Night Walker Essay

                There are many instances in this life where people are mistaken for someone that they never intended to be.  Everyone has an outer appearance which is judged by a simple first impression and usually doesn’t go much deeper than that unless you get the opportunity to get to know them.  I was brought up in a small town located close to the Oklahoma-Arkansas border.  I was brought up with a hardworking father and a loving mother all my life.  They taught me many different useful tips to get through life and one of them was to be the best person you can be.  I have lived my life around this motto and encouraged many other people to do the same.

                When I graduated from high school I immediately knew I would attend the University of Southern Indiana because it has a great location and is highly ranked in degree programs.  During my freshman year I wore a smile on my face as I continued to meet and greet many new people.  Some of these people are still very close to me to this day and while reflecting with them I realized the first impression they received of me was not correct in the slightest.

                Someone I met freshman year and has remained one of my best friends throughout the years told me about her first impression of me.  I have blonde hair, blue eyes and freshman year I weighed about 115 pounds.  The first time she met me the reaction she cornered in on was my weight and then she assumed I was probably a cheerleader, in many different sports, popular, snobby, etc.  She came to find out very quickly that I was none of these things.  I could never have the flexibility of even dreaming about being a cheerleader even though I think it would be a lot of fun and a great way to meet new people.  Also as she got to know me she realized I stopped playing sports when I entered high school not because I didn’t love the game but because of a change in school, and dislike of the coaches.  I was also never part of the popular crowd.  I was the type of a person who had a group of friends that kept to themselves and didn’t try to be anything they weren’t.  She also quickly realized I was a lot nicer that she expected.

                Since she told me of her first impression of me I have always been very curious as to what other people’s first impressions of me were.  I asked a few other people and some of them said the same things but others differed to an extent.  I have thoroughly worked on trying to make people think of me differently than a snobby popular girl from high school.  I strive to smile and talk to people as much as I can to give their first impression of me a slight twist.  I want to bring out my personality and be thought of as the person my friends tell me I am today, not what my first impression was a few years ago.

                In hearing what my friends had to say about their impression of me for the first time, I realized I judge people in the same way they were judging me.  It is only human nature to assess what first meets the naked eye, and it takes a lot more time to get to know the real person inside.  It is a joy to not judge someone from their outer appearance and to work towards actually getting to know them for who they are inside.  I believe this opens up many more opportunities for great friendships with people you meet by simply walking down the street.  It is very rewarding to let a person speak from their heart and reveal the person they truly are rather than make up your mind before they open their mouth.

Night Walker Response Answers

1.       Why do you think Staples refers to the woman he encounters in the beginning of his essay as a “victim”?

I think he was being humorous by referring her to a victim because she judged him as a person who was going to hurt her.  I think he was saying how she viewed herself as a victim when he never had any intention of harming her.

2.       What, exactly, is his “unwieldy inheritance” mentioned in the second paragraph?

Staples’ unwieldy inheritance is the judgment of his appearance by other people.  He cannot control the fact that people thought he was a dangerous person when he had no intention of hurting anyone.  He inherited this through his race, which is usually known as not-so-nice people wandering the streets late at night.  He did take some precautions towards the ending of his essay which helped his impression among other people.

3.       What, exactly, is “the language of fear” (paragraph three)?  What examples does Staples give to illustrate this “language”?

The language of fear is the actions certain people took that let him know he was viewed as a threat to their wellbeing.  Some examples include as he walked down the street he would hear people locking their car doors, crossing the street instead of walking past him, and various instances with police, doormen, bouncers, cab drivers, and others whose job it was to keep people out of harm’s way.

4.       This piece is sometimes printed under the titles “Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space” or “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space”;  how do these very different titles affect your understanding of Staples’ reason for writing? How would your perception of his purpose for writing this essay change, if given these different titles?

The two titles listed above give more of a foreshadowing aspect to the overall moral of the story.  The reader will be more informed about what the essay will be which allows their imagination to wonder just before reading the excerpt.  I think these two titles are more effective than “Night Walker” because they allow the reader to understand the plot of the story.

5.       Why do you think whistling selections from Beethoven and Vivaldi seem to make people less afraid of the author?

I agree with what Staples’ said towards the ending of the essay by mentioning it is a calming rhythm, and most people don’t expect murders to be humming such high-class popular classical tunes.

On Fire Essay

                Early on in training we were taught to keep a calm and close watch on the situations at hand.  It took a semester to learn the certifications as well as taking the time to pass each test ensuring you are confident of how to rescue someone in, and out of the water.  These tests are designed to be difficult and engage you in situations where you are required to make quick decisions.  There is not a clear way to prepare for these actual instances no matter how many times you practice.  Once you are sitting up in the chair looking down upon the patrons, you must be prepared with the knowledge of how to keep your eyes focused, and your brain ready for action at all times.

                Every morning you report fifteen minutes before the doors open to clean the deck and bathrooms ensuring safety for the patrons.  You’re dressed in a two piece swimsuit accompanied by a whistle around your neck and instructions to sit in various temperatures ranging from 65⁰ to 99⁰.  Every day just before the pool opens, after making your rounds you stare at the water wondering what the day will hold, and willing to do whatever it takes to keep their lives safe.

