A Garden Full of Weeds

Throughout the play “Hamlet” written by William Shakespeare, there is the reoccurring theme of weeds. Through Shakespeare’s eyes the world can be viewed a garden. The evil that grows in people is similar to weeds that grow in a garden. The quote, “Tis an unweeded garden/ That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature/ Possess it merely” (1.2.139-141), portrays the evil Hamlet believes has grown in his mother. The queen has slept with the brother of her deceased husband, which is horrifically viewed by Hamlet. He believes the garden/world has been filled with only weeds or evil people now. Shakespeare writes, ““And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed/ That roots itself in ease on Lethe Wharf” (1.5.39-40). This quote is spoken by the ghost He is telling Hamlet that he is as dull as a filthy weed on the shores of Lethe if he does not get angry and take revenge on Cladius. The weeds can display the negative qualities in people along with their corruption. As found in the quote, “Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected” (3.2.283). Lucianus is saying that one is a deadly mixture of weeds. Something you would not want to be compared to. Many people know that it is much easier to grow weeds than flowers. Just like how it is easier to behave badly than good. When evil grows, so will the weeds until the garden or world becomes ruined. 

Different but Equally Great

Exotic trips to Thailand, snorkeling in the beautiful waters of the Great Barrier Reef, and wild safaris in Africa were only a few of the incredible places my cousin Anisha had traveled, before she was ten years old. Similar to Sedaris and Hugh, I used to believe Anisha had the dream childhood. She had to move to India for my aunt’s job and there she had a maid, a driver, and a personal chef just like Hugh. Who wouldn’t want that? Sedaris writes, “When I’m told such stories, it’s all I can do to hold back my feelings of jealousy.” I connected with Sedaris, because many times I have envied my cousin Anisha.  To have the opportunity to experience a new culture on the other side of the world was something I had always dreamed of. Anisha could probably check ten things off my bucket list that she did before she even turned eight! What I failed to realize when I was younger was that she didn’t have the perfect childhood. I forgot how hard it must have been for a little girl to move half way across the world to India. She had to leave behind her family, friends, and the American lifestyle. Also, my Aunt is one of the directors at General Motors, which meant she couldn’t spend much time at home and she still had to travel. Sedaris mentions, “Hugh was sent back to Ethiopia to live with a beer enthusiast his father met at a cocktail party.” Hugh didn’t have the family love and support he needed. Sometimes we fail to realize how great our childhood is when we compare it to others. I feel blessed to know my mom was always there for me and still is. I also admire Anisha for how independent she has become and my aunt for how hardworking and determined she is. I love them both to death. Soon Anisha and I will be relaxing on the beach, snorkeling in the gorgeous waters of Cancun, and soaking up the sun. Our childhoods are both different but great in many ways, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. 

Innocent lives

Adults corrupt innocent lives. With the use of examples and various stories; this is one of the key points in “A Measure of Restraint” written by Chet Raymo. Raymo begins the essay talking about a tragic event that occurred when two desperate men in the search of money, sold a cylinder full of cesium-137 to a junk dealer. Soon after, the junk dealer’s niece decides to rub the mysterious and enchanting powder over her body. Raymo states, “The girl is dead. Others died or became grievously sick.” The needy men killed the innocent girl and many others, only because they were searching for money. Another example is when Marie and Pierre Curie became instantly famous from their experiments, and a craze for radium began. Though many did not recognize the after effects of radium, Raymo states “Many of these women were later affected by anemia and lesions of the jawbone and mouth; a number of them died.” Marie and Pierre corrupted and killed many innocent people; just to fulfill their selfish crave to become rich, no matter what the consequences.

The desire of money is very involved when corrupting lives. This reminded me of the sweatshops in China, where young innocent children are forced to work in order to supply adults with money. In the article, “In Chinese Factories, Lost Fingers and Low Pay,” the author David Barboza states, “Chinese workers, often as young as 16, face far more serious hazards…For example, factory workers lose or break about 40,000 fingers on the job every year.” That is a piece of evidence that nobody wants to hear. People are forced through suffering to fulfill adults with money no matter if they permanently lose their fingers. A 16 year old named Xu Wenguan (with hands covered in blisters) claimed, “I work on the plastic molding machine from 6 in the morning to 6 at night,” Asked what had happened to his hands, he replied, the machines are “quite hot, so I’ve burned my hands.” No child should have to go through this pain. These statements show the power adults can have, leading only to another’s corruption. Is the yearn for money worth damaging or killing the innocent lives of others?

