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.

Walter

As soon as I finished reading "A Raisin in the Sun," one bold thought kept running through my head. Walter's actions have caused me to strongly dislike him. Walter is such a bitter and selfish character throughout this whole novel. First of all, who simply gives away thousands of dollars without thinking twice about it? Walter. He failed to even put the $3,000 away for Beneatha's schooling, and took a part in crushing her medical school dream. He was so self-absorbed about his possibility of a liquor store that he didn't consider the thought of damaging his family. How Ruth can even stand him is beyond me. Walter's terrible blank expressions when she considered destroying the baby shows how non considerate he is. Why should Ruth carry a baby for nine months, when the father shows hardly any sign of wanting it? Plus the times when he treats his son Travis the best is when he has money behind him. He gives Travis a motivating talk, because he knows he now has Mama's money. Money is truly the cause of Walter's happiness. Ruth exclaims how excited she is that Walter took her out to the movies, and they actually held hands. The mournful fact is that Ruth can't even remember the last time that happened, but do you think Walter would have taken her to the movies if he didn't receive that money? No. 

Walter reminds me of people who gamble. Whenever my mom or dad come back from Las Vegas, they always tell me stories about how much money they see people gambling or betting. Some people are lucky, but others are super unfortunate and loose it all. Just like Walter, gamblers need to find a time to stop before they loose everything. Many hear stories about how people go to Vegas and keep betting until they have lost all their money, their cars or house even. These people and Walter need to stop carelessly using their money.  If Walter would have been less selfish, he wouldn't have caused such pain to his family. 

Proud to be an Individual

As a student of Troy High, I think it becomes hard to recognize how diverse our school is compared to others. After all, we are surrounded by so many unique cultures every day. Just looking around my classes I am able to hear and see the diversity of many different races: Indians, African Americans, Albanians, Whites, Italians, Asians, and many more. Many schools all across the United States are not as lucky to have such an exemplary diverse student population. The great thing about Troy High is that nobody is afraid to hide their race or who they truly are. We have talent shows, different clubs, teams, and events to express an individual's uniqueness, and nobody is afraid to let their culture shine. 


In "How it Feels to be Colored Me," Zora Neale Hurston expresses how even though she is African American and may feel separated at times from whites, she is still joyful and proud of her individuality. She illustrates the time she was listening to a jazz orchestra, "I dance wildly inside myself; I yell within, I whoop; I shake my assegai above my head, I hurl it true to the mark yeeeeooww!" (864). Zora's true thoughts are displayed when she eyes her white friend sitting motionless, causing her to realize the distinct separation of their cultures. The jazz had affected Zora so much more. Similar to the poem "The Weary Blues," written by Langston Hughes, jazz music had such a big impact expressing the varied emotions of African Americans. The jazz Zora listened to made her feel proud and energetic, while Hughes gave off a more sympathetic and depressing tone. 

Also shown in the poem "I, too," Hughes writes, "Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed-- I too, am America." The whites discrimination to Hughes doesn't weaken his view of himself, he still is beautiful. Like students at Troy High, Zora and Hughes don't frown upon who they are because of their color. Zora writes, "At certain times I have no race, I am me" (864). Both authors are proud of her individuality and nobody can change that. 

Truly Wealthy?

A quote that constantly kept flashing through my mind while reading the Great Gatsby was "Some people are so poor, all they have is money." Wealth plays a major role throughout the novel and is portrayed as something everybody desires. Daisy refuses to be with Gatsby when she first meets him because he didn't have enough money. When Daisy looks at Gatsby's beautiful expensive shirts she breaks into tears knowing that she could have been a part of his luxurious life, and displays her crave for wealth. Gatsby throws parties for hundreds of guests, but when he was murdered how many of his party guests or even his friends came to his funeral? ONE. To me, the most depressing lines throughout the entire novel was, "The minister glanced several times at his watch so I took him aside and asked him to wait for half an hour. But it wasn't any use. Nobody came" (182). Gatsby might have had money, but it shows he lacked caring friends and love. The woman he cared about the most didn't show any hint of emotion or concern when he passed. Also, a man he had spent much time with was Tom, who basically killed Gatsby himself, after revealing the car that ran Myrtle over was Gatsby's. This displays that money doesn't always make you rich, maybe dollar wise, but dirt poor of all the other great qualities of life, like family, friends, and love. This reminds me of a scene in the movie You Again, one of the characters Ramona accuses her friend Gail of being jealous of her wealth and accomplishments. Gail explains to her though, how her family is her accomplishment, not the amount of money she earns. Being rich can be interpreted at so many different levels. In Gatsby's case his wealth only hurt him. It may have attracted Daisy, but she still ended up with Tom. It is true that wealth can actually make you poor.