                As the manager opens the doors the ticket guard takes the customer’s money and lets them pass through to the dressing rooms.  They are to lock up their belongings and then walk out to the pool deck.  This rarely happens since most children are too excited after being cooped up all winter to walk rather than run and jump in the water attempting to splash the lifeguard on duty.  As the pool quickly filled with children and adults of all ages it became apparent the job wasn’t just sitting up high on a chair underneath an umbrella getting a nice tan.  It meant responsibility for their lives as well as a constant reminder of a drowning victim which you would have to save.  This job was much more than a simple way to make money; it held a huge responsibility of keeping people out of danger.

                The daily starting positions were randomly chosen by the manager, or assistant manager, on duty that day.  The positions included 3 foot, 12 foot North, 12 foot South, 6 foot, bottom of the slide, top of the slide, cleaner 1, cleaner 2, break and on deck.  They rotated in the order mentioned above on a fifteen minute basis.  This ensured a different guard watching a different area every fifteen minutes.  Sitting in the chair you enforced the pool rules by blowing the whistle if a kid was disobeying.  It was your job to sit for an hour and a half rotation enforcing these rules and monitoring each patron’s every move.  Many people don’t realize what a huge responsibility is weighted on our shoulders, and it is definitely not something to be taken lightly.

                Some days the heat is unbearable and it takes more than a drink of water to cool you down.  As you sit under an umbrella, the sun still bearing down on you, it takes a lot of energy to focus on getting your job done.  The heat is something which you cannot prepare for and something you must deal with on a daily basis.  You learn quickly your skin isn’t made to be in the sun for seven long hours in the middle of the day.  This makes the fifteen minute rotations feel a lot longer and the shift go by a lot slower.

                In many instances lifeguards work for years and never have to leave their chair to save a drowning victim.  These lifeguards work very hard to ensure the safety of their area and go to extremes to avoid any possible hazardous situations which could come their way.  I am happy to say my experience was one of these instances in which I worked three months every summer and never had to get in the water and rescue a drowning victim.

On Fire Response Answers

1.       What process does Brown describe?

Brown is describing the process of being a firefighter.

2.       How is this essay unlike the typical process explanation, presented in strict chronological order?  Why does this departure “fit” his subject matter/occupation?

As Brown writes the essay he skips around describing the process of how firefighters handle the duties of their jobs along with the actual processes they must go through to ensure safe trips and ability to help people.  I liked the way he described the process because the essay was unsure of a chronological order just like his job in not knowing when he will be called or what he will be doing.  This departure fits his subject matter/occupation because it is as disfigured as the essay and takes a special person to take on these duties.

3.       In the first paragraph, Brown uses a simile when he says that one of the things a firefighter learns is that they “can burn like a candle.”  What other examples of figurative language does he use?  How does such language enhance the essay?

He compares his job to different jobs such as being a cashier or working in a factory where you do the same thing every day to being a firefighter.  This shows the differences he is trying to point out in the essay and how difficult taking on that position can be.  It gives the readers a sense of understanding that this is no simple task.  Also he compares failing to fix the fire hose resulting in a waterstorm on the street.  This shows how quickly and vigorously the water comes out of the hose.  The different types of language used in the essay help the reader visualize and paint a more accurate picture of what it is like to be a firefighter.

4.       Throughout his essay, Brown repeatedly uses the second-person pronoun you. Why do you think Brown uses the second-person perspective, instead of the more usual first- (I) or third- person (he or she) in his essay? What effect does it have?

I think he wants to put the pressure of the different duties of a firefighter on the shoulders of the reader.  The reader can then envision themselves doing the actual task instead of another character.  I think this effects the reader in that they visualize themselves being in the position of the writer.

5.       What overall impression(s) of firefighting do you think Brown wishes to convey?  How is this purpose exemplified in his final paragraph?

I think Brown is trying to give a detailed description of the overall life of a firefighter.  I know I have never had the opportunity of reading an in-depth description of what it’s like to wait by the phone.  He is trying to say that you learn everything there is to know about being a firefighter because in the end it is you against the fire saving as many lives as humanly possible.

First Conk Essay

When I was younger I never understood the fascination and obsession some girls had with being thin.  I was nowhere close to a size zero and had no intentions of becoming that size in my near future.  My reasoning came from the stick figure models on covers of magazines and the rumors of how they became so thin as well as firsthand experience.

My family and I moved to Jasper, Indiana when I was in middle school.  At my previous school I was involved in Strings, which is an organization that introduces string instruments to students.  I started playing the violin when I was in the fifth grade.  When we moved to Indiana there was an organization through the school which taught basically the same thing as the Strings organization.  I was introduced to my new teacher and began taking lessons immediately.  Throughout the lessons and getting to know each other we quickly bonded becoming very close, and she is like the sister I never had today.