Money can not buy relationships

True relationships are never based on  money , just love

Snickers! 

The best happiness comes from family

This past week we read the essay called, “On the Want of Money,” written by William Hazlitt. He begins his essay with, “Literally and truly, one cannot get well in the world without money.” I found this statement to be very true. Of course there are difficult ways to survive without money, but many of the people who do are homeless, starving, and miserable. Everybody has their own viewpoint on money, but I am one who believes that money can buy happiness, but only to a certain extent. We had to buy my dog Snickers, and he brings me happiness every single day! When donating items you had to buy, you have the opportunity to help people at homeless shelters, unwanted children, or struggling families to be very happy. A simple toy from the dollar store can make any little abused toddler feel cheerful again. Also many people enjoy playing sports or musical instruments. Equipment, instruments, and proper uniforms aren't free. We have to put money towards what we love. Another part of Hazlitt’s essay informs that we shouldn't let money become everything. There is a certain extent to when money becomes all a person will live for, and that is wrong. Money cannot buy real relationships. Friendships and true relationships come directly from love and care. When a person loves you, you will be able to see it in their eyes and their smile. Money can bring happiness with items, but you can never buy somebody's love. 

We Judge When We Don't Understand

We judge when we don’t understand. I saw that statement a while ago, and I have never forgotten it since. I know everybody has judged someone before, but for many it’s become a natural reaction or even an addicting habit. When you classify someone as a nerd, since they receive straight A’s, maybe they get severely punished if they received any less. You may notice a certain person who seems cheerful every single day, but maybe that’s their cover and they struggle with depression. Or what about the girl everyone knows because she’s not as skinny as a twig? Maybe she just defeated a year’s worth of a terrifying eating disorder.  We judge when we don’t understand. You never will know everything about a person. 

Similar to “Black Men and Public Space,” Staples is judged and mistreated, one of the reasons is because he is African American. He recalls the time when he was mistaken for a burglar at work and another occasion when the proprietor of a jewelry store brought out a Doberman pinscher to frighten him away. Though Staple’s appearance may seem fearful to us, it is not right to judge him. When I read this essay, I was very disappointed that people, without even talking to Staples, could treat him so poorly. It is never right to judge somebody based on their appearances. You never know what they are struggling with. It is our job, to be respectful and considerate towards EVERYBODY. 

Vegas Weddings

Expensive stores, grand casinos, magnificent hotels, and delicious restaurants are some of the most popular attractions you will find in the incredible city of Las Vegas. Though people are willing to splurge hundreds and thousands in the casinos, stores, and restaurants, when it comes to a couple ready to commit their love for each other, the average they will pay is between eight to fifteen dollars for their “wedding.” In “Marrying Absurd” written by Joan Didion, uses many examples of irony to portray the ridiculousness of Las Vegas weddings.

Irony becomes exposed as Didion quotes the words of Mr. James A. Brennan. Didion writes, “’I got it down from five to three minutes…People always expect more when they get married’”(102). It is ironic the how little the expectations are of people who chose to be married in Las Vegas. They are willing to go through a drive thru, pay the cheapest price possible, and be married in less than ten minutes. Such “high” expectations are wanted. The name “Strip Chapel” is also ironic in itself. A chapel should be thought of a holy and sacred place, not somewhere on the strip where a cheap 5 minute wedding takes place. Lastly, Didion mentions the song an organist plays, “When I fall in Love it Will Be Forever.” Irony is portrayed through the first words of the song, “When I Fall in Love.” The song displays that the couples are not even in love yet, but are making a commitment for forever. Didion reveals that a true promise of love should be a special and beautiful moment not a fast cheap one at a Las Vegas Strip Chapel. 