Secrets

A special blog I didn't know had even existed until a couple weeks ago was PostSecret. When we watched the video about it in class, the whole concept behind this blog really spoke to me. I found it incredible how so many people had the courage and wanted to reveal their secrets to an audience of more than a million. Many of the secrets broke my heart to read, but as Thanksgiving came it made me very thankful that I didn't have to hide the secrets many others do and it made me blessed for the life I have. Reading this blog has made me appreciate everything I have more. By just looking at somebody they may seem as happy and joyful as can be, but you may never know the secrets that are slowly deteriorating them.



 As we wrapped up and finished the Scarlet Letter we saw the effect that a secret can have on one. Dimmesdale passed away and grew sick because of the burden he felt by trying to hide that he committed adultery with Hester. His secret was too much for him to hold onto any longer. Also in the poem "The History Teacher," the teacher tries to hide the truth about past events and how they actually happened. By making historical events seem innocent, his secret only impacts himself. The kids on the playground are just as harmful anyway not knowing the truth about world events. This shows that maybe some secrets can make you feel better about yourself, just like the history teacher feeling proud and innocent lying to the children.Secrets can make you feel joyful, trapped, angry, depressed, or even happy, but it is up to you to be the judge of that. 

Slavery

You know a piece of literature is good when you can't take your eyes away from it. This past we week we read the incredible piece "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," by Harriet Jacobs. The journey the narrator Linda had to make was unbelievable. This narrative was even more powerful because it was told in a first person point of view. When it came to the lines, "I was about to risk everything on the throw of a die; and if I failed, O what would become of me and my poor children? They would be made to suffer for my fault." The suspense leads up, but it also shows how kind and considerate Linda is of others. She did not choose to run away for her own personal benefit, but for her loved ones. It is crazy to think that slavery did happen in America. When you look around the classroom today, you see so many different races. It is hard to imagine that there were once separated drinking fountains, buses, or restaurants and the abuse humans went to get their equal rights. The piece Jacobs wrote helps connect anyone to what many African Americans had to suffer through. Most people here take their freedom for granted, but imagine how different the world would be if we didn't make a change and slavery still existed. It would be an abusive, disastrous, and a terrifying place. 

Society

 
Society kills, litterly. The guilt Dimmesdale let climb upon his body and weaken his mind, finally destroyed him in the end. It wasn't just his own guilt though, it was the way society viewed him. The townspeople loved and worshiped Dimmesdale. Their praise for him only led him to feel worse about himself. Society also hurt and punished Hester. The townspeople and even the children judged and looked down upon her because of the scarlet letter she was forced to wear. Even when she did helpful things for the poor she was rewarded with harsh and bitter insults. 

Why is society so judgmental? Has it changed much to this day? If you commit adultery now, you will not be as severely punished, but will still be looked down upon. Society has the tendency to believe that everyone should be a certain way and act like perfect little angels. That is not true, each individual should be able to be themselves and not have to worry about being judged. Just like how "Self-Reliance" expresses the need to misunderstood. Emerson states," Is it so bad to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus...and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood."  If you want to be great you must break out of the barriers society has set on you. Don't let society ruin you. Hester's punishment made her stronger even when she was faced with the toughest battles. 

Kindness

Many people in today's society do not have the courage to stand up and take the blame for the sins they may have committed. Even though Hester can be seen as a bad person through many eyes, she is actually a very powerful and kind character. She receives her punishment and wears the scarlet letter without complaining. She is also very caring towards the sick and the poor. I know for a fact that if I tried helping a person and they just threw insults back at me instead of being thankful, I would just stop trying. They would be on their own. Hester has the incredible ability though, to keep helping and giving her time to the less fortunate even when they are not appreciative. 

Hester's courage and kindness relates to everyone striving to do good for our country. Many will get criticized for the hard charitable work they do, but that will not stop them.We have such a large amount of volunteers right now trying to help with Hurricane Sandy and deep down everyone knows they are appreciative of the extra help. Criticism should never stop you from achieving your full potential. We need to learn how to be more like Hester and to put other's needs before our own. Imagine how much better the world would be if we all just helped each other out. 

True Beauty is Found In Nature

One of the best feelings to me, is walking along the beach with my feet sinking into the squishy white sand, hearing the gentle waves crash against the shore, and watching the bright orange, soft yellow, and light pinks begin to mingle into a beautiful sunset. The effect nature can have on you is incredible. Nature has the capability to teach everyone different lessons about life. 