Throughout the years I noticed her lack of eating as well as substantial weight loss every time she would come back and visit my family and me.  I encouraged her to get help but she always denied the possibility of her having an eating disorder.  In fear of pushing too hard, I just told her how concerned I was because of her rapid weight loss.  She assured me she was eating and that she wasn’t starving herself.  A few weeks later my mother told me she withdrew from college (University of Evansville) for a medical leave.  She had finally taken my advice and gone to the doctor who confirmed her eating disorder.  After the confirmation she then attended the doctor’s office many more times for check-ups to make sure she was eating like she should.

The doctor confirmed her with both Anorexia and Bulimia Eating Disorders.  She currently weighed eighty-eight pounds and she was a sophomore in college.  She had had both these disorders for almost two years.  The process of getting back to eating normally wasn’t an easy process, but with the help of a nutritionist and her family she knew she wasn’t alone.

The slow process involved a lot of patience and encouragement from her friends and family.  She started off slowly going to see a nutritionist weekly to ensure she was eating meals fit for her lifestyle.  The nutritionist warned her to start slowly because her body was not use to eating meals as a normal person’s body would be.  She started off eating small portions throughout the day of vegetables and fruits.  These provided her body with the essentials she needed to help her body get back to being normal.  Many severe cases of anorexia involve the patient being strapped down and force-fed food.  This circumstance never occurred with her since she realized her position was serious and she needed to turn her life around.  After attending, and working with the nutritionist for over a year monitoring her eating habits, she was finally on her way back to a normal life.

I remember, after she got over her anorexia, her intense love of vegetables and fruit.  When my mother knew she would be coming to our house, at any given point during the weeks, there would always be a vegetable tray waiting her arrival.  She loved coming to our house and has told me without my persistence of encouraging her to get help she would not have gone to the doctor.  Once she attended the doctor he told her if she had waited at most a few weeks to come in she would not have survived.  She constantly thanks me for my persistence and saving her from making a bad decision.

Today, she is happily married with a 10 month daughter of her own.  We are even closer now than before and refer to each other as long lost sisters.  She means the world to me and has definitely been someone I have looked up to since the moment I met her.  It’s meaningful to think how a few simple encouraging words to a close friend can help them turn their life around and realize they need to fix their mistakes before it’s too late.

First Conk Response Answers

1.       Why did Malcolm X want to get his hair conked?  What did the conk symbolize to him at the time he got it? What does it symbolize at the time he writes about it?

He got his hair conked because he wanted it to be straight and look like a white person’s hair.  It symbolized to be “pretty like a white man”.  Now he believes it was a stupid symbolization which he can’t believe he was a part of.

2.       Why do you think Malcolm X write this selection as a process explanation instead of a set of instructions?

The process shows more of how Malcolm X felt during the “conking” process also showing a more detailed version of the process.

3.       Why do you think Malcolm X includes so many references to the pain and discomfort he endures as part of the process?

He wanted to refer to specific items to help the reader envision the amount of pain he was in.  This helps them relate and understand how bad the pain was.

4.       In the last paragraph, Malcolm X encloses several words in quotation marks. Why do you think he does this? What is the effect of these quotation marks?

He did this to show emphasis on these words.  He wanted to say that they are nonsense and people shouldn’t feel inferior or superior to each other because of their skin color.

5.       The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published in 1964, when many African Americans regularly straightened their hair. Is his message/thesis still relevant today? Are there any current trends or practices that you would consider a contemporary equivalent of conking?

I do think this message is still relevant today.  There are definitely many trends that go along with different people.  Everyone has their own essential style and they like to play it out to the extreme.  For an example, Lady GaGa.

Family Lessons Response Questions

1.       Are you able to picture the characters in your head?  What other character-related details would enable you to “see” the writer’s characters?

I wasn’t able to see the characters aside from my own imagination of what they looked like.  If they were described better such as how skinny Clayton was, which would enable foreshadowing of the accident to come, or overall features would help the reader to reach a clearer image.

2.       What other characters would you like to see in the story?  Are there any characters that you would take out of the story?  Why/or why not?

I would like to see more of her family.  In the story there wasn’t a lot of emphasis on her family it was just her and her cousin.  Adding more emphasis on the family in the story will bring out their overall relationship and reveal how close they are.

3.       Is the plot/action entertaining?  What could the writer do to “spice” up the action?

I think the plot is very entertaining.  I was definitely engaged in the story to find out what was going to happen to her cousin.

4.       Can you picture where the story/action takes place?  Why or why not?  What else could the writer do to establish the setting of the story?  Are there any crucial scenes that are underdeveloped or completely omitted?

I am able to picture where the story takes place but I think, if possible, more details could be added to paint a clearer picture.  If the writer could flashback to the scene of when her cousin got injured and explain a little more about what would happen I think that would add a lot more to the story.

5.       Does the dialogue in the story seem realistic?  What could the writer do to improve the dialogue?  Where would you like to see less/more dialogue?

I think the dialogue could be a little stronger in the story.  It could show more of her feelings toward her cousin because in the story it seems like she is very insensitive towards him.  She shows little confidence in her cousin and his idea to go to the bull riding competition.

