Freshmen -- The Power of One Ch. 12-15 -- "This I Believe"

I analyzed “No Dream is Impossible” written by Julia Adam. The essay was about Julia Adam and her dream of becoming an actress. From the beginning of the essay Julia proclaimed that her family did not believe in her, and her dream of becoming an actress. Despite their advice to quit and settle down she went into the world outside of Arkansas to become an actress. At many times she talks about her anguish of not being able to find an acting job, and the thought of her family's advice that she just should quit. She wondered if they were right. Instead of giving up she stops and talks about the power of her inner self belief and how it has affected her. Her inner self has given her the courage and strength to achieve her dream. At the end of Julia's essay she states her inner self is what got her to the place she is at today. Julia's inner self is what stopped her, pushed her, and helped her achieve her dream. She continues to say that no dream is impossible because she believes in her self.

“No Dream is Impossible” relates to the novel, Power of One, because both Bryce Courtenay and Julia Adams illustrate throughout their stories that all it takes is the power of one. Julia exclaimed that people looked down on her and her dream. The only thing that helped Julia achieve her goal was the power of one. “It tells me no dream is impossible because faith in my inner self will guide me to its fulfillment.”Peekay faced a challenge that many doubted he could accomplish. Peekay had to face a boy in boxing who was over all bigger and stronger than him. Regardless of the looks and doubts Peekay and Julia managed to overcome their obstacles with the help of the “power of one” or “inner self.” They believed in themselves, and nothing could stop them. “It was the power of one stirring in me.”

I relate to Julia Adam's essay, “No Dream is Impossible” because I have faced times were many people and I have doubted me. When I started to prepare to go to St. Ignatius my family believed in me, but some people did not find it realistic that I would go to St. Ignatius. I decided it was my dream to go to St. Ignatius and be apart of the community. I believed in myself and my power of one. “This belief in my inner self banishes fear and doubt and frees me to live and love and work to the fullest. “Eventually I got the grades and become the only one in my class accepted to St. Ignatius. Just like Julia Adam I had a dream and because I had faith in my inner self I accomplish it. Through reading the Power of One and “No Dream is Impossible” I have learned that it takes more than a dream, it takes me.

Freshmen -- Steinbeck Style Episode Opening

The walls are covered in a dark red color. On the walls holds photos of memories the child has. There is a big bed that takes up most of the room. The bed makes the room so that it looks very small. On the left and right side of the bed are nightstands. On the left nightstand there is a Justin Bieber magazine full with photos and interviews of the young pop sensation. The magazine awaits there to be used. The right nightstand has a different use. This nightstand holds the lamp, one of the few things that light up the room. There are two doors next to the lamp. These doors open and behold the clothes, games, and things the child once held dear. Next to the doors is a giant window. Through the window you see lampposts that shine through the darkness of the night. In the right corner of the room lays an antique, brown mirror dresser. You can barely see the dresser through all the trinkets and clothes on top of it. Placed directly left of the dresser is a archaic brass lamp. Beneath the messy dresser, lamps, nightstands and welcoming bed lays a giant white, tan rug that covers the entire room. On this rug holds pieces of clothing and shoes worn the day before. From the red and white door enters the tired girl anticipating her lovely room.

Prompt Chapter 5

Does Curley's wife get what she deserves?

In a short essay, respond to this prompt. Provide excellent evidence and commentary that support a PERFECT thesis.

            
In the story, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck demonstrates through the characterization of Curley's wife that a villain can also be a victim. Through out the book Curley's wife has antagonized Lennie and the other men at the ranch. She has little respect for her husband and their relationship. She clearly states in chapter 5 her disgust for Curley: " 'I don't like Curley. He ain't a nice fella.' " It means that she does not really love Curley. This is important because it tells the reader her feelings and why she acts the way she does around men. This is significant because if she loved Curley than Curley would not need to prove himself to her and also she would not get others (Lennie) in trouble. Curley's wife is  continually getting others and herself in trouble. In chapter three Curley's wife gets Slim into trouble with Curley. "Slim said, "'Well, you been askin' me too often. I'm gettin' God damn sick of it. If you can't look after your own God damn wife, what you expect em to do about it? You lay offa me.'" This quote means that Curley's wife is usually hanging out and flirting with Slim and that causes Curley to get mad and paranoid. This is important because Curley's wife illustrates her feelings towards Curley when she is off trying to flirt with other men. When Curley's wife is flirting with other men it tends to get other men in trouble. This is significant because if Curley's wife just kept to her husband then she would not hurt others. On page 86 and 87- chapter 5 she insist on talking with Lennie even though he says he is not allowed to. " 'Don't you worry about talkin' to me. Listen to the guys yell out there. They got four dollars bet in that tenement. None of them ain't gonna leave till it's over.' " This quote means that Curley's wife is trying to persuade Lennie to talk to her. This is an important quote  because she is intentionally sneaking around and talking to Lennie when  they are both supposed to stay away from each other. This is significant quote because if she was not trying to sneak around with Lennie then she would not have ended up dead and Lennie would not be a in trouble or a murder. Curley's wife is clearly a villain in this book, but even though Curley's wife crosses the line when she should not have crossed it, it was not all her fault for what happened to Lennie and herself. She did insist that Lennie to talk to her the entire chapter, and for him to touch her hair (page 90-91); however, she did not intend for it to end up in her death. In fact, she was just lonely, and handled it the wrong way. On the bottom of page 86 and the top of 87 she shares that she gets lonely: "' Why can't I talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely." Lennie tells her that he is not allowed to talk to her and then she repeats it. "' I get lonely," she said. "You can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. How'd you like not to talk to anybody?'" This quote means that she is very restricted and does not like how Curley handles her. This is important because it shows that they way she is treated makes her act out. This is a significant quote because it illustrates that Curley's wife is a victim of loneliness. If Curley's wife was not a victim of loneliness then it would not have made her a victim of death.