Janie

The character Janie from Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" seems to have most pleasure in her life when most people would be depressed, and that's when her husband Jody dies. This sudden joy would appear to an outsider as harsh considering she's now a widow, but Janie has always done what appeared to be the right choice in her life which originally was to marry Logan Killicks because her grandmother told her he provided the best opportunities for her. When Janie meets another guy named Jody Starks, he tells her about these opportunities she will have with him if they were married. While Janie is already on the ropes with loving Logan and adjusting to his recent change of personality, Logan pushes her away by trying to hurt her feelings just as she did his by insulting Janie and her family. While married to Jody, just like Logan did, Jody changed his personality and tried to change Janie along with him, but in spirit. Jody, who's nearly 2 decade's older than Janie always demoralized her by insulting her age and even gave her a hard time when she screwed up an order at the store they owned. When Janie finally stood up to Jody, which was about 15 years later, in public, he struck her. With Janie having a hard time as it was enjoying her life being guided all the time, I was glad to see she was finally in a happy state. I was also impressed Hurston was able to create such a unique character like Janie that could reflect off of herself. When Hurston was in college she worked for a woman named Mrs. Mason, who was controlling and could have gave Hurston a central hate for the battle for control. Much like Janie, Hurston is a powerful character who gained their own control at the end.

Thankful For a Classmate!

I am thankful for a lot, if not all of the people in my English class. There's not one specific person I have to choose and to assure everyone is mentioned, while keeping this blog simple, I will list them all.

Cecillia, Maggie, Gloria, and Sarah - I mentioned these girls first because they sit right behind me in class, and majorly called on or answering a question. Whenever Mr.McCarthy is responding to one of their answers it's sometimes humorous, happens most often to them. 

Jan, Odin, Lauren, Evan, and Josh - These five, if I'm correct went through the academic center here at Whitney Young, and are taking the same classes, if not higher than I am.  Honestly the classroom wouldn't be the same without them as they answer about 50% of the questions and have unique personalities.

Brashana, Martyna, Nayeli, Lawrie, Emma, And Michelle - I can't say much about these girls because I hardly speak to them, but whenever they're answering a question, or is called on by Mr.McCarthy, The answer is almost always flawless and without hesitation, and I admire that.

Jalen, Erik P, and Eric E - I think these three sit in the same row. Even so, they're very good in group assignments and constructive with the writing edits. Great personalities too.

Nathan, Dan, Juan, Jake, and Owen - These guys are very open to letting me join their group work assignments although I hardly speak to them. They work very well and super efficient and can be on question 6 by the time I'm done writing question 3 (not like they ditch me but I just write slow).

Andrew and Lansing -Out of the entire classroom, these two are the people I talk to often, and outside of the classroom. Lansing is very helpful in Geometry and entertaining at our table. Andrew is in my homeroom, and is my new locker partner (although I didn't have one last year!) overall he is a cool guy.

Erik G. - I remember in Geometry when Erik asked me if I thought he was obnoxious in English. As I said then still remains. I singled Erik out because he's the life of the classroom and makes English entertaining. He also gave me the idea to write about everyone, so thanks Erik.


Davonte - Wrote about myself because I said entire classroom. Most down to earth person I know :) .

Mr.McCarthy - My favorite Teacher this school year. Coming from Mr.Tejano's class last year I really despised English and thought this class would be painful. However; Mr.McCarthy's way of teaching is really upbeat that he managed to make my worst subject, my favorite class (also helped me with remembering everyone's names and correct spelling from the blog links).

Reader - Whether you are or not in my classroom, I am thankful that you took about 3 minutes of your life to read my blog. Hope I didn't miss anyone. Happy Thanksgiving!

Hemingway

               

            Ernest Hemingway lived a life others can only dream to have. His impact on American Literature is one that will never be forgotten. Hemingway's work helped pave Literature into an entire new definition and inspired others to make more out of their own works. Ironically about Hemingway was throughout his competitions, his fame, and his abilities, Hemingway was a Nihilist; meaning he believed life is meaningless.
         Back then Hemingway was considered one of the most relevant Celebrities of his time, like the Beyonce of today. He said himself his writings included an Ice burg theory; only showing you the tip of the surface in his writings, but have the reader go below and conclude about the rest of it himself. And because Hemingway's writings mirrored his life, everyone back then and even today tries to truly understand what his work meant in Hemingway's mind. Most of his stories involved masculinity and could reflect on himself that he didn't have much when he was a child considering his mother often made him feel feminine.
        Hemingway's personal life often included a wife or mistress by his side. I believe this made him feel less like he was by himself like he would be when he wrote. When he received his noble literature prize he said the words "There is no lonelier man when writing, except for suicide." which could help his fans/ modern readers understand what happens behind the books. Sadly, Hemingway did the unspeakable when he became lonelier than a man when writing, after he became depressed after trying to be a perfectionist.   Ernest Hemingway, made an entire mark on Literature before his passing and will never be forgotten. I think his legacy is one that contained irony, sadness, an even ambition that could be passed from generation to generation.
       