6.       What can the writer do to revise this essay and make it better?

The writer can add more dialogue; explain her overall relationship with her family, character description, detailed setting, and more dialogue.  The story was very engaging and with a few minor changes it could make it even better.

Amanda Elper's Peer Review (includes posts until the post labeled "Peer Review")

Amanda Elpers (Unexpected Event)

Chelsea Adams

1.       Is the introductory paragraph engaging?  Why or why not? What does the writer give you to make you want to continue reading?

The story starts out very catchy and drew me in to figure out what was going to happen next.  Once she stated it was late and she was starting to walk back to her apartment I knew something bad was going to happen.  Since she presented this detail without giving away the outcome too early in the story it encouraged me to keep reading.  I really enjoyed the suspense!  However, it needs to be proofread.  I was a little confused at times and had to re-read some sentences because of errors which could easily be eliminated by proofreading.

2.       Is the point or purpose of the description clear?  Can you find a sentence (or two) that reveals the writer’s reason for writing this descriptive essay?  If the thesis is explicitly stated, copy and paste it below…if the thesis is inferred, type what you believe to be the writer’s thesis below: 

      The scene in which she is describing is very clear and easy to imagine.  The purpose of her writing is also easy to imagine as she is trying to reveal her own story as to why drinking and driving is extremely dangerous.  The following sentences reveal her whole reason of writing this essay as to describe the impact of her night:  "Witnessing this incident has strong affected my life.  Drunk driving can have some serious consequences.  I think to myself, what if I was on the other side of that sidewalk?  I could have been what the pole was.  That thought seriously impacts me.  Drinking and driving just isn't worth it."

      I believe her thesis is something along the lines of trying to encourage people to stop drinking and driving.  She does this by giving her own experience and relating it to other possible outcomes.

3.       Do individual paragraphs seem well detailed?  What suggestions would you make about adding specific details?  What else would you like to know?

I think she could add more detail of the car, maybe that she “heard a roaring engine approaching from behind her and screeching breaks as she looked over her shoulder to witness an orange sports car slamming into a pole”.  Also she could add some more detail in her overall reaction to the incident which happened right in front of her.  I would also like to know more about how she was feeling and within the time it took her to call the police why she didn’t go over and check to see how the person in the vehicle was doing.

a.       Where would you like the writer add more visual detail?

I think she should add much more detail in what the car looked like such as how bad the accident really was.  Was the car wrapped around the pole, or just a dent?

b.      Where would you like the writer add more sound detail?

She should add more sound detail besides just the screeching breaks.  I think she needs to elaborate on the engine of the car just before it hit the pole and how loud the crash actually was.  These details might help the readers who have never experienced a crash happening right beside them.

c.       Where would you like the writer add more smell detail?

I don’t see the need to add anymore smell detail unless she added something about the smell of burnt rubber as the tires squealed to a stop.

d.      Where would you like the writer add more taste detail?

I don’t think she needs more taste detail.

e.      Where would you like the writer add more feel or touch details?

She could have said her whole body felt numb with shock of the incident which just happened in front of her.  She also could have added her overall mental state after the shocking event occurred.

4.       Do all of the paragraphs contribute to the development of the essay’s thesis?  Is it clear to you how each of the paragraphs relate to the description or observation the writer is providing?  Why/or why not?   Indicate the paragraph(s) that don’t seem to fit the focus of the essay below:

I think all of the paragraphs relate to the thesis very nicely.  They all relate to events leading to the incident and after the incident which pull together the reason for writing the essay.  I think it is very clear what she is trying to do with the essay and with a little more added detail it will portray an even better image of what she is trying to convey.  All of her paragraphs fit the main focus of the essay.

5.       Would the essay improve if the paragraphs were arranged differently?  Do the main ideas seem logically organized (using chronological or least-to-most important or spatial order, for example)? Why/or why not?  Note the paragraph(s) that seems out of order below:

Her essay flowed very nicely with the beginning paragraph relating to the fear of walking back to her dorm.  The second explaining the incident, and the ones following explaining the final outcome and the revelation she received.

6.       Are the paragraphs connected to one another smoothly and logically?  Are there transitions between paragraphs that help you understand how the writer’s ideas are connected?  Let the writer know which paragraphs need transitions.  What could the writer do to make the connection between the main ideas expressed in the individual paragraphs and the thesis clearer?

I think her paragraphs all transition very well and the paper flows smoothly.  She shows her feelings throughout the essay so that the readers can relate.  Adding a little more detail to her emotional state at the time would make it better.

7.       Write a summary comment that explains what you like best about the paper.  Then, describe the two features of the paper that most need improvement.  What suggestion(s) for overcoming these problems do you have?

I really liked the fact that she caught my attention in the beginning; I felt suspense throughout the whole paper.  Besides the additions I have suggested previously the paper needs major proofreading.  There are words misspelled along with grammatical errors which can be fixed very easily.  I think adding a little more detail to some parts of the essay and critiquing the grammar will make the paper a great read!