Didion's piece reminded me of the movie "The Wedding Planner." The main character Mary falls in love with a man Steve, later finding out he is about to marry another woman. Mary decides to marry a different man in hope to make her dad happy, but on the day of Steve's and Mary's wedding, they both back out of their weddings. They end up back together, portraying that a commitment of true love should be shared at the right place and with the special person that you know you will love forever. 

The Passing Down of Love

Everybody has different forms of expressing their love, but it never means they love you any less. This was a main essence of the narrative we read this past week, "Arm Wrestling with My Father." When I was reading this essay, I felt very connected to Manning. His relationship with his father is very similar to mine. My dad will fall asleep at my orchestra concerts and when he comes to my track meets he seems to always find  things I can improve on. I placed first in a relay and he told me my start could have been stronger. At the time that made me upset, all I wanted was a simple "Congratulations!" or "I'm so proud of you!" It took me while to understand that was his way of expressing his love and pride. He just wants me to do anything that will make me a stronger and faster runner. I have now learned to admire him for that.  Also similar to Manning, I think that many of us consider what it would be like without our parents. He mentions feeling scared his mom will call one day, and say his father has passed. When I am home alone and my parents are late, I always believe that they have got into a horrific car accident and have died. So I connected to how Manning feels. Everyone should appreciate their parents, because you never know how long they have. As we get older we start to recognize and appreciate our parents love more. We realize that after all the time they spent caring for us, sooner or later it will be our turn to look after them.

                                        

Fake Beauty

When I discovered the article "Fish Cheeks" first appeared in Seventeen I was not shocked at all. I have been reading Seventeen for many years, but I am now realizing how much of that magazine is filled with complete trash. If you ever have picked up a copy of Seventeen, you will see either a model, musician, or  an actress on the cover. The entire magazine is crammed with articles on how you can be just like the idolized woman on the cover. This is exactly what you will see when you flip through the pages, " The perfect jeans to make you look skinnier!" "Get pretty Fast!""Ways to achieve your DREAM body!" "Everything you need to look amazing is right here!"What ever happened to natural beauty? I have never once seen the magazine mention  that you should be proud of who you and what you look like. Seventeen is all about recognizing your ugliness and trying to cover it up with 40 different types of makeup in an effort to make you look better. This magazine is very similar to "Fish Cheeks", the women in it are embarrassed of who they truly are. One of Amy's struggles through this piece is her being ashamed and embarrassed by what she looks like. Amy mentions for Christmas how she prays for a "slim new American nose." Amy's mom also gives her a miniskirt, explaining how she must always be Chinese on the inside. Her mom helps her to look different on the outside, but she fails to mention to her daughter that she should also be proud of looking Chinese on the outside. The message I get every time i read Seventeen is don't be satisfied with yourself, always try to look prettier . Girls all over the world need to realize that that is not true. Beauty is all about recognizing that you don't have to be a certain size, look, or dress a certain way. To be beautiful. comes from accepting and being proud of who you are, inside and out.  

Not a Waste

 A discussion question I saw in The Bedford Reader was, 'What response would you give a student who said, 'Doesn't Angelou's approach to writing waste more time and thought than it's worth?' First off, I would assume the person who asked that did not look deep enough into Angelou's writing. Even though in "Champion of the World," Angelou uses much vivid imagery and description, it is those techniques that make her passage great. Angelou's use of slang like "ain't and 'bout," her detailed description of the Store, and the African Americans reaction to the announcer creates an atmosphere that causes you to feel like you are in that very Store. Angelou's writing is very effective and powerful.When I read this passage, I felt like I was one of those prideful African Americans waiting for the outcome of the fight.


Angelou's approach to writing certainly is not a waste of time. Just alone her passage "Champion of the World," helps to expose what it feels like to be an African American living during that time period and makes us recognize and appreciate the freedom we have today. Angelou uses many rhetorical devices and creates pathos by using strong verbs like lynching, hanging, ambushed, maimed, whipped, and raped. Her word choice makes the reader feel sympathy towards African Americans and recognize how important their pride was from defeating Whites. If one refuses to take enough time to think deeper into her writing, then they shouldn't be reading this type of literature.