6 Word Stories.

*No Money, Yet He's So Rich.

*My Accomplishment Became My Greatest Humiliation

*My Trip To Save The Fall

*Game Set; He Won, Never Practiced

*This Is True; That Was False

*Reminder; Forget To Study, You'll Pass.

John Proctor "Hero Or Stooge"

John Proctor was a hard man to characterize but i would mostly classify him as a stooge. Although the term is derogatory, the full definition is "a person who serves merely to support or assist others, particularly in doing unpleasant work". John has been characterized as a stooge because he does most of the things that lead to other using him. 
In Act IV of the crucible John's "confession" of seeing the Devil and claiming he saw Nurse Rebecca made all the difference whether Rebecca lived or not. John's signature not only decided her death or not, but would stir the rally of the people that an icon like the strong-minded John Proctor even admitted to Witchcraft, and against the Nurse (Rebecca).
The Main part that John was characterized as a stooge is because of ABIGAL, Abigal was one, the reason John is guilty and upset at himself. John commits adultery with Abigal and Abigal seeks love from him. When she seen John's maid Mary Warren making a poppet (doll) she knew it was ultimately going to end up in the Procter's house, so she fakes injury and leads to goody proctor being arrested. When John tries to confess his affair with Abigal and what causes her to lie, he says his wife would never tell a lie, so when Goody proctor thinks she is protecting him, she actually gets him arrested which assists Abigal because she isn't going to get caught for lieing.
John is mainly categorized as a stooge because people value his opinions, but they use his pride to make a point or get what they crave, which is why he is unintentionally, easily stepped on.

There Goes The Neighborhood

When the native people saw that the "Americans" was approaching their territory, they welcomed them with

 open arms, or kindness. This being a civilized thing to do, in the eyes of the white men. But civilized is just

someone who's not coordinated to what you're accustomed to. If the native's knew what would was going to

 occur, I believe they would've fought back or attempted to not let them land ashore. Their defeat and being

conquered by these "Americans" was caused by unpreparedness and what we know as the United States

today. The same thing happened with the segregation between the African Americans and segregation. When

they were brought from Africa as slaves they weren't given a chance to be civilized, only workers but

because of this it makes North America a powerful country. Additionally if Natives were available for more

resources or powerful enough to stand by themselves as a "civilized" country according to the rest of the

world, perhaps they would still be standing where they are today. If you were to have the thoughts/ events of

these native's their viewpoints would occur like:

*Strange men approach our homes and seemed dangerous, when actually instead of attacking, they communicated.

*After keeping these white men on close watch, they seemed friendly. They helped us hunt so in return we gave them shelter.

*Some suspicion grew of these men intentions, but others thought they were just kind commanders, nice travelers.

*It seemed evident after a few days what these men wanted, not just to be kind folk, but to murder the animals that inhabited our land and turn us into someone we're not.

*These men betrayed and walked all over us, and it wasn't just us that our generosity risked, but the animals as well, they tore our beliefs apart.

About Me

My name is Davonte Lewis. I grew up and am still currently being raised in the south side of Chicago. I went to Alfred David Kohn elementary, which was closed the proceeding year of my graduation. The good thing is I was the last valedictorian of the school's history. I have 3 older brothers, but i only live with one, my mom and my dad. My favorite subjects are Math, specifically algebra and guitar. My weaker subjects are Social Science and English because my writing skills aren't the best. I wouldn't call myself shy, but accustomed to the same things, as in people which is why I'm not the fastest person at making friends. I like to draw, play video games, and play guitar. I'm also trying to self teach myself how to animate things like on cartoons but never found the time with school work and an outside life. I came to Whitney Young because i was recommended to it by my teachers, and although some classes are hard, needless to say, I have yet to regret my decision.