Peer Review

Chelsea Adams

Megan Elleser (“Going for the Win”)

1.       Are you able to picture the characters in your head?  What other character related details (age, height, personality, interests, etc.) would enable you to “see” the writer’s characters on the page?

It is very easy to picture the characters in Megan Elleser’s “Going for the Wind” essay.  I felt like I was cheering her on to win the white ribbon as I was reading the story.  She refers to her arm as little which paints a picture of a small determined fifth grade girl going for the gold.  I think she did a very good job explaining her character.  I also thought she did a good job at explaining the other kids which were running in the race.  I think she could have been a little more precise on maybe if they were taller than her, or in what other ways they posed a threat to her winning the race.  I had a hard time finding anything wrong with this essay, and it was a joy to read.

2.       Does it seem like an essential major or minor character is missing from the story? What other characters would you like to see in the story?  Are there any major or minor characters that you could cut from the story?  Why/or why not?

I think she could bring out her dad’s role in the story a little more.  She mentions how he helped her practice throwing the softball towards the beginning of the story, but I think she could add a little more to show off their relationship.  If she added something like “after missing the target and losing the challenge she looked up in the stands to see her dad still cheering her on and giving her motivation to push through to the next challenge”.  I think this will bring out their supportive father, daughter relationship.

I also think she could add a little more background information on the athletic kid she says she always resented in the fourth paragraph.  She could add the reasons she doesn’t favor this kid.

3.       Is the plot/action entertaining?  What could the writer do to “spice” up the action or captivate your attention? 

I think the plot is very entertaining, and I definitely was intrigued to read more as the story progressed.  I think she explained the way she was feeling very well and I was easily able to understand what she was going through.  I think she did a very good job at catching, and keeping the reader’s attention along with the details of what her character was feeling as she stepped up to compete.

4.       Can you picture where the story takes place?  Why or Why not?  What else could the writer do to establish the setting of the story?

I pictured the story taking place outside on a track until I read closer and saw it took place in the gymnasium.  I think she could put more emphasis on the setting in the story or just simply stating in the beginning the whole day took place inside.  I think this would give a more concrete picture to the reader of where it took place.

5.       Where in the draft could the writer add more description or background?  Where would you like to have more specific who, what, when, where, why, or how details?

As I have mentioned above, being more descriptive of the other kids she was competing against, bringing out where the story actually took place, and also her dad having more of a role in the story.  Other than these small revisions I think she did a great job portraying the other aspects of the story.

6.       Does the dialogue in the story seem realistic?  What could the writer do to improve the dialogue?  Where would you like to see less/more dialogue?

There wasn’t a lot of dialogue in the story which I don’t think impacted it a whole lot.  I think she could add dialogue when she goes up to greet her parents, or maybe her parents saying they’re proud of her for the excellent job she did during the events.  I think adding dialogue would be a great addition to her essay.

7.       What can the writer do to make this story better?

I don’t think she should start the very last paragraph with the preposition “through”.  I think she should think of another way to start off the ending paragraph.  Other than that I didn’t notice any other grammatical errors throughout the story and thought it was very good!

Viewing the Wreckage

                My brother took me back to the scene where he experienced the scariest moment of his life.  It was a beautiful day as the sun lit up the road revealing the markings of what had taken place the night before.  There were long black marks on the road where his tires squealed as he mashed down so hard on the breaks hoping it would be enough to stop before he hit the ditch.  I remember looking at the ditch where the metal of his jeep slammed into the fine undisturbed mound of dirt.  A little ways down the ditch there were more marks in the dirt from where the jeep came crashing down after flipping backwards in the air.  The jeep was totaled and was taken to a junk yard in the back of a dealership.  Looking at the markings and recreating that night in our minds he found a rock that looked misplaced and wedged in the dirt.  He picked it up and held it in his hands then turned and looked at me.  A few days before the crash, his girlfriend had given him a rock which was with him when he wrecked.  Although it was just a rock with a simple message engraved on it he was overjoyed to have found it.  It was a weird feeling how such an insignificant place a few days before could hold so much meaning to his and my life today.  He was a lucky person to be standing looking at the place where he could have lost his life.

                A few days after visiting the long and winding road where he wrecked, he took me to the junkyard to see the jeep.  Walking up to the wreckage I remember it was still in one piece, but badly broken.  The jeep was sitting upright on its tires now when a few hours before went soaring through the air and landed on its fiberglass top which saved my brother’s life.  The whole jeep was bowing in the middle and looked almost like it was going to fold in half any second.  There was mud splattered so thick over the windows it was hard to see inside.  The fiberglass hard top was torn up in the spots where it hit the ditch as if someone had taken a sledgehammer to it.  Looking at this simple piece of the jeep it was amazing that it is what saved my brother’s life. The police reported that if the soft top been on the jeep instead, there is little chance my brother would still be alive today.  The back glass window was busted out which is how he and the two other passengers got out of the car. 

