - not by others, but by himself. 'Judas kills himself by hanging - Matthew 27:5'
Betrayal isn't easy thing to do - you have to plan, think, and make decisions. For example, you have to decide - "Will it affect my daily life if I betrayed them?"
'Lamb to the Slaughter' and the 'Judas's betrayal' has similarities between them. These two stories had vengeance in some point during the story. Another similiairities was that the vengeance caused death of protagonist of the story - Jesus Christ and Patrick Maloney. Jesus Christ's death was caused by the vengeance of Judas and Patrick Maloney's death was caused by the vengeance of Mary. However, the story tells the reason why there was betrayal and vengeance at the end. There were reasons why Patrick and Judas betrayed others. They wanted to achieve their goals and wanted more power. Patrick wouldn't have betrayed Mary if he didn't wanted further powers. These were similairities between two stories.
After betrayal comes, vengeance comes next. Betrayal means something precious and something that you value has been either scattered or taken away by the force because of someone. Betrayal can lead to vengeance because betrayal can change other's kind personality to violent revenge. So instead of betrayal, helping is a good way to avoid the vengeance, but needs constant focus and hard-work.
There are variety forms of stories about betrayal. One of the famous story - Judas and Jesus Christ also has same dominant theme - betrayal can lead to vengeance. From the sources from google, I found out that Jesus Christ had 12 disciples, and one of them was Judas. Judas was one of the trustful disciples out of 12. However, Judas didn't want Jesus to be his lord and couldn't believe his teaches. After few months, the Romans soldiers started to threaten Jesus and his pupils to stop teach others. All 12 pupils were confident because they had their faith towards their God, but one - Judas, betrayed him. While Jesus and his pupils were hiding, Judas secretly came out from the hiding and told Romans where Jesus was located at. As a reward, he got 30 silvers. Judas betrayed Jesus, but Jesus didn't betray Judas. Unfortunately, Jesus Christ was captured and tortured. Sadly, Jesus was brutally executed This was Judas's betrayal towards Jesus Christ. Sadly, he was killed by the Romans. Then, Judas had the vengeance himself. He felt sad and regretted for his acts but it was too late. There were some guess made by professionals that he suicided because he felt shamed for betraying Jesus, and guiltiness in his heart. He had vengeance in himself - not by others, but by himself. 'Judas kills himself by hanging - Matthew 27:5'
Betrayal isn't easy thing to do - you have to plan, think, and make decisions. For example, you have to decide - "Will it affect my daily life if I betrayed them?"
'Lamb to the Slaughter' and the 'Judas's betrayal' has similarities between them. These two stories had vengeance in some point during the story. Another similiairities was that the vengeance caused death of protagonist of the story - Jesus Christ and Patrick Maloney. Jesus Christ's death was caused by the vengeance of Judas and Patrick Maloney's death was caused by the vengeance of Mary. However, the story tells the reason why there was betrayal and vengeance at the end. There were reasons why Patrick and Judas betrayed others. They wanted to achieve their goals and wanted more power. Patrick wouldn't have betrayed Mary if he didn't wanted further powers. These were similairities between two stories.
After betrayal comes, vengeance comes next. Betrayal means something precious and something that you value has been either scattered or taken away by the force because of someone. Betrayal can lead to vengeance because betrayal can change other's kind personality to violent revenge. So instead of betrayal, helping is a good way to avoid the vengeance, but needs constant focus and hard-work.