One of the lessons taught by the poem "Thanatopsis," is how you shouldn't fear death, you will become a part of nature, and will never be alone. If you are ever sad you can turn to nature to make you feel better. Also in the poem  "The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls," Longfellow describes how nature is always permanent. I agree with these writers and believe that nature is such an important part of life. It has the ability to open up your eyes        to new experiences.

Just like the movies: Up, 127 Hours, and Journey to the Center of the Earth, nature guides each one on their own unique and unbelievable adventures. I believe that everybody should go out and appreciate the beauty God has given us. Whether it's fiery orange canyons in Utah, gushing crystal clear waterfalls in Maui, or just playing in the white soft snow in your own backyard, each is amazing! Nature will truly take your breath away. 

Women Are Equal

 The famous statement, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...." can be described as one of the most powerful sayings in "The Declaration of Independence." But note the word choice of "all men." Throughout the entire piece there is no mention of women, at all. The Declaration shaped America and is still one of the most meaningful elements in American history, but it failed to include women. Neglecting the female helps to show that during that time period, women were not seen as equal and inferior to men. Women were eventually granted greater rights like suffrage, but as time continued on I feel that to this day women are not treated equally to men. 

This is relevant to my sister's experience in college. She was telling me about her school, Case Western Reserve University has a club called WISER (women in science and engineering roundtable). It is a club to encourage women in STEM (science technology engineering and math) to always be able to compete at the same level as men. It has been proven that in STEM fields women generally have lower self confidence and self efficacy than men. WISER was formed to provide networking opportunities and a solid support system for women in male dominated fields.

Also, even though women are equally athletically talented to men, hardly anyone watches women's sports. Unless it is a big event like the Olympics, many would rather watch men's professional NFL, NBA, or MLB sports. It shows how gender-based discrimination still exists. However, in today's society there are more people fighting for equality than ever before. 

No Regrets

Many people will pity the tragic stories they read in the newspaper or hear about on the local news station about innocent helpless people getting hurt, robbed, or even killed. While doing so one question may ponder in their mind: what would I have done? A few would be thankful they were not put in that situation, but a numerous amount would say; I could have been the superhero and saved their life. In reality though,many people say that, but don't have enough courage to stand up for what they believe is right. 

As shown in The Crucible, if any of the girls were brave enough to stand up for themselves and tell the truth, they could have saved and protected innocent lives. Sadly though, it was like Abigail was truly a witch and cast a spell on the girls forcing them to say and behave the only way she commands them to. If one girl would have spoken out against Abigail, there is a chance many would have followed. 

This also relates to the article we read, "The Dying Girl That No One Helped." People saw that Kitty was struggling severely and bleeding, but did anyone help her? No. When put into the situation of sacrificing your own life to help another, many back down. The fear of what may happen to your own life sweeps across the entire body. Just like the girls in The Crucible, fear of what Abigail might do to them caused them not to speak out. Standing up for what you believe is easier said than done, but in the end it will be worth it. We need to learn to put others before ourselves because just one helpful deed could save a life. Also, realize that courage will come when you pursue the right action, just don't back down or you may regret it forever.   

What a girl will do for a guy

The crazy unspeakable actions that a girl will do for a guy she wants, becomes another crucial factor of The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller. Abigail Williams begins to demolish and horrify the lives of others just so she can try to get revenge on Elizabeth Proctor. Abigail still has a craving lust for Elizabeth's husband John Proctor, one guy. 

Her jealously powers her to become insane. Abigail begins by slapping poor Betty across the face, yelling at her and demanding she only confess that they danced in the woods, nothing else. She also threatens to kill them if they speak more about what they did. Also, even though John Proctor feels guilty about his affair with Abigail, she makes him feel even worse. She claims that he ruined her virtue by taking her virginity. She also goes crazy by sticking a needle inside her stomach trying to blame Elizabeth. She achieves in displaying that Elizabeth is part of witchcraft and did that to her. Abigail performs many other terrible actions to others just because of her jealously for John.

The insane actions that a girl will do for a guy is not only found in The Crucible. It is also displays in the "love" story of Romeo and Juliet. Juliet is willing to go against her family, fake her death to get out of marriage, then kill herself over a guy she met a couple days earlier. Instead of helping kill others like Abigail, Juliet kills herself. Similar to Abigail though, Juliet is willing to go to the unnecessary extremes for a guy. Girls should realize that true love isn't what you or others die for, its what you live for.