As I opened the passenger door and looked inside I saw the back seat was completely busted out as if it had never been there.  The roll bar, which is the bar going across the top middle portion of the jeep to protect the top from caving in, was situated perfectly as if it hadn’t been moved.  As I looked at the fiberglass top of the jeep I saw where my brother had laid after he blacked out.  He described it to me as when the jeep hit the ditch his head slammed forward into the steering wheel breaking his nose.  He blacked out as the jeep flipped in the air and landed upside down.  He woke back up and unbuckled his seatbelt with the hand he had free.  His other hand was clamped between the top and a metal bar of his jeep causing three of his fingers to break.  As he unbuckled his seatbelt he fell to the top of the jeep where he blacked out once again.  When I was looking at the jeep it was evident he had broken his nose by of the amount of dried blood contrasting against the white top.  He can’t believe he made it out of the wreck alive, and the police were just as astonished.  Looking at the wreckage we all realized how lucky he is and how quickly life is jeopardized by the simple mistake of driving too fast on a dark winding road.

Ground Zero Response Answers

1.       What do you think Berne means when she says that as her eyes adjust to what she is seeing, “nothing” becomes something more potent, “which is absence”?

I think Berne means that the fact that she is seeing nothing instead of the two towers has a huge impact on her and the rest of the US.  Since there are supposed to be two tall towers at ground zero which have been destroyed all that is left is absence in Manhattan and an absence in our hearts.

2.       According to Berne, how were the televised images of ground zero different from the actual experience of seeing it?

She states how it looks like a construction site to the out-of-towner.  Once you are there in the vicinity to see the actual damage and how bad it actually is in person you aren’t able to get the full effect.  The actual experience of seeing it is more detailed than a picture could ever convey.

3.       What scene is most crucial to the essay—where/when does she slow down and re-create the events taking place?

The scene that is most crucial to the essay is when she goes to the café and looks down on ground zero.  She explains how they found a body in the debris and were pulling it out.  She explained how it seemed like the café and every one inside it paused for a moment.  She recreated the moment taking the reader back to the destruction not just as a construction site description but a graveyard for many of our US citizens and the overall horror of that day.

4.       In paragraph 3, Berne says that ground zero at first looks like “nothing”; in paragraph 4, she says it looks like a construction site. Then, in paragraph 7, she describes ground zero as “a great bowl of light.” And finally, in her conclusion, she refers to it as a pit.  Why do you think Berne describes ground zero in so many ways?

I think she is trying to describe ground zero in different ways so that the reader can use their imagination to create the image of destruction and debris.  I think she started out describing it as a construction site because everyone has seen a construction site and can easily relate.  Then she starts to go into more detail of it being a great bowl of light and a pit to help the reader convey an image of what it looked like.

5.       This piece is sometimes printed under the title “My Ticket to the Disaster”; how do these very different titles affect your understanding of Berne’s reason for writing? How would your perception of her purpose for writing this essay change if it were called “My Ticket to the Disaster”?

I think by having the title of “Ground Zero” the reader immediately knows the essay will be able 9/11.  If the title is “My Ticket to the Disaster” the reader doesn’t know for sure if it’s talking about 9/11 or if it’s talking about different situation.  I think the title “Ground Zero” is the best title for the essay because I know what she will be talking about whereas the other title I wouldn’t be as sure.

6.       What do you think Berne means in her conclusion when she says that with so many visitors coming to see ground zero, a form of “repopulation” is taking place?

She is saying that everyone is coming to see the site where so many lives were lost for many different reasons, but there is one overall reason in which they are coming.   They are coming because they are Americans, and united we will stand.

Country Cookin

                As far back as I can remember the one food which was a favorite of mine was mashed potatoes and gravy.  I remember going to my Nana’s house when I was younger and she would always fix dinner including mashed potatoes.  My cousins and I like to think we invented the KFC’s mashed potato bowl since we would mix everything in our mashed potatoes.  Even to this day I have tried to perfect her recipe, but they will never measure up to hers.

                The meal I remember the most whenever my brother and I would stay the night at my Nana’s house was breakfast.  She would always have batter mixed up to make waffles when we woke up in the morning.  We thoroughly looked forward to staying at her house and eating her homemade waffles.  Along with the waffles was either regular or turkey bacon.  She always had a supply of turkey bacon just for me because she knew how much I liked it.  This meal always followed a frosted glass of cold milk which she chilled in the freezer until we were ready to eat.  She still fixes this meal for us when we go stay with her today and we look forward to it as much as we used to.

                My family’s holiday dinners usually varied with which holiday it was, or what the family wanted to eat.  In the fall we always had turkey for Thanksgiving, which was followed with the usual sides of dressing, corn, pinto beans, mashed potatoes, green beans, and either cornbread or my Nana’s famous homemade rolls.  When Christmas time rolled around we switched out the turkey and cooked up a big ham with a pineapple glaze, and the usual sides minus the dressing.  The meal she fixed for Easter included either ribs, or another ham with the usual sides.  She also always had a vegetable tray which included raw broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots with a bottle of Ranch dressing awaiting my cousin and me.  It was always a good time when we would go visit my Nana and Papa and we never expected to leave hungry.

                My Nana was always the one who cooked the meals and it was almost like she never left the kitchen.  She always made sure we had enough to eat and we were never the slightest bit hungry.  She never complained about cooking and her food always tasted so good.  I remember how she would go around to all the grandkids and ask them what they wanted to eat.  After deciding what to fix she would make another round asking everyone what kind of dessert they wanted.  My favorite dessert was either her homemade peach cobbler, or coconut cream pie.  She never had to ask about beverages because she knew to fix two different pitchers full of sweet and un-sweet tea.

                When I was younger we lived about a half hour away from my Nana and Papa’s house and we usually went to visit them on the weekends.  This promised a big meal for my whole family who would usually come in as well.  I grew up on my Nana’s cooking and there’s no doubt my tastes were inherited from her.  It’s hard to steer away from country cooking once you’ve gotten the chance to enjoy tender meat, creamy mashed potatoes, butter filled rolls, and sweet tea to top it off.  There is nothing that will come close to my Nana’s homemade cooking and the only place to get it is McCurtain, Oklahoma.

Time Flies

                I will never forget the way I felt when my family and I would get in the car to go visit him.  I grew more anxious and excited through each passing mile.  I remember when we finally arrived at his house and I would run as fast as I could to be the first one to hug him.  His embrace was so comforting, like wrapping a warm blanket around you on a cold, blustery day.  He was a tall, stern man with many years of hard work behind him.  His hair was turning gray with his age but he never let that stop him from getting his work done.  He was a strong, God-fearing man who never asked for anyone’s help.  His kindness was his most inspiring attribute and what I will forever miss the most.

                When I was younger I remember how excited he would get when we would come and visit him.  He lived out in the country and worked on a farm his whole life.  I would always be the first one to tag along with him helping round up and feed his cows.  He had a graceful way in which he dealt with his cattle, and they knew exactly how to behave whenever he was around.  He would never let any of them suffer, and took extra care of the calves without mothers as he would one of his own children.  I remember if the cattle got too close, or I was ever afraid his hand was the first one I would grab.  They were rough like sandpaper, but so tender with emotion he held back all of my fears.

                He always wore the same thing whenever I would see him.  If the weather was nice he would be sitting in a chair outside on the patio overlooking his pasture and cattle.  He would be dressed in a button up short sleeve shirt with a collar.  They were usually vertically striped and the top two buttons would be undone after his long day of work.  He always wore dark colored Levi’s which would be partially tucked inside his boots.  He would have his glasses clipped either along the buttons in the middle of his shirt or hanging outside the pocket.  Sitting right next to him would be a tall glass of ice water condensing in the hot sun.  His gray hair was thick and wavy like the wind had blown it gently into place.  It was always parted to the side comfortably and neat every time I saw him.

                Whenever I would run up to him, after he picked me up and hugged me real tight, he would prop me upon his knee.  He would bounce his knee up and down and sing a gentle chorus of “Froggie Went A-Courtin”.  I remember the gentle tone of his voice and how it sounded so smooth like the way a mountain stream flows down a path.  It was the most comforting sound I had ever heard.  He had this soft and gentle way about him as if he would never let anything bad happen to me.

                As I grew older and my family moved away I didn’t get to see him as much anymore.  The years moved swiftly robbing me of the time I did not realize would become very short.  I remember the last visit after he had been diagnosed with cancer.  He acted like his same ole self, squeezing me real tight when I ran to greet him, and never let the cancer get the best of him.  I remember the way he smelled, and the way his voice sounded so sweetly in my ears.  When our visit was over and it was time to return home we went to his store to visit him one last time.  After we all said goodbye, I ran back inside for one last hug.  As I told him I loved him and started to turn away I saw a tear glisten as it rolled down his tired face.  In that instance I knew it would be the last time I would be comforted by his gentle embrace.  It was in that instance I knew my life would never be the same.

Words Left Unspoken Respons Answers

1.       What was Leah Hager Cohen’s earliest memory of her grandfather?  Since she can’t sign and he’s unable to speak, how do they communicate?

Leah Cohen’s earliest memory of her grandfather was of his chin.  Since it was shaped differently it was one of his features that hung with her for most of her life.  They communicated mainly by physical attributes, such as him mimicking the way she ate, making noises using his voice, playing games and many other ways.

2.       What is the significance of the essay’s title? What do you think the “words left unspoken” are?

I think it means along the same lines of “actions speak louder than words”.  In my opinion throughout the story when he would make noises when he was eating, or walk down the street holding his granddaughter’s hand it doesn’t take the ability to speak to know what he wanted to say.

3.       What do you think Cohen means when she says, “That was the longest conversation we ever had”?

In the story she was talking about walking down the street holding her grandfather’s hand.  I think the quote means she got to walk down the street beside her grandfather following his steps and being close to him.  In that moment even if he was able to talk words probably wouldn’t be able to describe how much that moment meant to the both of them.

4.       What figures of speech (see yesterday’s notes) does Cohen use in the essay?

In the beginning of the essay Cohen uses objective description when describing her grandfather’s chin and throughout the story in different instances.  She also uses similes throughout the paper to compare things her grandfather did to make it comparable to the reader along with metaphors.  These are also known as subjective descriptions.

5.       In the last paragraph, Cohen says that now, after her grandfather’s death, “everything seems like a clue.”  What do you think she means by this?  Do you think this is an effective way to end the essay?  Why or why not?

I think the ending of the essay seems a little confusing.  It made me question if he was really deaf or if he just never learned to speak.  It left me wondering after reading the ending of the story if there was something I had missed.

Becoming the Future

                In my life there have been many different instances which have helped me define the person I want to become in my future.  When I was younger my mother always told my brother and I to work as hard as we could in school and never forget to pray.  She also told us to never take for granted the things which have been given to us because there are many people out in the world who do not have those opportunities.  It has continuously helped me motivate myself throughout my high school and college career.  I have pushed myself to become a better person by growing up with such a benevolent mother.

                The summer before my freshman year of college I worked at Domino’s Pizza.  I worked there for four years and throughout those years I realized not to take the opportunity to go to college for granted.  Most of the employees working there at the time were living from paycheck to paycheck in order to provide for their families.  The employees were undoubtedly great people but unfortunately made bad decisions throughout their lives.  They never had the chance to attend the college of their choice and excel in a specific major.  Aside from the people who were working from paycheck to paycheck there were also some people who had worked there for the majority of their lives.  I realized, from the experiences I had talking to these people, how lucky I was to have the opportunity to attend college and achieve a degree.  I didn’t want the story of my life to end in a fast food restaurant.  I wanted to have the ability to use the knowledge I have to provide for myself and my future.

                When I was a senior in high school I decided I wanted to major in Radiology.  After entering college I dedicated my freshman year to studying and working towards getting into the Radiology program.  When it came time for the interviewing process I prepared myself as best as I could.  I made it through my interview and waited the few weeks it took to get back the results.  Sadly I did not make it into the program, but I later realized that was to my advantage.

                I talked to my parents about my different options of staying with Radiology and re-applying the following year, or choosing a different major.  My dad started talking to me about his decision to major in Accounting when he was in college.  He gave me an overview of the subject and helped me make the decision of pursuing a career in Accounting.  After my rejection letter he helped me understand it’s acceptable to make wrong decisions and end up going a completely different direction than originally planned.  He has provided for our family in many ways and has continuously helped me through my classes.  If I had any doubt in me he was quick to demolish it and influence me to never give up.  Throughout his life he worked very hard to build up his career and give his children the things he did not have growing up.  He is by far my biggest idol and a person I will forever look up to.

                I have also had the opportunity of meeting many different people through the organizations I have joined because of being an Accounting major and allowing myself to get involved at USI.  I have been led in the right direction to pursue the field I enjoy the most.  I have these people, and many others, to thank for helping me build up my career and become the best person I can be.

Only Daughter Response Questions

1.      What distinction does Cisneros make between being “the only daughter” and “only a daughter”?

Cisneros’ opinion on “the only daughter” forced her to keep to herself because her brothers felt they would be looked down upon for spending time with her in public.  This, in her present eyes, was good preparation for her future career as a writer. 

Cisneros’ opinion of “only a daughter” would lead her down the path her father wanted her to take which was to find a suitable husband and become a good wife.  Her father wanted her to take the more traditional path instead of having an actual career of her own.

2.      What advantages does Cisneros see in being the only daughter? In being only a daughter?

Cisneros saw in being “the only daughter” she was able to advance her career by spending time alone and developing a sense of writing.  It allowed her imagination to grow and develop into her writing career.

Cisneros saw the advantage of being “only a daughter” because it meant her father didn’t care what she focused her education.  It meant she was able to keep to herself without her father hovering about her work.

3.      Cisneros quotes her father several times…what do we learn about him from his words?

While I was reading the story I felt sorry for Cisneros because her father had belittled her throughout her life.  He expected her to get married and never become a career woman.  He also seemed to have little confidence in her until the end while he’s reading her story.

4.      Do you think Cisneros intends to convey a sympathetic or unsympathetic impression of her father? Explain.

I think in the beginning of the story Cisneros conveys an unsympathetic impression of her father because he demotes her beneath her brothers.  Since he showed no sort of confidence towards her she didn’t view him as sympathetic.  Towards the end of the story it shows how her father started to take an interest in her writings.  This enabled Cisneros to develop a more sympathetic view of her father since she had finally fulfilled her goal to impress him.

5.      Only Daughter” ends with the line: “Of all the wonderful things that happened to me last year, that was the most wonderful”…what “wonderful thing” is Cisneros referring to? Why do you think this “thing” means so much to her?

Cisneros is referring to when her father read her story and asked where he could get more copies to give to their relatives.  This “thing” means so much to her because all her life she has tried to impress her father.  He is finally letting her know she did a good job and he is proud of her.